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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight.A new revenue plan causes rancor at the statehouse. There's nothing more sure in life than death and taxes. Plan ahead to provide for your family AND your favorite charities. Plus. meet the people who are bringing New Hampshire's small but stunning seacoast to life for thousands of young people in the granite state. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Intro Securities Return to index of stories... |
The tax plan passed by the Senate last week has become controversial for its reliance on two major revenue sources. The doubling of the Business Enterprise tax has angered many businesses in the state. The other proposed revenue source is a doubling of fees charged to securities dealers or stockbrokers. As producer Richard Ager reports, the new fees could provoke a court challenge. |
| Securities fees Return to index of stories... |
Soundup: Fidelity HQ Track: Every person who sells securities or stocks in New Hampshire - whether at a big company like Fidelity or out of a part-time home office - must pay annual licence fees. Graphic: Broker dealers now pay $250 for their initial application fee and licence and $200 for an annual licence renewal. Those fees would double under the Senate tax plan passed last Wednesday. Track: The steep rise in fees surprised the state's investment dealers. Graphic: In a statement, the Investment Company Institute, an industry association, stated NH's fees are already among the highest in the country, and warned the fees "come straight out of the pocket of mutual fund shareholders." Track: Those warnings sound familiar to Peter Hildreth, who runs the state office of securities regulation. Bite: Tape 1 01;02:25 My position for the past few years has been that our fees kind of push the envelope. When I talk to people from other states, they are surprised at the amount of revenue that we bring into the state of NH. Track: In fact, the various fees will bring in an estimated $28 million this fiscal year, even though the securities regulation office only costs about $400,000 a year to administer. And even with that huge surplus, it can be difficult to hire enough enforcement support. Bite: 05:57 I was called over to the committee of conference this morning to talk about an examiner position that - the Senate gave us an additional examiner position and the House was questioning the need for it. Track: If the fees are doubled, they would produce revenue more than 100 times greater than the cost of regulating securities. According to attorney Martin Gross, that could provoke a lawsuit. Bite: 02:16:18 They'd better be careful. Under the NH state constitution, you can't just impose something and call it a fee and get away with it. The fee has to bear a reasonable relationship to a special service or a special enforcement activity being performed. And normally, the rule of thumb that has been used over the years is 125% of budget to direct operating expense for the cost of the activity. And I understand this would raise significantly more than 125% of the operations of the NH Securities Office. So I think that if the legislature doubles these fees, they are inviting a lawsuit. Bite: 02:18:48 It seems to be part of the frenzy. Do something, do anything to raise the money that everyone knows we need to pay for the legitimate operations of govt. But don't do it in a way that anyone can understand. We see that over and over again here, unfortunately. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Tag Securities Return to index of stories... |
The committee of conference debate over House Bill 170 continues tomorrow. |
| Gordon Plan Return to index of stories... |
Tonight sources are telling the Associated press that the senate is preparing to give up for now - on a new school aid distribution plan. But the bill's sponsor tells Outlook that's not the case. Republican Senator Ned Gordon says no agreement has been reached to withdraw his bill which divides school funding responsibilities between state and local government. Gordon says the issue of constitutionality was raised by the Governor yesterday and was the subject of discussion today. Some want the State Supreme Court to weigh in on the constitutionality of the bill. |
| Sprawl Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire is making progress - when it comes to stopping "sprawl." State Planner Jeff Taylor says although a 28-member team established to create a working definition of sprawl couldn't agree on the appropriate wording - that hasn't prevented towns and cities from creating their own solutions to control growth. Taylor says between 1988 and 1993, the state doubled its holdings of land to protect natural resources, including key shoreline areas. |
| Mosquito Fines Return to index of stories... |
The city of Portsmouth is considering a plan to fine people who give mosquitoes a place to breed. Mosquitoes are not only pesky, they could also carry the deadly West Nile Virus. The ordinance is designed to encourage people to get rid of old tires or containers where water collects. Violators could be fined 100 dollars if they fail to correct the problem. |
| Work Zone Safety Return to index of stories... |
If a worker directs you to stop when you come upon a contruction site - you better do just that. If you don't - you could pay a hefty fine. A new state law went into effect this month that requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet away from a traffic director when he or she signals you to stop. Failure to obey the signals can result in fines up to $250 dollars. |
| Internet Security intro Return to index of stories... |
Protecting against cyber-crime was the topic of dicscussion at a forum in Bedford today. The conference - hosted by Congressman Charles Bass - featured presentations by information technology experts designed to promote methods of safeguarding on-line resources. Also participating were New Hampshire businesspeople, concerned about the safety of information on the web. The forum comes on the heels of the conviction of Patrick McKenna. The Hampton man was sentenced yesterday to six months in jail and ordered to pay 13-thousand dollars in restitution for hacking into his former Portsmouth-based employer's computer system. |
| Tag Internet Security Return to index of stories... |
A new study suggests an internet version of Neighborhood Watch could help stop kids from being solicited for sex on the internet. University of New Hampshire researchers say one in five children are targets of sex solicitation when they use the internet. They say few kids report their encounters because they're not sure where to report them. |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
Good earnings news from Oracle couldn't offset concerns about profit warnings elsewhere. It was a mixed day on wall street. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
The dow jones industrial average ended the day off over 48-points. The American Stock Exchange was down over four and a half points. And The Nasdaq and the S and P 500 were up over four. |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at stocks of interest to New Hampshire investors. Chubb closed up a dollar 17-cents. Shares of GE lost 92-cents. Pennichuck Corporation closed up one dollar. Standex was down 90 cents and Teredyne ended the day down one dollar 66 cents. |
| Intro Estate Planning Return to index of stories... |
Take a look around at your family and friends. Have you taken the time to decide what you want done when the day arrives that you're no longer here. It may sound a bit morbid, but estate planning is more than just deciding who gets what when they pass on. We spoke recently with financial planner Faye Doria. |
| Charitable Giving Return to index of stories... |
Many estate planners are encouraging their clientsto provide for their families AND their favorite charities through programs called planned giving. By giving to charity through your will, your estate taxes are reduced. The choice is yours. Give to the government or to the charity of your choice. To learn more about planned giving, contact your financial planner OR the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation at nhcf.org. |
| Berlin Paper Mill Return to index of stories... |
There's concern tonight about the financial well-being of northern New Hampshire's largest employer. Last week, some workers at Pulp and Paper Company in Berlin were unable to cash their paychecks until the parent company wired in money. Pulp and Paper employs 860 people. It owes the city about one-point-three million dollars in back taxes and has bounced several tax checks. Community leaders and government representatives are meeting to address the problem. |
| Pease Noise Return to index of stories... |
The government is preparing to make noise restrictions at the Pease airport mandatory. They've been voluntary since 1991. Airlines agreed to limit late night flights after residents sued the Pease Development Authority The flight restrictions have little effect on passenger flights, but would prevent the airport from being used as a major cargo hub. Each carrier would be limited to three flights from eleven p.m. to six a.m. |
| Maple Syrup Return to index of stories... |
The long snowy winter was responsible for meager maple syrup production this year according to state department of agriculture. New Hampshire produced 45-thousand gallons of syrup this year, compared to the average production of 75-thousand gallons. Deep snow cover late in the winter kept tree roots cold and prevented sap from flowing. Nationally, production was down 15 percent. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
It was another beautiful day around the granite state. Will it last? We checked in with Anna Porter at the Mount Washington Observatory just a few minutes ago. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
CG:WEATHER\Mount Washington Observatory\Current Conditions\Temperature: 62 Degrees\Wind: West at 32 mph\Mostly sunny\Visibility: 40 miles CG:WEATHER\Tonight\Statewide\Parly Cloudy\Lows: 60s\Winds: Southwest 5 to 10 mph CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\North\Becoming partly sunny\ Chance of thunderstorms late\Highs: 75 to 80\Winds: West at 10 mph CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\South\Partly sunny\ Chance of thunderstorms late\Highs: 80 to 85\Winds: West at 10 mph |
| Intro Marine Docents Return to index of stories... |
There's a group of New Hampshire volunteers who are really getting their feet wet. For more than twenty years, UNH Marine docents have been sharing their knowledge with student and adult learners through a program called Sea Trek. Producer Scott Jones joined them to see a Marine Docent in action. |
| Tag Docents Return to index of stories... |
There are currently about 140 active marine docents. If you would like to volunteer, contact New Hampshire Sea Grant Extension at UNH. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Stay tuned for Keeping Up Appearances. 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 |
| 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.org. 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 - Do your weekend plans include getting out in the garden? Don't pick up the weed wacker until you hear from the experts on caring for tomatoes and other NH summer crops and flowers. |
| key: education Return to index of stories... |
DATE:6/19/01 TOPIC:There's a group of New Hampshire volunteers who are really getting their feet wet. For more than twenty years, UNH Marine docents have been sharing their knowledge with student and adult learners through a program called Sea Trek. Producer Scott Jones joined them to see a Marine Docent in action. SEGMENT LENGTH:5:43 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: |
| key: government: state Return to index of stories... |
DATE:6/19/01 TOPIC:The tax plan passed by the Senate last week has become controversial for its reliance on two major revenue sources. The doubling of the Business Enterprise tax has angered many businesses in the state. The other proposed revenue source is a doubling of fees charged to securities dealers or stockbrokers. As producer Richard Ager reports, the new fees could provoke a court challenge. SEGMENT LENGTH::2;49 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: |
| key: economy Return to index of stories... |
DATE:6/19/01 TOPIC:Take a look around at your family and friends. Have you taken the time to decide what you want done when the day arrives that you're no longer here. It may sound a bit morbid, but estate planning is more than just deciding who gets what when they pass on. We spoke recently with financial planner Faye Doria. SEGMENT LENGTH:9:16 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: |
| Tonight 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Do your weekend plans include getting out in the garden? Don't pick up the weed wacker until you hear from the experts on caring for tomatoes and other NH summer crops and flowers. Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Tonight 11:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Do your weekend plans include getting out in the garden? Don't pick up the weed wacker until you hear from the experts on caring for tomatoes and other NH summer crops and flowers. Join us tonight at 11:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |