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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. Governor Jeanne Shaheen unveils her long awaited solution to the education funding crisis. We'll have a detailed look at the plan. as well as reaction. And, we'll meet some elementary school children who are "hooked on books." We'll watch them as they go on a shopping spree for their school library. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Intro Shaheen Plan Return to index of stories... |
Governor Jeanne Shaheen has a solution to the education funding crisis - a two-point-five percent sales tax and a reduced statewide property tax. In the Governor's plan - which she announced today - the Business Enterprise tax would be cut in half, the tax on interest and dividends would be reduced and the inheritance tax would be repealed. The Governor outlined her plan this afternoon at the Dame School in Concord. OUT: |
| Shaheen Plan Return to index of stories... |
CG:BULLET5\Governor's Education Funding Criteria\ School Funding\Protect Economy\Lowest Tax in New England\Lower Statewide Property Tax\Improve Schools\ CG:BULLET4\Governor's Education Funding Plan\EXCEL New Hampshire\2.5% Sales Tax\Exempts food, clothing,\fuel, medications\ CG:BULLET4\Governor's Education Funding Plan\EXCEL New Hampshire\Cuts Property Tax\Low Income Property Tax Relief\\ CG:BULLET4\Governor's Education Funding Plan\EXCEL New Hampshire\Uses Transfer Tax for\Heritage and Tourism Programs\Promotion Campaign for NH Retailers\ CG:BULLET4\Governor's Education Funding Plan\EXCEL New Hampshire\Sets School performance standards\Early learning initiative\Fiscal Discipline\\ |
| Intro Reaction Return to index of stories... |
Word was out prior to the Governor's news conference that a sales tax would be part of her proposal to solve the education funding crisis. As Richard Ager shows us that advance notice drew a crowd. |
| REACTION Return to index of stories... |
Track: Retail merchants from around the state came to the governor's news conference to hear the news for themselves. Most didn't like what they heard. Bite: 02;01:19 The governor has basically sacrificed us as lambs - and by us I mean the retailers of NH - as part of this program. Obviously it was our greatest fear that something like this would happen but one thing that everyone needs to understand is that her voice was heard today, but that's not the final voice on this matter. Track: Jay Levy is the chief financial officer of State St. Discount in Portsmouth which attracts a third of its business from out state. He says retail businesses like his are being endangered by ill-informed decisions. Bite; 03:36 She's making a very dangerous conclusion based on a blue-ribbon committee that doesn't do retail - they do a lot of theory, they ask a lot of questions, and they come up with their own summation. And they're not retailers - we are. We do this day in and day out, and for someone to sit there and say that we're, in essence, saying the sky is falling, is inaccurate and there's no factual basis for it. Track: Not all merchants are that concerned. Jon Happnie has managed Northwood Old Books for 11 years now, and says a sales tax could make sense. Bite: 24:07 I don't think it's going to make that much of a difference. I just think retailers don't want to be bothered with the paperwork and that's understandable. I can fully understand that - but I still think it's the fairer way to go. And if you can afford the $1000 item, you'll pay the tax on it. If you can afford the $3 item, that's what you'll pay the tax on. Track: Most do oppose a sales tax. Many fear it would increase over time. But the state's revenue commissioner says that shouldn't be an issue. Bite: 7:10 She asked for a supermajority in order to increase the rate. But I sometimes think the concern is overstated in NH. This state is a frugal state and it's going to remain that way no matter what the tax structure is. There's a definite involvement of the citizens in govt. and they're not going to allow spending just to get out of control. SO YOU'RE GOING TO RELY ON COMMON SENSE? Common sense - we have a lot of it here. Track; The governor's plan will have to pass both the House and Senate before becoming law - and is sure to face challenges in both chambers. Bite; 13:10 I have always opposed the sales tax in the past - representing some border communities - all you have to do is come down to Salem on a weekend and see the out the state plates. As a matter of fact, any of our other border communities have Vermont and Maine plates. What the impact of having a sales tax - we need to look exactly what that impact would be. Track: Senate President Klemm did praise the governor for presenting a plan, and agreed that achieving a permanent solution to education funding is essential. Bite; 17;00 I talk to people on the street - they say they want it done - the businesses want it done - I think it's important we protect our bond rating - and I think you'll see us get it done this session. Track: The governor's plan will next go into hearings in the House. For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Intro Republican Return to index of stories... |
Governor Jeanne Shaheen was not alone in proposing a solution to the education funding crisis. House Republicans announced their own plan earlier in the day. Hooksett Republican David Hess said the state should shift 75 percent of business tax revenues to pay for schools, then deal with how to pay for other state spending later. |
| Tag Republican Return to index of stories... |
Many House Republican leaders attended Hess's announcement -- though he said it isn't a leadership-sponsored proposal. |
| Intro Shaheen Return to index of stories... |
Governor Shaheen was quick to react to the republican sponsored legislation. |
| Intro MOS Return to index of stories... |
So how do people in New Hampshire feel about a sales tax? We stopped a few in downtown Concord to get their initial reaction. |
| MOS Return to index of stories... |
Deborah Spencer of Webster said that she was in favor of the sales tax. She said that the state needs to pay for education somehow and since we pay taxes in other states and help pay for their education, why shouldn't people who visit NH help pay for ours. Michael Bourgine of Gilford was in favor of the sales tax, but also wanted a sales/income tax combination and dropping the property tax. Christine Sarandopolis of Pembroke basically thought the sales tax was a double edged sword, on one side education funding is needed, on the other it may actually affect business in New Hampshire. Jack Dokus of Northfield values the uniqueness of NH without sales tax and thinks that the sales tax will be the downfall of business and he can't understand why Shaheen would do such a thing. Robert Sasso of Bow thought the concept of the sales tax was a good one, but personally he still likes not paying a sales tax. Rep. Joe Manning of Jaffrey wonders what impact it will have on state by making so many more people "tax collectors." Rep. Barbara French of Henniker has her reservations because she doesn't know how much money is actually going to be made, but is going to keep an open mind. |
| NHPR Return to index of stories... |
This is likely to be one of the most hotly debated issues in years. And tomorrow, on New Hampshire Public Radio, the debate continues. Tune in to The Exchange program with Laura Knoy from 9-10am. Where guests will field your phone calls and discuss the merits of the Governor's Education Funding proposal. CG:BUMP\For More on the Education Funding Crisis\Tune in Tomorrow to "The Exchange" with Laura Knoy on New Hampshire Public Radio 9-10am\ |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Another nice day today - but the winds made it feel a bit cold out there. For a look at what we can expect tomorrow, I spoke to Weather Observer Brian Post at the Mount Washington Observatory a short while ago. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
CG:WEATHER\Tonight \North\Mostly cloudy\Low 15 to 20\Northwest wind around 10 mph\ CG:WEATHER\Tonight \South\Partly cloudy\Low in the mid teens\Northwest wind around 10 mph\ CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\North\Partly sunny.\then becoming mostly cloudy\High 30 to 35\Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow \South\Mostly sunny in the morning.\then becoming cloudy\High in the upper 30s\Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph |
| Intro Bakersville Return to index of stories... |
Finally tonight, as the political debate over education funding rages on, schools all over the state are on the front lines trying to stretch every dollar. Many people are working hard to motivate children to learn. Chip Neal reports on a school in Manchester that is trying to get its students "Hooked on Books". |
| BAKERSVILLE Return to index of stories... |
Chip Standup outside Barnes & Noble -- We're waiting for a school bus full of first graders to show up here at the Barnes & Noble bookstore. These first graders from Bakerville elementary school here in Manchester are coming here to pick out new books for their school library. These may be the first new books for that library in quite a while, and this may also be the first visit to a bookstore for some of these kids. VO Mary Ashcliff Community Relations Dir. Barnes & Noble This progam resulted from Bakersville calling us before X-mas re a program they had called Hooked On Books they realized alot of the kids had no experience with book stores and they also wanted to get some books into the school library. So they called and made arrangements and we have had every grade here now except for kindergarten we brought the program to the school for them. But the rest have come over and listen to story time, got juice and cookies and they got to pick out books and they each got a little sticker which says I piced out this book for the school library which they