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 PreshowReturn to index of stories... |
The Governor's proposed education funding amendment comes under fire Click it or Ticket, A Mandatory Seat Belt Law --is poised for debate and, "honors" for a slain NH police officer. NH Talks this week about those stories and more. |
| 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 hot topics making news this week at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. Solving the state's Education Funding delimma. The Governor's plan is meeting with resistance -- but, his plan to keep kids in school.is faring better. A seat belt law for NH raises the question: are we losing our "Live free or die tradition"? And, remembering.NH"s "fallen" officers. Here to talk about all this and more: Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio, Chris Dornin from the Golden Dome News Service, and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome. Let's Begin with the Governor's School Funding amendment. |
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Q JOSH: At recent Public Hearing -- you reported CRITICs outnumbered Supporters 3 to 1. Even long-time Allies are spliting with Governor on the LANGUAGE of the amendment? Q 4 Working sessions on GOVERNOR'S plan to limit the state's obligation on Ed Funding. 3 amendments to the AMENDMENT. ** state finance ENTIRE cost ** eliminate use of local or statewide property tax to subsidize education Q BIggest BONES of contention? * 50% threshold * language that ALL communities get some state aid ** only agreement: targeting aid to needy communities Q ANY amendment needs approval of 3/5ths of the House membership. Do ANY have enuf support to pass? Q Where do things stand on DEFINING adequacy??? Finance has until May 31 to figure this one out. In the meantime, Lynch said he's open to changes that "clarify the amendment's intent." ============ DROP OUT On WEDNESDAY. House voted to RAISE school dropout age from 16-to-18. Another VICTORY for Lynch. back to house for final approval. Will that HAPPEN? Q COSTLY mandates -- argment of critics? q Will this keep more kids in school Q Goes back to house floor for final approval. Will this spell costly mandates??? Q Will this foce local districts to come up with tens of millions to handle students who would otherwise drop out? NH Center for Public Policy study says 1 in 5 children drops out of school in NH. National summit on america's silent epidemic.school dropouts Gov Lynch in wash ========================== SEATBELT A bill to mandate SEAT BELTs passed HOUSE, and is Up for debate in Senate on Monday. Libertarians say -- what's NEXT.a HELMET law??? Since statehouse went DEMOCRATIC.Lawmakers have approved CIVIL Unions, Raised MINIMUM Wage. And could very well pass a Smoking BAN and Seat Belt Law. Are Democrats going Too FAR, too FAST? Is the state motto in JEOPARDY?? q Are we losing the state's motto and is this going to be the battle cry for Republicans? Q Republicans warn of a ban on cell-phone use, helmet law, and gun control. Q financial relief for dairy farmers It tacks on 2.5 cents to cost of a gallon of milk to fill a state fund to protect farmland. would help NH's dwindling small dairy farms stay alive. Neal Kurk said he was "Lac-tax" intolerant.dubbed the fund FCHIP. Next we'll tax MOTHERHOOD. It's a new TAX. SEATBELT House approved, 153-140. Senate debate pending.slated for Monday May 21st. What next, a law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets? ========================== MEDICAID waning weeks of his administration. Stephen will try to convince the Legislative Fiscal Committee on Tuesday to move $2.9 million out of the nursing home budget into more care in home and community-based settings. This comes as the House and state Senate are poised to block the commissioner from reducing the nursing home money approved in the budget. Look for the Democratically-controlled budget oversight committee to give Stephen’s request the same thumbs down treatment he got when he tried two weeks ago to cut Medicaid reimbursements for hospitals he said were in violation of federal regulations. ============= DEATH BENEFIT NO debate in House. Bill to establish a 100-thousand dollar death benefit for families of police and fire killed in line of duty. Not retroactive. Voted against rep-backed bill to add more money to shorten wait to 2 years. FRANCONIA, N.H. -The shooter, Liko Kenney, was a 24-year-old local described as a free spirit who had a problem with authority. He'd had some run-ins with Officer McKay before. This time, when McKay pulled him over, Kenny said he wanted to deal with another officer and drove off. McKay stopped him again and used pepper-spray on him. That's when, police say, Kenney pulled a gun and shot him dead. An ex-Marine who saw it grabbed the slain officer's gun and killed Kenney when he refused to drop his weapon. Kenney's death was quickly ruled justifiable. The tragedy has left the town divided, with some regarding McKay as a bully with a badge. A shopkeeper sums it up as "two men lost and two families devastated." A chief selectman of a neighboring town is married to Kenney's cousin and wants to keep the town's firetrucks away from today's funeral in protest. |
| Law Enf Intro Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to Josh Rogers, Chris Dornan, and Jeff Feingold. As always, we appreciate your perspectives. As we alluded to in our discussion.the Slaying of another police officer was the talk of the state. For the 2nd time in less than a year, Police from around the country converged on NH.to pay respects to a fallen officer. Corporal Bruce McKay --became the state's 42nd law enforcement official to be killed in-the-line-of duty. At his funeral on Thursday at the base of Canon Mountain -- the sounds of bagpipes echoed thru NH's White Mountains. McKay was shot & killed in a roadside traffic stop May 11th. It was a sea of blue.as thousands came to pay tribute. Just one day later.Bruce McKay's name would be added to the rollcall of NH's fallen officers at the annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Concord. 9:02 hearse shot 9:16:20 Canon Mt Backdrop 9:10 flags 8:18 marching feet 9:23:15 sea of blue 9:25:55 sea of blue 9:31:02 Officers salute** 9:30:03 gun salute ** 9:38:42 bagpipes |
| Thanks/Goodbye Return to index of stories... |
That concludes our program. I'm Beth Carroll. Thanks for watching. |
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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. |
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If seven hours in the House Finance Committee wasn't enough for folks who love debates on constitutional amendments, there's plenty more to come. Right now, the committee plans four work sessions on CACR 18, Gov. John Lynch's proposal to make the school funding nut easier to crack. Six alternate plans have been filed with the committee, and House Minority Leader Michael Whalley plans to present his caucus with yet another version this week. Lynch's amendment asks lawmakers now, and voters in November 2008, to trust future legislators to make the right decisions on school funding and allow truly needy districts to get bigger doses of aid than wealthier ones. The reasoning goes that the Legislature will fairly define what an adequate education is and will attach an accurate cost to those programs. Then the state will fund half of that total. Ideally, the state would have a partnership with local communities. It won't dictate local policy by controlling all funding, and taxpayers in towns with lower property values won't be stuck with overly burdensome taxes. Some amendment supporters say the court's orders will require the state to spend an extra $500 million, then distribute much of it to towns that don't really need it. Other Lynch allies warn that no amendment will mean a higher state property tax, bringing a return of the donor town phenomenon. Conservatives say the whole thing is a cave-in to the Supreme Court because it puts the Claremont school-funding rulings into the constitution and threatens to run school costs so high that only a new broadbased tax will cover them. Many liberals oppose it, too, with a variety of arguments: It's not needed if the state funds an adequate education because once that last dollar goes out, the state can target aid any way it wants. "We don't need a constitutional amendment to do what's right for our state," the committee was told by Brian Blake, the superintendent of schools in Lynch's hometown of Hopkinton. Since the adequacy definition the House passed covers about half of all school spending, an amendment funding half of adequacy really take care of just one quarter of school costs. The amendment takes the unusual step of putting a set figure, 50 percent, into the constitution, a document that was framed as a set of principles by which government should operate. "You could almost hear the minds closing" when people saw the percentage figure, Rep. Gary Richardson said at the hearing last week. By setting up a targeted aid system, the state guarantees endless fights among towns that want to capture the most cash. Look for "a biennial bloodbath," in the words of Rep. Paul McEachern. The amendment could cut the court out of future school-funding lawsuits with a statement about legislative powers. "Even the most 'activist court' would not have the temerity to tell the its definition of adequacy was inadequate" if the current language stands, former Rep. Jack Pratt said. Former Gov. Walter Peterson, a stalwart Lynch supporter, said the amendment left him "deeply troubled." He said that any move to limit court powers, even if the amendment is narrowly crafted , "is like being a little bit pregnant." Finance has until May 31 to figure this one out. In the meantime, Lynch said he's open to changes that "clarify the amendment's intent." ************** Critics outnumbered supporters by more than 3 to 1 and included officials from the Governor's hometown. » login or register to post comments | 326 reads Web resources: Full Coverage: Education Funding Related news: Thursday, April 19, 2007 Governor and FEMA Tour Flood-Ravaged Allenstown Thursday, April 19, 2007 Lynch Says He'll Sign Civil Unions Bill Wednesday, April 18, 2007 Senate Will Vote On Civil Unions Next Week Related shows: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 New Hampshire’s Education Funding impasse Wednesday, May 9, 2007 New Hampshire's Disabled Student Dropout Rate Monday, May 7, 2007 The Future of New Hampshire's Catholic Schools see more It may be a cliché to say the NH house is where constitutional amendments go to die -- but it tends to be true……The past decade has seen dozens of Claremont-inspired constitutional changes rolled out and quickly voted down……Since he unveiled his Senate-backed proposal in late March, the Governor has worked hard to make sure his plan, doesn’t follow that precedent. "To not do it I believe is not an option. We need to bring finality to the education funding debate, and now is the time to do it." While it's hard to gauge the effect of the Governor's sales job, the vast majority at the hearing didn't seem to be buying it.……Some said it doesn't do enough to overturn the supreme court ruling that says the state must pay for all of educational adequacy….Others say it prizes politics more than it does educational opportunity. Portsmouth State Rep. Paul McEachern said the plan protects NH's gentry at the expense of those who can’t afford high property taxes. ……McEachern, ran on an income tax platform against Lynch in the 2004 democratic primary, and he scoffed at the Governor's claims that the amendment would end school funding discord. "It will literally balkanize the state of NH. It will create biennial bloodbath in the legislature for the crumbs that are available for education. And it won't take the legislature long to learn how to put together towns that will be taken care of and towns that will not." And the criticisms weren't limited to those who have been Lynch adversaries…….They also included longtime allies. "I recall my father telling me years ago, he said, if two people always agree, one of them isn't thinking." That's former Governor Walter Peterson…….He was chairman of Republicans for Lynch in the Governor's two campaigns….Peterson said the Lynch's proposal, which would require the state to pay at least half of educational adequacy and give lawmakers broad latitude to target aid, goes too far in limiting judicial review….Peterson says passing any constitutional change prior to defining adequacy is a mistake……The former Governor then asked the committee to resist pressure to accede to Lynch's position. "That's a word for caution, taking your time, and not letting anyone push you unduly." Others close to Lynch also opposed the amendment……Officials from his hometown of Hopkinton came out in force. The school superintendent told lawmakers it the Governor's plan would erode local support for schools. The amendment also came in for criticism by the town's state reps……Freshman Democrat Gary Richardson, told the committee that the Lynch proposal was a non-starter from its inception. "If you listened carefully when the Governor proposed this amendment and the 50 percent of adequacy figure was disclosed publicly, you could almost hear the minds closing, mine among them." Richardson was also among the reps proposing to amend Lynch's amendment…….He suggests making the state fund 100 percent of total adequacy, with broad leeway for targeting aid.…….Others suggestions included….funding 75 percent of adequacy, banning the use of any state property tax, or of eliminating the word cherish from the constitution. That's the language the Supreme Court has interpreted as meaning to pay for…….While the future for those proposals remain murky, some at the hearing did hold hope, that if nothing else, the Lynch amendment will be a way for people to further the dialogue…….John Lyons is chairman of the NH board of education, which endorsed the Lynch plan last month. "Without this amendment, all you're going to have is the various parties having these discussions. So by passing this amendment, you can still have discussions you had today, but this amendment, at the end of the day, allows you to find a solution so you can take the kids out of this long running debate." For now, the amendment will remain in the house finance committee……A bill to spell out the state's definition of adequacy is now in the Senate…….In order to make in on the 2008 ballot, the Lynch amendment will need 239 votes……By court order, lawmaker have until July 1st to define an educational adequacy. 207 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301-5003 / phone 603.228.8910 / fax 603. |
| wait list Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's House has voted to give preliminary approval to a Senate bill that requires the state to provide services more quickly so people with brain injuries and disabilities aren't kept waiting on a list. The bill calls for the wait list to be eliminated within three years. |
| bills Return to index of stories... |
A DAY FOR MAJOR BILLS The House has a heavy session on its hands Wednesday. It will debate Lynch's bill to raise the state's compulsory school attendance age to 18, a line-of-duty death benefit for police and firefighters, funding the disabilities waitlist, a lead paint bill, a cancer prevention and screening program, adjustments for last year's welfare system reforms, and whether to allow the sale of $30 scratch lottery tickets. The House Commerce Committee plans to finish work on two controversial items, the ban on smoking in restaurants and bars and a bill to extend health insurance benefits to spouses after divorce. The House barn preservation bill might earn money for the N.H. Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, or LCHIP. A move is afoot to reject a real estate transfer tax increase and return to a surcharge that the House rejected. Sen. Martha Fuller Clark and Rep. Judith Spang are sponsoring a barn bill amendment that adds a $25 charge on any document filed at a registry of deeds. The surcharge would be levied on mortgages, deeds, liens, power of attorney and other documents. Many lawmakers believe this is the year to get a permanent source of funding for the LCHIP preservation and conservation program. But with all the wrangling over how to raise the money, Sen. Maggie Hassan said, "I'm worried about LCHIP." Smokers might get a break. The Senate Finance committee is looking more closely at the proposed 45 cent hike in the tobacco tax. Those who want an increase closer to Lynch's suggested 28 cents say the state keeps hitting the same shrinking group of tobacco addicts when it needs money. |
| drp out Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD – Gov. John Lynch's bid to require all students to stay in school until age 18 advanced in the House yesterday on a 183-170 vote. The bill, which now goes to the House Finance Committee for review, is meant to cut the state's dropout rate. Senate Bill 18 allows students who don't do well in traditional schooling to enroll in alternative programs such as night school, apprenticeships, internships and other programs. The bill would take effect starting with the 2009 school year. Lynch has pushed hard for passage of the bill. He and supporters argue the bill will help students get better jobs and promote economic development. He called the vote yesterday, "a significant step" for the bill. It will have to be voted by the full House after Finance finishes its work. Critics yesterday argued the bill tries to force students to stay interested in school and will keep troublemakers in school. "You cannot mandate motivation," Rep. Casey Crane, R-Nashua, said. Others said programs will add expense to local school districts, violating a Constitutional ban on unfunded mandates, and cut into the role of parents. Estimates are that the bill will increase student populations by 1,100 a year. Rep. David Hess, R-Hooksett, said the bill puts "an expensive bureaucratic overlay" on programs that are cutting dropouts, "with local initiative, local intervention and local success." Supporters said the bill is the natural extension of the state's duty to provide education to all school-age children. It will not force students to stay in school buildings, they said. It requires parents to be more involved with their children's education by involving them in alternate programs that can help them earn a diploma outside the classroom setting. Rep. Emma Rous, D-Durham, chair of the House Education Committee said the bill has the endorsement of business and law enforcement as well as educators. "This will help kids find a way to get a diploma which is crucial to their success," she said. "Sixteen is too young to make a decision that effects the rest of your life." Money in the pending state budget provides $4.5 million for alternate programs and another $1.5 million for transportation and education for those with special needs. Lynch's capital budget plan included $14 million for improvements to regional career centers in Exeter and Manchester. Rous said the dropout rate is falling but remains in double digits. "Raising the expectation for completion of high school is the missing link we need," she said. Rep. Timothy Dunn, D-Keene, said "We've all seen the disaster of having 16 and 17 years olds on the street without means to be productive citizens." |
| Briggs Return to index of stories... |
Manchester police officer Michael Briggs was one of 382 fallen law enforcers honored last night during a candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was scheduled to deliver the keynote address in a ceremony dedicated to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Honored officers are due to have their names added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. FRANCONIA, N.H. - Thousands of police officers from all over the country are converging on the tiny town of Franconia, New Hampshire, today for the funeral of Bruce McKay. The 48-year-old police corporal was shot to death during a traffic stop last Friday. The shooter, Liko Kenney, was a 24-year-old local described as a free spirit who had a problem with authority. He'd had some run-ins with Officer McKay before. This time, when McKay pulled him over, Kenny said he wanted to deal with another officer and drove off. McKay stopped him again and used pepper-spray on him. That's when, police say, Kenney pulled a gun and shot him dead. An ex-Marine who saw it grabbed the slain officer's gun and killed Kenney when he refused to drop his weapon. Kenney's death was quickly ruled justifiable. The tragedy has left the town divided, with some regarding McKay as a bully with a badge. A shopkeeper sums it up as "two men lost and two families devastated." A chief selectman of a neighboring town is married to Kenney's cousin and wants to keep the town's firetrucks away from today's funeral in protest. %AP Links |
| memorial Return to index of stories... |
FRANCONIA, N.H. - The rumble of dozens of police motorcycles and the sounds of bagpipes echoed through New Hampshire's White Mountains this morning to begin the memorial for fallen Franconia police Corporal Bruce McKay. Low clouds and mist shrouded Franconia Notch and rain fell on the long procession of police officers, and officials including Governor John Lynch, Attorney General Kelly Ayotte and Senator John Sununu. The funeral is being held at the base of Cannon Mountain. Yesterday, hundreds of residents and police officers filed through Town Hall to view McKay's flag-draped coffin. McKay was shot, then run over Friday by 24-year-old Liko Kenney, who then was fatally shot by a man who happened on the scene. AP-NY-05-17-07 1025EDT Officers converging on Franconia for police funeral klmbyw FRANCONIA, N.H. - Police officers from around the country are converging on tiny Franconia to pay respects to a fallen officer. Interstate 93, the main route north to the White Mountains, is crowded with police cruisers and motorcycles this morning, as officers head to the funeral for Franconia Corporal Bruce McKay, who was killed last Friday. His funeral will be at the base of Cannon Mountain. Yesterday, hundreds of residents and police officers filed through Town Hall to view McKay's flag-draped coffin. McKay was shot, then run over Friday by 24-year-old Liko Kenney, who then was fatally shot by a man who happened on the scene. McKay's uniform hat and a heart-shaped pillow with his police badge were atop the casket. Mourners from near and far are descending on this quiet mountain town today to pay respects to a veteran policeman who was gunned down last week in the line of duty. Calling hours for Franconia Police Cpl. Bruce McKay are underway this afternoon at the town hall. The wake continues this evening, when police officers from across New England will march up Route 18 in a demonstration of grief and solidarity. Those who came to say goodbye this afternoon FRANCONIA, N.H. - Hundreds of people -- including at least 500 uniformed officers -- filed through Franconia Town Hall to see the flag-draped coffin of police officer Bruce McKay, who was killed in the line of duty last week. His funeral takes place today. FRANCONIA, N.H. - The family of the man who killed Franconia officer Bruce McKay -- Liko Kenney -- is holding a memorial service for Kenney on Sunday at noon, at the family-run Tamarack Tennis Camp in Franconia. Kenney was fatally shot by a passer-by after he killed McKay. FRANCONIA, N.H. - The family of Liko Kenney, the man who shot, then ran over Franconia Officer Bruce McKay last week, has released a statement offering their condolences: It says: "The Kenney-Miller family would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere sorrow about the incident that happened and send out our condolences first and foremeost to the daughters and family of Officer McKay and also the friends and greater law enforcement community, and just want to recognize the pain that they're feeling." The family is planning to hold a memorial service for Liko Kenney on Sunday at noon at the family-run Tamarack Tennis Camp, at the camp's soccer field. The service is open to the public. |
| seat belt Return to index of stories... |
What next, a law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets? Some New Hampshire Republicans say the new Democratic majority at the Statehouse is threatening the state's Live Free or Die tradition with a slew of left-leaning legislation. Since the Statehouse went blue, the Legislature has approved civil unions and raised the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.50 an hour. In upcoming months, the state is likely to laws banning smoking in bars and restaurants, mandating seat-belt use and requiring half-day kindergarten in all public schools. "Aside from the education funding issue, this is the single most important thing that is happening in Concord," he said. "The Democrats are going too far too fast in terms of social policy." Democrats disagree, saying they're only trying to work efficiently. They say Republicans are just experiencing life on the other side for the first time that anyone can remember. are we Losing the state's motto? Hassan said Republicans are warning about the loss of the state motto as a "battle cry." Former state Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan agreed. Cullen anticipates a ban on cell-phone use while driving, a motorcycle helmet law and gun control. Changing the Granite State Seat belts: Police could pull over and ticket drivers for not wearing a seat belt. First-time offenders would be fined $50; subsequent offenses would cost $100. Taxi and bus passengers would be exempt. House approved, 153-140. Senate debate pending. Smoking ban: Smoking could be banned inside bars and restaurants as early as this summer. Senate approved, 17-7. House debate pending. Civil unions: Law allowing civil unions of same-sex couples passed the House and the Senate in April. Law takes effect in January. Civil unions from other states will be recognized here. Minimum wage: Minimum wage increase from $5.15 an hour to $6.50 in September. It will go to $7.25 by the following year. Mandatory kindergarten: Half-day school for 5-year-olds could be required by all public schools as part of the definition of an adequate education. House approved, 226-132. Senate debate pending. SEAT BELT The Senate will soon vote on HB 802, making it a primary offense for an adult to ride in an automobile without wearing a seatbelt. Drivers would be pulled over and fined if a police officer observes they do not have a seat belt on, even if there is no evidence of any other problem. The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance opposes HB 802; indeed, we consider it to be a defining piece of legislation for the current session. Unfortunately, the house voted to pass this bill. The margin was slim: if just seven Representatives had voted differently, the bill would have died. Moreover, fully 103 Reps were not present for the vote. Take Action! Call and email your Senators and let them know where you stand with regards to personal responsibility and individual liberty. Their contact information is loca WHAT: HB802 - Mandatory seat belts WHEN: 10:00 AM, Monday May 21 WHERE: Representatives’ Hall, State House DETAILS: http:/nhliberty.org/hb802_info THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NHLA LIBERTY ALERT! This bill can be defeated… but only with massive public opposition. ==== APRIL 09 The issue dredges up the age-old debate in New Hampshire - whether the state should adopt safety- and consumer-related regulations most others already have in place or whether the state should remain true to its tradition of hands-off government. In the past, policymakers have opted more often for tradition, voting down measures like contractor licensing, a smoking ban and a higher minimum wage to give residents and business owners the right to choose for themselves. Debate over the proposed seat-belt law was split along the same lines in the House last week. The bill passed, but barely. The vote was 153-140. Now the bill goes to the Senate, where it must get a yes vote and the governor's signature before it becomes law. Supporters describe the bill as a practical way to reduce injuries and lower health care costs, while opponents argue it is the first step down a slippery slope to big government and over-protection of consumers. Local residents who argued for or against the law yesterday had |
| energy Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD "" The House voted 253-37 last week to pass a renewable energy bill to encourage construction of more wood-fired power plants like the new 50-megawatt facility at Schiller Station in Portsmouth and several projects recently announced in the North Country. One megawatt can light and heat roughly 1,000 homes. The incentives in House Bill 873, co-sponsored by Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, and Rep. David Borden, D-New Castle, would also help dozens of existing hydroelectric dams and wood-fired power plants. It might even build wind farms to capture the sea breeze off Portsmouth and Rye. "I personally have no problem with a wind farm off the coast," Clark said. "We're facing an energy crisis and climate change. We have some hard choices." Unregulated companies that make hydro, wind, solar, wood, wave, tidal, landfill gas and geothermal energy could earn renewable energy certificates to sell on a market brokered by the ISO-New England energy grid in Holyoke. Clark said the state must use fewer fossil fuels and help slow the greenhouse gas effect. A worst-case scenario pictured by researchers at UNH shows Strawbery Banke drowned by 20 feet of water a century from now as the polar caps melt. The bill's goal is for New Hampshire to make 25 percent of its power from renewable fuels by 2025. Rep. Jim Splaine, D-Portsmouth, is glad Gov. John Lynch backs the legislation. "I'd like the to be even higher," Splaine said. Senator Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, said the bill will protect the environment and boost the timber industry. Modeled on laws in other New England states, the bill requires utilities like Unitil and Public Service to sell more electricity from renewable power. They would buy energy certificates to meet increasing yearly quotas. With Clark's help, the Senate last week gutted a competing bill to let PSNH build more wood-fired plants with a statutory 9.6 percent return on investment. Senate Bill 140 as first co-sponsored by Rep. Robert Theberge, D-Berlin, let the utility recover its costs to build wood-fired plants up north by charging customers. The state's energy deregulation law just lets PSNH replace an old boiler with the same output of new power. If Clark's amendment to the bill wins on the Senate floor April 12, it would spur construction of electric power lines and ask the Public Utilities Commission to write new rules about renewable energy projects. Theberge said. "That amendment is a diplomatic way to kill the bill. I'm upset with that." Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson said the legislation vows to help Berlin but takes away the help. "If Public Service can't build here, the new independents can hold back their energy until the spot market price goes high enough," Mayor Danderson said. "Public Service and Unitil ratepayers will have to pay more. I hope Senator Clark knows that will affect customers in her district." |
| dairy Return to index of stories... |
Dairy farmers in the state have just come through a long stretch of low milk prices. Last year, prices dropped to what they were nearly 30 years ago even though consumers were paying the same at the store. New Hampshire lawmakers are considering several bills aimed at helping the state’s diary farms. New Hampshire Public Radio’s Amy Quinton reports that some legislators say the state’s 51 million dollar dairy industry is on the brink of collapse. |
| Key: state politics / government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 5/20/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 20:00 Now on New Hampshire Outlook: We're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the hot topics making news this week at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. Solving the state's Education Funding delimma. The Governor's plan is meeting resistance -- but, his plan to keep kids in school is faring better. A seat belt law for New Hampshire raises the question: are we losing our "Live Free or Die" tradition? And: remembering New Hampshire's fallen officers. Here to talk about all this and more: Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio, Chris Dornin from the Golden Dome News Service, and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome. Let's Begin with the Governor's School Funding amendment. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Josh Rogers\NHPR, Chris Dornin\Golden Dome News, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review |
| Key: education Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 5/20/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 20:00 Now on New Hampshire Outlook: We're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the hot topics making news this week at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. Solving the state's Education Funding delimma. The Governor's plan is meeting resistance -- but, his plan to keep kids in school is faring better. A seat belt law for New Hampshire raises the question: are we losing our "Live Free or Die" tradition? And: remembering New Hampshire's fallen officers. Here to talk about all this and more: Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio, Chris Dornin from the Golden Dome News Service, and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome. Let's Begin with the Governor's School Funding amendment. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Josh Rogers\NHPR, Chris Dornin\Golden Dome News, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review |
| Key: crime / legal issues / law enforcement Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 5/20/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 20:00 Now on New Hampshire Outlook: We're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the hot topics making news this week at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. Solving the state's Education Funding delimma. The Governor's plan is meeting resistance -- but, his plan to keep kids in school is faring better. A seat belt law for New Hampshire raises the question: are we losing our "Live Free or Die" tradition? And: remembering New Hampshire's fallen officers. Here to talk about all this and more: Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio, Chris Dornin from the Golden Dome News Service, and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome. Let's Begin with the Governor's School Funding amendment. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Josh Rogers\NHPR, Chris Dornin\Golden Dome News, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review |
| key: crime / legal issues / law enforcement Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 5/20/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 5:00 Now on New Hampshire Outlook: We're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, as we look at the hot topics making news this week at the capital. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. For the second time in less than a year, Police from around the country converged on NH to pay respects to a fallen officer. Corporal Bruce McKay became the state's fourty second law enforcement official to be killed in the line of duty. At his funeral on Thursday at the base of Canon Mountain -- the sounds of bagpipes echoed thru NH's White Mountains. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Lt. Dan Stauffacher\Chaplain - Pembroke PD, John Lynch\NH Governor, Kelly Ayotte\NH Attorney General, Officer John Breckenridge\Manchester PD |
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Release Form for Chris Dornin. |