NH OUTLOOK, Thursday, 2/13/2003
script iconHello script iconTomorrow
script iconIntro Benson Budget script iconGoodnight
script iconIntro Richard script iconfounders
script iconIntro Discussion script iconTonight 10:00
script iconDiscussion script iconWEB PROMO
script iconWeb Pointer script iconkey: State Politics / Government

script iconHello
Return to index of stories... 		Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook.
script iconIntro Benson Budget
Return to index of stories... 		There will be no new taxes - no increase in taxes - no deficit - and a reduction of the statewide property tax. Those were just some of the key points in New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson's budget address to the state legislature. Here are some highlights of a presentation that made history.
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script iconIntro Richard
Return to index of stories... 		There were new ideas presented in the Governor's budget address but there weren't a lot of specifics. Our political editor Richard Ager joins me - Richard you were at the statehouse - what are some of the specific cuts in the Governor's plan.
script iconIntro Discussion
Return to index of stories... 		Here with their perspective on the Governor's budget address - members from both sides of the aisle. Senator Clifton Below who serves on the Senate Finance Committee and Representative Ken Weyler vice chairman of the House Finance Comittee.
script iconDiscussion
Return to index of stories... 		Benson's budget address
no new or increased taxes, no deficit and a plan to reduce the statewide property tax rate to $3 in five years
Benson said his budget will eliminate a projected $230 million deficit through mid-2005, by limiting spending growth. He said it was time for the state to stop spending more than it take in tax revenues.
budget preserves fundamental services, such as welfare, meals for the elderly poor, subsidized health insurance for children and funding for Special Olympics. The Department of Health and Human Services, the largest state agency, will receive a slight budget increase, he said.
Benson proposes cutting the statewide property tax over five years while capping property taxes for the elderly. He said he included $9 million for the tax relief over the next two years the only part of his five-year plan his budget covers.
He said his plan cuts the tax rate below $5 by the end of the biennium. The tax rate currently is fixed by law at $5.80 per $1,000 of value.
announced a new targeted aid program called NO COMMUNITY LEFT BEHIND with startup funding of $20 million over the life of his budget. He said his long-term plan increases targeted aid to $62.5 million the following biennium.
However, this Legislature can't bind the next Legislature which would be responsible for funding in that biennium.
targeted aid 62 million
Other programs with new or additional funding include:
$4 million to provide matching grants for charter schools. CHOICE NOW
$2 million to defray the costs of materials for homeschooled children.
$4 million for distance learning. E-TICKET TO LEARNING
$2 million to defray tuition costs for nursing students committed to staying in New Hampshire. NURSE STAT
$3 million more for services to the disabled on a waiting list.
He also proposes consolidating all existing technology resources into the new Office of Technology Implementation.
chf info officer
He also proposes rewarding state workers for innovation and creativity. He would fund the program with his salary of about $100,000 annually.
shorten disability waiting list
medical malpractice reform
COMMUNITY ENTRPENEUR GRANTS to social organizations who deliver services to the neediest
government reform w/minor distruption to employees cost cutting methods everyone need to initiate
can do 10 cents employee 90 cents to rainy day fund what will reduction in rainy day fund do to bond rating
access to govt with a mouse
government reform guru
cut budget
own office 90 percent of last years levels
2/3 size staff and return half money for transition team
15 million unallocated funds so leg can put forth programs thinks need funding
tax cut 9 million snr property tax cut
1 billion dllar property tax cut
must preserve nh advantages
spending at rate of inflation
taxpayer bill of rights
script iconWeb Pointer
Return to index of stories... 		For more information on our program, streaming video, links to our guests and interviews and to tell us what's on your mind in our discussion forum, visit our website at nhptv.org.
script iconTomorrow
Return to index of stories... 		On the next New Hampshire Outlook -
It's our Friday Edition, as journalists from around the state discuss the week's top stories.
script iconGoodnight
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.
script iconfounders
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
script iconTonight 10:00
Return to index of stories... 		Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook.
It's our Friday Edition, as journalists from around the state discuss the week's top stories. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook.
script iconWEB PROMO
Return to index of stories... 		Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook.
It's our Friday Edition, as journalists from around the state discuss the week's top stories.
Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television.
script iconkey: State Politics / Government
Return to index of stories... 		NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/13/03 22:00
HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes
In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we're focusing on the Benson Budget. We begin with highlights. Richard joined Ally on set to talk about the specific cuts in the Governor's plan. Here with their perspective on the Governor's budget address - members from both sides of the aisle. Senator Clifton Below who serves on the Senate Finance Committee and Representative Ken Weyler vice chairman of the House Finance Comittee.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Jennifer Ellis NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Craig Benson\NH Governor, Richard Ager\NH Outlook, Sen. Clifton Below \D - District 5, Rep. Ken Weyler\R - District 79
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