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 Show OpenReturn to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. In this program - we look into our crystal ball and predict which stories we think will make major news in the year ahead. Governor Benson plans on runningf or re-election. who will his challenger be?? We'll get some thoughts. The battle of the budget continues. And we'll find out what bills are slated to come before the legislature this upcoming session. |
| Roundtable Return to index of stories... |
But first let's introduce this week's guests. Joining us from the statehouse in Concord - Norma Love of the Associated Press and Colin Manning of Fosters Daily Democrat. And here with me in Durham, Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat, James Pindell of Politics-N-H-dot-com, and Jeff Feingold of the New Hampshire Business Review. Thank you all for joining us. |
| Election - Benson Return to index of stories... |
He used ten million dollars of his own money to finance his last campaign. Incumbent Governor Craig Benson will run for re-election here in New Hampshire - but this time around he's already started to raise money from supporters rather than counting soley on his own personal fortune. James are we going to see a new record being set for the amount of money being spent on this campaign? IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO RUNS AGAINST HIM. I THINK IN THE EARLY PART OF THE YEAR, YOU SHOULD LOOK FROM DEMOCRATS TO TRY TO FIND SOMEONE FROM THE OUTSIDE WHO HAS A LOT OF MONEY AND HAS SOME PERSONAL STATUS HIMSELF. AS WE GET CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE SUMMER, WE'LL LOOK FOR. YOU HAVE TO LOOK FOR A DEMOCRATIC INSIDER. IT IS AND IT ISN'T INTERESTING THAT WE DON'T HAVE A DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE RIGHT NOW. WHAT'S THE POINT? THEY WOULDN'T GET ANY NEWS COVERAGE. IN THE OTHER SENSE, THEY COULD BE RAISE AGO LOT OF MONEY WITH ALL THE DEMOCRATS RUNNING AROUND. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND ALL THAT MONEY BUT IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO HIS OPPONENT IS GOING TO BE. THAT'S ONE OF THE DRAW BACKS OF HAVING A PRIMARY HERE, THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY IS THAT IT KEEPS PEOPLE DISTRACTED FROM WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE STATE. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, FOREVER. WHEN ONE OF THESE THINGS, AS JAMES SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY OF THE TOP DEMOCRATS ARE SO FOCUS ODD THIS PRIMARY THAT'S COMING UP THAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN THINKING ABOUT RUNNING AGAINST THE GOVERNOR. THE OTHER POINT IS, IT'S APPARENT THAT WHOEVER THE DEMOCRAT IS AT THIS POINT, UNLESS IT'S STEVE TYLER OF AEROSMITH, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO. HE HAS THE MONEY. . IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY DIFFICULT. WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY REPUBLICANS, MODERATE REPUBLICANS, WHO HAVE BECOME DISENCHANTED OR LEAST ALIENATED BY THE GOVERNOR THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY. I'VE HEARD ENOUGH NAMES BEING KNOWN AROUND. LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT. NORMA OR COLLIN WHO ARE YOU HEARING AS FAR AS POSSIBLE NAMES FOR THE DEMOCRATS. GO AHEAD. SOME NAMES BEING FLOATED AROUND, OF COURSE, I'VE HEARD DICK SWEAT OR MAYBE HIS WIFE KATRINA SWEAT. JOHN LYNCH WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS ANOTHER NAME. THAT NAME WAS FLOATED EARLIER. HE'S COME OUT AND SAID I GUESS AND SAID NO I'M NOT INTERESTED. FROM WHAT I HEAR THAT NAME IS STILL FLOATING OUT THERE. THEN THERE'S ALWAYS BILL SHAHEEN. ALWAYS GOING TO BE A RUMOR THAT THE HUSBAND OF FORMER GOVERNOR JEANNE SHAHEEN. BUT THE RUMOR I HEARD LATELY WITH HIM IS HE MIGHT BE ENTERTAINING A RUN FOR CONGRESS AND CHALLENGE JIM. JEB BRADLEY IN THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. THE REAL INTERESTING THING IS WHETHER OR NOT THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE A PRIMARY. THAT'S WHEN YOU WILL SEE WHETHER OR NOT THE MONEY THAT WAS SPENT LAST TIME WILL BE SPENT AGAIN. THE GOVERNOR I THINK HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO SPEND MONEY THAT HE CAN RAISE AND LEAVE HIS PERSONAL FINANCES OUT OF THIS, BUT IF HE DOES HAVE A PRIMARY, A SUBSTANTIAL CHALLENGER, WHICH I DON'T SEE ONE EMERGING, HE HAS THAT RESERVE THERE. HE WILL DIP INTO TO KEEP THE CORNER OFFICE. I THINK WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS THE. IN NEW HAMPSHIRE IT'S ALMOST A CAKE WALK ON YOUR SECOND TERM. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN INDICTED FOR SOMETHING. NEW HAMPSHIRE TENDS TO RE-ELECT. IT'S THE THIRD TERM AND THE FOURTH TERM THAT ARE REALLY TOUGH TO GET. SO IT WOULD TAKE A REALLY A SERIOUS CHALLENGE FROM SOMEONE WITHIN HIS PARTY WHICH I AGREE WITH COLLIN, I DON'T SEE, OR A DEMOCRAT WHO MAYBE JUST WANTS TO GET A NAME OUT THERE AT THIS POINT FOR A FUTURE RUN. SO HAVE YOU HEARD ANY RUMBLINGS AT ALL ABOUT ANYONE TRYING TO CHALLENGE GOVERNOR BENSON, A REPUBLICAN? NOTHING REALLY SOLID. I THINK THE MONEY FACTOR IS STILL HANGING OUT THERE. EVERYONE KNOWS HE HAS THAT MONEY THAT HE CAN DIP INTO IF HE NEEDS TO. NO ONE REALLY WANTS TO CHALLENGE THAT. THE ONLY WAY YOU'LL SEE A SERIOUS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER OR SOMEONE WHO IS REPUBLICAN OR AN INDEPENDENT IS IF SOMETHING MAJOR HAPPENS IN THE BENSON ADMINISTRATION WHICH AGAIN I DON'T REALLY SEE HAPPENING. SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN WHERE PEOPLE FEEL THEY MAY LOSE THE SEAT TO A DEMOCRAT, BUT THAT'S A CRAP SHOOT. WHETHER OR NOT THAT WILL HAPPEN, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE BUT I DOUBT IT. MY INSIDE SOURCES HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE'S NO ONE GOING TO RUN. NOT JUST THE MONEY. I TOLD YOU A MINUTE AGO I MEAN, THE PUBLIC DOESN'T DISLIKE THIS MAN. THEY LIKE THIS MAN BECAUSE OF THE THINGS LIKE THE ONE-WAY TOLLS OVER ON HAMPTON THAT HE HAD A FOR A WHILE, THE CANADIAN DRUGS, THE KINDS THINGS THAT GET UNDER THE PEOPLE IN CONCORD'S SKIN DON'T BOTHER THE PEOPLE OUT ON THE. OUTSIDE OF CONCORD BECAUSE IT'S NOT PART OF THEIR LIFE. SO THERE'S ALWAYS A DISCONNECT AND THE FIRST TIME A GOVERNOR GOES THROUGH, HE MAKES A FEW ENEMIES. IN THIS CASE, THIS GOVERNOR HAS RUFFLED MORE THAN A FEW FEATHERS BUT USUALLY BY THE END OF THE FOURTH YEAR OR INTO THAT FOURTH YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH PROBLEMS THAT WHEN IT'S EASIER FOR A CHALLENGER TO FIND, HEY, YOU'VE GOT THIS RECORD OR A DEMOCRAT IN THE OTHER PARTY TO SAY, HEY, WE CAN MAKE A RUN AT THIS GUY BECAUSE HE'S DONE THIS, THIS AND THIS. BUT IT STILL REMAINS THAT THERE'S ENOUGH DISAFFECTION AMONG REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW, I AGREE, I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE A PRIMARY CHALLENGE BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE QUIETLY HOPING THAT THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF A CHALLENGE EVEN IF IT'S AN INDEPENDENT BECAUSE THERE'S A HISTORY OF THAT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHERE INDEPENDENTS HAVE RUN AND DONE, YOU KNOW, WELL AT CERTAIN POINTS IN TERMS OF GATHERING ENOUGH VOTES. THERE'S REALLY. THERE'S. I AGREE WITH NORMA THAT THERE'S NOT MUCH OUT AMONG OUTSIDER. OUTSIDE OF CONCORD PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. IF A COUPLE OF THINGS DO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT SESSION, SOME OF IT TO DO WITH THE BUDGET AND SOME OF IT TO DO WITH THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE JUST FLOATING AROUND THERE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE GOVERNOR IS WEAKENED AND THE POINT IS THAT MOST OF THESE PEOPLE. THERE WOULD BE CHALLENGING PEOPLE. HIM IF IT WASN'T FOR HIS MONEY. BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S DEMOCRATS WHO ARE REALLY HOPING FOR THIS. MODERATE REPUBLICANS. REPUBLICANS ARE HOPING FOR THIS. BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE THE PARTY OVER IT. THEY'RE GOING TO WAIT IT OUT. WHAT I'M HEARING FROM SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE WAITING IT OUT WHO AREN'T HAPPY, THEY'RE SAYING WE JUST HOPE GOVERNMENT ISN'T LEFT IN TOO MUCH OF A DISARRAY BY THE TIME HE LEAVES. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE A PRIMARY. WHAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IS A VERY LONELY CAMPAIGN TRAIL. YOU WON'T SEE THE GOVERNOR OUT THERE WITH AN OPPONENT BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN LEADERSHIP PER SE OR A LOT OF LEGISLATORS OUT THERE PATTING HIM ON THE BACK, INTRODUCING HIM AT RALLIES ACROSS THE STATE. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY, VERY LONELY FALL FOR THE GOVERNOR. WHAT ABOUT THE QUESTION OF HIS USING THE STATE WEB SITE AS KIND OF A CAMPAIGN PAGE AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR OR TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS? IS THAT AN ISSUE. HE DID THE SAME THING. I MEAN EVERY GOVERNOR THAT'S USED THE WEB PAGES HAVE DONE IT. I JUST CAN'T BE UPSET ABOUT A GOVERNOR WHO HAS DONE IT. YOU LOOK AT THE WEB PAGES AROUND THE COUNTRY. YOU'RE GOING TO SEE EVERY GOVERNOR KIND OF BLOWING THEIR OWN HORN. ISN'T THAT WHAT IT'S THERE FOR? HELLO, I'M THE GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. THIS IS WHAT I'VE DONE AND THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO. YOU CAN SUBSTITUTE THE NAME OF ANY STATE FOR THAT. I AGREE WITH NORMA. THAT'S ALMOST WHAT IT'S THERE FOR. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT, THERE WAS A VERY STRONG REACTION WHEN GOVERNOR SHAHEEN WAS DOING IT. AND NO REACTION. OBVIOUSLY IT'S A REPUBLICAN STATE. YOU HAVE A DOUBLE STANDARD ON IT. SO IT'S JUST EXPOSES SOME KIND OF HYPOCRISY AT SOME LEVEL. THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT. THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT. |
| Election Presidential Return to index of stories... |
In just a few weeks, we'll know who the winner is in the democratic presidential primary here in New Hampshire.Unless there are some big surprises, Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean will most likely come out on top. This year Boston plays host to the National Democratic Convention. 2004 ought to be a great year for the political junkies. Watching the lead up to the presidential election ought to be fascinating - James - IT SURE WILL BE. ONE THING THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE IS THAT THE PRESIDENT'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS REALLY TRYING TO BUILD UP TO BE THE MOST ORGANIZED CAMPAIGN IN THE UNITED STATES' HISTORY. ONE THING THEY'RE DOING IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A PRIMARY OPPONENT, THEY'VE BEGUN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS STARTING TO SET UP AN ORGANIZATION AND A STRUCTURE AND WE'LL HAVE ALL THESE VOLUNTEERS AND ALL THIS GET OUT THE VOTE EFFORT AND CLEARLY THEY BELIEVE NEW HAMPSHIRE IS ONE OF THE TOP SEVEN STATES THAT ARE TARGETED IN THE GENERAL ELECTION SO WE COULD SEE A LOT MORE PRESIDENTIAL TRIPS FROM THE PRESIDENT AS WELL FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE COMING UP TO NEW HAMPSHIRE BECAUSE, REMEMBER, THERE'S ONLY LIKE 7200 VOTES THAT SEPARATED GORE WITH BUSH. IT WAS ALSO. WHAT'S ALSO GOING TO BE INTERESTING IS HOW THAT ORGANIZATION AFFECTS THE DOWN BALLOT. THERE WILL BE SOME GOOD BATTLES IN THE STATE FOR THE STATE SENATE, ABOUT SIX GOOD SEATS. IT LOOKS LIKE A GOOD RACE IS GOING TO HAPPEN. AS FAR AS PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS THE DEMOCRATS REALLY BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO BE A TIGHT ONE. WHILE PRESIDENT BUSH IS RAISING A LOT OF MONEY THERE ARE ALL THESE INDEPENDENT GROUPS WHO ARE RAISING THREE TIMES WHAT PRESIDENT BUSH IS GOING TO RAISE. WITH THE SOLE GOAL OF DEFEATING HIM. THESE ARE THESE INDEPENDENT GROUPS. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT BUSH IS COMING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR ANY OTHER REASON THAN A PHOTO OP BECAUSE WITH OUR FEW ELECTORAL VOTES, IT'S NOT A CALIFORNIA OR AN ILLINOIS. WHAT HE WILL BE LOOKING FOR ARE PLACES HE CAN GO WHERE THE RECEPTION IS FAVORABLE TO HIM AND IT MAKES GOOD PICTURES. GOOD VIDEO. BUT THERE ARE SO MANY STATES THAT ARE EITHER IN THE BAG FOR DEMOCRATS OR IN THE BAG FOR REPUBLICANS, I MEAN, THE CAMPAIGN THEMSELVES HAVE SAID THAT IT WAS THE TOP SEVEN STATES. SO PROBABLY I AGREE WITH NORMA HE WON'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME HERE. WHETHER THEY WOULD VERSUS ANOTHER STATE WHICH THEY KNOW THEY WOULD OBVIOUSLY LOSE. HE ALMOST LOST NEW HAMPSHIRE IN 2000. IF HE LOST NEW HAMPSHIRE, WE'D BE TALKING ABOUT PRESIDENT GORE TODAY. I GUESS YOU WOULD EXPECT HIM TO BE SPENDING A WHOLE LOT MORE TIME IN FLORIDA BECAUSE HE ALMOST LOST FLORIDA. SOME PEOPLE THINK HE DID. WELL, EDITH, HAVE THE CAMPAIGNS BEEN UP IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS NEWSPAPER THE NORTH COUNTRY. ABSOLUTELY. WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE DICK UP THERE, PEOPLE LIKE TO STOP IN AND TALK WITH A HANDFUL OF VOTERS UP THERE. WESLEY CLARK CAME TO BERLIN RECENTLY AND MADE, YOU KNOW,. MET EVERYBODY. YES, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ACTIVITY. IT REALLY HAS PICKED UP. ONE OF MY OWN CHILDREN REMINDED ME THAT I HAD SAID THAT WE'D BE LOSING SOME OF THE RETAIL POLITICS. I STAND CORRECTED. THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ACTIVITY EVEN IN THE NORTH COUNTRY. THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, DON'T YOU THINK? ABSOLUTELY. ENTERTAINMENTMENT. ESPECIALLY FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY OFF-THE- WALL PREDICTIONS? I JUST FIGURED I'D THROW IT OUT THERE. DICK BOSSA SAYS HE'S GOING TO WIN AGAINST PRESIDENT BUSH. HE SAID THAT. THIS IS THE FORMER MAYOR OF BERLIN. RUNNING ON THE REPUBLICAN TICKET. CAN ANYTHING. WELL, THIS IS SO OPEN ED ENDED. CAN ANYTHING HAPPEN THAT WOULD HURT HOWARD DEAN AT THIS POINT? WHAT WOULD IT BE? FROM HIM GETTING THE NOMINATION? YES. OR EVEN WINNING HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE A LOT MORE OF WHAT HE'S DONE IN VERMONT. THE AP DID A BIG STORY ABOUT HOW HE HAD SECRET ENERGY MEETINGS JUST LIKE DICK CHENEY. I MEAN, ONE THING HE'S GOT. ONE THING THAT HAS GOTTEN TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THE OTHER DEMOCRATS IS THE MERE FACT THAT THIS NEWS CYCLE DOESN'T REALLY BEGIN. NO ONE PAYS ATTENTION TO THE JANUARY 4 DEBATE IN IOWA. THEN YOU'VE GOT REALLY 15 DID IS IN IOWA BEFORE THE IOWA CAUCUSES, THE NEXT DAY IS THE STATE OF THE UNION. SIX DAYS LATER IS NEW HAMPSHIRE. I MEAN IF THERE IS A BUMP FOR A DICK GEPHARDT OUT OF IOWA OR SOMEONE ELSE OUT OF IOWA IT'S GOING TO GET PREEMPTED BY THE STATE OF THE UNION. CLEARLY THIS ELECTION WILL BE DECIDED, THE NOMINATION WILL PROBABLY BE ADDED UP WITHIN, YOU KNOW, BY MID FEBRUARY IF NOT EARLIER. SO IN THAT SENSE I MEAN HOW DO YOU KNOCK OFF HOWARD DEAN IF YOU COULDN'T DO IT IN THIS WHOLE TIME PERIOD. ONE OF THE PITFALLS FOR HOWARD DEAN IS RIGHT NOW HE'S SO FAR AHEAD IN THE POLLS, IF THOSE NUMBERS START COMING OUT. AND THAT PERCENTAGE IS SMALL. IF HOWARD DEAN DOESN'T WIN THE STATE BY A LARGE NUMBER, WINS ONLY BY 15% PEOPLE ARE GOING TO START ASKING SOME QUESTIONS. WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS THAT ANTI-DEAN CANDIDATE OR THAT DEAN. THE CANDIDATE THAT'S AROUND THAT CAN STILL OPPOSE HIM IS A GOOD QUESTION. IF SOMEONE LIKE WESLEY CLARK OR JOHN EDWARDS. OR DICK GEPHARDT. OR DICK GEPHARDT EXCEED EXPECTATIONS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE THEN YOU SAY THERE'S THE GUY WHO WILL BE OPPOSING DEAN DOWN IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND ALL THE OTHER PLACES. KERRY IS NOT HAVING THE TRACTION HE EXPECTED. IN NEW HAMPSHIRE COMING FROM MASSACHUSETTS WHERE TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS HAVE LIVED IN MASSACHUSETTS NOT TO DO WELL. WHETHER THE GAP TIGHT OWNS A LITTLE BIT OR NOT IT'S STILL A TREMENDOUS STORY. I JUST HAVE TO SAY, EDITH, I AGREE WITH YOU BUT I HATE THE EXPECTATIONS GAME WE ALL PLAY. IT'S A MEDIA GAME. WHAT REALLY MATTER S IS WHETHER ONE OF THESE GUYS GOES DOWN SOUTH AFTER NEW HAMPSHIRE AND UPSETS DEAN BECAUSE IF HE DOESN'T GO ON AND KEEP MAKING. PULLING IN