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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro Keough Return to index of stories... |
When voters go to the polls September 10, they'll be choosing primary candidates for Governor, Congress and the state house. To help make those choices more informed, NH Outlook will be presenting profiles and conducting interviews of candidates in the key races every Wednesday and Friday leading up to the election. Producer Richard Ager begins our coverage with the race for governor and a profile of Republican Bruce Keough. |
| Keough Return to index of stories... |
Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:31:07 ** "How are you." "Bruce Keough." "I've read your name. And you're from Dublin, aren't you." "Yes I am." "Intending to go to Concord?" "That's right - but only during the day." Track: Bruce Keough would like that day job to be in a corner office at the statehouse. He's running for governor, he says, because the state is in trouble. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:01:00 The education funding system in the state has to be fixed or we're going to face a future of higher and higher taxes. Track: Born and raised in Berlin, Keough says lessons learned in childhood have shaped his lifelong beliefs. Bite: Keough tape 3 03:04:42 I grew up in a real working class family. My dad drove a truck, my mom was a secretary in the high school. My older sister was the first person in the family to go to college and - but I never grew up thinking we were poor. Most households in Berlin really had to live within their means. Track: Keough says that self-reliance makes for strong families and a strong community. It's a central theme in his major campaign proposal, which he brings to forums like this one in Portsmouth. Bite: Portsmouth forum tape 1 7:35:00 My plan eliminates the statewide property tax. There is no better way to get rid of donor towns than to eliminate the statewide property tax. And having grown up in NH, I can tell you that people in NH are smart enough to know that renaming local property taxes state taxes should not be confused with real help from the state. Track: Keough says under his plan, the state would still provide about $450 million from other revenues for targeted school aid to the neediest communities. But that money would no longer be sent as a block grant to each community. Bite: Keough tape 02:11:07 I think a better way to do it would be to assign matching rates to communities and have the program work in such a way that state dollars only match local dollars that are actually spent in schools. So there would always be a local effort alongside the state help. I think that's the proper role for the state in NH's education system. Standup: Any move to eliminate the statewide property tax could face serious legal challenges. In the Claremont school suit, the state Supreme Court declared the state must provide an adequate education for every child, and to ensure that school taxes are not disproportionately burdensome. As it stands, that has meant that every town, needy or not, must receive the same amount of state money for each student. Bite: Keough tape 2 02:17;26 I think the court's Claremont 2 decision was pure undiluted legal mischief. Track: Keough opposes the court's involvement in education funding, but says the Claremont decisions do leave more room to manouever than some may think. Bite: Keough tape 2 02:14:27 The court seemed to go to some length to explain that they were not requiring a uniform expenditure per pupil in every district in the state. The important thing I think in a political campaign is not to define the debate in terms that are acceptable to the court. A political debate in an election ought to be about comparing competing visions for how we ought to fund our schools. Bite: Keough tape 2 02:15:21 There probably are going to be legal hurdles. The court may determine that my plan is unconstitutional and that a constitutional amendment is required. But we are in a much better place at that point in time if we've had an election and the public has had an opportunity to speak out on this and we've passed a piece of legislation that shows where the legislature's will is. Track: Keough says the oral arguments earlier this year demonstrated some on the court would like to be free of further involvement with Claremont. Bite: Supreme Court Oral Argument tape 09;36:53 We have a government of three separate branches. Why should we sit as a superlegislature and isn't that what you're asking us to do? Isn't that the first question we have to answer? Whether we should do that? Bite: Keough tape 2 02:18:40 It seems to me that some on the court know they have a tiger by the tail and they'd like to figure a way out to let go of it, and I hope they view my plan as an opportunity to let go of that tiger's tail. Soundup: Portsmouth forum tape 1 7:30:45 The right way to repeal the statewide property tax is, as I have already suggested, amend the constitution. Bite: Keough tape 2 02:20:55 THE OTHER TWO REPUBLICANS SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO, BUT IT'S A DANGEROUS STEP. AND I'M WONDERING WHAT YOU THINK OF THAT. I think it's baloney. I think it's a dangerous step for them politically and that's why they haven't taken the position that I have taken. When you talk about eliminating the statewide property tax, you leave yourself open to those who would say 'you're cutting state aid in half'. And the other Republicans recognize this and they don't want to touch that rail. Track: Benson and Humphrey have proposed caps on the statewide property tax to help low-income seniors - a move Keough opposes. Keough tape 2 02:22:58 Because in capping property taxes for a certain group of local taxpayers, what you've done is create a new group of people that is still involved in local spending decisions, and they bear none of the costs associated with those spending decisions. I think over time, this will seriously undermine the financial discipline that we've gained through local control in NH. I think it's a bad idea, I oppose it and I'm going to continue talking about it Track: Keough concedes eliminating the statewide property tax may not lower home-owners' tax bills, but says it at least restores freedom of choice. And more choice is Keough's approach to providing health care - which would start with a health care summit of medical providers and consumers. Keough tape 3 03:09;52 I want to stop the blame game that we've been listening to for the last several years and get them all at a table and say how can we move toward a health care system that will involve lots of competition, lots of choice for NH citizens, and that will help control costs in the long run. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:12:15 "Sounds like you're on the uphill swing." "Yeah, that' s right. Just in time." Track: As the Republican race for governor developed over the past year, Keough registered last in the polls. But his support surged from 6% in February to 15% in late June. Bite: Keough tape 3 03;01:58 I think people have had almost a full year of seeing Craig Benson's television ads and hearing the Cabletron story over and over and over again, the part of the story that has Cabletron growing and doing well. And I don't think - people are just getting to know me. Track: And a favorable editorial hasn't hurt. Soundup: TV Ad tape 02:28:42 The Union Leader says Bruce Keough is focused like a laser on solving the state's education and budget problems. Track: Not surprisingly, Keough is an upbeat campaigner these days. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:29:20 they approach Lindy's "I like this place" Soundup: Keough tape 2 02;05:10 I'd love a tuna salad sandwich on wheat toast. Track: Sitting with a reporter from the Keene Sentinel, Keough discussed a wide range of issues including the other candidates. Soundup: Keough tape 2 02:03:49 Craig Benson's support for Democrats is a legitimate issue in a Republican primary. We're talking about who is going to be the nominee of our party. Track: It's all a part of getting his message out around the state. Bite: Tape OL60 01:17:24 In my view if the state of NH could authorize over 200 million dollars in bonding capacity to redevelop Pease Air force base and get that area back on its feet, it can help the North country out with infrastructure improvements to get the North country back on its feet as well. Bite: Tape OL60 01:19:23 We've consistently led the northeast in job growth, we've led the northeast in income growth, this has created tremendous prosperity an opportunities for NH families and I firmly believe we have enjoyed that kind of economic performance because we don't have an income tax or a sales tax. As governor, I will veto either. Track: There are issues Keough has a position on - but aren't part of the campaign. Bite: Keough tape 3 03:10:52 I support vouchers. I think that ANY LIMITATIONS ON THEM? We have big hurdles to overcome in NH to be able to implement a system of vouchers. I think vouchers are the cleanest most direct way to provide for school choice and I think school choice is a good thing. SO YOU WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BE USED FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, HOMESCHOOLING? Ideally, yes. Track: But, first things first - such as getting elected. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:24:30 ** Hi Daryll, how are you. I met you at the dinner over at Keene St. College two springs ago. " "Yeah, that's right"…. Track: If political skills like remembering people's names are important, Keough seems well-equipped for the rest of the race. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:05:15 "My wife is a member of the garden club." " Jane, is that right?" "Jane, oh you have a good memory." Track: And it's the art of knowing what to say. For example, when meeting the owner of a framing shop… Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:24:57 ** "I really like framing shops." Soundup: Keough tape 1 01:25:22 Store owner peels off Keough sticker from Eaton and puts it on. "Look at that, that's what I like to see." Track: And when agreeing to meet with a police group. Keough tape 1 01:24:20 I'll bring the donuts." Track: Keough believes this election will present voters with a choice of which road to take. Bite: Keough tape 3 03;13:50 It really gets to the heart of what kind of state are we going to be. Are we going to continue to be a state that works hard to keep the role of state govt. relatively small and targeted, or are we going to go down the path of Massachusetts and Connecticut and have a much weaker local govt. system and much stronger state system. I clearly want to honor the traditions that have made us a successful state and will fight to defend them. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. Soundup: Keough tape 1 01;28:45 Bicyclists go by as they approach, singing "It's the kind of walk you walk, when you're being camera shy. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us now to talk more about the race for Governor, Andy Smith of the UNH Survey Center and Dante Scala of the NH Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Why have Keough's numbers been on the upswing? What is the perception of Keough among voters? Conservative? Moderate? Keough has stated we can simply abolish the statewide property tax and not replace it. What kind of challenges do you expect to that position? And how much leeway has the supreme court granted the legislature to find a solution? Will he benefit from negative campaigning between Humphrey and Benson? What do you expect the primary race to come down to? What about the general election? By definition, it will be a pro-income tax Democrat running against a no new taxes Republican. Is there enough general unhappiness with the statewide property tax to favor a Democratic candidate? Other issues - healthcare, the economy, affordable housing - what role will they play in this election? Is everything overshadowed by education funding? |
| Intro Summer Theater Return to index of stories... |
We turn now to summer and specifically, the past and present state of summer theater in the Granite State. Its roots go back to the days of our Grand Hotels. Producer Chip Neal tells the story through the eyes of "The Barnstormers" in Tamworth, the oldest professional summer theater in the country. |
| Summer Theater Return to index of stories... |
a story about the summer theater scene in New Hampshire. It's origins in the summer theater circuit in the early 1900's. We look at this history through the eyes of "The Barnstormers" theater in Tamworth. It is the oldest professional summer theater in the country. We talk to Comm. of Curltural Resources Van McLeod as well as Cope Murray the artistic director of Barnstormers and Anne Batchelder and Betty Steele, residents of Tamworth who used to work in the theater. |
| Tag Summer Theater Return to index of stories... |
While The Barnstormers is the oldest professional summer theatre in the country, the second oldest is also here in New Hampshire. the Peterborough Players of Peterborough. The summer theater season is underway. There are venues all over the state. Here's a look at the schedule. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - A conversation with the new president of the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Ann Weaver Hart talks about mission, funding, labor relations and more. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| 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 Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. A conversation with the new president of the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Ann Weaver Hart talks about the university's role in the granite state. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| key: state politics / government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:7/17/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 9:12 In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a profile and discussion of gubernatorial candidate Republican Bruce Keough. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Bruce Keough \R - Candidate for Governor Joseph Nadeau\NH Supreme Court Justice Gordon Humphrey\R - Candidate for Governor Andy Smith, UNH Survey Center |
| key: culture / arts Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:7/17/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 5:48 In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a report on the past and present state of summer theater in the Granite State.Its roots go back to the days of our Grand Hotels. Producer Chip Neal tells the story through the eyes of "The Barnstormers" in Tamworth, the oldest professional summer theater in the country. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Van McLeod\ NH Comm. Cultural Resources Cope Murray\Artistic Director Betty Steele\Tamworth Resident Anne Batchelder\Tamworth Resident |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |