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 Hello |
Tomorrow |
| Intro Legislature |
Goodnight |
| Legislative Day |
founders |
| Intro Discussion |
WEB PROMO |
| Discussion |
key: State Politics / Government |
| Intro NH Events |
Tonight 10:00 |
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Snowmobiles |
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| Hello |
Tomorrow |
| Intro Legislature |
Goodnight |
| Legislative Day |
founders |
| Intro Discussion |
WEB PROMO |
| Discussion |
key: State Politics / Government |
| Intro NH Events |
Tonight 10:00 |
| More Information |
Snowmobiles |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro Legislature Return to index of stories... |
From saving a lighthouse to blocking intersections. This week the legislature held nearly 100 hearings into new bills. Producer Richard Ager has this report on some of the issues and debates heard this week at the statehouse. |
| Legislative Day Return to index of stories... |
Track: The first vote of the House session was a hotly-debated rule that would ban House members from using video or flash cameras on the House floor. Bite; Legislature 1-30-03 tape 1 10:16:53 You can vote to get rid of this silliness. You know, there were two members who brought this to a head. One Republican and one Democrat. The Republican took pictures of the Democrat that nobody wanted to be seen - except the Republicans. So now we come along to this silly backroom deal - and neither of those people are here. So why are we being punished? Bite: Legislature 1-30-03 tape 1 10:47:17 There's no right to know issue at stake here, there's no constitutional issue at stake, the issue here is one of decorum and respect. Soundup: Legislature 1-30-03 tape 1 10:57:32 Buzzer goes off Track: Despite the protests, the measure passed. The first bill up for debate would establish a committee to examine the efficiency of state government. Democrats tried to include state employees in the commission, but the House voted to recruit the commission members, who will examine ways to reshape state government, from the private business sector. Track: Along with bills, there several proposed constitutional amendments up for debate, including one that would remove the current constitutional ban on sending taxpayer money to religious schools. Bite: legislature 1-29-03 tape 1 10:41:05 This does not enact any law. It merely removes two archaic prohibitions from the constitution so that the legislature is free to consider many laws that it is not now free to consider. And I pointed out that until 1850, our constitution forbade the holding of any public office by a Roman Catholic. Bite: legislature 1-29-03 tape 1 10:21:10 The NH Supreme Court - I don't believe - has acted on vouchers, but vouchers are a form of aid that is neutral because vouchers are not given to schools, vouchers are given to parents for students to obtain an education where they want to. Those subjects have been off the table because of these amendments or these provisions in the constitution. Bite: legislature 1-29-03 tape 1 10:33:10 Taxation, another way of saying it, is an involuntary payment of citizens and as a result, those funds that are involuntarily paid by citizens have been traditionally kept in public control. In the hands of publicly elected officials to control. That's why I believe this bill is not good state policy. Track: The Education committee will combine its work on this and two other constitutional amendments when all are heard. Track: With a budget deficit looming, some legislators saw an opening to introduce expanded gambling as a way to close the fiscal gap. One bill would examine allowing Keno in New Hampshire, a proposal that won the backing of the Lottery Commission. Bite; Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 1 10:38:50 The lotteries have reported very little effect of Keno on their other games. This is a different type of game - a game that is traditionally offered in lounges and restaurants and bars. These are generally locations where lottery tickets are not sold. So this would be introducing the lottery into a new environment and a new player demographic than we have traditionally enjoyed. And that's why it has very little effect on lottery sales. Track: Another gambling-related bill would loosen restrictions on who can work at bingo halls and other gambling venues, and only bar convicted felons. Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 2 13:16:20 I found one of the inequities that exists right now prompted me to cosponsor this legislation. I had met people right there who were guilty of simple misdemeanors who were ineligible to to help with these games. And I think we're losing the big picture that these games are primarily a help to a lot of charities - that they help a lot of people - and we're actually making it more difficult, I think unreasonably so, with that restriction. Track: One bill that is sure to attract support would establish a Presidential Primary Advisory commission - to fend off all the states that want what New Hampshire has - a first in the nation status. Primary newsconference tape 1:33:48 A good day at the race track would make more money than brings into the state from the primary. So economically it makes no difference whatsoever. It makes a big difference from the point of view of promotion and credibility of the state, attitudes toward the state, things of that nature and it certainly helps the travel industry. So from that viewpoint it's extremely important. Soundup: downeaster train going down the tracks Track: One public safety issue being debated is a bill that would increase the penalties for trespassing on railroad tracks. Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 3 13:44 I remember my days of walking along the tracks, squishing pennies…. Track: Rep. Splaine says with over 400 fatal encounters with trains last year, that image of innocent trespass must end - and he proposes that after initial warnings, repeat offenders face heightened penalties. Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 3 14:19 We want to get chronic offenders into our database…. Track: But banning casual trespass could also curtail traditional pursuits. Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 3 14:11 The countryside is covered with railroad lines - it would make it impossible for fishermen and hunters to pursue their prey. Standup: Legislature 1-30-03 tape 2 12:01:18 Legislators are often moved to write new laws when they witness a great wrong or injustice. And when you're driving in heavy traffic, there are few greater wrongs than some person who drives into the intersection even though there's nowhere for them to go - and ends up blocking traffic. Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 3 14:34 The driver looks over and shrugs "I can't go anywhere." Well, you couldn't go anywhere before you entered the intersection. My bill would prohibit this… OR: 14:36 This would enable police to deal with those who don't have the courtesy to drive correctly…. Track: Probably the most unusual hearing of the week involved the Grade 7 class from North Hampton School. Bite: Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 1 11:13:35 It's a great honor to be here and we'd like to thank you for accommodating our whole class. Today we are going to give you information about the White Island lighthouse, the horrible condition it is in, and we're going to give you a lot of information about organization, the Lighthouse kids. Track: The kids have adopted New Hampshire's only offshore lighthouse. Bite: Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 1 11:16:30 There aren't just cracks in the lighthouse, there are some that are holes that can be the size of Kevin's hand. We had pictures for you - but technology, we all know how it works - and sometimes it just doesn't cooperate so we would want to show you pictures but we can't. Track: But despite the Powerpoint problems, the legislators got the picture anyway - of a historic structure in danger of collapse. Bite: Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 1 11:14:43 But really, what importance do lighthouses have to you? I personally think that lighthouses are important to me because as Kyla said before, they are a beacon of hope to everybody and they are a beautiful structure, but many lighthouses could be considered that they are in danger. Since many lighthouses have lots of cracks in them such as our lighthouse, the White Island lighthouse, they are in danger and they could fall down at any moment in time, knowing that we have had a very bad winter this year - and who knows what could happen next? Track: So far, these kids have raised over $11,000 toward the repair of New Hampshire's only offshore lighthouse. This bill, sponsored by Majority whip Rogers Johnson, would appropriate enough to save the light that inspired NH poet Celia Thaxter. Soundup: Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 1 11;26:26 Committee applauds the Lighthouse Kids Leg. 1-28-03 Tape 1 11:23;24 Now we are a chapter and that means a non-profit organization so any donations that come to us are tax-deductible. Track: The bill must pass the full house - but what members will vote against these constituents? For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us this week in our weekly legislative round-up New Hampshire House Majority whip Representative Rogers Johnson and House Democratic Whip Representative Ray Buckley. Thank you both for joining us. Ok. my executive producer wants to know: what's a WHIP? |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
MORE GAMBLING BILLS ON THE TABLE KEENO IN RESTAURANTS LOTTERY DOESN"T MIND WHAT"S LEFT NO SALES TAX INCOME TAX? GAMBLING IS FINAL AVENUE? TALK OF RAISING CIG TAX? CONSIDERATION UNDERWAY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMNEDMENTS 1. WOULD STRIKE THE WORDS""to cherish the interest of literature and sciences and all seminaries and public schools" from the constitution. 2. STATE SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS IN ELECTION DISPUTE. HILLSBORO COUNTY ATTY PETER MCDONOUGH IS CHALLENGING DEMOCRAT JOHN COUGLIN'S WIN ON BASIS THAT PEOPLE WHO CHECKED STRAIGHT PARTY BALLOT VOTED IN SOME RACCES AND LEFT COUNTY ATTY RACE BLACK SO THOSE VOTES SHOULD NOT BE COUNTED.COUGHLIN WON BY SOME 126 VOTES WANT 269 BALLOTS THOWN OUT BRIEFING FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ON THEIR BUDGET BRIEFING ON CORRECTIONS BUDGET WENT TO YOUTH DETENTION CENTER |
| Intro NH Events Return to index of stories... |
It looks like we're going to have some relief from the frigid temperatures we've been experiencing. So here's a look at a few outdoor events coming up around the granite state. |
| More Information Return to index of stories... |
For more information on our program, streaming video and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.org. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - It's our Friday Edition, Journalists from around the State discuss the week's top stories. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| 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 Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. It's our Friday Edition, Journalists from around the State discuss the week's top stories. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 1/30/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we wrap up the week in the legislature with the capitol roundup and we here from both sides of the aisle with New Hampshire House Majority whip Representative Rogers Johnson and House Democratic Whip Representative Ray Buckley. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Rep. Ken Weyler\R - Kingston, Rep. David Hess\House Majority Leader, Rep. Tom Arnold\Sponsor - CACR 1, Brad Cook\Attorney, Diocese of Manchester, Mark Joyce\NH School Administrators Assoc, Rick Wisler\Exec Dir, NH Sweepstakes Comm, Sen. Frank Sapareto\R - District 19, Hugh Gregg\NH Governor 1953-55, Rep. Jim Splaine\D - Portsmouth,William Carney\NH Wildlife Federation, Rep. Peter Schmidt\D - Dover, Kevin Donohoe\Grade 7, North Hampton School, Stavroula Birmbas\Grade 7, North Hampton School, Rep. Rogers Johnson\House Majority Whip, Rep. Ray Buckley\House Democratic Whip |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Snowmobiles Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Snowmobiles Rep wants state to study snowmobiling dewber -- A lawmaker from Jefferson , in the heart of snowmobile country, wants the state to set up a study committee to look at the sport. Mark Brady already has filed a plan to cover landowners who allow snowmobiling on their property from any liability for accidents or damage. Now, he is adding a provision to set up a study committee. Brady says a 1996 report by the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association estimates snowmobiling contributes 119 million dollars in direct spending to the state economy, and nearly twice that much when indirect revenue such as rooms and meals tax and lottery revenue are considered. Brady says the state's snowmobile system is strong, but he is concerned that as snowmobiling grows and creates more demands, the state must anticipate and address potential problems. |