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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. The people who first challenged Education Funding are back. this time. demanding the state define and properly fund. adequate education for all. Then we'll show you YOUR new link to County Government. And a bridge from the past. that is being built to hold up to the future. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Intro Claremont Return to index of stories... |
The Claremont Coalition that successfully sued the state over school funding now says the state is not fulfilling its obligation to provide an adequate education. At a news conference today, attorneys for the Coalition charged that the legislature has deliberately underestimated the true cost of education and has done little to help property-poor towns pay for schools. As producer Richard Ager reports, the coalition could very well end up fighting their case in the state Supreme Court |
| Claremont Suit Return to index of stories... |
Bite: Volinksy tape 13:01:37 We're not politicians, we're school board members, we're parents, we're taxpayers, we're people who felt the system was failing us because in this rich state, people were being taxed out of their homes, and our children weren't able to bring their books home from school, because they didn't have enough. Track: Tom Connair began his fight in 1989, as a member of the Claremont School Board. At the time, the local high school was falling apart and on its way to begin decertified. Four years later, the state Supreme Court issued the first of its Claremont decisions ordering the legislature to provide every child with an adequate education. Now, a dozen years after he began…. Bite: Volinsky tape 12:30:25 ARE YOU NOT BETTER OFF? I think we are slightly better off than we were in 1989 - but not significantly. Track: The Claremont coalition claims the legislature arbitrarily set the current per-pupil adequacy grant at $3300. They say that figure is too inadequate to help the poorer towns. Bite: Volinsky tape 12:27:00 We've been waiting patiently for the state to answer the Claremont suit. Our taxes did go down a little bit when the suit first came to be settled but they're right back up where they were. Track: The coalition wants two things: An additional 70 million dollars per year to cap tax rates in property-poor towns. And they want the state to fully define what is an adequate education. Bite: Volinsky tape 12:50:26 What we want is for the state to commence a study of successful schools to determine what constitutes an adequate education. Bite: Volinsky tape 12:46:17 This is an delicate subject. We're not here to threaten, we're not here to demand a return to court. We actually think that court is not the most efficient way to do this. But if we can't get a public consensus and then a legislative consensus on how to move forward, there aren't many alternatives. Bite: Ways & Means tape 2 13:53:05 I don't think that was a good statement from my perspective. The court is not looked on with the sanctity that it was in the past. We've got to get over that and move forward but to say that they're coming when the court is looked upon rather negatively - particularly by the House - and in light of what is happening- I don't think that was an appropriate thing to do and I don't think that was a very bright thing to do. Standup: Ways & Means tape 2 14:47:13 Not surprisingly, the Claremont Coalition's new demands have not received a warm reception from many legislators in the House and Senate. Some say it is further proof that there is no limit to those demands. Track: Republican Warren Henderson has worked on determining adequacy for the legislature. Bite: Ways & Means tape 2 14: I am utterly unmoved by the threat of litigation. I think we'll be in litigation for years to come. We are not to be cowed by the threat of litigation or by litigation. We're going to be in court for years - everyone who has gone through this has been. What we need to do is stand by our principles - stand by what makes good sense and good law - and then defend our decisions. Track: There is support for the Coalition, if not much optimism, from legislators like Sen. Mark Fernald who supports a broad-based tax to pay for education. Bite: Volinsky tape 13:24:334 I would venture a guess that there are many Republicans in the legislature who don't like the Claremont decision and would just as soon let things fall apart or let it go back to court because they think that's how they pick up votes for an amendment eventually, they're playing a long-term game. They don't want a settlement. Track: And clearly, a settlement is not in plain sight. For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Tag Claremont Return to index of stories... |
The Claremont Coalition estimates the true cost of an adequate education, which it says it is not now seeking from the legislature, could run as high as $1.3 billion a year. |
| Intro tax plans Return to index of stories... |
The House Ways and Means Committee continued its search today for a funding solution to fill the deficit in the proposed state budget. At a public hearing at the state house, committee members heard a new proposal for a tax on electric power consumption. The proposed new tax is intended to take the place of a proposed nuclear tax on Seabrook station that was defeated in the House last week. |
| Tag tax plans Return to index of stories... |
The proposed electric consumption tax would raise an estimated $25 million a year. The House Ways and Means committee is expected to resume its hearings on funding plans following tomorrow's House session. |
| Court Crisis Return to index of stories... |
A member of the committee that disciplines New Hampshire judges says he may file complaints against two state Supreme Court justices. We first spoke to Judicial Conduct Committee member Terence Poff Monday night. He told us of his concern after learning Justices John Broderick and James Duggan were involved in negotiating a settlement to the committee's investigation of Chief Justice David Brock. Poff is one of two committee members who disagreed with last week's settlement in which Brock was admonished for misconduct. Now, the possibility of a new legislative inquiry of court activities is being raised. House Speaker Gene Chandler told the Union Leader that legislative leaders want to talk with conduct committee members about what went on behind closed doors. |
| Childrens Issues Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire's delegation is rated the worst in the country when it comes to voting on children's issues. That's the determination of a child advocacy group which based rhe ranking on ten votes in the last congresssional session. Out of a rating of 100 - The Children's Defense Fund Action Council gave Senator Bob Smith a zero, Senator Judd Gregg a 20, and Congressmen Charles Bass and John Sununu 40 each. The votes included proposals to study child poverty, gun safety legislation, increases in the minimum wage and Medicaid coverage for disabled children. |
| Drinking Water Return to index of stories... |
Environmental and citizen's groups today called for a moratorium on the issuing of new permits to spread sewage sludge. The groups cited recent studies which show elevated nitrate levels in well water tested in the town of Hoosett. Those wells are near gravel pits where sludge is currently being spread. House Bill 384 would, among other things, put a moratorium on any new sludge spreading permits. |
| UNH Space Instrument Return to index of stories... |
A University of New Hampshire space instrument was zapped by a solar flare, exactly the condition it was sent into space to study. Launched last year,the instrument records information to help scientists study how solar wind and solar flares affect the earth's magnetic field. A massive solar flare short circuited the instrument and knocked it out of business It's been reset and is working normally now. |
| East-West Highway Return to index of stories... |
Officials in Saint John, New Brunswick want the Canadian and US governments to look into building a highway that would extend a trade corridor from Atlantic Canada westward through Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Some local studies suggest that building a new east-west highway would not be practical, affordable or effective. The three states have been improving Route Two, currently the main east-west route through the northern part of those states. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
What a difference a day makes - temperature wise - some of us were over 30 degrees cooler than we were yesterday. We checked in with Katie Hess at the Mount Washington Observatory to find out about the weather around the state. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
CG:WEATHER\Mount Washington Observatory\Current conditions\Temperature: 22 Degrees\Overcast\Visibility: 50 miles\West winds: 25 - 35 MPH CG:WEATHER\Tonight\North\Mostly clear \Lows in the mid teens to lower 20s \Light winds\ CG:WEATHER\Tonight \South\Mostly clear \Lows in the lower \and mid 20s \Light winds\ CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\North\Mostly sunny \Highs in the mid \and upper 50s \Light winds\ CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\South\Mostly sunny \Highs in the lower\and mid 60s\Light winds\ |
| Intro Government Return to index of stories... |
Starting tomorrow, you'll have a new resource to get information about counties in New Hampshire. There's a new website that will provide a weatlth of information about how county government works for you. Earlier today, we spoke with two people affiliated with the Assocaition of Counties to get details. |
| Bump- address Return to index of stories... |
CG:BUMP2\FOR MORE INFORMATION\New Hampshire Association of County Governments www.nhcounties.org |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
As investors received positive reports about the health of the economy today they continued to play it safe buying up blue chips. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
The Dow Jones industrial average ended up 170 points at ten-thousand-625. The Nasdaq gained 43 points to settle at two-thousand-59. And the S-and-P 500 closed 19 points ahead at 12-hundred-28. CG:STOCKS\Dow Jones Industrials\10625.01\+170.86\NYSE\ 623.50\+9.53\American Stock Exchange\923.57\+20.70\Nasdaq\2059.80\43.19\S&P 500\1228.70\+19.23 |
| Electric Rates Return to index of stories... |
Public Service Company of New Hampshire ecustomers are one step closer to seeing a rate cut. Today, the utility sold 525 million dollars in bonds to refinance some debt at lower rates. The sale clears the way for an eleven percent rate cut next week as part of the company's deregulation agreement with the state. |
| Rising Incomes Return to index of stories... |
If you made more money last year, you may be part of the reason why New Hampshire ranks fourth in income growth among the 50 states. The Federal Commerce Department says Americans' incomes rose faster than inflation in every state in 2000. That despite the slowdown in the economy during the second half of the year. Nationally, average income last year was up seven-point-three percent from 1999, the quickest pace in eleven years. New Hampshire's growth was at nine-and-a-half percent. Colorado residents had the sharpest income gain last year, rising ten-point-eight percent. |
| 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. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Tomorrow on New Hampshire Outlook - Movers and shakers in New Hampshire business descend on a granite state high school to do a little show and tell. Meet the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. |
| 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 Harvest of Fear, a Frontline/Nova Special. 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 |
| key: government: local Return to index of stories... |
DATE: 4/25/01 TOPIC:starting tomorrow, you'll have a new resource to get information about counties in New Hampshire. There's a new website that will provide a weatlth of information about how county government works for you. Earlier today, we spoke with two people affiliated with the Assocaition of Counties to get details. SEGMENT LENGTH:9:06 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jim Monahan\NH Association of Counties Leo Lessard\Strafford County Registrar of Deed Leo Lessard\Pres-Elect, NH Assoc. of Counties |
| key: history Return to index of stories... |
DATE: 4/25/01 TOPIC: Finally tonight, sometimes you need to look to the past to build a better bridge. Producer Chip Neal traveled to Plymouth to check on the progress of the new Smith Covered Bridge. It is a unique collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the town's desire to preserve tradition well into the next century. SEGMENT LENGTH: 4:06 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: |
| key: government: state Return to index of stories... |
DATE: 4/25/01 TOPIC: The Claremont Coalition that successfully sued the state over school funding now says the state is not fulfilling its obligation to provide an adequate education. At a news conference today, attorneys for the Coalition charged that the legislature has deliberately underestimated the true cost of education and has done little to help property-poor towns pay for schools. As producer Richard Ager reports, the coalition could very well end up fighting their case in the state Supreme Court SEGMENT LENGTH: 3:25 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: \Tom Connair\Chair - Claremont Coalition Arthur Morse\Pittsfield School Board Andru Volinsky\Attorney for Claremont Coalition \Sen. Lou D'Allesandro\D - Manchester \Rep. Warren Henderson\R - Exeter Sen. Mark Fernald\D - Sharon |
| PROMO 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Movers and shakers in New Hampshire business descend on a granite state high school to do a little show and tell. Meet the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |