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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. The governor's education funding bill gets its day in the Legislature. We'll take you to the debate and follow up with a one on one interview. Plus. why this man presented his resume to lawmakers today. And we'll get the national political perspective from Congressional Representative Charles Bass. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Intro Gov's tax plan Return to index of stories... |
The Education Funding crisis today took center stage at the state capitol. Governor Jeanne Shaheen's plan to impose a sales tax to pay for education was the focus of debate. In a packed hearing at the State House, politicians, lobbyists, educators and citizens gathered to weigh in on the the Governor's proposal. Producer Richard Ager was there. |
| Gov's Tax Plan Return to index of stories... |
Track: Even though the sales tax proposal is contained in a House bill, the plan is the governor's all the way. Bite: Tape 1 10:18;03 First, I believe that what we do must provide adequate and reliable funding for our schools. Secondly, whatever we do must give us the lowest tax rate in New England. Third, it must be something that won't harm the economy of the state. Fourth, it must lower the rate of the statewide property tax. And fifth, it must allow us to improve the schools in New Hampshire. Graphic: The Excel plan would impose a 2.5% on retail sales, but would include exemptions on food, clothing, fuel, prescription and non-prescription drugs, and services. It would cut the statewide property tax from $6.60 to $4.90 per $1000 of assessed value. If implemented, the state estimates the plan could raise nearly $400 million in 2002. Bite: Tape 1 10:27:28 It's time for us to solve school funding. We must solve it and we must solve it this year. There are significant financial consequences to our failure to address this issue. Track: But many who oppose the plan say there would be dire financial consequences if the plan is adopted. Bite: Tape 2 12:12:50 Bear in mind we have about 50,000 employees in the state. Our survey indicates that we would possibly lose 6,250 jobs out of that 50,000. That's real time folks. Track: Retail merchants have opposed the plan from the start, beginning with the commission appointed by the governor to examine alternative tax plans. Bite: 12:19;00 The blue ribbon commission that was established by the governor of this state did not have a fair and equitable representation on the commission's board because there was no one representing the retail sector, in spite of the fact that retail employs over 120,000 jobs in NH. However, the blue ribbon commission was represented by high tech and big business interests. Track: So a coalition of retail merchants hired an academic to analyze the commission's numbers. That critical analysis was released yesterday. Standup: Tape 3 12:54:27 Given that this debate really turns on the numbers, it's not surprising that Governor Shaheen and the supporters of her Excel plan attacked Professor Tuerck's analysis and his motivation. Bite: Governor tape 13:59:10 The man they brought up is a political economist. This is someone who represents a right-wing agenda. He has a history of not accurately looking at the facts. His methodology are questionable by other economists. So they have an agenda. Their agenda is to do everything possible to kill a sales tax and a reasonable solution to this issue. Bite; Tape 2 10:59:11 In the light of some things I read in the press today, I'm going to have to start off by recognizing now that Massachusetts is not the only state where politics is a bloodsport. Track: And so Professor Tuerck began to fight back by distributing his resume. In part. Bite: Tape 2 11:00;04 I have been a consultant to the governor of Pennsylvania on revenue forecasting. . and I have further consulted for such bastions of right-wing thinking as the U.S. Postal Service, the Internal Revenue Service, and the British Post Office. Track: And then the professor got to his main conclusion. Bite: 11;:15:14 In NH, a sales tax is a really bad idea because it would disrupt a whole industry that the state consciously or unconsciously developed around the idea of drawing in shoppers from other states. So even though the sales tax has the advantage of falling on consumption, it is a terrible tax from the point of view of equity and it will make victims out of people who were deliberately lured into industries with the idea of bringing shoppers up. It's also very bad strategic planning. Track: Two things seem clear. First - where you stand depends on who you represent. Bite: 12:35:24 I don't want any new taxes. You don't want any new taxes. I don't think anyone here wants any new taxes. But if we need the money to solve the education funding problem, then the Excel plan would have the least impact. Track: The other thing that's clear? Some kind of tax plan needs to be passed by the House in the next few weeks. For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager |
| Intro gov. intvw Return to index of stories... |
Yesterday, we had a chance to speak with the Governor in Concord and asked her to respond to those who say her Excel plan is flawed. The Governor was quick to express confidence in the ability of her proposal to solve the education funding crisis. |
| The Gordon Plan Return to index of stories... |
If you're trying to sort out proposals to solve the education funding crisis - you'll need to add another one to the list. The latest comes from Senator Ned Gordon. Here's how it works - The state would pay for teacher salaries, special education, and other instructional costs. Communities would pay for transportation, building maintenance, lunch programs and other operational expenses. Gordon told the Senate Education Committee today he came up with the idea after chatting with constituents who said they wanted a plan that was easy to understand and would pay for things that make the most difference. |
| Intro Bass Return to index of stories... |
By a vote of 222 to 205, the House today passed a blueprint for a nearly two trillion dollar budget. New Hampshire Representative Charles Bass cast his vote in favor of the Bush Administration plan. He joined me in the studio earlier this week, to explain his support of the Bush budget and tax cut strategy. |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
In business. Stocks sank on Wall Street after another round of earnings warnings and job cuts. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 162 points, ending a three-day streak of triple-digit gains. Broader stock indicators also lagged. The S-and-P 500 index ended down 29 points. The Nasdaq suffered a brutal slide, falling 118 points, or six percent, to 18-hundred-54. CG:STOCKS\Dow Jones Industrials\9785.35\-162.19\NYSE\590.06\-9.63\American Stock Exchange\864.81\-11.15\Nasdaq\1854.15\-118.11\S&P 500\1153.25\-28.92\\\ |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look of stocks of interest to New Hampshire investors. Autodesk was down two point five six. Sanmina dropped two and a quarter points. Teradyne was down three point one seven. Texas Instruments was down three point seven seven. And Verizon closed the day down two point nine two. CG:STOCKS\Autodesk\31.13\-2.56\Sanmina Corp\21.88\-2.25\Teradyne\34.43\-3.17\Texas Instruments\32.48\-3.77\Verizon\47.19\-2.92 |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Dare we say it - it kind of felt like spring today. For the details on what's ahead, we checked in a few minutes ago with Katie Hess who is watching the weather from the Mount Washington Observatory. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Katie reporting CG:WEATHER\TONIGHT\NORTH\PARTLY CLOUDY\CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS\LOWS IN THE TEENS\WINDS 10 MPH CG:WEATHER\TONIGHT\SOUTH\BECOMING MOSTLY CLEAR\LOWS 20 TO 25\WINDS 10 MPH\ CG:WEATHER\TOMORROW \NORTH\PARTLY SUNNY\HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30s\\ CG:WEATHER\TOMORROW\SOUTH\PARTLY SUNNY\HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30s\\ |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Tomorrow on New Hampshire Outlook - New Hampshire researchers reveal some startling new information about acid rain in New England. We'll see results of a new report. And you'll see high school students prepare for a theatre festival like no other. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, thanks for joining us. Stay tuned for NOVA. We'll be back tomorrow at 7:30. Good night. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on tonight's program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.o-r-g. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts and participate in our daily poll. If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Power Struggle Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Power Struggle jayhofls Lower rates will remain through May First -- Public Service Company of New Hampshire today said that electric rates will remain stable next month, despite delays in the state's plan to deregulate the industry. Under a plan passed by the Legislature last summer, competition was supposed to be introduced to the electric power market on April 1, and was to be accompanied by a ten percent rate cut. But Public Service, the state's largest electric utility, said last week that delays in arranging financing for the deal will push back the plan to May First. The company also said that the delay could mean a five percent rate hike in April. The deregulation plan said that if it wasn't implemented by April First, an earlier five percent rate cut would be reversed. But Martin Murray, spokesman for Public Service, said today that Governor Jeanne Shaheen asked the company to keep the rate reduction in place until May First, and that the company has agreed to do so. AP-N |
| Judge Evaluation Return to index of stories... |
Effective immediately - New Hampshire Supreme Court Justices will be judged by a jury of their peers. The New Hampshire Supreme Court adopted new standards today to evaluate themselves and trial court judges. Under the new new rules, questionnaires will be distributed annually to attorneys and parties who appear before the high court. The justices will also perform a self evaluation. Each year, they'll meet to review feedback and discuss each other's performance against nationally recognized standards. Trial court judges will be reviewed at least once every three years by the administrative judges of the superior, district and probate courts. And administrative judges will be evaluated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and two associate justices. The Supreme Court will send a summary of the evaluations to the governor and Legislature each year.The new procedures will be reviewed by the court rules committee. |
| Granny D Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire's Granny D is at it again. Doris Haddock - the 91-year-old Dublin woman who walked across the country for campaign finance reform - is in Washington D.C. This time, she says she'll walk around the capitol building and supreme court until a final vote is taken. This afternoon, the Senate voted to raise the limits on contributions to candidates and political parties. That vote came on compromise legislation that's part of the overall debate on a campaign finance bill lawmakers plan to vote on later this week. |
| Barns Return to index of stories... |
Today a coalition joined together to support a house bill that offers a tax incentive proposal to help save old barns in NH. The bill allows a barn owner to apply to their town government for tax relief emphasizing that their barn is an important landmark. In return the owner must maintain the structure for 10 years. Using statewide criteria, local governments decide if the structure is eligible and how much tax relief is available. |
| PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. New Hampshire researchers reveal some startling new information about acid rain in New England. We'll see results of a new report. And high school students prepare for a theatre festival like no other. Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| perrier Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Perrier-Seabrook dewman Perrier plant headed for Seabrook -- Perrier, the bottled-water giant, is building a giant distribution center in Seabrook. The Perrier Group of America says the plant will be open by the first of next year and bring 150 jobs to the area. Perrier owns the Poland Springs bottled-water label.It will bring water into the facility from Maine, package it and then distribute it throughout New England and New York. |