Manchester, NH – Members of the Manchester Republican Delegation are calling out the Manchester Department of Health after what has become known as “pickle-gate.” A resident was threatened by the city with a formal letter for sharing homemade pickles with a friend—despite state law clearly allowing it.
“This is a textbook case of government overreach,” said State Representative Kathleen Paquette, echoing calls from other members of the delegation. “Granite Staters value self-reliance and neighborliness. No one should be punished for sharing a jar of pickles.”
To prevent similar abuses, Manchester Republicans are sponsoring legislation to clarify and limit municipal authority to those powers specifically granted under state law—such as regulating streets, sidewalks, cemeteries, public safety, and business licensing. For too long, vague statutory language has allowed city councils to assume powers far beyond their scope, often at the expense of personal freedoms. This bill ensures that local control remains strong where it belongs, while preventing city officials from creating rules that contradict state protections or unnecessarily intrude into private life.
“This legislation restores balance,” Paquette continued. “State, local, or county officials shouldn’t invent new authority to micromanage daily life. Existing state law already provides the right balance between safety and freedom—clearly the City of Manchester took this too far.” The delegation is urging colleagues to co-sponsor this measure and make clear: New Hampshire government exists to protect the people, not police their pickles.