|
|
|
|
 PreshowReturn to index of stories... |
The Governor enjoys soaring Poll Numbers The Budget reaches new Heights and, Civil Unions pick up more support. We'll hear from journalists on the statehouse beat. Now on NH Outlook, where NH Talks. |
| Hello/Intro Return to index of stories... |
This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the latest Number crunching going on --and the war of words at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. It's been a week of highs -- with the Governor's approval rating on a steady climb. and, the push for Civil Unions gaining steam. But the big story has been the Budget -- with the house passing a 2-year, 10.4 BILLION dollar spending plan. That's a record high -- Up 11% from the current budget. It calls for hikes in the cigarette and real estate taxes, and raises spending on higher education and preservation programs. Approved on essentially a "party line vote", it should come as no suprise that democrats are calling the budget "conservative" and responsible.while Republicans use the words "lavish" and reckless. Here to help us sort it all out: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Tom Fahey from the Union Leader, and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. Q This is far from over.it now goes to the Senate. But, give us a sense of what the process was like in the House , Was there a noticeable difference?? Civil-- heated? |
| Conversation Return to index of stories... |
Q As I recall.2 Years ago the House budget was 93 Million SHORT of the Governor's budget. If you Fast forward to this year: the budget according to at least one report is 178 million MORE than Lynch's plan. Q It's always a BALANCING act.weighing Expenditures against Revenues. IF you listen to Republicans -- we're heading toward financial disaster, democrats call it prudent planning. What's a TAXPAYER to believe? ** Josh: Are REVENUE projections UNREALISTIC ? Q As part of the budget's customary review process -- lawmakers trim here and add there. HOW does the House budget DIFFER from the Governor's? ** gov increase cig 28 cents.House 45 cents Q Who are the winners and losers? Q SINCE lawakers can't raise revenues with a sales or income tax -- it usually means something gives. What's NOT getting funded to balance the budget? ** 3 bills dealt with that dedicate funds to Fish & Game. They wanted 3.2 million to avoid layoffs. Q The document is 553 pages long. Q Safe to say the most controversial aspect of the budget involved school aid. Example of how a community might be impacted. Kevin.you looked at Nashua how would they fare? losing end of Gov's education funding plan? Q The transfer tax increase would go directly to LCHIP, providing an estimated $12 million to the preservation grant program in the next biennium. |
| x Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to Kevin Landrigan, Tom Fahey and Josh Rogers for sharing their insights.and special thanks to our hosts here at the NH Political Library. And, thank you for watching NH Outlook. Where NH Talks. I'm Beth Carroll. I'll see you around NH. |
| Const amendment Return to index of stories... |
Senate passes Lynch's proposed school amendment dewst CONCORD, N.H. - Governor John Lynch won perhaps the most important test of his sophomore term today when the state Senate approved a constitutional amendment that would let lawmakers limit most school aid to needier communities. Lynch needed 15 senators of 24 senators - or three-fifths - to pass the proposal to the House, where it faces an uncertain future. That's what he got. If the House and voters agree, the state could limit most school aid to the neediest communities. The amendment would require the state to provide at least half of whatever the Legislature determines to be the cost of an adequate education. The state Supreme Court still would have authority to judge whether lawmakers were fulfilling that responsibility, but lawmakers could distribute aid however they saw fit. Lynch and other legislative leaders believe making the state pay the full cost of an adequate education in every community would create an intolerable financial burden, without necessarily making schools better. AP-NY-04-12-07 1249EDT Meanwhile, the state Senate votes Thursday on a constitutional amendment Lynch proposed to give legislators more control over who gets school aid. THE SENATE today provides the first legislative test of Gov. John Lynch's proposed constitutional amendment on education funding. It ought to amend the amendment and send it to the House. Amend it: Senate takes on school funding 10 hours, 54 minutes ago THE SENATE today provides the first legislative test of Gov. John Lynch's proposed constitutional amendment on education funding. It ought to amend the amendment and send it to the House. Thankfully, Gov. Lynch sees the need to overturn part of the state Supreme Court's Claremont and Londonderry rulings by amending the constitution. Unfortunately, his amendment would enshrine too much of those rulings into the constitution. Lynch's amendment reads as follows: "In fulfillment of the duty to cherish public schools set forth in the preceding Article, the general court shall define an adequate education, regularly determine the total statewide cost thereof, fund, with state monies, not less than fifty percent of the total statewide cost of an adequate education each year, and maintain standards of accountability. The general court shall have the authority to distribute the funds in the manner that it determines to best promote an equal opportunity for an adequate education for every child in