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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Preshow #1 Return to index of stories... |
In this edition, New Hampshire has a new state budget. We'll bring you highlights from today's vote and find out what's in our fiscal future. |
| Preshow #2 Return to index of stories... |
And later, remembering the 98th anniversary of the Treaty of Portsmouth. An important moment in New Hampshire and world history. |
| Intro State Budget Return to index of stories... |
It's official. The state of NH has a budget that has been approved by the House, Senate and Governor. In June, Governor Benson vetoed the original state budget passed by the legislature, saying it spent too much money. The legislature and governor spent the summer reaching a compromise - which actually spends more than the original budget but is also supposed to put about $50 million into the rainy day fund. Richard Ager has the story from the statehouse. |
| State Budget Return to index of stories... |
Track: For the final act of the year's longest and most intense political fight, there was little debate. I know why I'm here.uncertainty for agencies." Track: The House voted first on the budget compromise, and it passed by a 10-1 margin. The vote was a bit closer in the Senate where most Democrats opposed the budget. This raises costs in schools.pay way more in 05." Track: But Democratic Senator Lou D'Allesandro spoke for the majority in arguing that this was the best deal available. We did what we had to do with what was available to us at the time. Are the people of the state of NH better off because we will pass this budget? My answer to that is yes. "Senator Johnson." "Yes." Senator Kenny." "Yes." Track: The Senate passed the budget 20-4, and at a news conference after, legislative leaders reflected on a long summer of negotiation. DURING THE SUMMER, WHEN YOU HAD SOME WORDS FOR THE GOVERNOR - IS IT ALL FORGIVEN NOW? I forgive him. Track: Only two hours after the vote, the governor signed the compromise budget, even though it spends more than the one he vetoed. This budget actually gives me a lot of flexibility.all of those." Track: Even though most House Democrats voted for the budget, many remain unhappy about the result. We have something like 300 people on the wait list.don't have LCHIP program.not going to happen. Track: The legislature reconvenes in January. For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Here to talk about the process. and the final budget numbers are Senator Sylvia Larsen - Democratic Senate Leader. Senator Dick Green Senate Finance Chair. And deputy house speaker Mike Whalley. |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
HOW IS THIS BUDGET THAT IS NOW IN PLACE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE THAT THE GOVERNOR VETOED? WELL, I THINK THERE'S INVASIONS HERE THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE. THE BUDGET DOESN'T MAKE ANY CUTS TO THE ORIGINAL BUDGET. THE COMMUNITY CONFERENCE BUDGET THAT WE PASSED IN JUNE. BUT THIS REALLY -- THE VETO PROVIDED US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK INTO A ROOM TOGETHER. TO HAVE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSES THIS SUMMER AND IF THOSE INVASIONS WORK, THEY'LL BE IN PLACE WHEN WE BEGIN TO DRAFT THE BUDGET IN 06, 07. Allison: WHEN YOU SAY INNOVATIONS WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? SOME OF THE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, I GUESS, THAT WE'LL RECOMMEND AND HOPE TO WATCH OVER AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEXT-YEAR-OLD AND A HALF WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCHES. Allison: CAN YOU GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE. ONE WAS THE ACCESS PROGRAM WHERE WE ENCOURAGE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO HELP THEIR PATIENTS USE THE DOCTORS OFFICE