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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. The Week began with a Superbowl Win -- went on to the "un-veiling" of Governor Lynch's Education Funding Plan -- and will end with the election of a new DNC Chairman. Here to talk about all this and more: James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com, and Colin Manning from Foster's Daily Democrat in Concord. And, Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and Talk Show Host at WTSN-1270 is here with me in Durham. WELCOME. |
| Intro Lynch Ed Plan Return to index of stories... |
We begin with the big story this week-- Eductation Funding. Governor Lynch unveiled his Plan for School Aid. It calls for eliminating the statewide property tax and donor towns -- and targeting aid to the neediest communities. The plan uses an Equity Index which measures a community's ability to pay -- measured through equalized property valuation per pupil - and median income. Q COLIN: It would appear that Mr Lynch has broad bi-partisan support for this plan? Q MIKE: With the eliminaton of DONOR towns -- I imagine the Seacost Community would be poised to get behind the GOVERNOR'S plan? Q JAMES: Governor Lynch urging communities to see the plan in terms of FAIRNESS, not winners & Losers. How tall an order is that? Q COLIN: Under Lynch's Plan 63 communities will eventually go down to ZERO. Governor also briefed EDUCATORS on his plan -- to gain their support. How did THAT go over.?? Hearing now that Superintendents who stand to lose millions -- have formed a coalition to FIGHT the proposal. are just happy they'll have some certainty under this plan come BUDGET time Q MIKE: The Governor's Plan still faces challenges in the Legislature. What's the BIGGEST Hurdle? Q COLIN/ JAMES: Mr Lynch living up to his Campaign promise to do away with the statewide property tax and DONOR towns? Talked about the CIGARETTE tax increase to make up the difference. Support for that in the Legislature? Q JAMES/COLIN: Why is the Governor and Most of the Legislature AGAINST running the plan by the Courts to make sure there is NO constitutonal ISSUE? |
| Lynch Ed Plan Return to index of stories... |
Bite: Lynch Plan tape 1 13:09:50 With this index, each community is ranked relative to other communities, based on its measure of risk, and state aid is distributed accordingly. We have set our target at 20% above the statewide average. Communities that are ranked at less than 20% above the statewide average will receive state assistance. And to minimize disruption, this plan establishes a transition period, ensuring that every community will receive at least 75% of their current real state aid to education granted in the next biennium. Bite: Lynch plan tape 1 13:16:50 We have been struggling over the years in a city like Claremont with $317,000 of equalized valuation behind each child, trying to have a fair education for that child in a sense in comparison with communities with 500,000 dollars, 750,000 , a million dollars of equalized valuation behind children. Inherently unfair and unequal. No child should be penalized because of where they live. Bite: Lynch Plan tape 1 13:14:50 ** A reporter called me yesterday and said how much is Concord getting out of this bill, and I said, I don't have any idea. I'm cosponsoring this bill because this is a permanent solution that we can go forward with and be proud of, and we don't have to look at the spreadsheets on all our particular towns. Lynch Plan tape 1 13:33:55 . And we have a formula that's targeted based upon what's happening with your tax base, your dropout rate which is critical to a community like Manchester, what's happening with your test scores because of No Child Left Behind and accountability, and the number of students on free and reduced lunch, the poverty level of the community. Bite: Lynch plan tape 2 15:11:20 I can say that I believe this plan embraces the core values of Claremont. Does it with some very well-thought out mechanisms to deliver equity to every NH student - and I'd be perfectly willing to take that up - that's a good argument….what we've seen legislatively is people kicking and screaming and trying to avoid the Claremont outcomes in every way they can. But this plan does not do that….entitled to an equitable education." |
| Intro Sensible School Return to index of stories... |
A N-H coalition of businesses also weighed in on the state's education funding system this week. "The Committee for Sensible School Funding" released their study on how local school aid was spent. After the state enacted the largest tax increase in New Hampshire history to "fund" the new education system, the committee found: only 39-percent of that money was used to educate New Hampshire students. Q COLIN: What was the Motivation BEHIND the Coalition's STUDY? What's the Coalition's BIGGEST beef? Local governments REDUCED the amount of LOCAL dollars dedicated to education, and REPLACED it with the state aid. The group wants the state aid to AUGMENT local dollars. Was this NEW information to Lawmakers? Coalition wants law changed -- so state aid is NOT used to free-up local dollars for other town purposes. |
| Ethics Return to index of stories... |
A new bill would put the executive branch under the same state ethics code as state lawmakers. Senator Sylvia Larson's bill creates a commission to hear complaints against officials and state workers -- and gives that commission the power to recommend DISCIPLINARY action or removal. Q COLIN: How do Executive Councilors feel about this? Are Lawmakers on board?? Q JAMES: Councilor Peter Spaulding suggested EXPANDING the commission’s jurisdiction to include volunteers who act in the state’s behalf. Lynch supports the measure -- but Governor is writing his own bill. The Governor and A'G's office working on a NEW version of the bill -- any details on THAT? Q It appears that one of the STICKING points of the Larson bill -- is the commission's power to FIRE officials? Is that your sense too COLIN??? |
| Independent Voters Return to index of stories... |
If some lawmakers have their way -- Independents won't be able to change their party affiliation immediately after voting in a primary. Currently, Independent voters can pick a party affiliation on their way to vote -- and "change it back" to "un-declared" on their way out. House Lawmakers have passed a bill that would require independent voters who cast ballots in a primary to remain a registered Democrat or Republican for 90 days. You'd then have to visit your town or city clerk after 90-days if you wanted to revert back to "un-declared". Q JAMES: What's BEHIND this measure ? Supporters say it levels the playing field? What do they mean by that? Q MIKE: Opponents worry it could HURT voter participation -- and endanger the state's first-in-the-nation "presidential primary". What's YOUR thought on that. Q COLIN: Secretary of State Bill Gardner is AGAINST the bill that would eliminate election day registration. Any sense of what the SENATE might do. |
| John Edwards Return to index of stories... |
John Edwards returned to NH this past weekend -- speaking to around 600 of the state's Democrats in Manchester. The 2004 vice presidential nominee is obviously -- hoping to keep his name alive here. Q It was the largest gathering of Democrats since the Nov Election. JAMES: You were there -- What was the thrust of his message? How was it received??? Q Did this fuel a lot of talk about Other potential 2008 contenders? |
| Howard Dean Return to index of stories... |
Howard Dean back in the news. The Democratic National Committee elects a new chairman on Saturday. The Former Presidential candidate is the likely choice -- After all, all of his major opponents have dropped out of the race. Polls show D-N-C members are optimistic about the party's future-- and most think the former Vermont Governor would do an excellent job as party chair for the next 4 years. If DEAN assumes the role -- he certainly faces a great many challenges. Q JAMES: What are Governor Dean's perceived STRENGTHS. Q MIKE: Is DEAN out of step with mainstream America -- as some have suggested? Q JAMES: SOME have suggested that John Kerry desperately wants to be the democratic candidate in 2008 -- but has little chance if Hillary Rodham Clinton decides to run. That he's now cozying up to DEAN. made a 1-million dollar donation to the DNC. Could this signal the beginning of a Kerry/Dean team that will counter the Clintons???? REACTION??? Q Some argue that Dean actually makes John Kerry look like a moderate in his positions. Are they under-estimating DEAN'S strengths. |
| Bills/Teen Cell etc Return to index of stories... |
House Lawmakers KILLED a bill that would "ban" NH teens from talking on Cellphones while Driving. The state already has laws against distracted drivers -- but it defines "distraction" loosely not confining it to CELL phones. Q COLIN: What ultimately did this bill in? Q States around the country are looking at ways to LIMIT cell phone use for drivers --especially the under 18 crowd. ME, NJ, and Virginia restrict young drivers cell phone use. NH won't be one of them. |
| Patriots Parade Return to index of stories... |
Finally -- As expected The New England Patriots won their 3RD Super Bowl in 4 years-- beating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21. Tuesday -- hundreds of thousands of fans gathered in downtown Boston to cheer on the Super Bowl Champions at a parade --as the Pats took another victory ride through the city -- showing off their three silver cups from the N-F-L. Boston Police estimated the crowd at just under one-million fans. Q CROWDS considerble LESS than the last parade. Are NEW ENGLAND fans getting used to WINNING.?? are we getting blazay? Q Is the NE Sports Psychology changing -- we had losing teams for so long NOW -- we have superbowl champs, World Series Champs? It's a different ballgame. Q A dynasty is born!! any thoughts??? end on UPLIFTING note. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to James Pindell and Colin Manning in Concord, and Mike Pomp here in Durham. And, thank you for watching. I'm Beth Carroll. We'll see you next time. |
| pats stuff- Return to index of stories... |
By early afternoon, hundreds of thousands gathered in downtown Boston, where the champions of pro football brought the NFL’s silver cup from Houston to City Hall Plaza. Ronnie Dupler of Nashua and Mary Valley of Hollis were among the thousands of New England Patriots fans cheering on the Super Bowl champions at yesterday’s parade and rally. As expected, the New England Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years Sunday night, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21, but it was hard this morning to find a local fan who’s had enough. “It puts ’em up there with the big boys: Dallas, Pittsburgh, San Francisco,” Ron Bergeron said, mentioning some other teams that won three or more Super Bowls with the same core group of players. “I think it’s the greatest thing that’s happened in New England sports.” == The New England Patriots took another victory ride through town their third in four years to give their sign-waving, slogan-chanting supporters a chance to share in Sunday's 24-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Jacksonville, Fla. |
| school supt Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - School superintendents who would lose millions in state aid under Governor John Lynch's education funding plan are forming a coalition to fight the proposal. Londonderry Superintendent Nathan Greenberg says his community would get four million dollars less under Lynch's plan than under the current system. Greenberg says he plans to contact other towns facing similar losses. In Derry, Superintendent John Moody says towns will naturally seek each other out. Lynch's funding plan uses a complex formula with seven components to determine how close a school is to the state average in areas such as median income, property values and school success. The plan then targets aid on a sliding scale. Lynch has urged communities to see the plan in terms of fairness, not winners and losers. |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook: We sit down with a New Hampshire National Guard soldier just back from Iraq to see what it's like to be home at last. Join us Monday at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. ============================= Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: We sit down with a New Hampshire National Guard soldier just back from Iraq to see what it's like to be home at last. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| key: state politics/ government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/11/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 05:30 Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. The Week began with a Superbowl Win went on to the "un-veiling" of Governor Lynch's Education Funding Plan and will end with the election of a new DNC Chairman. Here to talk about all this and more: James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com, and Colin Manning from Foster's Daily Democrat in Concord. And, Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and Talk Show Host at WTSN-1270 is here with me in Durham. We begin with the big story this week Eductation Funding. Governor Lynch unveiled his Plan for School Aid. It calls for eliminating the statewide property tax and donor towns and targeting aid to the neediest communities. The plan uses an Equity Index which measures a community's ability to pay measured through equalized property valuation per pupil and median income. A NH coalition of businesses also weighed in on the state's education funding system this week. "The Committee for Sensible School Funding" released their study on how local school aid was spent. After the state enacted the largest tax increase in New Hampshire history to "fund" the new education system, the committee found: only 39% of that money was used to educate New Hampshire students. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Colin Manning\Foster's Daily Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN-1270 AM, Gov. John Lynch\ New Hampshire, Sen. Bob Odell\ District 8, Claremont, Rep. Liz Hagar\ Concord, Mayor Robert Baines\ Manchester, Martin Gross\Constitutional Attorney, Tom Tillotson\Committee for Sensible School Funding |
| key: education Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/11/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 05:30 Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. The Week began with a Superbowl Win went on to the "un-veiling" of Governor Lynch's Education Funding Plan and will end with the election of a new DNC Chairman. Here to talk about all this and more: James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com, and Colin Manning from Foster's Daily Democrat in Concord. And, Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and Talk Show Host at WTSN-1270 is here with me in Durham. We begin with the big story this week Eductation Funding. Governor Lynch unveiled his Plan for School Aid. It calls for eliminating the statewide property tax and donor towns and targeting aid to the neediest communities. The plan uses an Equity Index which measures a community's ability to pay measured through equalized property valuation per pupil and median income. A NH coalition of businesses also weighed in on the state's education funding system this week. "The Committee for Sensible School Funding" released their study on how local school aid was spent. After the state enacted the largest tax increase in New Hampshire history to "fund" the new education system, the committee found: only 39% of that money was used to educate New Hampshire students. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Colin Manning\Foster's Daily Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN-1270 AM, Gov. John Lynch\ New Hampshire, Sen. Bob Odell\ District 8, Claremont, Rep. Liz Hagar\ Concord, Mayor Robert Baines\ Manchester, Martin Gross\Constitutional Attorney, Tom Tillotson\Committee for Sensible School Funding |
| key: economy/ business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/11/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 05:30 Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. The Week began with a Superbowl Win went on to the "un-veiling" of Governor Lynch's Education Funding Plan and will end with the election of a new DNC Chairman. Here to talk about all this and more: James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com, and Colin Manning from Foster's Daily Democrat in Concord. And, Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and Talk Show Host at WTSN-1270 is here with me in Durham. We begin with the big story this week Eductation Funding. Governor Lynch unveiled his Plan for School Aid. It calls for eliminating the statewide property tax and donor towns and targeting aid to the neediest communities. The plan uses an Equity Index which measures a community's ability to pay measured through equalized property valuation per pupil and median income. A NH coalition of businesses also weighed in on the state's education funding system this week. "The Committee for Sensible School Funding" released their study on how local school aid was spent. After the state enacted the largest tax increase in New Hampshire history to "fund" the new education system, the committee found: only 39% of that money was used to educate New Hampshire students. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Colin Manning\Foster's Daily Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN-1270 AM, Gov. John Lynch\ New Hampshire, Sen. Bob Odell\ District 8, Claremont, Rep. Liz Hagar\ Concord, Mayor Robert Baines\ Manchester, Martin Gross\Constitutional Attorney, Tom Tillotson\Committee for Sensible School Funding |
| key: state politics/ government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/11/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 05:30 Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. The Week began with a Superbowl Win went on to the "un-veiling" of Governor Lynch's Education Funding Plan and will end with the election of a new DNC Chairman. Here to talk about all this and more: James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com, and Colin Manning from Foster's Daily Democrat in Concord. And, Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and Talk Show Host at WTSN-1270 is here with me in Durham. A new bill would put the executive branch under the same state ethics code as state lawmakers. Senator Sylvia Larson's bill creates a commission to hear complaints against officials and state workers and gives that commission the power to recommend disaplinary action or removal. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: |
| key: recreation/ leisure/ sports Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/11/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 05:30 Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. The Week began with a Superbowl Win went on to the "un-veiling" of Governor Lynch's Education Funding Plan and will end with the election of a new DNC Chairman. Here to talk about all this and more: James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com, and Colin Manning from Foster's Daily Democrat in Concord. And, Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and Talk Show Host at WTSN-1270 is here with me in Durham. Finally As expected The New England Patriots won their 3rd Super Bowl in four years beating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21. Tuesday hundreds of thousands of fans gathered in downtown Boston to cheer on the Super Bowl Champions at a parade as the Pats took another victory ride through the city showing off their three silver cups from the NFL. Boston Police estimated the crowd at just under one-million fans. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: |
| key: UNH Return to index of stories... |
No UNH stories |
| Post Show Log Return to index of stories... |
Friday, February 11, 2005: One of our guests was late so we started at 2:15pm. All went well. We finished by 2:45pm. |
| Evergreen Return to index of stories... |
are already in discussions with key Granite State activists as well. Concord political consultant Mike Dennehy has had frequent discussions with his friend and former boss, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as recently as yesterday in Washington. Dennehy’s not commenting, but we’ve learned that while McCain hasn’t pulled the trigger organizing a campaign team yet, strategy is being discussed on a “just-in-case” basis. Also in Washington yesterday was Raymond Buckley, the vice chair of the state Democratic Party. One stop on his itinerary was at the office of Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh. Buckley insisted he was just “visiting friends,” who, he said, included several other senators, such as his former boss, 2004 candidate Joe Lieberman. Buckley also touched base with Manchester’s Steve Bouchard, who