NH OUTLOOK, Wednesday, 5/18/2005
script iconPreshow #1 Bass script iconSocial Security
script iconHello/Intro Rep Bass script iconEthics
script iconIntro Wild Places script iconClean air bil
script iconWeb Pointer script iconhomeland security
script iconTomorrow script iconkey: state politics/ government
script iconGoodnight script iconkey: environment
script iconTonight 10:00 script iconkey: UNH
script iconShipyard script iconWEB PROMO
script iconParental-Consent script iconPost Show Log
script iconMTBE Clean-air bill  


script iconPreshow #1 Bass
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Now on New Hampshire Outlook:
A conversation with Congressman Charles Bass on the future of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Social Security and the Energy bill.
script iconHello/Intro Rep Bass
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Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook.
This week in a show of Unity -- NH and Maine's Congressional delegation vowed to FIGHT to keep the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard open.
News of its recommended closure came Friday.
6-term Congressman Charlie Bass who represents the 2nd district -- was among those who rallied in support of the nation's oldest shipyard.
I sat down with the Peterborough Republican at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel in Portsmouth right after the rally -- as part of our on-going series of conversations with NH's Congressional delegation.
We talked about the Shipyard and other key issues facing the 109-th Congress.
script iconIntro Wild Places
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The 2-nd Congressional District covers 8 of the state's counties and includes 179 cities and towns.
Among them, Hillsborough --in the Monadnock region.
You'll find Fox Forest in Hillsborough.
We bring you some of the sights and sounds of the forest courtesy of New Hampshire's Wild Places -- a regular feature in New Hampshire Public Television's "Wildlife Journal" program.
script iconWeb Pointer
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For more nature stories you can catch Wildlife Journal each week right here on NHPTV.
And a reminder-- if you missed any of this program you can watch New Hampshire Outlook on the web.
All of our programs are available online on-demand at nhptv.org/outlook.
script iconTomorrow
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On the next New Hampshire Outlook -
The Granite State is growing Twice as fast as the rest of New England.
Development Pressures are changing the NH's Landscape.
We'll explore a new Forest Society Report -- which predicts what the state might look like in the next 20 years.
script iconGoodnight
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That concludes our program.
Thanks for watching.
I'm Beth Carroll.
We'll see you next time.
script iconTonight 10:00
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook:
The changing face of the state's landscape -- how development is affecting New Hampshire's forestland.
Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television.
script iconShipyard
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- The Pentagon's sweeping plan to close military
bases aims to save billions of dollars and better protect the
country. But for residents near affected bases, it's a matter of
jobs -- and their communities' lifeline.
But in New England, two major
bases are on the chopping block.
Supporters say the submarine base at Groton, Connecticut, and
the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine are economic engines of the
Northeast. But analysts say the bases were only needed to defend
against the Soviet threat.

script iconParental-Consent
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WASHINGTON - New Hampshire Congressmen Charles Bass and Jeb
Bradley disagree when it comes imposing fines, jail or both on
adults and doctors who dodge parental-consent laws by taking minors
across state lines for abortions. Bass was one of only eleven
Republicans who voted against a bill yesterday to impose such
penalties, while Bradley went along with the G-O-P party line vote
of 270-to-157.
WASHINGTON - New Hampshire's members split on the vote by
which the House of Representatives passed a bill to make it illegal
to dodge parental-consent laws by taking minors across state lines
for abortions.
Charles Bass was one of only eleven Republicans to vote against
the bill, while Jeb Bradley went along with the G-O-P party line
vote of 270-to-157 yesterday.
The bill would impose fines, jail or both on adults and doctors
involved in most cases where minors were taken out of state to get
abortions.
This was the third time since 1998 the House has approved such a
measure. The Senate has never taken it up but Majority Leader Bill
Frist expects to bring up a similar measure this summer.
AP-NY-04-28-05 0505EDT
script iconMTBE Clean-air bill
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** In late 2003.NH filed suit against makers of M-T-B-E seeking compensation
for clean-up costs.
KELLY AYOTTE: says the Energy Bill -- could preclude New Hampshire’s suit from going forward -- because it essentially says any claims filed after september 5th of 2003 cannot go forward against these manufacturers.
Q Congressman Bass -- is advocating setting up a SPECIAL FUND fund for states effected by M-T-B-E rather than let compensation drag on for years.
He's hoping to work out the differences between the House and Senate Energy Bill.
Would you SUPPORT that?
Q Polls show that 34% of Americans blame the President and Republicans for
rising gas prices. Does that trouble you??
The US House of Representatives has passed an wide ranging energy bill.
Last year, Both of New Hampshire's Congressmen voted against the bill.
But this year, while Congressman Jeb Bradley opposed the bill, Congressman Charlie Bass decided to support it.
NHPR News Correspondent Julie Donnelly reports from Washington.
Much of the debate in the House of Representatives centered on two questions.
First, should the U.S. government allow oil companies to drill in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.
And second, should the government shield the makers of MTBE from liability lawsuits.
The House decided yes on both counts.
Both New Hampshire Congressmen voted for an amendment that would have gotten rid of the the Alaskan drilling provision.
But that amendment failed.
But Representatives Charlie Bass and Jeb Bradley disagreed about the best way compensate people who have been harmed by MTBE.
The gasoline additive has contaminated water supplies in all fifty states after leaking from underground storage tanks.
Congressman Charlie Bass voted to shield manufacturers from liability.
On the House floor, he defended his decision as a means to an end.
He said he can later negotiate a tobacco-type settlement fund that the MTBE makers would pay into rather than wade through years of litigation.
""
Bass says he has assurances that he will be named to the conference committee that works out the differences between the House and Senate Energy Bill.
And that as a member of that committee he'll be able to get his settlement plan into the bill.
But Jeb Bradley says those assurances aren't good enough for him.
Bradley voted against shielding MTBE manufacturers from lawsuits.
Bradley says that while he respects what Congressman Bass is trying to do, it's a gamble.
""
In the end Bradley voted against the Energy bill as a whole.
In addition to the MTBE issue, he said he also could not support increased ethanol subsidies, and the provision to allow oil drilling in the Alaskan wildlife refuge.
Despite earlier assurances that he would vote against legislation that included the ANWR provision, Congressman Bass decided to support the bill.
The second district republican says he had to vote for the bill, in order to get on that conference committee where he hopes to insert the settlement fund for those affected by MTBE.
Bass says he's counting on the Senate to remove the Alaskan drilling provision from their version of the bill.
And what if they don't?
""
Although Bass says he would likely vote against a final bill, if it includes ANWR drilling, it would be a tough choice.
As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he has had the opportunity to put his stamp on the bill.
For example he was able to add a provision for a rebate program for consumers who use alternative fuels.
But when this bill comes back from the House and Senate Conference committee, Charlie Bass is going to have some tough choices.
Does he vote for a bill that might help clean up MTBE from New Hampshire's water supplies while protecting its manufacturers?
Or does he vote against a bill as he has promised he would if it includes drilling in Alaska's wilderness?
For NHPR News I'm JD in DC.
script iconSocial Security
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House Republicans have set June as the likely
timetable for introduction of legislation overhauling the Social
Security program.
Lawmakers are hearing some opinions on ways
to shore up Social Security and ideas on getting Americans to do
more to save for retirement.
The former chairman of the president's Council of Economic
advisers, Lawrence Lindsey, is among those testifying today before
the House Ways and Means Committee. In prepared remarks, Lindsey
urges Congress to encourage more private savings. He recommends a
"matching" program, like many company 401-K plans, where worker
contributions to personal retirement accounts could be matched with
payroll taxes.
The committee is also hearing from former Social Security
commissioner Kenneth Apfel, who opposes privatization. In prepared
remarks, he says unless benefits are cut back or revenues
increased, privatization "only makes the financing problems
worse."



AP-NY-04-29-05 1158EDT
script iconEthics
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BASS, BRADLEY CAVE UNDER PRESSURE,
REVERSE VOTES AGAINST ETHICS COMMITTEE
ONLY AFTER GOP LEADERSHIP GIVES THEM GREEN LIGHT
Still Refuse to Condemn Delay for Ethics Lapses
CONCORD, NH - After voting in favor of Tom Delay's bid to deadlock the House Ethics Committee in January, Congressman Bass and Congressman Bradley both caved under public
pressure and switched their votes last night - but only after Delay gave them permission to do so.
Neither Congressman has condemned Delay for the numerous scandals that have overtaken Washington in recent months.
"This is much worse than being a day-late and dollar short," said Ray Buckley, Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "Congressman Bass and Congressman Bradley are so spineless, they not only vote against ethics rules at the order of Tom Delay, but they even switch their vote when Delay tells them to."
According to the Associated Press, "Democrats wanted to investigate Majority Leader Tom DeLay and have the House ethics committee run as it had since 1997. They won on both counts. The minority party
forced Republicans on Wednesday to vote for reversal of new GOP rules for investigating House members and staff."
In their campaigns for Congress, Jeb Bradley has taken $15,000 in political donations from Tom DeLay's Political Action Committee, and Charles Bass has taken $14,233.. On January 4th of this year, both voted in favor of a rules change authored by DeLay that deadlocked the House ethics committee and prevent future ethics investigations.
"New Hampshire voters punished Craig Benson for his sandal-plagued
administration last November. The Republican Speaker of the
New Hampshire House of Representatives had to resign under a cloud
of ethics abuses. Why do Congressmen Bass and Bradley think they
can take tens of thousands of scandal-plagued dollars from Tom DeLay,
then vote to protect him from ethics charges and get away with it?" said
Kathy Sullivan, Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.
Earlier this month, Jeb Bradley refused to condemn his scandal-plagued
Republican leader, saying DeLay has "done a lot of good things." When
directly asked if Congress would be better served by a less divisive leader, Bradley "deferred to a general comment.".
For a fact-sheet on DeLay's scandals, just reply to this email.
###
script iconClean air bil
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BASS AND BRADLEY INTRODUCE CLEAN AIR BILL
Bipartisan CAPA Bill Reduces Emissions and Keeps Electricity Affordable
WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Representatives Charles Bass and Jeb Bradley introduced legislation today in the House that will reduce harmful emissions from our nation's power plants while preserving the affordable electricity American families count on.
The bipartisan Clean Air Planning Act sets national caps on emissions from electric power and cleans up emissions without impeding economic growth. The bill, H.R. 1873, is cosponsored by Representatives Jim Davis and Jim Cooper , would provide a workable solution to achieve cleaner air, help address global warming, and maintain reliable electricity for the nation.
"New Hampshire's physical and economic health is dependent on clean air, water, and a predictable climate pattern. For too long, power plants from the Midwest have emitted tons of toxins into the air that result in smog, haze, and acid rain in the Granite State," said Congressman Bass. "The Clean Air Planning Act that we introduced today will improve air quality across the nation and address serious human health and environmental concerns associated with pollution."
"For years, older, dirtier power plants from other states have adversely affected New Hampshire's environment. CAPA is an excellent first step in addressing this issue. I applaud Congressman Bass for introducing this important legislation, and look forward to working with him to address the issue of power plant emissions," stated Congressman Bradley.
The nation's electric utilities power the world's most productive economy, but they also emit harmful pollutants. CAPA would result in an 80% reduction of emissions of sulfur dioxide, a 66% reduction of emissions of nitrogen dioxide, an 80% reduction of mercury and return carbon dioxide to 2001 levels by 2013.
"This four-pollutant bill would set strict national limits on sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that are up to 80 percent lower than current levels and would begin to recognize the significant climate effects that are already impacting our states, citizens, and businesses," concluded Bass.
The Environmental Protection Agency has described air pollution as a silent killer that takes the lives of 64,000 Americans each year. According to the EPA, enacting CAPA would prevent premature deaths, saving 9,600 lives by 2010 and 17,800 by 2020.
Bass is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over energy and environment issues. As a member of the New Hampshire State Legislature, Bradley sponsored the Clean Power Act, a piece of legislation that made New Hampshire the first state to address sulfur, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and mercury emissions.
=====
BASS AND BRADLEY INTRODUCE CLEAN AIR BILL
Bipartisan CAPA Bill Reduces Emissions and Keeps Electricity Affordable
WASHINGTON , D.C.– U.S. Representatives Charles Bass and Jeb Bradley introduced legislation today in the House that will reduce harmful emissions from our nation’s power plants while preserving the affordable electricity American families count on.
The bipartisan Clean Air Planning Act sets national caps on emissions from electric power and cleans up emissions without impeding economic growth. The bill, H.R. 1873, is cosponsored by Representatives Jim Davis and Jim Cooper , would provide a workable solution to achieve cleaner air, help address global warming, and maintain reliable electricity for the nation.
“ New Hampshire 's physical and economic health is dependent on clean air, water, and a predictable climate pattern. For too long, power plants from the Midwest have emitted tons of toxins into the air that result in smog, haze, and acid rain in the Granite State ,” said Congressman Bass. “The Clean Air Planning Act that we introduced today will improve air quality across the nation and address serious human health and environmental concerns associated with pollution.”
“For years, older, dirtier power plants from other states have adversely affected New Hampshire ’s environment. CAPA is an excellent first step in addressing this issue. I applaud Congressman Bass for introducing this important legislation, and look forward to working with him to address the issue of power plant emissions,” stated Congressman Bradley.
The nation’s electric utilities power the world’s most productive economy, but they also emit harmful pollutants. CAPA would result in an 80% reduction of emissions of sulfur dioxide, a 66% reduction of emissions of nitrogen dioxide, an 80% reduction of mercury and return carbon dioxide to 2001 levels by 2013.
“This four-pollutant bill would set strict national limits on sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that are up to 80 percent lower than current levels and would begin to recognize the significant climate effects that are already impacting our states, citizens, and businesses,” concluded Bass.
The Environmental Protection Agency has described air pollution as a silent killer that takes the lives of 64,000 Americans each year. According to the EPA, enacting CAPA would prevent premature deaths, saving 9,600 lives by 2010 and 17,800 by 2020.
Bass is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over energy and environment issues. As a member of the New Hampshire State Legislature, Bradley sponsored the Clean Power Act, a piece of legislation that made New Hampshire the first state to address sulfur, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and mercury emissions.
-30 -
script iconhomeland security
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Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge
says officials did everything right yesterday when a small plane
entered restricted air space over Washington. The incident forced
the evacuations of the White House and the Capitol. Authorities
later said the pilots were lost, and they won't be charged. Ridge
tells N-B-C it was a "successful intervention."
- A federal aviation spokesman says a pilot
"clearly had no idea" he was creating an emergency situation when
his plane strayed over the nation's capital Wednesday. The flight
led to panicked evacuations across official Washington. The pilot
could end up losing his license.
The government is pledging to take serious
action against the pilot whose small airplane caused panicked
evacuations in Washington.
Alert levels at the White House and Capitol were raised to their
highest level and thousands of people were evacuated when the
single-engine Cessna strayed over the city Wednesday.
A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman says any action
against the pilot won't be done lightly. The pilot could lose his
license as a result of an investigation.
script iconkey: state politics/ government
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 05/18/05
HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 21:00 minutes
Now on New Hampshire Outlook: A conversation with Congressman Charles Bass on the future of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Social Security and the Energy bill. Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. This week in a show of Unity NH and Maine's Congressional delegation vowed to fight to keep the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard open. News of its recommended closure came Friday. Six term Congressman Charlie Bass who represents the 2nd district was among those who rallied in support of the nation's oldest shipyard. I sat down with the Peterborough Republican at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel in Portsmouth right after the rally as part of our on-going series of conversations with NH's Congressional delegation. We talked about the Shipyard and other key issues facing the 109-th Congress.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Rep. Charles Bass\ New Hampshire, Beth Carroll\NH Outlook
script iconkey: environment
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 05/18/05
HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 02:00 minutes
The 2nd Congressional District covers 8 of the state's counties and includes 179 cities and towns. Among them, Hillsborough in the Monadnock region. You'll find Fox Forest in Hillsborough. We bring you some of the sights and sounds of the forest courtesy of New Hampshire's Wild Places a regular feature in New Hampshire Public Television's "Wildlife Journal" program.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:
script iconkey: UNH
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No UNH stories
script iconWEB PROMO
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook.
. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television.
script iconPost Show Log
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Wednesday, May 18, 2005:
We had to tape two shows today. Tonight's and one for the summer. We started tonight's show just after 4pm. All went smoothly. We taped tonight's promo and then started the July 6th show just before 5pm. The 2nd taping went well as well. We finished by 5:20pm.
Director's Log:
The only thing that was funky tonight was the prompter. It looked faded and had lines going through it. I believe it is the monitor not the prompter itself. Beth said there was nothing wrong on her end. We did two good shows. No problems that I can think of.
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