RATHER THAN THE EMERGENCY ROOM 678 ONE WILL BE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW LIQUOR STORE WHICH DEPENDING ON WHEN IT GOES ON LINE WILL GENERATE MORE REVENUE FROM HOPEFULLY CUSTOMERS THAT MAY FIND IT MORE CONVENIENT TO COME IN FROM MASSACHUSETTS. Allison: WE CAN'T DEFINITELY COUNT ON THE 50 MILLION CAN WE SENATOR? THE QUICK ANSWER IS NO. MY VIEW OF THIS SUMMER WAS AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY. THAT'S MY VIEW. I MAY NOT BE -- Allison: EXPLAIN YOURSELF FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING WHAT YOU THOUGHT THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. WHEN WE ENDED UP WITH THE BUDGET BEING VETOED IN JUNE WE HAD A SPENDING LEVEL THAT HAS NOT CHANGED BASICALLY. WE HAD REVENUES THAT BALANCED THE BUDGET. THE ITEMS THAT MIKE WAS TALKING ABOUT WERE ALL CONSIDERED AS POSSIBLE REVENUES THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS. THEY WERE NOT UNKNOWNS. THE ONLY NEW ISSUE WAS THE BUILDING OF A LIQUOR STORE IN NASHUA WHICH WE DID NOT CONSIDER. Allison: WHAT WAS THIS ALL ABOUT THEN, SENATOR, AND DOES IT GIVE THE GOVERNOR WHAT HE SAYS IS ADDED FLEXIBILITY IN RESHAPING GOVERNMENT? HE ALREADY HAD THAT. I THINK HE COULD HAVE DONE THE THING THAT -- THINGS HE WOULD LICK TO DO. WE ENCOURAGED HIM TO DO THOSE THINGS. WE'RE LEGISLATURE AND WE'RE POLICY AND WE DO THE APPROPRIATIONS BUT IT'S UP TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO ADMINISTER THE BUDGET. I REALLY FEEL THAT IT'S TOO BAD. YOU ASKED WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. I HAVE STATED PUBLICLY WHAT I SAID IT'S ABOUT SO THIS IS NOT ANYTHING NEW. I HAVE JUST FELT THAT IT WAS POLITICALLY POSTURING. AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AN IMAGE BY VETOING IN A BUDGET. Allison: SENATOR LARSSON, FORGIVE ME, HOW DO YOU SEE THINGS. HOW DO YOU SEE THE FINAL RESOLUTION? I THINK YOU ARE HEARING STRAIGHT TALK FROM SENATOR SENATOR-DEGREE L- GRAE IT'S MADE FOR AN UNCOMFORTABLE SUMMER FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WORRIED THAT THEIR NEEDED SERVICES MIGHT BE CUT IN THE END. THE GOVERNOR WAS PUSHING CUTS. I THINK HE WAS REALLY OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE LEGISLATURE THROUGH THESE PAST FEW MONTHS. HE HASN'T -- HE WASN'T AWARE OF THE SERVICES. WHAT YOU SAW WAS A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WHO LOOKED VERY CAREFULLY THE A BUDGET AND SAID, WE FOUND ALL THE FAT THERE IS AND THERE WASN'T A WHOLE LOT. THEY CREATED A REASONABLE BUDGET. IT'S NOT A PERFECT BUDGET BUT THEY CREATED A BUDGET THAT WOULD WORK AND THEN THE GOVERNOR COMES IN AT THE END OF ALL OF THIS WITHOUT HAVE HAVING PARTICIPATED AND ENCOURAGES 50 MORE MILLION IN CUTS. WE ATTENDED THOSE MEETING WHERE'S HE CAME IN AND GAVE US HIS IDEAS FOR CUTS. THEY WERE VERY NON-SUBSTANTIVE. IN THE END HE ACCEPTED THOSE SO CALLED SAVINGS, ONE OF WHICH THE PREFERRED DRUG LIST IS ALREADY ESTIMATED AS A SAVINGS IN THE BUDGET BY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ALREADY. WE'RE DUGHT COUNTING ON SAVINGS THERE. WE'RE COUNTING 7.5 MILLION IN REVENUE FROM A LIQUOR STORE THAT IS NOT EVEN BUILT. THESE, I THINK, ARE ISSUES WHICH THE GOVERNOR WILL USE IN THE FUTURE TO SAY I -- POP HIS CHEST AND SAY I SAVED THE STATE $50 MILLION. THE QUESTION IS WILL WE SEE THE DL $50 MILLION AS TIME GOES ON AND I THINK THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY NO. Allison: DO YOU SEE PEOPLE HURT BY THE BUDGET, OR PROGRAMS OR DEPARTMENTS? THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THIS BUDGET TO PROGRAMS. THERE IS $20 MILLION THAT WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET BY THE COMMISSIONER WITH THE APPROVAL OF FISCAL COMMITTEE. AT THIS POINT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE CUTS ARE GOING TO BE. THOSE ARE A REAL CONCERN. THERE IS 10 MILLION TAKEN OUT OF LAND PRESERVATION AND COMMUNITY HERITAGE PROGRAM