the public schools, provided that the general court shall distribute some state aid to every school district." We have many problems with this cumbersome and overreaching amendment. However, if senators kill it today, they also kill the best current opportunity to take back from the court the Legislature's rightful authority to determine education funding policy. Senators should address the second sentence first. They should strike the phrase "to best promote an equal opportunity for an adequate education for every child in the public schools." This is a dangerous phrase that could be construed by a future court to guarantee a right that does not and cannot exist, namely the right of every child in the state to have the exact same educational services and facilities as every other child. If the Senate nixes that phrase, it improves the amendment significantly. Other problems could be worked out in the House. What is most important is to keep the amendment alive for now so that legislators in both chambers can shape it into a better guide of the state's education funding policy. |
| Lynch poll Return to index of stories... |
DURHAM, N.H. - Governor John Lynch's popularity rating is higher than ever. A new poll says 80 percent - four in five of the adults surveyed - approved of Lynch's job performance, including 74 percent of Republicans. The UNH poll was taken for WMUR and CNN. |
| Bills Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's House has voted to spend three million dollars helping dairy farmers cope with rising costs. Those supporting the bill said farmers lost crops to bad weather last year and were unable to replant, and they had to deal with increases in fuel, feed and energy costs. CONCORD, N.H. - Out-of-state boaters would have to buy a 20-dollar decal to use New Hampshire waters under a bill approved by the House. The money would be used for lake restoration and preservation, dam maintenance, public boat access and navigation safety. CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's Senate is meeting today to discuss Governor John Lynch's proposed constitutional amendment on school funding. The Senate Judiciary Committee also is voting on whether to recommend civil unions for same-sex couples. |
| civil unions Return to index of stories... |
Senate committee endorses civil unions bywst CONCORD, N.H. - Civil unions moved closer to a vote in the Senate today after a committee endorsed the plan giving same sex couples legal recognition. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted three-to-two this morning to recommend the full Senate pass civil unions. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next Wednesday. Democratic Committee Chairman Joe Foster said it's time to recognize the relationships of gays and lesbians. Republican Senator Robert Letourneau voted against, saying civil unions will change the bedrock of society. The House passed civil unions last week. Opponents of civil unions say there is little public support for them. The New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition disagrees. The group cites a University of New Hampshire poll indicating most New Hampshre residents do not oppose and aren't personally bothered by gay marriage. AP-NY-04-12-07 0934EDT |
| BudgetNumbers Return to index of stories... |
The big numbers $10.4 billion total spending, 11 percent over current budget. $4.8 billion in spending from state general taxes, including $1.8 billion in basic aid to schools. $3 billion in non-school spending, up $448 million or about 16 percent. $890 million each year in school aid, 41 percent from statewide property tax. $42 million in general tax spending above Gov. John Lynch's budget, apart from school aid increases. $9 million estimated surplus at the end of two years. Taxes and fees Statewide property tax rate of $2.24 per $1,000 next year. 45 cents per pack cigarette tax hike, up from 80 cents. $6 vehicle registration fee increase for cars and light trucks. Increase tax on property sales by 30 cents per $1,000 value, earmarked for land and historic conservation projects. $10 increase in resident permits to hunt wild turkey, up from $5. Highlights Fully funds special education and school construction costs. $19 million more in aid for the University System of New Hampshire, $7 million less than requested. $13 million more for the Community Technical College system, $2 million more than Lynch proposed. $5 million more to ease long waits for services for disabled adults. $10 million for cancer screening and programs to prevent and treat alcohol and drug abuse. Subsidized health insurance for potentially 10,000 more children through N.H. Healthy Kids. $12 million for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. A small increase for Fish and Game Department while an audit is performed. Agency had asked for $3.2 million minimum to avoid layoffs. Courts get $12.5 million of the $17 million increase requested. Ten new public defenders and raises for all public defenders. $2.5 million to defend sexual offenders facing civil commitments and Michael Addison in his capital murder trial. Public works $90 million in new borrowing backed by general tax revenues, part of $218 million total new borrowing. $35 million for improvements to the University System of New Hampshire. $17 million for improvements to the New Hampshire Community Technical College system. $14 million for renovations to the vocational centers in Exeter and Manchester. $5.5 million to begin expanding the Berlin prison. $1.5 million to begin work on a residential treatment unit at the state prison in Concord. $7 million for a new Merrimack District Courthouse. $1 million to study for rail service from Manchester to Lowell, Mass. $3 million from highway funds for a new welcome center in Chesterfield. In addition, the budget would borrow $60 million for construction projects paid for with highway funds that had traditionally been funded with cash. |
| Budget Return to index of stories... |
Governor Lynch Statement on House Vote on the State Budget Gov. John Lynch released the following statement today, April 11, 2007, on the House's vote on the state budget. "I want to thank the House for its support of key priorities I proposed in my budget. This budget, like the one I proposed in February, allows 10,000 children to enroll in health insurance, helps protect public safety by funding six new state trooper positions, allows us to expand alternative education programs to help more young people graduate from high school and increases funding to help our most vulnerable citizens. "I appreciate the hard work of members of the House on the state's biennial budget. I want to thank Speaker Terie Norelli and Finance Committee Chair Marjorie Smith for their leadership. "I look forward to continuing to work with Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and the House to ensure that we pass in June a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of the people of New Hampshire." House due to vote on $10.4b budget By NORMA LOVE, The Associated Press Published: Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2007 CONCORD – If you’re a smoker, the proposed $10.4 billion House budget isn’t for you. You’d pay 45 cents more per pack of cigarettes in state taxes. If you hunt wild turkey, you won’t like it either. State residents would pay $10 more for a permit. But if you are one of the towns that stood to lose school aid under the existing formula, your town would get a reprieve while lawmakers come up with a new school financing scheme. The House votes on a budget today that would put a hold on a contested school aid law in preparation for a debate over whether most aid should go to poorer communities. Gov. John Lynch’s interim education aid plan for the next two years is part of the budget package. The plan would suspend the current aid law and give every community at least what they got this year plus a 5 percent increase. Those communities expecting bigger increases will get about 95 percent of what the law calls for. The difference will pay for the 5 percent guarantee to towns that otherwise would get less aid. Meanwhile, the state Senate votes Thursday on a constitutional amendment Lynch proposed to give legislators more control over who gets school aid. The biggest debate in the House probably will be over proposed tax and fee increases. The cigarette tax hike would raise the rate from 80 cents to $1.25 per pack. That is still lower than in surrounding states. Vermont’s tax is $1.79; Maine’s tax is $2; Massachusetts and Connecticut assess $1.51 per pack; and Rhode Island’s tax is $2.46. Unlike New Hampshire, they also tack on general sales taxes. The House plan also counts on a 30-cent hike in the tax on property sales and a $6 fee hike to register a car. Large trucks would see an average $200 increase in registration fees. Property sellers and buyers would each pay $7.80 per $1,000 of the property’s value, up from $7.50 now. The increase would be earmarked to a popular program – the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. The hike is expected to raise $12 million over the two-year budget. Lynch had proposed a 28-cent cigarette tax hike and a larger fee hike on registering large trucks. The House budget spends about $42 million more from general tax revenues than Lynch’s budget, including $10 million for cancer screening, alcohol treatment and prevention. The plan also would spend $5 million more to speed up services to disabled people, eliminating a waiting list over three years. Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen had sought more money to eliminate the list in two years; Lynch proposed spending less and phasing out the list over four years. The House also was more generous than Lynch to the state’s colleges, giving the university system $3 million more and the technical college system $2 million more. Budget writers said that means the technical college system would raise tuition 5.5 percent for classes starting next fiscal year but would not raise tuition the following year. The university system has not said how much it will raise tuition. The House also will take up a $218 million public works budget, including $90 million in borrowing backed by general tax revenues. The budget includes $35 million for improvements at University System of New Hampshire campuses, part of a multiyear package approved several years ago. The borrowing also would pay for $17 million in improvements at New Hampshire Community Technical College campuses; $14 million for renovations to the vocational centers in Exeter and Manchester; $5.5 million to begin expanding the Berlin prison; and $7 million for a new Merrimack District Courthouse. |
| factoids Return to index of stories... |
allows 10,000 children to enroll in health insurance, helps protect public safety by funding six new state trooper positions, allows us to expand alternative education programs to help more young people graduate from high school and increases funding to help our most vulnerable citizens **** If you’re a smoker, the proposed $10.4 billion House budget isn’t for you. You’d pay 45 cents more per pack of cigarettes in state taxes. If you hunt wild turkey, you won’t like it either. State residents would pay $10 more for a permit. But if you are one of the towns that stood to lose school aid under the existing formula, your town would get a reprieve while lawmakers come up with a new school financing scheme. The House votes on a budget today that would put a hold on a contested school aid law in preparation for a debate over whether most aid should go to poorer communities. . Gov. John Lynch’s interim education aid plan for the next two years is part of the budget package. The plan would suspend the current aid law and give every community at least what they got this year plus a 5 percent increase. |
| Web Promo Return to index of stories... |
VERSION ONE: Did you know that New Hampshire Outlook is available online on demand at nhptv.org? We've been streaming our broadcasts since the program premiered in September 2000. Whether you want to watch this show again, email it to a friend, search and watch past programs or get more information on thousands of stories and topics, you'll find it all at nhptv.org/outlook. VERSION TWO: Would you like to watch this show again? Maybe you want to email it to a friend? Are you looking for more information about our New Hampshire stories and interviews? You can do all that and more at nhptv.org/outlook. VERSION THREE: Would you like to watch this show again or email it to a friend? You can do all that and more at nhptv.org/outlook. |
| Key: state politics / government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/15/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the latest Number crunching going on -- and the war of words at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. It's been a week of highs with the Governor's approval rating on a steady climb and the push for Civil Unions gaining steam. But the big story has been the budget -- with the house passing a 2-year, 10.4 billion dollar budget. That's a record high -- Up 11% from the current one. It calls for hikes in the cigarette and real estate taxes, and raises spending on higher education and preservation programs. Approved on essentially a "party line vote", it should come as no suprise that democrats are calling the budget "conservative" and responsible -- while Republicans use the words "lavish" and reckless. Here to help us sort it all out: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Tom Fahey from the Union Leader, and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Josh Rogers\NHPR |
| Key: economy Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/15/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the latest Number crunching going on -- and the war of words at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. It's been a week of highs with the Governor's approval rating on a steady climb and the push for Civil Unions gaining steam. But the big story has been the budget -- with the house passing a 2-year, 10.4 billion dollar budget. That's a record high -- Up 11% from the current one. It calls for hikes in the cigarette and real estate taxes, and raises spending on higher education and preservation programs. Approved on essentially a "party line vote", it should come as no suprise that democrats are calling the budget "conservative" and responsible -- while Republicans use the words "lavish" and reckless. Here to help us sort it all out: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Tom Fahey from the Union Leader, and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Josh Rogers\NHPR |
| key: education Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/15/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the latest Number crunching going on -- and the war of words at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. It's been a week of highs with the Governor's approval rating on a steady climb and the push for Civil Unions gaining steam. But the big story has been the budget -- with the house passing a 2-year, 10.4 billion dollar budget. That's a record high -- Up 11% from the current one. It calls for hikes in the cigarette and real estate taxes, and raises spending on higher education and preservation programs. Approved on essentially a "party line vote", it should come as no suprise that democrats are calling the budget "conservative" and responsible -- while Republicans use the words "lavish" and reckless. Here to help us sort it all out: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Tom Fahey from the Union Leader, and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Josh Rogers\NHPR |
| Key: family / marriage Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/15/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the latest Number crunching going on -- and the war of words at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. It's been a week of highs with the Governor's approval rating on a steady climb and the push for Civil Unions gaining steam. But the big story has been the budget -- with the house passing a 2-year, 10.4 billion dollar budget. That's a record high -- Up 11% from the current one. It calls for hikes in the cigarette and real estate taxes, and raises spending on higher education and preservation programs. Approved on essentially a "party line vote", it should come as no suprise that democrats are calling the budget "conservative" and responsible -- while Republicans use the words "lavish" and reckless. Here to help us sort it all out: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Tom Fahey from the Union Leader, and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Josh Rogers\NHPR |