THE VICTORIES AND CUTTING THEM OFF EARLY THEN IT'S A FREE FOR ALL. IT'S NOT ONLY A MEDIA GAME BUT A FUND-RAISERS' GAME. NO ONE NEEDS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO. THEY LEAVE IT BECAUSE THEY'RE BROKE. THAT IS PART OF THE MEDIA EXPECTATION WHICH IS A PROBLEM I DO AGREE BUT IT'S ALSO WHO FUNDS THESE CAMPAIGNS. IF YOU DRY UP, THEN YOU CAN'T CONTINUE. HASN'T WESLEY CLARK BROUGHT IN HIS CAMPAIGN QUITE A BIT OF MONEY? MY UNDERSTANDING IS HE'S LIKE IN SECOND PLACE AS FAR AS THAT GOES BEHIND HOWARD DEAN. HE IS. HE ALSO RECEIVES MATCHING FUNDS. HE'S GOING TO RAISE $10 MILLION IN THE LAST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR AND HE'S BEHIND DEAN WHO RAISED $14 AND SIGNIFICANTLY DROPS OFF AFTER THAT. .ANY TIME AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO CHANGE A STATE CONSTITUTION THE DEBATE CAN TURN OUT TO BE LIVELY. THIS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BE NO EXCEPTION. |
| Constitutional Amendment Return to index of stories... |
Anytime an attempt is made to change the state constitution the debate can be lively. This upcoming legislative session will be no exception. Governor Benson plans on introducing a constitutional amendment that he's labeled as the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. It's meant to tie state spending to the rate of inflation and population growth. Benson also favors another amendment that would allow the legislature to supercede the court's decisions on education funding. Norma, explain? WELL I THINK THAT THE TAXPAYERS BILL OF RIGHTS PROBABLY WILL NOT GET MUCH SUPPORT BECAUSE LEDGE LEGISLATORS HISTORICALLY ARE LOATH TO GIVE UP CONTROL OVER BUDGET AND SPENDING. I'VE HEARD TALK AROUND HERE THAT IF THAT HAD BEEN IN EFFECT, THE BUDGET SITUATION WOULD BE EVEN WORSE FINANCIAL SITUATION THAN WE ARE NOW. THE OTHER ONE HAS A CHANCE OF PASSING AT LEAST IN THE HOUSE. I DON'T KNOW IF ABOUT THE SENATE. IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT GIVES BASICALLY TAKES THE COURT COMPLETELY OUT OF EDUCATION POLICY AND FUNDING. I'VE TALKED TO SOME CONSERVATIVES WHO THINK IT GOES TOO FAR. EVEN IF IT MAKES IT OUT OF THE HOUSE, I HAVE MY REAL DOUBTS IN THE SENATE OF WHETHER IT WOULD GET. AND IT WOULD NEED. BOTH OF THESE WOULD NEED THREE-FIFTHS IN HOUSE. THAT'S 60% OF THE VOTE. I THINK THIS IS A CASE WHERE AGAIN THE GOVERNOR MAKES A MOVE AND IT PLAYS WELL IN THE PUBLIC LIKE WE SAW WITH THE VETO OF THE BUDGET. IT'S KIND OF THIS MOVE WHERE HE'S QUOTE UNQUOTE STICKING IT TO THE BUREAUCRATS IN CONCORD. I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE PUBLIC COME OUT IN MORE SUPPORT FOR THE TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS AND SAY CAP SPENDING, THAT'S GREAT. THE PUBLIC MAY NOT REALLY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT DOES BUT AT LEAST THEY'LL SAY, HEY, HE'S TRYING. NOW, I THINK THAT AMENDMENT IS D.O.A. IN THE LEGISLATURE. I DON'T THINK ANY LEGISLATOR IS GOING TO VOTE TO TAKE POWER OUT OF THEIR OWN HANDS. AS FAR AS THE EDUCATION AMENDMENT LIKE NORMA SAID I THINK IT HAS A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE IN THE HOUSE WHERE THERE'S STILL SOME ANIMOSITY BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE COURTS, BUT YOU MOVE OVER TO THE SENATE WHERE THERE'S ONLY 24 PEOPLE, 24 SENATORS AND THEY ALL HAVE TO GO HOME TO THEIR HOME DISTRICTS WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME WINNERS AND SOME LOSERS IF THIS THING PASSES AND TRY TO EXPLAIN TO THE VOTERS. I DON'T SEE THAT. I SEE BOTH OF THEM NOT MAKING IT OUT. I SEE AN EVEN BIGGER FIGHT OVER EDUCATION FUNDING AND I GUESS I WOULD CALL IT SON OF HEALTH BILL 608 OR DAUGHTER OF IT, WHATEVER YOU WANT. THEY PASSED AT THE END OF THE SESSION THEY FINALLY CAME UP WITH A QUOTE UNQUOTE COMPROMISE CHANGE TO WHAT WE CALL OUR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. AND THE FIRST YEAR, WHICH IS THE YEAR WE'RE IN, IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE HAD. NEXT YEAR MARKS MAJOR MAJOR CHANGES AND THERE ARE MAJOR MAJOR LOSERS. MOST OF THEM ARE WHAT YOU WOULD CALL TOWNS IN THE MIDDLE PROPERTY TAX WEALTH SPECTRUM. AND THERE ARE SOME OF THOSE TOWNS THAT ARE GOING TO FIND OUT AT TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETINGS THIS SPRING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DIG INTO THEIR PROPERTY TAXS TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE. SO THE FIGHT IS GOING TO BE WHETHER TO DO SOME KIND OF A TEMPORARY FIX, A TRANSITION WHICH IS WHAT THIS SPECIAL COMMITTEE IS RECOMMENDING OR GO WITHIN. IN FARTHER WHICH SOME HOUSE MEMBERS WOULD LIKE. IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY BITTER BATTLE AGAIN. I THINK THAT'S GOING TO THE BIGGEST ONE THIS YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE. THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE FOR I COVER THE SEACOAST AREA, WE'RE GOING TO SEE PEOPLE FROM THE SCHOOL BOARDS IN THAT AREA MAKING THE TRIP UP TO CONCORD ESPECIALLY AFTER WHAT HAPPENED LAST SESSION SAYING WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? WHAT AM I GOING TO HAVE TO TELL THE VOTERS IN MY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHEN WE GO BACK FOR TOWN MEETING? THAT'S WHERE THE REAL FIGHT IS GOING TO BE THIS YEAR. LET'S TALK FOR A MINUTE ABOUT AS FAR AS THE CHIEF JUSTICE GOES IN THE STATE SUPREME COURT, CHIEF JUSTICE DAVID BROCK RETIRING. GOVERNOR BENSON SAYING THAT I WILL NOMINATE SOMEONE EVEN THOUGH LEGISLATION WAS PASSED THAT SAID THAT THE PERSON WHO WAS ASSISTANT CHIEF JUSTICE WOULD BE MOVED UP TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE SPOT. WHERE ARE WE WITH THAT, NORMA? WELL, THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL FILED A LAWSUIT WITH THE STATE SUPREME COURT ASKING THE COURT TO TAKE WHAT THEY CALL A REGIONAL JURISDICTION, IN OTHER WORDS JUMP OVER ALL THE LOWER COURTS AND TAKE IT ON AND RESOLVE THE QUESTION BEFORE THE 31st WHICH IS WHEN BRODERICK WOULD TAKE OVER AT MIDNIGHT. I DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT IF THE COURT IS GOING TO RESOLVE IT OR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO CHIEF JUSTICES NAMED. IT COULD BE A MESS DEPENDING ON AND HOW BENSON AND THE COUNCIL DECIDE TO PROCEED. IF THE COURT DOESN'T. SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT THIS WHOLE DEBATE OFFER DISPUTE OVER IT. THE REASON THAT WE'RE IN THIS PROBLEM IS BECAUSE THIS LEGISLATION PASSED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THERE WAS REALLY VERY LITTLE THOUGHT GIVEN TO IT BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME KIND OF FEELING THAT GOES INTO THIS AMENDMENT TO TAKE AWAY THE POWER TO TAKE THE COURTS OUT OF THE EDUCATION. THERE'S AN EMOTIONAL REACTION TO SOMETHING. PEOPLE START THINKING WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THEY DO IT. THEY VOTE FOR THIS LEGISLATION AND IT HAS RAMIFICATIONS THAT AREN'T CONSIDERED WHEN THEY VOTE ON IT. IT'S NOT AN UNUSUAL THING OUT OF CONCORD OR WASHINGTON FOR THAT MATTER BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WHEN LEGISLATORS DON'T FULLY THINK THROUGH. THERE'S NOTHING IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT SPELLS OUT HOW THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS APPOINTED AND THE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNOR HAS SIMPLY DONE IT TRADITIONALLY SO THE LEGISLATURE DECIDED WELL LET'S RATHER THAN HAVE ONE CHIEF SWRUS DISPOLITICAL APPOINTY STAY THERE FOREVER, LET'S ROTATE IT FOR FIVE YEARS AND IT GOES THROUGH BY SENIORITY. WHAT THEY DIDN'T DO WAS INCLUDE A PROVISION TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL TO HAVE A SAY. NOW THERE'S A BILL COMING IN NEXT SESSION THAT WOULD DO THAT BUT KEEP THE ROTATION OF EVERY FIVE YEARS. I THINK IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE IF THE COURT DECIDES THAT THE LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, IT TAKES THE LEGISLATURE EFFECTIVELY OUT OF THE WHOLE CHIEF JUSTICE APPOINTMENT EQUATION. WHICH IS MY POINT THAT THEY DIDN'T THINK ABOUT HOW TO DO IT. THEY JUST SORT OF SAID WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS. NOW THEY HAVE TO TINKER WITH THE BILL BECAUSE IT WASN'T FULLY DISCUSSED. OR DEBATED. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT ONE TURNS OUT. OF COURSE AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, WE'LL PROBABLY SEE THE USUAL BUTTING OF HEADS OVER THE BUDGET. WE'VE ALREADY MENTIONED GOVERNOR BENSON'S TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS. WHAT OTHER FUNDING ISSUES? YOU MENTIONED EDUCATION FUNDING, NORMA, WHAT OTHERS ISSUES DO YOU THINK WILL BE IN THE FOREFRONT? |
| Budget Return to index of stories... |
And of course, we will probably see the usual butting of heads over the budget this upcoming legislative session. We've already mentioned Governor Benson's Taxpayer Bill of Rights. What other state funding issues will be in the forefront? I THINK THE BUDGET IS FULL OF HOLES. THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THEY DECIDE TO PLUG ANY OF THEM BEFORE THEY LEAVE. THEY'RE SCHEDULED TO LEAVE AROUND THE FIRST PART OF JUNE WHICH IS WHEN THE FILING PERIOD STARTS. MOST PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO DECLARE THEY'RE NOT RUNNING AGAIN WHILE THEY'RE STILL IN SESSION BECAUSE THEN THEY'RE LAME DUCKS. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WILL OR WON'T. IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER THINGS TAKE A DRASTIC TURN. REVENUES ARE NOT COMING IN AS PREDICTED WHICH MEANS THAT THE WHOLE. HOLE THAT COULD BE THERE AT THE END OF THE BUDGET CYCLE WHICH WOULD BE JULY 1 IN 2005 COULD BE RATHER LARGE. IF THEY WAIT AND DON'T DO ANYTHING, THEN THE NEXT LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE TO MAKE CUTS WITH VERY LITTLE. ONLY SIX MONTHS LEFT OF A TWO-YEAR BUMG IT TO MAKE THE SAVINGS OR PASS TAXES. CERTAINLY WHERE WE ARE, WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNFILLED POSITIONS. STATE POLICE TROOPERS, PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR D.E.S., THE KIND OF REGULATORS. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT STATE EMPLOYEES THAT'S CORRECT., THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON DOES NEED TO CALL ON FOR HELP AND FOR PERMITS AND WHATEVER AND THEY'RE NOT THERE. I THINK THAT WE'RE CUTTING BUDGETS BY JUST NOT FILLING POSITIONS. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT BENSON SAID HE WOULD DO. THAT WAS CUT GOVERNMENT, CUT THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE HAVE TO DECIDE IF WHERE THOSE CUTS ARE BEING MADE IS WHAT THEY WANT. WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN CONCORD BUT EDITH I WANT TO GET TO YOU AND SAY AGAIN WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST STORY WILL BE UP YOUR WAY IN THE NORTH COUNTRY? I THINK THE BIGGEST STORY PROBABLY WILL BE THE TEN-YEAR PLAN FOR THE WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST. THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING UP THIS YEAR. THE DEBATE WILL BE OVER HOW MUCH LAND TO PUT INTO WILDERNESS THAT CAN'T BE CUT VERSUS THAT WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO MULTI-USE. I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE STORY. IT AFFECTS 800,000 ACRES. |
| New Legislation Return to index of stories... |
Before we leave, Norma and Colin, you both cover the statehouse. Can you give us an idea of some of the bills scheduled to come before the New Hampshire House and Senate this year? Also, any predictions as to what issues will be the most controversial this session? LET'S TALK ABOUT ALSO THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION BILL AND THE FACT THAT THE FEDERAL COURT RULED THAT THAT WOULD NOT BE CONSTITUTIONAL OR RULED AGAINST IT. NORMA WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN FROM HERE NOW? WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS GOING TO APPEAL. I THINK IT WOULD FIRST GO TO THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT AND THEN DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENED THERE, ON UP TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE REALLY AN OPTION LEGISLATIVELY BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THIS BILL DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN FIX IT BY DOING WHAT THE JUDGE, THE FEDERAL JUDGE, SAID WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE. THAT IS INCLUDE A PROVISION, AN EXCEPTION FOR THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER. THEY THINK THAT ANYTHING COULD BE AN EXCEPTION FOR THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER. THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO NOTIFY THE PARENTS. SO WHAT'S THE USE? NORMA IS RIGHT ON THAT ONE. SPEAKING WITH ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF THE BILL OF DOVER, SHE SAID THAT WAS HER BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO PASS A LAW THAT WAS WATERED DOWN QUOTE UNQUOTE LIKE OTHER STATES HAD. THAT'S WHY THEY DID NOT INCLUDE THIS HEALTH EXEMPTION IN THE ORIGINAL FORM OF THE BILL. I GUESS SOME OTHER STATES HAD HAD IT. THEY FELT THERE'S WAY TOO BIG OF A LOOPHOLE. NORMA IS RIGHT. NOS THAT THE THE ROUTE THEY WANT TO GO. APPEAL WOULD BE THE ONLY ROUTE LEFT FOR THEM. IF WE CAN BEFORE WE GO QUICKLY GET SOME IDEAS FROM EITHER OF YOU, WHAT ARE THE BIG BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE THIS SESSION? I STILL MAINTAIN IT'S GOING TO BE SUN OR DAUGHTER OF HOUSE BILL 608 WHICH IS SCHOOL FUNDING. EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE SDWAR OFED BY THAT FIGHT. NORMA IS RIGHT, THE SCHOOL FUNDING WILL BE THE BIGGEST ONE. AND THEN IT WILL BE A LOT OF HOLDING YOUR BREATH AND CROSSING YOUR FINGERS AS WE WATCH REVENUES COME IN. WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT SPORTS AT ALL. WE'LL HAVE THE NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHER CATCH IN MANCHESTER. PATRIOTS ARE DOING PRETTY DARNED WELL. THEY MIGHT BE IN THE SUPERBOWL AGAIN IN 2004. ANY PREDICTIONS? MAYBE THEY WILL BE THERE. I MAINTAIN THIS IS THE YEAR FOR THE RED SOX. WE'RE GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THAT. I'LL GET IN LINE. IT'S A LONG LINE OF PEOPLE WHO SAID THAT. I'M NOT GOING TO JINX IT. I'M NOT GOING TO BE THE JINX FOR THE RED SOX OR THE PATRIOTS. WE'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. THAT IS IT FOR THIS FRIDAY EDITION OF THE NEW YEAR. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING IN. |
| Guest Goodbye Return to index of stories... |
Well thats it for the first Friday edition of the new year. Sam Youngman and Lars Trodson thanks for being here. And up at the statehouse, Norma Love thanks so much, for being with us. |
| Next OutlookTease Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook, we continue our special series of interviews with the Democratic presidential candidates. NH Business Review’s Jeff Feingold sits down with Senator John Edwards. We’ll hear his view on corporate responsibility and what needs to be done to bring ethics back to the business world. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
We'll see you next time. Thanks for joining us. |
| 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 Stratford Foundation |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: Media Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/02/04 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we look into our crystal ball and predict which stories we think will make major news in the year ahead. Governor Benson plans on runningf or re-election. Who will his challenger be? We'll get some thoughts. The battle of the budget continues. And we'll find out what bills are slated to come before the legislature this upcoming session. Joining us from the statehouse in Concord - Norma Love of the Associated Press and Colin Manning of Fosters Daily Democrat. And here in Durham, Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat, James Pindell of PoliticsNH.com, and Jeff Feingold of the New Hampshire Business Review. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Jennifer Vachon NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Norma Love\Associated Press, Colin Manning\Fosters Daily Democrat, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat |
| News Briefs Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at other stories making news this Friday. |