THAT SOME OF US HAVE SEEN AROUND THE STATE SAVING AND IT'S REALLY PRESERVING A STATE ASSET. IT'S NOT MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN. THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN CUT BY $10 MILLION. DOWN TO THE BARE BONES. WE HAVE SEEN CUTS TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENTS, WHICH MAY FILL OUR PRISONS FURTHER. WE HAVE SEEN CUTS TO MENTAL HEALTH. WE HAVE SEEN CUTS TO ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAMS SO ALL OF THOSE MOVIES WITH KIDS SMOKING, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY COUNTER BALANCE TO THE COOLNESS OF LIGHTING UP A CIGARETTE. THERE WILL BE LONG TERM HEALTH COSTS. WE HAVE HAD THIS DIALOGUE ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY. WE DID. THE REALITIES ARE WE LIVED WITHIN THE AMOUNT OF REVENUES WE HAD. WE WERE NOT WILLING TO RAISE TAXES. WE WERE NOT WILLING TO GO DOWN THE ROAD OF LOOKING AT BROAD BASED TAXES. WE WERE GOING TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. WHEN WE DECIDED THAT WE MADE SURE THAT WE MADE THE CHOICES WE HAD TO MAKE. SOME OF THEM WERE HARD. SOME OF THE CHOICES SHE IS SUGGESTING WERE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE. WE DID EVERYTHING IN PUBLIC. WE DID NOTHING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. IT WAS A TOUGH, TOUGH BUDGET ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ECONOMY IS TOUGH. YOU DON'T RAISE TAXES. BUT I DID NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT USING RAINY DAY FUNDS BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING. I DIDN'T GET TO RESPOND TO YOU ON THE SENATE FLOOR, I'M RESPOND NOW. I'M NOT PUSHING AN INCREASE IN TAMS. WE HEARD VOTERS THIS LAST ELECTION AND WE KNOW THE ECONOMY. WE KNOW THAT THIS -- NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PROPOSE NEW TAXES BUT THIS STATE HAS OFTEN TIMES GONE TOWARDS OTHER WAYS OF FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT WE SET AS A PRIORITY AND YOU KNOW SOMETIMES WE CALL THEM FEES. WHATEVER WE CALL THEM WERE NOT WILLING TO RAISE THEM. IF WE CAN'T RAISE THEM WE COULDN'T SPEND THEM. SO YOU MAKE THE HARD CHOICES ON THE BASIS OF THE REVENUE YOU HAVE. EVERYBODY IS NOT HAPPY. I HAVE NEVER CONSTRUCTED A BUDGET THAT EVERYBODY ENDS UP BEING HAPPY WITH. YOU HAVE TO FIND WHERE THE COMPROMISE GROUND IS AND WORK IT OUT. Allison: WHAT ABOUT THE GOVERNOR WANTING TO KEEP A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE RAINY DAY FUND AND WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T SEE THE REVENUES OR SAVINGS OF $50 MILLION WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE. WHAT DO WE DO THEN? WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE QUESTION AND WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. AT THE VERY LEAST WE HAVE HEIGHTENED THE FOCUS ON BEING INNOVATIVE. I SAID THAT TODAY WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH OUR COLLEGES IN THE HOUSE AND OUR COLLEGES IN THE SENATE FROM BOTH PARTIES TO GET MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK. THINK SENATOR GREEN HAS VOTED THAT THROUGH THE PROCESS. HE HAS VOTED THAT IN THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE. THE GOVERNOR HAS PICKED UP ON. THAT IT'S A STEEP LEARNING CURVE FOR THE GOVERNOR. HE HAS BEEN HERE LESS TIME THAN MOST OF US. HE SUGGESTED TODAY THAT HE KNOWS A LITTLE BIT MORE TODAY THAN HE DID SIX MONTHS AGO. S THAT GOING TO BENEFIT THE PROCESS AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I THINK THAT THE SAVINGS -- THEY MAY NOT ALL BE THERE BUT THERE WILL BE SOME SAVINGINGS AND ENHANCED REVENUE THAT WILL BE THERE. THE VETO WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US IN THE LEGISLATURE TO SIT WITH THE COURT AND WE DID THAT IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. WE MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS. THERE'S A NEW LINE OF COMMUNICATION THAT HAS OPENED UP. WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE COURT SYSTEM AND I THINK TO A GREAT EXTENT WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH IN THE FUTURE. Allison: THERE WAS TENSION REGARDING COSTS TO THE COURTS. THERE WAS TENSION AND WE GAVE THEM MORE MONEY BUT IT WASN'T AS MUCH AS THEY HAD HOPED FOR. THEIR ISSUE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS WAS THAT THEY -- THERE WAS A SECTION IN I THINK IN THE TRAILER BILL THAT DEALT WITH PROPORTIONALITY. THAT WAS THE PART THEY WERE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH. WE SPECIFICALLY SUGGESTED IN THE BUDGET THAT THE DISTRICT COURT COULD BE EFFECTED ONLY SO MUCH BY ANY ADJUSTMENTS AND THE SUPREME COURT OR THE JUSTICES INDICATED THAT THEY COULD LIVE WITH THAT AND THEY ASKED FOR OUR ASSISTANCE AND WE ASKED WHAT THEY COULD DO WITH THAT IF WE WERE TO COMPLY AND THAT'S OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. I HOPE THAT'S A NEW BEGINNING. I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS. I THINK THE PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE BENEFIT FROM THAT. THAT'S A DISCUSSION THAT MAY NOT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHOUT THE VETO. I'M NOT SAYING THAT WAS A GOOD REASON TO VETO THE BUDGET BUT IT WAS A POSITIVE RESULT. Allison: SENATOR, WAS IT REALLY MORE OF EASING ON RESTRICTIONS AS TO HOW THE COURT CAN SPEND ITS MONEY OR WHAT IS THE FINAL RESULT FROM YOUR VIEWPOINT? I THINK THE DISCUSSION AND THE COMPROMISE -- FIRST, IT WAS IN FACT ONE OF THE FEW GOOD OUTCOMES OF ALL THE WORK THIS SUMMER. THERE WAS FINALLY A GOOD DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND JUDICIARY. THERE WAS A MEXICAN STAND OFF AND FINALLY PEOPLE TALKED TO EACH OTHER. WHAT THEY CAME UP WITH WAS ESSENTIALLY A WILLINGNESS TO ALLOW TRANSFERS WITHIN CERTAIN COURT LEVELS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COURT. THAT GAVE THEM THE FLEXIBILITY THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE IN THE ORIGINAL BUDGET. AND I THINK THAT -- YOU KNOW, IT WAS A GOOD OUTCOME. I WAS -- I SPOKE WAY BACK IN JUNE AGAINST WHAT WE WERE DOING TO THE COURTS BECAUSE THE CLOSING OF JURY TRIALS WAS GOING TO CAUSE A SEVERE EFFECT FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE SEEKING JUDICIAL REMEDY IN OUR STATE. THAT WAS ONE OF THE FEW GOOD OUTCOMES OF A LONG SUMMER'S WORTH. Allison: IS IT DUE TO THE VETO? IS THAT WHAT WE LOOKED TO AS THE VETO, THE REASON IT HAPPENED. THE VETO PROVIDED THEM OPPORTUNITY. IT'S REASONABLE OUTREACH BY THE JUDGES. AND BY THE LEGISLATURE. SENATOR EATON AND SPEAKER CHANDLER COMMUNICATE WITH THE JUSTICES AND THE MEETINGS SET UP BOTH IN THE SPEAKERS OFFICE AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE. THERE WERE TWO MEETINGS. I'M IN BUSINESS. I LIKE TO ALOOK AHEAD. IF I MADE A MISTAKE. IF SOMETHING DIDN'T GO WELL YESTERDAY. I WANT TO PUT THAT MIND ME. I THINK THAT'S THE APPROACH THAT WE SHOULD TAKE IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE JUDICIARY. Allison: CAN YOU EXPLAIN ON MY COMPANION BILL AS FAR AS POLICY CHANGES AND THAT THEY WILL BE MORE EFFICIENTLY TAKEN CARE OF. YOU MENTIONED THE EMERGENCY ROOM EXAMPLE. ONE OF YOU DID. THAT'S FOR COSTLY THAN GOING TO YOUR DOCTOR. IT'S TO MAKE SURE THE PATIENTS ARE GETTING THE LEAST COSTLY SERVICE. IT'S PUBLICABLE FOR WHAT THEY NEED. Allison: HOW IS IMPLEMENTED? I'M JUST CURIOUS. IT'S AT THE HOSPITAL LEVEL NOT AT THE STATE LEVEL. THREE HOSPITALS WILL BE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM. THAT'S WHAT IT IS TO START WITH. CONCORD, MANCHESTER AND NATIONAL. THE HOSPITALS WILL BE SET UP TO SCREEN THE PATIENTS THAT COME IN AND DIRECT THEM IN THE PROPER AREAS WHERE THEY CAN GET THE BEST SERVICE FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY. IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM. IN CONCORD THERE WILL BE ONE BUT THE REAL QUESTION IS WHEN YOU OPEN UP AN OUTPATIENT CLINIC SUCH AS CONCORD IS LOOKING AT AT A SEPARATE SITE FROM THE HOSPITAL, WILL YOU IN FACT SAVE MONEY OR WILL YOU HAVE YOU BETTER PREVENTION BUT PERHAPS BE SPENDING UP FRONT FOR HEALTH CARE SAVINGS IN THE LONG RUN. YOU KNOW, WHETHER WE'LL SEE IT IN TWO YEARS OR IN THE, I DON'T KNOW. IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM. IT MAKES SENSE BUT WHETHER YOU CAN COUNT ON THE DOLL YEARS. WE HAVE PUT THAT MONEY IN THE BUDGET SO THEY CAN START THE PROGRAM UP. THE REALITIES ARE IF THEY ARE MANAGING THE FUNDS THERE WILL BE SAVINGS. MY ISSUE WITH THAT WHEN WE ASKED IT IN THE BUDGET, WE LOOKED AT IT AS A PILOT THERE. ARE OTHER STATES DOING IT. THE STATES DOING IT WE HAD IDEAS OF WHAT KIND OF SAVINGS BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF CLIENTEL THAT PE WERE SERVING. WE FOUND IN A YEAR'S TIME COULD YOU SAVE UP TO $13 MILLION. THAT IS NOT STATE MONEY, PART OF THAT IS FEDERAL SAVINGS. HE REALITY IS THAT IS A PILOT. IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE FOR IT TO START TO REALIZE REVENUES THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T PUT IT IN THE BUDGET. WE WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH PUTTING THAT IN THIS BIANNUAL BUDGET. IN THE NEXT BUDGET YOU'LL KNOW FOR SURE AT THAT POINT WHETHER YOU CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE PUTTING THOSE MONEYS IN THE SAVINGS. Allison: LET'S DO AS YOU SAID. YOU LIKE TO LOOK AHEAD. I'LL ASK ANY OF YOU WHOEVER WANTS TO COME FIRST, WHAT IS THE NEXT BIG ISSUE FACING THE LEGISLATURE. I'LL TELL YOU ONE I JUST GOT OFF A CONFERENCE CALL IS THE PRESERVATION PROGRAM FOR THE STATE AND THE CUT THAT OCCURRED THROUGH THE BUDGET. WE NEED TO DISCUSS IT. THERE'S BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT AND I THINK LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR THAT PROGRAM. BOTH IN TERMS OF LAND PRESERVATION AND SOME OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE THAT MAKES NEW HAMPSHIRE DIFFERENT FROM NEW JERSEY. AND SO -- I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DIALOGUE IS THERE ANOTHER WAY WE CAN MAKE THIS PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING AND SELF-SUSTAINING. Allison: UP AND RUNNING AND SELF-SUSTAINING. YOU DON'T SEE A RESTORATION OF STATE FUNDING TO THEM SOMEHOW. THAT'S ONE THING THAT WILL HAVE TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE A PROGRAM LIKE THAT WITH NO SOMEONE NOT A PROGRAM. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO REINVEST BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT IT DOES IS SPUR LOCAL AND PRIVATE MATCHES. BUT THAT STATE MONEY HELPS PRESERVE THE SMALL TOWNS, THE SMALL TOWN HALL, THE OPERA HOUSES, THE LITTLE -- THE SPECIAL PLACES CULTURAL AND THE BIG BROAD VISTAS THAT MANY OF US HAVE SEEN IN OUR OWN COUNTRIES. THEY HAVE BEEN PRESERVED BY THESE. SO -- Allison: REPRESENTATIVE WHALLEY, WHAT IS THE BIG ISSUE? THE DUST HASN'T SETTLED ON THIS YEAR AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN SO MUCH ON THE BUDGET PROCESS. I DON'T IF THERE IS ANY SINGLE BIG ISSUE AS THERE WAS WITH THE BUDGET. WE HAVE SOME WE HAVE RETAINED. ON THE LAND AND COMMUNITY HERITAGE PROGRAM WE NEED TO BE REALISTIC AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE PUT A $1 HAD THE 5 MILLION TO KEEP THE PROGRAM ALIVE FOR BETTER DAYS AND THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE ON THAT PROGRAM AND OTHER SIMILAR PROGRAMS, CAN WE AFFORD TO DO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY LUXURIES BUT THEY ARE ON OUR WISH LIST WHEN WE HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND SERVICES WE SHOULD BE DELIVERING TO PEOPLE. YOU HAVE TO PRIORITIZE. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE PROGRAM DIDN'T GET MORE THAN A MILLION APRIL A HALF BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE IN A POSITION TO DO SOMETHING THIS YEAR. IN TWO YEARS WHAT LARGE PARCELS GO INTO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OR -- OF COURSE WE NEED HOUSING AS WELL. ACTUALLY I HAVE A HOUSING BILL WHICH IS BEING IN STUDY THIS YEAR AND IT IN FACT IS ADDRESSING WHAT IS A SEVERE HOUSING PROBLEM IN THE STATE. Allison: SENATOR GREEN. WE WON'T SEE THE END OF EDUCATION FUNDING. THAT'S A CONSTANT DISCUSSION AND DEBATE. IT IS NOT SETTLED YET IN MY MIND BASED ON EVERYBODY'S VIEW OF IT AND WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THE OTHER ONE IS BASIC BUT PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION WATER. IT'S IMPORTANT IN OUR LIFE AND IMPORTANCE TO OUR STATE. WATER RESOURCES IS A MAJOR ISSUE. Allison: I'M SURE WE'LL BE TALKING WITH YOU AND MANY MORE AT THE STATEHOUSE. THANKS FOR JOINING US ON OUTLOOK. |
| Intro Treaty Return to index of stories... |
This Friday is the 98th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth. In 1905, emissaries from Russia and Japan travelled thousands of miles to New Hampshire to make peace between their nations. As Richard Ager tells us, it is also a tale that is inextricably linked to a well-known seacoast landmark. |
| Treaty of Portsmouth Return to index of stories... |
TEDDY ROOSEVELT WALKS BY FOLLOWED BY JAPANESE CONSUL. "GOOD DAY, SIR" NARR: WHEN YOU SAY THE WENTWORTH BY THE SEA IS HISTORIC IT MEANS MORE THAN JUST AN OLD BUILDING. AFTER ALL, DIPLOMATS DON'T ATTEND RE-OPENINGS OF ORDINARY HOTELS. IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS REOPENING CEREMONY OF WENTWORTH BY THE SEA. ON BEHALF OF THE GOV'T OF JAPAN, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS. THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH IS FAMOUS IN JAPAN FOR ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. AS YOU WELL KNOW, ABOUT 100 YEARS AGO, ON SEPT 5TH, 1905, THE PORTSMOUTH PEACE TREATY WAS SIGNED IN THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD TO END THE RUSSIAN-JAPANESE WAR. THE DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS LEADING UP TO THE PEACE TREATY WERE MEDIATED BY THEN PRESEIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT, WHO WAS SUBSEQUENTLY AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE. NARR: HENCE THE HISTORIC CHARACTER ACTORS. MUCH OF THE NEGOTIATING HAPPENED AT THE WENTWORTH WHERE BOTH THE RUSSIANS AND JAPANESE WERE STAYING. THE TREATY LED TO RECOGNITION OF JAPAN AS AN IMPERIAL POWER IN ASIA - AND ASSURED THE HOTEL A PLACE IN JAPANESE HISTORY. IT WAS THE ZENITH OF JAPANESE POWER AND WE HAD THIE LITTLE TROPHY CABINET OVER THERE WITH A NUMBER OF ARTIFACTS FROM THAT TREATY. AND EVERY YEAR, THERE WOULD BE A DONZEN OR SO JAPANESE COME TO LOOK AT THAT AND SEE WHERE THE TREATY OF PORTSMOUTH WAS SIGNED. NARR: WHEN THE HOTEL WENT INTO DECLINE AND CLOSED IN 1982, THE JPANESE GOVT. BECAME CONCERNED THAT A PIECE OF THEIR HERITAGE COULD BE LOST THROUGH NEGLECT. THE OWNERS WHO REOPENED THE HOTEL THIS YEAR SAY JAPAN DESERVES MUCH OF THE CREDIT FOR SAVING THE WENTWORTH. THE CONSULATE OFFICE OF JAPAN JOINED FORCES WITH THE NATIONAL HISTROIC PRESERVATION TO DESIGNATE THE WENTWORTH AS ONE OF THE 11 MOST ENDANGERED BUILDINGS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN 1996. THE JAPANESE HAVE A DEEP RESPECT FOR HISTORY. A DILAPADATED HOTEL HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD FROM JAPAN DID NOT DETER THEIR DETERMINATION TO PRESERVE A HOTEL THAT WAS SO SIGNIFICANT IN THE HISTORY OF JAPAN. NARR: THAT HISTORY IS NOW ATTRACTION - AS NOTED BY GRAND OPENING GUESTS WHO ENJOYED BELUGA CAVIAR AND RUSSIAN VODKA. THROUGH THE HALL HERE IS OUR LOUNGE; IT'S CALLED THE ROOSEVELT LOUNGE. IT'S NAMED AFTER TEDDY - THEODORE ROOSEVELT. HISTORIC PLACES SUCH AS THIS PLAY SUCH IMPORTANT ROLES IN DEFINING US AS A PEOPLE AND AS A NATION. THEY ALSO HAVE THE POWER TO BRING US TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, TO INSPIRE US TO WORK TOGETHER AND TO WORK HARD FOR SOMETHING THAT IS MUCH LARGER THAN WE ARE OURSELVES AND THAT WILL LAST MUCH LONGER THAN OUR SHORT LIVES ON THIS EARTH. THE WORLD WITNESSED THAT IN 1905, AND WE WITNESS IT AGAIN TODAY NEARLY A CENTURY LATER. -- "GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR. WELCOME TO THE WENTWORTH BY THE SEA." NARR: FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK, I'M RICHARD AGER. |
