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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Richard Ager. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Dem Perspective #1 Return to index of stories... |
In this edition, as the new year begins state democratic legisators wonder: where do they fit in? |
| Edwards #2 Return to index of stories... |
And later, do ethics matter in business or politics? We hear from Senator John Edwards. |
| Intro Legislature Return to index of stories... |
But first, the state legislature began the second year of its two-year session today. The House, Senate and Governor and Council all met to deal with some old and a lot of new business. |
| Legislature Return to index of stories... |
soundup: tape 1 10:42:10 Just a reminder - on roll call votes.must be in your seats to vote. Track: A few reminders were the order of the day as the legislature got back to business. Up first - dealing with last year's business - bills vetoed by the governor. The House overrode one veto: House Bill 724 which would extend state ownership of Skyhaven Airport in Rochester in preparation for turning it over to the city. That override sent the bill to the Senate. Bite: tape 1 11;16:04 My issue on this thing.not get into a contest with the state. soundup: tape 1 11:17;32 "Sen. Flanders." "Yes." "Sen. O'Dell." "Yes." Track: In an overwhelming vote, the Senate voted 23-1 to override the governor's veto. Bite: tape 2 12:00:03 " It's been talked about.we ought to just move it." Track: In their first meeting of the New Year, Governor Benson presented the Executive Council with a list of nominations including. soundup: tape 1 10:12:16 ". Richard Galway of Bedford to NH Supreme Court." Track: Richard Galway has been a Superior Court Justice since 1995. Before that, he was a trial attorney for 25 years in Manchester, and wrote two books on worker's compensation. Bite: tape 2 12:07:14 DO YOU THINK THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO LOOK FAVORABLY ON THAT? I think it's going to go through just fine.the more they understand what's before them." bite: tape 2 11:44:30 Much of our agenda has already been laid out by the legislation you have filed.debate amending the constitution. Track: With last year's business finished, the Senate and House began their work on the 600 bills they will debate in the next few months. |
| Intro Benson Return to index of stories... |
By the end of the day, seven other vetos by the Governor were sustained. After the Executive Council meeting, I asked Governor Benson about his trip on Thursday to Washington. He's going there to get some answers on almost $300 million in federal funds that the state is counting on to balance its budget over the next two years. |
| Benson Return to index of stories... |
We've had a number of waivers which we asked the federal govt. to adopt.postponed by Washington.need a decision desperately.when we're going to get it." |
| Intro Democrats Return to index of stories... |
On last night's Outlook, we featured a look-ahead at the new legislative session with the House Speaker and the Senate President. Tonight, it's the turn of the Democratic Minority Leaders. I spoke with Rep. Peter Burling and Sen. Sylvia Larsen this afternoon. Cue:Burling says " Thank you much" |
| Democrats Perspective Return to index of stories... |