has recently become executive director of Bayh’s new All-American Political Action Committee. Bouchard is a lifelong Democratic activist who was a top player in Wesley Clark’s ’04 primary campaign. Is Bayh running for President? “Perhaps,” Bouchard told us yesterday. —— =====Kerry/Edwards Ticket won the state's primary and general election -- and, s Ticket carriedThe former North Carolina Senator and V-P candidate -- The largest gathering of Democrats here since the November Election. at theirhoping to keep his name on – Just three months after the one election was over and with four more years until the next New Hampshire primary takes place former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards returned to the state hoping to keep his name and presence relevant here. In his first public event since the last election, Edwards addressed around 600 of the state’s Democrats at their annual 100 Club Dinner in Manchester. It was the largest gathering of Democrats here since the November election. His trip almost exactly two months since his former running mate John Kerry returned to the state to thank his supporters for helping to deliver victories in both the state’s primary and general elections. In his speech he continued with the same populist “two Americas ” theme he was the most known for in the Democratic primary campaign last year. In his 30 minute speech Edwards criticized Republican plans for health care, tax cuts, and Social Security as proof that they only value one thing: wealth. To counter this, Edwards announced this week that we will begin a Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina. He will start that job in a week. Among his own proposals, Edwards called for an increase in the minimum wage. Edwards, his two young children, and his small staff flew into Manchester Friday night. They attended a high school basketball game at Manchester West High School. Apparently Jack found himself rooting for the visiting team, after all they were winning. On Saturday he met some of Manchester ’s poor at the same public health clinic where he announced his health care plan in 2003. After that he met privately with Gov. John Lynch. His return to the state also meant the return of many in the national and North Carolina press corps who came to cover him. In interviews, Edwards has very much kept the option of another presidential run on the table. His biggest supporter here, state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, told PoliticsNH.com in December that “there was no doubt” Edwards was running again. In interviews this week many of his former supporters here said they remained firmly behind him. Other activists who supported other candidates said privately they had more doubts about Edwards today than they may have had before he was added to the ticket. Nonetheless, activists who attended the speech openly discussed how great of a speaker he is as well as how good looking he is. “You almost forget what a cute Democrat he is,” said Deb Crapo, the outgoing vice chair of the state party. “I think he would have a much better shot at support her if he were to run again. “He is more well known and people are proud of what he has done,” Crapo, who supported Dick Gephardt in 2004, said. By the end of the night State Rep. Bette Lasky, was recalling a similar speech Edwards gave in front of the same group in October 2002. “He is much more polished now and I think he’d have a lot more support from the establishment if he were to run again,” Lasky said. ==== LOOKING TO ’08. The New Hampshire Presidential Primary’s first-in-the-nation status may not be popular among political activists in some parts of the country, but politicians with eyes on the Big Prize sure seem to like it. And it looks like there will be no shortage of them trekking to the Granite State in the coming years. When 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards was in the state last weekend to address the state Democrats’ “100 Club” dinner, he engaged in a little bit of what certainly looked like retail politicking. A photo in Newsweek magazine shows him and his local pal, Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, at a Manchester West High School basketball game on the eve of his address to the dinner crowd. And after dinner, D’Allesandro took Edwards from table to table at J.D.’s Tavern in the Center of New Hampshire Radisson Hotel. Other potential ’08 contenders are already in discussions with key Granite State activists as well. Concord political consultant Mike Dennehy has had frequent discussions with his friend and former boss, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as recently as yesterday in Washington. Dennehy’s not commenting, but we’ve learned that while McCain hasn’t pulled the trigger organizing a campaign team yet, strategy is being discussed on a “just-in-case” basis. Also in Washington yesterday was Raymond Buckley, the vice chair of the state Democratic Party. One stop on his itinerary was at the office of Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh. Buckley insisted he was just “visiting friends,” who, he said, included several other senators, such as his former boss, 2004 candidate Joe Lieberman. Buckley also touched base with Manchester’s Steve Bouchard, who has recently become executive director of Bayh’s new All-American Political Action Committee. Bouchard is a lifelong Democratic activist who was a top player in Wesley Clark’s ’04 primary campaign. Is Bayh running for President? “Perhaps,” Bouchard told us yesterday. —— === CONCORD, N.H. - House lawmakers have killed a bill that would ban New Hampshire teenagers from talking on cell phones while driving. Opponents said the measure unfairly singled out a particular group, but supporters said teenage drivers need these sort of restrictions to learn how to drive. A 2002 state law penalizes drivers who caused an accident because they were distracted, but it defines distraction loosely, not confining it to cell phones. States around the country are considering ways to limit cell phone use for drivers, especially for those under 18. Maine and New Jersey already restrict young drivers' use, and lawmakers in Virginia recently endorsed an under-18 ban. - New Hampshire's House gets a chance today to hang up on a proposal to ban young drivers from using cell phones. After hearing testimony on the suggestion, a House committee has recommended the full House reject it. The committee said the state already has laws against distracted drivers. It also said younger drivers shouldn't be singled out The bill would allow the state to suspend the license of any driver under 21 found to be using a cell phone while driving. ===== We are staffing these legislative hearings: - HB650, repeals the statewide property tax and revises the school aid distribution formula, , House Education, LOB207, 10 a.m. - SB206, expands the state code of ethics to elected members of the executive branch. The bill also establishes an executive ethics commission to address ethics complaints involving public employees and public officials, Senate Internal Affairs, LOB103, 3:30 p.m. - SB92, eliminates election day voter registration and enacts provisions of the National Voter Registration Act. Also eliminates domicile affidavits, Senate Internal Affairs, LOB103, 3 p.m. We are staffing this event for a story on the merits: CONCORD - Executive Council, Statehouse, 10 a.m. Other legislative events FYI: 8:30 a.m., SB89, establishes a class of state bonds for the purpose of financing widening Interstate 93 and other federally aided highway projects, Senate Transportation and Interstate Cooperation, LOB101. 10:15 a.m., SB35, directs the state to transfer 10 acres of the youth development centers campus in Manchester to Hope for Autism for a charter school for children with autism, Senate Capital Budget, Statehouse 103. House meets 1 p.m. 11 a.m., SB143, allows impact fees for open space, Senate Public and Municipal Affairs, Statehouse 100. The AP, Concord |
| Sliced Apples Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Sliced Apples State accepts grant to study sliced apples for kids dewst CONCORD, N.H. - Governor John Lynch and the Executive Council have approved a contract to study the feasibility of processing and marketing fresh-cut apple slices. The results will be shared by the roughly 150 apple growers in New England. Steve Lacasse of Keene, chairman of the New England Apple Growers Association, says studies have shown that children will eat more apples if the apples are cut in slices. The contract is for 24-thousand-dollars. Additional federal money is available to fund a pilot project testing the popularity of packaged apple slices. AP-NY-02-09-05 1323EST ========================================================== amsavbfnho CONCORD, N.H. - Governor John Lynch and the Executive Council vote tomorrow on a 24-thousand-dollar contract to study the feasibility of processing and marketing fresh-cut apple slices in New England. The results will be shared by the region's six states and their roughly 150 apple growers. Additional federal money is available to fund a pilot project testing the popularity of packaged apple slices in the region. In all, 42-thousand dollars in federal money has been earmarked for the effort. Steve Lacasse, chairman of the New England Apple Growers Association, is enthusiastic about the study and about the future for sliced apples. He says it's a wide-open field and will take. The Keene apple salesman says that studies have shown that children will eat more apples if you cut them in slices. ==== State accepts grant to study sliced apples for kids dewst CONCORD, N.H. - Governor John Lynch and the Executive Council have approved a contract to study the feasibility of processing and marketing fresh-cut apple slices. The results will be shared by the roughly 150 apple growers in New England. Steve Lacasse of Keene, chairman of the New England Apple Growers Association, says studies have shown that children will eat more apples if the apples are cut in slices. The contract is for 24-thousand-dollars. Additional federal money is available to fund a pilot project testing the popularity of packaged apple slices. AP-NY-02-09-05 1323EST |
| dean Return to index of stories... |
will elect a new chairman Saturday to lead the party for the next four years, with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean the likely choice. A new poll, conducted by Gallup in conjunction with CNN and USA Today, shows Democratic National Committee members are optimistic about the party's future, and most think Dean would do an excellent job as party chair. Dean's election is a virtual certainty because all of his major opponents have dropped out of the race. The poll's early results had shown widespread support for Dean among DNC members before the issue of whom they preferred as chair became moot. Dean would face many challenges if he assumes the role. The poll did not find a single Democratic National Committee member who said the party's approach to winning major elections is "basically fine the way it is." Most say it needs major changes if not a complete overhaul. Thirty-four percent believe the approach needs only minor changes. |
| ethics Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD - The governor and other elected members of the executive branch would come under the state ethics code in a bill being considered by the Senate. State Sen. Sylvia Larsen’s bill also would create an ethics commission to hear complaints against the officials as well as against state workers. Larsen testified Wednesday at a hearing on the bill before the Senate Internal Affairs Committee that she modeled the commission after the Legislature’s Ethics Committee, which handles complaints against lawmakers. The commission would have the power to recommend disciplinary action or initiate removal against the officials. Executive Councilor Peter Spaulding said it’s “appropriate and good practice to include the governor, executive councilors and elected officials in an ethics program.” But he questioned giving a commission firing authority the council now has. That might mean duplicate efforts and conflicts if both bodies investigated the same complaint, he said. He also suggested expanding the commission’s jurisdiction to include volunteers who act in the state’s behalf. Though he did not give an example, he apparently was referring to Linda Pepin, a former volunteer in former Gov. Craig Benson’s administration who was fined for accepting $187,000 from insurance companies while she worked on a state health contract. Attorney General Kelly Ayotte also testified in support of establishing a commission but said some of the proposed duties already are being handled by other state agencies. For example, the state’s personnel division already handles investigations of sexual harassment, she said. She also said the commission would need adequate staff to deal with complaints if it has jurisdiction over the thousands of state workers. Gov. John Lynch’s lawyer, Kate Hanna, also testified in support of the bill, but said Lynch is writing his own bill to establish a commission. Hanna and Ayotte offered to work with the committee to come up with a new version of the bill. Larsen later said she supports making changes that would limit the commission’s supervision to elected officials and perhaps high-ranking state officials who aren’t already covered by personnel or other regulations. That might include the governor, executive councilors, state treasurer, secretary of state and commissioners, she said. Lynch made ethics a centerpiece of his campaign to unseat Benson. During the campaign, he called for creating an ethics commission. Last year, the Legislature enacted a state ethics code that became law Jan. 1. The law establishes penalties for officials who misuse public office for personal gain. It also bars state officials from working as lobbyists within six months of leaving their state jobs. Violating the law “knowingly and willfully” is a misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail. State officials also can lose their jobs or be required to pay restitution. The code covers issues such as conflicts of interest and requires officials to disclose if they receive campaign contributions or gifts from anyone they may oversee as part of their state jobs. Many of the provisions were in executive orders issued by the last two governors. The law added penalties. After taking office, Lynch signed a new executive order requiring his staff - regardless of title or pay - to file the forms by Feb. 1 or within 30 days of appointment. ============ voting ONCORD, N.H. - House lawmakers have passed a bill to require independent voters who cast ballots in a primary to remain a registered Democrat or Republican for 90 days. Under current law, independent voters can pick a party affiliation on their way in to vote, and change it back to undeclared on their way out. The bill would require independents to visit their town or city clerks after 90 days to revert to undeclared. Supporters of the measure say it levels the playing field because voters registered with a party are not allowed to change affiliation the day of the primary. But opponents say the change could hurt voter participation, and potentially endanger the state's hold on the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. ===== Secretary of State William Gardner says New Hampshire's election rules do a better job of protecting against fraud than the federal system used in most states. Gardner is urging the Senate Internal Affairs panel to reject a bill that would eliminate election day registration and put the state in line with what other states do under federal law. The committee voted five-to-one to recommend killing the bill. |