| Treaty tag Return to index of stories... |
Since the Wentworth reopened in June, Japanese journalists and a tour group from Nishinan, Portsmouth's sister city in Japan, have visited the hotel. Many more visitors from Japan are expected next year and during the centennial of the Treaty of Portsmouth in 2005. |
| Web Pointer Return to index of stories... |
To learn more about the treaty of Portsmouth and other stories discussed in this and other broadcsts, connect with us on-line at nhptv.org. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - Join us for our Friday edition as journalists from around the state discuss the week's top stories. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
We'll see you next time. Thanks for watching. |
| 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. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. On the next New Hampshire Outlook - It's our Friday edition - journalists from around the state discuss the week's top stories. That's tonight at 10 only on NH Outlook. |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 9/4/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 19:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, New Hampshire has a new state budget. We'll bring you highlights from today's vote and find out what's in our fiscal future. And later, remembering the 98th anniversary of the Treaty of Portsmouth. An important moment in New Hampshire and world history. It's official. The state of NH has a budget that has been approved by the House, Senate and Governor. In June, Governor Benson vetoed the original state budget passed by the legislature, saying it spent too much money. The legislature and governor spent the summer reaching a compromise - which actually spends more than the original budget but is also supposed to put about $50 million into the rainy day fund. Richard Ager has the story from the statehouse. Here to talk about the process. and the final budget numbers are Senator Sylvia Larsen - Democratic Senate Leader. Senator Dick Green Senate Finance Chair. And deputy house speaker Mike Whalley. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Rep. Mike Whalley\Deputy Speaker, Sen. Iris Estabrook\D - District 21, Sen. Lou D'Allesandro\D - District 20, Sen. Robert Clegg\Senate Majority Leader, Craig Benson\NH Governor, Rep. Peter Burling\Democratic House Leader, Senator Sylvia Larsen\Democratic Senate Leader, Senator Dick Green\Senate Finance Chair |
| key: History Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 9/4/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 5:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, New Hampshire has a new state budget. We'll bring you highlights from today's vote and find out what's in our fiscal future. And later, remembering the 98th anniversary of the Treaty of Portsmouth. An important moment in New Hampshire and world history. This Friday is the 98th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth. In 1905, emissaries from Russia and Japan travelled thousands of miles to New Hampshire to make peace between their nations. As Richard Ager tells us, it is also a tale that is inextricably linked to a well-known seacoast landmark. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Masuo Nishibayashi\Consulate General of Japan, Boston, James Smith\Former Owner, Tom Varley\VP, Ocean Properties, Wendy Nicholas\Northeast Dir., National Trust of Historic Preservation |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |