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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Education Funding back in the news -- more talk of Mandatory Seat Belts, a move to quiet the roar of Motorcycles --and the politics of voting. Here to talk about all this from Concord: James Pindell of PoliticsNH.com and Tom Fahey from The Union Leader. And here with me in Durham, Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat, and Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and talk show host at WTSN-AM. Welcome !! |
| Roundtable/creamat Return to index of stories... |
We begin with a story unfolding at the capital -- where the State medical director Dr. William Kassler spoke about the task force convened in response to the Seabrook crematorium investigation. Bayview Crematory in Seabrook has been accused of conducting thousands of illegal cremations. This week, police found two corpses in one oven, unlabeled urns of ashes and a decomposing corpse in a broken cooler. Pretty gruesome stuff. TOM -- Can you tell us the gist of what was happening today.? |
| Lynch Education #1 Return to index of stories... |
Now -- the selling of Governor John Lynch's education funding plan. The governor unveiled his plan earlier this month and on Wednesday, he began "pitching" it to his most important audience-- legislators -- specifically, the House Education Committee. While the plan has bi-partisan support, there are still many lawmakers - and others - who are not convinced it's the way to go. The House Education Committee will examine all education funding plans before sending a recommendation on to the full house. Q TOM/JAMES: Any sense on how his pitch went over with lawmakers?? |
| Lynch Education #2 Return to index of stories... |
Q EDITH/MIKE: We hear so much about how the Concord Beltway feels about this What about the NORTH Country and the Seacoast? What's their take on Mr Lynch's plan. Q Critics say its all about EQUITY and FAIRNESS. Will the towns that are taking a major hit in education dollars -- line up and SUPPPORT Lynch's Plan? Q TOM/JAMES: The education committe heard a COMPETING bill as well backed by the Coaltion Communities. How does THAT plan differ from Lynch's? The issue of CONSTITUTIONALITY.is still popping up. |
| Ed Funding Gap Return to index of stories... |
The Governor may have have bipartisan support for his education funding plan, But-- he's facing MOUNTING criticism from Republicans over his budget figures. The House Ways and Means Committee has just released figures showing the governor may be counting on over-optimistic revenue projections. Warren Henderson also says if that shortfall exists, it will now be up to legislators to make unpopular cuts in the budget. Q TOM/JAMES: Is that a legitimate Argument Mr Henderson is making. Is the Governor passing the buck, so to speak? Q TOM/JAMES: Maybe the Governor will get some help from higher prices on lottery scratch tickets. 4.8Million over 2 years Q The state's Department of Education MISCALCUATED school funding payments to 113 communities -- how BIG a deal was that -- and has that been resolved? |
| 2008 Primary Return to index of stories... |
Let's talk PRESIDENTIAL Politics. Only 4 months after the presidential election -- potential 2008 candidates already have eyes on New Hampshire. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist plans to visit the state TWICE in 2 weeks. He's among several Republicans showing early interest in the 2008 race. Q JAMES: Serious Contender?? Q MIKE: Senator John McCain and former V-P candidate John Edwards have already been here. This is just the beginning?! You'll be getting calls to get on your show Q EDITH: Do you watch all this with interest?? Q James: Who else might we see in the coming months? Q TOM: Some Bills that would change the rules on VOTING were acted on this week. Is there anything NEW on the bill that would require INDEPENDENTS who vote in primaries to wait 90 days before switching back to INDEPENDENT status. Passed HOUSE -- more hearings in the SENATE. JAMES: a lot of national attention on this measure. |
| Seat Belt Bill Return to index of stories... |
The push is on for Mandatory Seat Belts in New Hampshire. Under a new bill -- adults who failed to "buckle-up" could be cited if they were pulled over for another reason. NH Law already requires those under 18 to wear seat belts --and child restraints for children under 6. The New measure was the subject of a hearing this week. Q TOM: The Police chiefs support it -- they say it SAVES LIVES -- Why then would NH's Highway Safety Agency OPPOSE IT?? Q JAMES: NH's Highway SAFETY Agency -- is a government agency -- Is he speaking for Governor Lynch ? Q MIKE/EDITH: What's the BEEF about buckling up? Is this all part of the LIVE FREE OR DIE philosophy? ** The agency chief says 2/3rds of NH adults already wear them -- Q TOM/JAMES: This is one of those