put into the book see kids various shots as they pick out books make comments, and see Lyle the Crocadile make an appearance. Well the field trip has been fun but now the kids are going back to the school were they're going to take these books and put them to work. - Bakersville is a small school. located on one of Manchester's busiest intersections. It's a K to 5 schools It's about 71$ free and reduced lunch. and about one third english as a second language. So it's a very culturally diverse population. Children have wonderful parents but they do have parents who don't often have the resources to take them to a lot of places that other people take for granted. On this trip for instance we found that alot of them had never been to the other end of South Elm st. I went into each classroom as we started this program with Barnes & Noble and on average only 2 had ever been to a bookstore. most have not been to the ocean.l They really haven't been to other parts of Manchester even. these books will be used to continue what we have been doing as far as story maps. Getting them to be thinking about why do I like this story why do I like this book, For them to go and choose a book of their own and have their name plate in it. That's a really good first step. I Believe very strongly that the cornerstone of all education is reading. The district has not been able to put a lot of money into the libraries and the school itself doesn't have a lot of money. So I decided that it would be a good idea to focus on that. We also know that you can have floor to ceiling books but unless the children are motivated to read them it's not going to do you any good. So we decided that if we took the children to the bookstore and let them self select the book which would then go into the library. We have had a big push in technology which is important. But we can't forget how important reading is also. This collection is quite small. so we're really working on building it up as much as we can. The children really really need a lot more materials than what we have right now. This has been a goal for us. Children have wonderful parents but they do have parents who don't often have the resources to take them to a lot of places that other people take for granted. On this trip for instance we found that alot of them had never been to the other end of South Elm st. I went into each classroom as we started this program with Barnes & Noble and on average only 2 had ever been to a bookstore. most have not been to the ocean.l They really haven't been to other parts of Manchester even. If you turn them on to reading they're all set in the rest of education. kids learning about writing and how you can share so much information through a book can share my knowledge my experiences with many people in a book. Chip VO kids in classroom and exterior of school These students will share their books with their parents at a special school event. And, after that the new books go into the school library, so others can read them too. For New Hampshire Outlook I'm Chip Neal |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on tonight's program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.o-r-g. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts and participate in our daily poll. If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Tomorrow on New Hampshire Outlook - A gasoline additive was designed to help clean the air. Now it's showing up in drinking water supplies in New Hampshire and the rest of the nation. Can anything be done about MTBE? Join us tomorrow. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, thanks for joining us. Stay tuned for NOVA We'll be back tomorrow at 7:30. Good night. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. A gasoline additive was designed to help clean the air. Now it's showing up in drinking water supplies in New Hampshire and the rest of the nation. Can anything be done about MTBE? Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Retailers view on tax Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Sales Tax-Retailers dewman Border retailers say sales tax would hurt them -- Governor Jeanne Shaheen's expected proposal for a sales tax to help pay for education is being blasted by some storeowners who depend on out-of-staters for much of their business. Shaheen reportedly will propose a two and a half percent sales tax on certain merchandise, half the tax rate in Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine. In Portsmouth, Delores Lintz, owner of Tulips gift shop, said the tax would not raise enough money to solve the education problem, and cause another one by hurting business. At the Sears store in Salem, General Manager Jim Roach said 18 of the store's top 20 customer ZIP codes are from Massachusetts. Shopper Jennifer Ward of Amesbury, Massachusetts, said if she had to pay a sales tax in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, she'd rather pay it to a store in her own state. |