PERRENIAL BILLS that keeps coming up -- year after year? WHY -- is NH such a HOLD OUT on seatbelts? What's LIKELY to happen this year ??? Q 18 states enacted laws. Remaining 31 have secondary laws. NH --one of the few hold-outs? WHY NOT join the crowd? ======== Q Argument has always been: Adults who don't buckle up don't buckle up kids. Won't get kids buckled until we get EVERYONE buckled. Q Typical NH argument of less govt involvement and regulation. even some conservatives support law -- citing insurance rates rising from accidents Q ARGUMENT: The only way that seat belt laws can have TEETH is -- if they're followed up by LIABILITY LIMITATIONS if you choose not to wear one anyway. Q ARGUMENT: Some liken this to MOTORCYCLISTS wearing HELMETS. If NH motorcyclists don't want to wear a helmet, fine, but if I get into an accident with you -- then don't come crying to me about head injuries that you wouldn't have sustained if you were wearing a helmet. It;s about PERSONAL RESPONBILITY. |
| Motorcycle Noise Return to index of stories... |
The battle to quiet motorcycles has reached the Statehouse. A new bill would make it illegal for motorcyclists to produce noise above 110 decibels. The proposal is getting strong support from the New Hampshire Police Chiefs Association. The bill also proposes outlawing bikes with modified exhaust systems known as "straight pipes," which make MORE noise. Q MIKE: Don't some Seacoast communities already have FINES in place -- that police can use if a motorcycle is TOO Loud? Q JAMES: What's the impetus for this bill -- Laconia and Bike Week??? Q Why would the NH Police chiefs Association support this? Q Motorcycle enthusiasts say the bill would HURT the industry -- WHY?? |
| Shipyard Sub Arrives Return to index of stories... |
On Thursday our cameras got a rare invitation to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Naval shipyards are not the most media friendly institutions. But, this week we were given permission to get video of the arrival of the U-S-S Pittsburgh. Arrivals are often kept secret -- and only announced once the subs are docked. President Bush's federal budget proposal, which cuts construction of submarines from two to one a year, was just the LATEST sign that the future of the shipyard may not be bright. Q Mike: The rare invitation to capture the sub's arrival -- likely LINKED to the Shipyard's fight to stay open? Q Those fighting the possible closure of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard are beginning to sound LESS optimistic about their chances -- is that YOUR SENSE? ** It"s a MAJOR fear on the Seacoast. BETH: By May 2005, the Secretary of Defense will submit his proposed list of bases to be closed. Portsmouth COULD be on it. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to James Pindell and Tom FaheyIn Concord, and Edith Tucker and Mike Pomp here in Durham. And, thank you for watching. I'm Beth Carroll -- We'll see you next time. |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook: Exploring a new technology that's connecting patients with doctors-- Telehealth in New Hampshire-- and how health care providers are putting it to use. Join us Monday at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. ===================== Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: Exploring a new technology that's connecting patients with doctors-- Telehealth in New Hampshire-- and how health care providers are putting it to use. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| Broderick Return to index of stories... |
Lawmakers this week also heard from Chief Justice John Broderick -- who gave his report on the "State of the Judiciary." The first such address since 19-96. The chief Justice emphasized the judicial branch's desire to "cooperate" as much as possible with the legislature. Justice Broderick also outlined the challenges facing the state's courts. Broderick tape 13:18:50 The single biggest challenge.cannot afford a lawyer.are rapidly disappearing. Justice Broderick pointed out that in 85-percent of district court civil cases, at least one party has no lawyer. And nearly half of all Superior and Supreme Court cases involve one party that is representing themselves. Q TOM/JAMES: Is this a signaling of Better Days ahead for the courts and Legislature? Q TOM: Clearly the Education Issue has been a thorny one between the 2 branches. There's ongoing struggle over whether the COURTS should weigh-in on the CONSTITUTIONAL of Lynch's Education Funding Plan. |
| Stephen Budget Return to index of stories... |
nmlst CONCORD, N.H. - Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen told budget writers today not to look to the federal government for help with New Hampshire's problems. Stephen said he doesn't expect the Bush administration to bail out states with budget problems like it did two years ago. New Hampshire got more than 70 million dollars two years ago when Congress extended a helping hand to states. Stephen presented his budget to a joint session today of House and Senate budget writers. Stephen also told them he doesn't have enough money in his budget to pay for subsidized health care for two thousand of the six thousand children Governor John Lynch mentioned in his budget address last week. Stephen needs another one million dollars to cover the costs. The money was cut accidentally. |
| Lynch Prescriptions Return to index of stories... |
bywhotv CONCORD, N.H. - Governor John Lynch is asking Legislators to support a prescription discount plan for people without health insurance. The governor went to House and Senate committees today to speak in favor of the idea. Lynch wants the state to negotiate lower prescription prices with pharmaceutical companies. He believes the program would save money for as many as 110,000 New Hampshire residents between the ages of 18 and 64. The program would be open to low income people who don't have health insurance. |
| School Funding Error Return to index of stories... |
bywho CONCORD, N.H. - The Department of Education says it miscalculated school funding payments to 113 towns and cities for the 2003 - 2004 school year. Forty-two towns were overpaid and 71 were underpaid, according to the department. The total amount of incorrect allocations comes to one-point-two million dollars. Deputy Education Commissioner Paul Ezen says the payments should not have been calculated using median household incomes, which is what happened. Towns that were underpaid will be sent money to make up the difference; towns that were overpaid will not be asked to return the overpayment. The department says the error was discovered while compiling data for education funding bills currently before the Legislature. The department says it has improved its checking methods since the mistake was found. For Immediate Release: February 22, 2005 For More Information Contact: Lori Kincaid 271-6646 lkincaid@ed.state.nh.us State Department of Education Corrects Adequacy Aid Distribution to Schools The New Hampshire Department of Education has identified an error in the data used to calculate adequacy aid payments to schools across New Hampshire. Payments for fiscal year 2004, which covered last school year, September 2003 - June 2004, were totaled using median household income. According to Dr. Paul Ezen, Deputy Commissioner of Education, median family income is the figure that should have been used to compute the distribution of a statute-set figure of $10 million in adequacy aid. Using the wrong set of data resulted in 42 towns or cities being overpaid and 71 towns or cities being underpaid, totaling more than $1.2 million in incorrect allocations. The error was uncovered while compiling data for education funding bills currently before the Legislature. "The Department takes this matter very seriously and is doing everything it can to ensure all schools have the resources they need to improve student achievement," said Ezen. The towns that were underpaid will receive full compensation and towns that were overpaid will not be asked to return the overpayment. Since the time of the inaccurate calculations of adequacy aid, the Department has enhanced its verification process. The Department is also investigating additional checks and balances that will ensure the accuracy of the data. In calculating adequacy aid for fiscal year '05 and '06, the Department developed step-by-step documentation to verify the correct numbers were used in the calculation and that the formulas were correct. This process will be further refined for fiscal year '07. EDITOR'S NOTE: The full version of this release with aid numbers for each town can be e-mailed as an attachment at your request or you can access it online in the "News and Events" section of the NH Department of Education's web site - www.ed.state.nh.us/education/ David Donohue Account Manager High Point Communications Group, Inc. 553 Route 3A, Building #3 Bow, NH 03304 ddonohue@highpointcommunications.com www.highpointcommunications.com 603.226.3000 - voice 603.228.3003 - fax |
| Welfare Return to index of stories... |
NHPR News | About NHPR News | Archives | Internships | Order a CD | Email the Editor Today: Wednesday, Feb. 23 . Local Welfare Bill Gets Hearing in Senate Dan Gorenstein, 2005-02-22 Some towns are complaining that they increasingly have to assist people who are not from their communities. Legislators are considering a plan that would change local welfare laws. New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports the new measure would give municipalities a new way to share the burden. listen: Email this story Write to the Editor Printer-friendly version ......... Related stories: 2005-01-18 Logging Operation Causes Concern in Berlin 2003-12-11 Candidates Battle in Berlin 2003-11-13 An Unusual Problem: Too Much Housing ......... Related shows: 2002-08-19 A Visit to the Northern Forest Heritage Park 2001-08-23 Family Stories, Family Sagas at Heritage Park 2001-08-08 Arts and Culture at Northern Forest Heritage park see more A rough transcript: One of New Hampshire's oldest laws concerns local welfare. The statute requires all municipalities to cover a person's most immediate needs: shelter, food and heat. The system is fairly straightforward, until someone who needs such help ends up moving. New Hampshire Legal Assistance attorney Elliot Berry. T.6 2:00 if I had lived in Sandown for 20 years, and my home got foreclosed on, and there's no rental housing in Sandown, so I go to Derry, not withstanding my 20 years of residence in Sandown, the legal liability when I show up in Derry, is Derry. And that is a huge problem. The new legislation would allow a town to bill a person's so-called original town for the first 90 days worth of aid. Right now, there is an unwritten code that local welfare administrators will work together to resolve any dispute over financial responsibility. But in some places that informal system isn't working. The city of Berlin is pushing for the bill. In testimony provided to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson said welfare costs have increased over the past five years. And, he went on, a little more than half the people who received that assistance have lived in Berlin less than a year. Danderson doesn't want to see Berlin become what he called a Mecca of poverty. T.3 2:10 what I fear is Berlin becomes a community of last resort.they come without any prospect for a job and end up on assistance. I think that would be an evil cycle. b/c Berlin doesn't have the ability to weather more poverty. While many of the senators seemed at least sympathetic to the local welfare dilemma, questions about the measure remain. One Committee member suggested that it would be fair for towns to recoup the first 45 days of assistance, but maybe not the full 90 days in the bill. The Municipal Association's Judy Silva said another problem is it can be difficult to determine residency. 5:40 somebody may have crashed in somebody's spare bedroom and then moved on to local welfare office. And is that enough of a connection to the previous community that that community should be responsible for 90 days of support in that next town? Silva joked that New Hampshire could consider a plan similar to Maine, where the state picks up half the tab for local welfare costs. She added that she didn't anticipate that would be seriously considered anytime soon. The Senate HHS Committee is expected to consider this bill soon, probably in the next two weeks. For NHPR News, I'm DG. 207 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301-5003 phone 603.228.8910 fax |
| Blood Protest Return to index of stories... |
bywdov DURHAM, N.H. - Students at the University of New Hampshire are taking a stand against a Red Cross policy that bans gay men from donating blood. Yesterday, U-N-H's student senate adopted a resolution condemning the policy, which they say discriminates against gay men. They want the federal Food and Drug Administration -- whose rules affect the Red Cross -- to change its policy on blood donation. The Red Cross asks potential donors to say whether they have sex with men before allowing them to give blood. The school is the largest single blood donation site in New Hampshire for the American Red Cross. Students argue that unsafe sexual practices -- not sexual orientation -- determine whether a person is a risky blood donor. |
| Emissions Testing Return to index of stories... |
avbfls CONCORD, N.H. - Lawmakers hold a hearing today on a bill to delay the start of new statewide auto emissions tests in New Hampshire. Lawmakers say one concern is that other states have had problems with on-board diagnostic emissions tests. Derry Senator Robert Letourneau heads the Transportation and Interstate Cooperation Committee. He says the committee has been hearing about the problems elsewhere, along with fielding complaints from state business owners. The proposal would delay the start of testing until July 2006. It also would establish a committee to address concerns about the program. |
| Troops homecoming Return to index of stories... |
Yes. The 24th I'll probably have spent the night below the notches to take pix of the National Guard's arrival at Plymouth High School from 4 to 6 or 5 to 7 or whatever. The go to G & C that a.m. and then head to Durham by 2 p.m. And on the 4th I'll be heading to Boston via Durham for a Sat. a.m. bar mitzvah in Wellesley, Mass., and then a party that night at a mus ===== Homecoming of 197th Field Artillery, New Hampshire Army National Guard aviation facility, Regional Drive, 5 p.m. We are staffing this event: CONCORD - Center for Public Policy Studies releasing latest report on elderly tax exemptions' impact on property taxes, 1 Eagle Square, Suite 510, 9 a.m. PETERBOROUGH - Homecoming of 210th Engineer Detachment, Peterborough Armory, 2: 45 p.m. |
| BIKERS Return to index of stories... |
bywdov CONCORD, N.H. - The battle to quiet motorcycles has reached the Statehouse. Portsmouth lawmaker MaryAnn Blanchard is sponsoring a bill that would make it illegal for motorcyclists to produce noise above 110 decibels. The proposal is getting strong support from the New Hampshire Police Chiefs Association. Motorcycle enthusiasts say the bill would hurt the industry and plan to fight it. . |
| key: crime/ legal issues/ law enforcement Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 02/25/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 08:30 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Education Funding back in the news more talk of Mandatory Seat Belts, a move to quiet the roar of Motorcycles and the politics of voting. Here to talk about all this from Concord: James Pindell of PoliticsNH.com and Tom Fahey from The Union Leader. And here with me in Durham, Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat, and Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and talk show host at WTSN-AM. We begin with a story unfolding at the capital where the State medical director Dr. William Kassler spoke about the task force convened in response to the Seabrook crematorium investigation. Bayview Crematory in Seabrook has been accused of conducting thousands of illegal cremations. This week, police found two corpses in one oven, unlabeled urns of ashes and a decomposing corpse in a broken cooler. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN-1270 AM |
| key: state politics/ government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 02/25/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Education Funding back in the news more talk of Mandatory Seat Belts, a move to quiet the roar of Motorcycles and the politics of voting. Here to talk about all this from Concord: James Pindell of PoliticsNH.com and Tom Fahey from The Union Leader. And here with me in Durham, Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat, and Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and talk show host at WTSN-AM. Now the selling of Governor John Lynch's education funding plan. The governor unveiled his plan earlier this month and on Wednesday, he began "pitching" it to his most important audience legislators specifically, the House Education Committee. While the plan has bi-partisan support, there are still many lawmakers and others who are not convinced it's the way to go. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN-1270 AM, Gov. John Lynch\ New Hampshire, Scott Johnson\NH Citizens' Voice Project |
| key: Education Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 02/25/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Education Funding back in the news more talk of Mandatory Seat Belts, a move to quiet the roar of Motorcycles and the politics of voting. Here to talk about all this from Concord: James Pindell of PoliticsNH.com and Tom Fahey from The Union Leader. And here with me in Durham, Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat, and Mike Pomp, NewsDirector and talk show host at WTSN-AM. Now the selling of Governor John Lynch's education funding plan. The governor unveiled his plan earlier this month and on Wednesday, he began "pitching" it to his most important audience legislators specifically, the House Education Committee. While the plan has bi-partisan support, there are still many lawmakers and others who are not convinced it's the way to go. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN-1270 AM, Gov. John Lynch\ New Hampshire, Scott Johnson\NH Citizens' Voice Project |
| key: UNH Return to index of stories... |
No UNH stories |
| poltics Return to index of stories... |
State Senate halts three election day proposals. The State Senate Thursday either killed or sent back to committee three bills that would change the rules on voting in the state. Bills that would eliminate straight ticket voting and another that would do away with giving preference on the ballot to the majority party were killed. A third bill that would require a voter to supply a photo ID at the time of checking in was recommitted back to committee. Four months after the presidential election, potential 2008 hopeful Bill Frist plans to visit the state with the nation's earliest presidential primary twice in two weeks. The Senate majority leader's first trip will be March 4-5, when he speaks at a Manchester Republican Committee fund-raising dinner the first night and a Cheshire County GOP breakfast in Keene the next morning. On March 18, the former heart surgeon from Tennessee is |
| Post Show Log Return to index of stories... |
Friday, February 25, 2005: We started closer to 2:20pm. All went well. We wrapped just before 3pm. |