WHAT DO DEMOCRATS SEE AS THE MAJOR ISSUES TO BE DEALT WITH THIS SESSION? WELL, CLEARLY EDUCATION FUNDING. ITS EFFECT, WHETHER THE STATE SUPPORTS EDUCATION FUNDING AND ITS EFFECT ON PROPERTY TAXPAYERS OF THIS STATE IS A HUGE ISSUE. ONCE AGAIN WE'RE DEBATING HOW WE FUND EDUCATION, AND WITH REDUCED STATE EDUCATION DOLLARS HOW TO WE SPREAD THOSE MONIES TO DISTRICTS IN A WAY THAT RELIEVES PROPERTY TAX. CLEARLY WITH REDUCED MONIES PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SEE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES GO UP AS THE STATE BACKS AWAY FROM ITS RESPONSIBILITIES. IN THE SAME WAY WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES THROUGH UNDER FUNDING OF STATE BUDGET ISSUES, COUNTY PAYMENTS TO NURSING HOMES, WILL RESULT IN INCREASED COUNTY TAXES, AGAIN HITTING LOCAL PROPERTY TAXPAYERS. WE HAVE OTHER LEGISLATIVE ISSUES IN THE SENATE. SENATE ETHICS CODE PROPOSED, WITH HOUSE SUPPORT AS WELL, DEMOCRATS ARE URGING THAT WE ADOPT AN ETHICS CODE FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AND THAT WILL BE A HOTLY DEBATED ISSUE THIS SESSION. OTHER BILLS RELATE TO CHOICE ISSUES, CLEARLY SOME OF THOSE IN THE HOUSE, A WHOLE RAFT OF BILLS THAT GET INTO THE NITTY GRITTY. BUT THOSE ARE SOME OF THE BIG ONES. CERTAINLY PRIVATIZATION WILL BE AN ISSUE DEBATED, ALTHOUGH I HOPE THAT PRIVATIZING OUR STATE'S PRISONS IS NOT ONE WHICH THE SENATE WILL SUPPORT. Reporter: SOUNDS LIKE A LARGE OVERVIEW. DO YOU AGREE IN LARGE PART? YES, BUT I WOULD TAKE A PERSPECTIVE THAT'S SLIGHTLY A STEP BACK. WE BOTH REPRESENT THE MINORITY PARTY ON OUR RESPECTIVE SIDES OF THE WALL. WITH A LEGISLATURE LIKE THIS ONE WHERE THE REPUBLICANS OWNING EVERYTHING FROM THE GOVERNORSHIP DOWN TO COUNTY OFFICES, ALL WE REALLY CAN DO IS THE MINORITY LEADERS IS TRY TO POINT OUT THE QUESTIONS THAT OUGHT TO BE ASKED, POINT OUT THE FOOLISHNESS THAT IS BEING PERPETRATED, AND THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF THAT OUT THIS YEAR, AND SUGGEST ALTERNATIVES. THAT'S A HARD ROW TO WHO, BUT IT'S CRITICAL. Reporter: WHAT WILL YOU BE SPEAKING OUT MOST ABOUT. THERE ARE SOME CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS COMING IN. THEY ALL HAVE VERY SEXY TITLES, BUT THEY HAVE DAVE STATING CONSEQUENCE. CACR 2 RETURNS THE POWER TO FUND EDUCATION TO THE LEGISLATURE, TAKES THE COURT ENTIRELY OUT. THAT WILL TAKE US RIGHT BACK TO WHERE WE WERE IN 1990 WHERE THE STATE PAID ONLY 4.6% OF THE TOTAL COST OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. THAT'S A CATASTROPHE FOR THE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXPAYER. IT'S ALSO A CATASTROPHE FOR OUR KIDS. WE HAVE THE SO-CALLED TAXPAYERS BILL OF RIGHTS, WHICH I DESCRIBE AS LEAVE NO TAXPAYER UNMOLESTED. AND THAT WILL BE COMING UP IN EARLY JANUARY. WHILE ALL OF THAT'S HAPPENING, AND WE'RE TRYING TO TELL THE TRUTH TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, THERE ARE SEVEN BILLS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO REDUCE A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND INTERFERE WITH HER REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE. THERE ARE POSITIVE BILLS THAT WE'RE BRINGING IN FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION, I HAVE A BILL IN WITH SENATOR LARSEN AS A CO-SPONSOR CREATING A PHARMACEUTICALS COMMISSION SO THAT WE CAN NEGOTIATE FOR AND OBTAIN WHOLESALE THE CHEAPEST POSSIBLE PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS FOR OUR CITIZENS. Reporter: DO YOU SEE A POTENTIAL FOR NEGOTIATION AND COOPERATION WITH THIS MODERATE REPUBLICANS. WE HOPE THERE WILL BE NEGOTIATION AND COOPERATION IN OPPOSING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. I THINK ANY CHILD WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH A CIVICS CLASS KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, AND YOU CANNOT ELIMINATE THE COURTS OVERSIGHT OF ISSUES OF SUCH IMPORTANCE IN THE CONSTITUTION AS THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN. SO I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE COOPERATION IN THAT REGARD AND CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T BE A PARTISAN ISSUE. CERTAINLY THE PROPERTY TAXPAYERS OF THIS STATE DON'T SEE IT AS A PARTISAN ISSUE, WHEN WE CONTINUE TO UNLOAD STATES RESPONSIBILITYS AND PUT IT BACK ON THE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXPAYER COMMUNITIES SUFFERING ACROSS THE STATE WITH TAX INCREASES, AND THEY CAN POINT TO THE STATE IF THEY PASS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Reporter: WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S SO HARD TO GET THAT MESSAGE ACROSS? CLEARLY IT LIE TESS BASIS OF YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE CURRENT PROPOSED MEASURES, YET YOU STILL FIND YOURSELVES IN THE POSITION OF BEING MINORITY PARTY. WHY CAN'T YOU CONVINCE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO TAKE YOUR STAND? WELL, A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT HERE. IT'S A MATTER OF HOW WE GET OUR VOICES OUT AND WHETHER WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY IS COVERED BY THE MEDIA AND THE PRESS. THE OTHER THING IS WHEN YOU'RE UP AGAINST A REPUBLICAN POLITICAL MACHINE THAT HAS LITERALLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SPEND ON PRESENTING ITS PERSPECTIVE, THINGS LIKE THE IMPACT ON THE LOCAL PROPERTY TAX TEND TO GET SUPPRESSED AND PUT ASIDE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, SYLVIA AND I WERE SENATOR AND HOUSE MEMBER THROUGHOUT THE SIX YEARS OF THE SHAHEEN GOVERNORSHIP, WE GOT THINGS DONE BECAUSE WE COOPERATED WITH OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES. EVERY TIME WE MET IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WERE THERE WITH US. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SINCE DECEMBER OF 2002. I HAVE NEVER BEEN INVITED TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO SPEAK WITH HIM. IT'S NEVER HAPPENED. IT'S A CURIOUS ANOMALY, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT BEEN TRADITION. THE TRADITION HAS BEEN THAT THERE'S BEEN JOINT DISCUSSIONS, AND THAT HASN'T HAPPENED ALL SESSION. AND WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS THAT BOTH OF US ARE ENCOUNTERING THE SAME KIND OF UNI-PARTY ACTIVITY BY BOTH THE SENATE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE AND THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE. THE EDUCATION FUNDING COMMITTEE HAS NO DEMOCRATS ON IT. THE COMMITTEE WHICH WILL DECIDE HOW EDUCATION FUNDING OCCURS, IS DISTRIBUTED IN THIS STATE, NO DEMOCRATS ON THAT COMMITTEE. DEMOCRATS REPRESENT ONE-THIRD OF THE VOTING PUBLIC, AND CERTAINLY A LOT OF LEANING INDEPENDENTS WHO SHARE OUR CONCERNS FOR EDUCATION, YET WE'RE NOT THERE AT THE TABLE. AND THAT'S BEEN A PATTERN INCREASINGLY. ONE MIGHT SAY THAT THAT MAKES OUR JOBS EASIER, BECAUSE WHEN THE REPUBLICAN EDUCATION FUNDING COMMITTEE PUTS THE SHIV INTO THE BACK OF CITIES LIKE NASHUA AND MANCHESTER AND PORTSMOUTH AND TAKES AWAY THEIR STATE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, THERE ISN'T A DEMOCRATIC FINGERPRINT ANYWHERE NEAR IT. I THINK TO GO BACK TO YOUR QUESTION, I THINK TAXPAYERS TEND TO BLAME THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS FOR INCREASES, AND THEY FORGET THAT WHEN THE STATE BACK AS WAY FROM ITS RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THOSE LOST DOLLARS ARE NOT THE FAULT OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD, IT'S NOT WILDLY DRAMATIC SPENDING BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, BUT IT'S THE DECREASING AMOUNTS OF STATE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION THAT CAUSES THEIR TAXES TO GO UP. Reporter: WE'RE SHORT ON TIME, BUT IN TERMS OF ISSUES OTHER THAN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, WHERE DO YOU THINK THE GREATEST CONFRONTATION IS GOING TO COME, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE DEMOCRATS REALLY SPEAKING OUT? CAN I TALK ABOUT THE CHOICE ISSUE? REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE IS GOING TO BE A TERRIFIC BATTLE GROUND THIS YEAR, AND AGAIN --. Reporter: WE JUST HAD THE FEDERAL COURT OVERTURN THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION RIGHT. AND IT'S NOT CLEAR YET WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE ACTION ON THAT SPECIFIC BILL, BUT THERE ARE SEVEN OTHERS IN WHICH THE REPUBLICAN RIGHT IS ATTEMPTING TO RESTRICT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE. IN ADDITION TO THAT, SENATOR DAHL SAN DRO HAS A VERY POSITIVE BILL THAT PROVIDES FOR EMERGENCY ACCESS TO, YOU KNOW, THE MORNING AFTER PILL BASICALLY, EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION. THESE ARE ISSUES THAT DEMOCRATS WILL BE FIGHTING VERY STRONGLY ON. AND OF COURSE WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO PRESERVE THE FABRIC OF STATEMENT GOVERNMENT WHILE ALL THIS IS GOING ON. WE WATCH AS COMMISSIONER AFTER COMMISSIONER AND STATE EMPLOYEE AFTER STATE EMPLOYEE IS EITHER LAID OFF OR PUSHED ASIDE. Reporter: WITH MORE SERVICE CUTS COMING, DETAILS YET TO BE REVEALED. CUTS, AND CONCERN FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, THE DRAWBACK, THE REMOVAL OF MONEY FOR THAT PROGRAM WHICH IS THE MOST SEVERELY DISABLED CHILDREN OF OUR STATE, VERY MUCH CONCERNED FOR FAMILIES IN THAT REGARD. BUT FURTHER LEGISLATION I THINK THAT THE CONCERN WE HAVE FOR INCREASING PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, A LOT OF OUR POLICIES AND BILLS WILL BE RELATING TO THOSE TOPICS, AND I THINK THAT THOSE ARE THE CONCERNS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S PEOPLE, AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES WE'LL BE HAVING BIG FIGHTS ON, WHETHER WE CAN NAME THE SPECIFIC BILLS OR NOT. Reporter: WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, BUT DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE A TOUGH SESSION? YES. VERY MUCH SO. VERY DIFFICULT. Reporter: THANKS, WE'LL CHECK IN WITH YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU MUCH. |
| Poll Return to index of stories... |
A new national poll shows General Wesley Clark gaining ground on former Governor Howard Dean in the democratic presidential primary. The C-N-N, U-S-A Today poll showed Dean at 24 percent and Clark at 20 percent. But with a margin of error of plus or minus five points, the two appear to be tied. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry trails with 11 percent. |
| Intro Kerry Return to index of stories... |
Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry was in New Hampshire today to speak at the Politics and Eggs Luncheon in Bedford. He spoke about the need to protect the rights of workers and the pensions that fund their retirement. |
| Kerry: Pol & Eggs Return to index of stories... |
As President, I will create a new senior position in the White House. A director of family economic security. A pocketbook watchdog, if you will. so that we can have a focal point for tough actions to guard working. To fill this position I will appoint a powerful advocate who's job morning, noon and night is to look out for everyday investors who are too often exploited but who are too critical for the long term growth of the country. |
| Intro Edwards Return to index of stories... |
The economy has been a key issue in the campaign. New Hampshire Outlook and the Center for Public Responsibility and Corporate Citizenship have teamed-up for a special series of interviews with the candidates. NH Business Review’s Jeff Feingold sat down with Senator John Edwards to get his views on ethics in the business world. |
| Edwards: Ethics Return to index of stories... |
Jeff: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY. Sen. Edwards: GLAD TO BE WITH YOU. Jeff: I NOTICE YOU HAVE A PRETTY SPECIFIC APPROACH TO DEALING WITH CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY, I'D LIKE TO GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE. BUT I NOTICED SOMETHING FROM A SPEECH YOU MADE WHEN YOU REFERRED TO, YOU SAY OUR PEOPLE AND OUR NATION HAVE BEEN UNDERMINE BID THE CRONY CAPITALISTS WHO BELIEVE THAT SUCK IS ALL ABOUT WORKING THE ANGLES, WORKING THE PHONES AND PLAYING THE GAME. COULD YOU GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU MEAN BY CRONY CAPITALISM. Sen. Edwards: IT'S TOO ENDEMIC, I CAN TELL YOU THAT. WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT ARE BIG CORPORATE INTERESTS HAVING TOO MUCH INFLUENCE ON LAW MAKING IN WASHINGTON. I'M TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM SO THAT PEOPLE AT THE TOP OF BIG CORPORATIONS HAVE THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN RIGHTS PROTECTED, WHILE INVESTORS AND PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THE COMPANIES ARE NOT PROTECTED. THAT'S WHAT I MEAN BY CRONY CAPITALISM. REAL CAPITALISM WORKS. EQUITY AND FAIRNESS WORKS. BUT UNFORTUNATELY THIS KIND OF CAPITALISM DOES NOT. Jeff: -- IT'S THE KIND OF THING WE SAW WITH ENRON AND WORLDCOM AND ET CETERA. Sen. Edwards: SO THOSE EXAMPLES OF ENRON, WORLDCOM AND TYCO, WHICH WE KNOW VERY WELL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, ARE EXAMPLES OF THESE COMPANIES THAT JUST KIND OF ARE OFF THE CHARTS IN TERMS OF ETHICS AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY? CORRECT. Jeff: SO YOU SEE THAT AS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE VIGILANT BECAUSE MOST CORPORATION, LIKE THAT? Sen. Edwards: NO, NO THAT WOULD BE AN OVERSTATE. I THINK MOST CORPORATIONS ARE RESPONSIBILITY, THEY DO THE RIGHT THING. THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THEM ARE COMPLETELY RESPONSIBLE, THEY BELIEVE IN DOING THE RIGHT THING, THEY BELIEVE IN BEING HONEST AND THEIR TO THEIR INVESTORS, THEY BELIEVE IN BEING HONEST AND FAIR TO THEIR EMPLOYEES, THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR EMPLOYEES. BUT THE PROBLEM IS, THE COMPANIES WHO ARE BAD ACTORS DO INCREDIBLE DAMAGE, INCREDIBLE DAMAGE TO THEMSELVES, DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM, DAMAGE TO THE MARKET, AND THE CREDIBILITY OF THE MARKET. WHICH IS WHY SOME OF THE REFORMS THAT I'M SURE WE'RE ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT I THINK ARE SO CRUCIAL FOR MAINTAINING THAT CREDIBILITY. Jeff: SO CAN YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF, DISCUSS A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO TO STOP THIS OR PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. Sen. Edwards: SEVERAL THINGS. ONE IS WE NEED BETTER TRANSPARENCY IN THE RECORD THAT ARE KEPT BY CORPORATIONS, WHICH MEANS THAT WE HAVE THE ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE COMPANY, SO -- WHAT'S HAPPENING IS INVESTORS NO LONGER BELIEVE BECAUSE OF SOME OF THESE BAD ACTORS THAT THEY CAN RELY ON THE INFORMATION THEY'RE GETTING. THEY NEED TO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THAT'S TRUE, WHICH WILL HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE MARKETS. I THINK THAT STOCK OPTIONS SHOULD BE EXPENSED. IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ACCURATE ACCOUNTING, IT HAS TO INCLUDE STOCK OPTIONS. ANOTHER THING WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT ARE SITUATIONS WHERE CEO PAY IS GOING UP DRAMATICALLY AT THE SAME TIME THE VALUE OF THE COMPANY IS GOING DOWN DRAMATICALLY. I THINK THAT UNDERMINES NOT ONLY INVESTOR CONFIDENCE, BUT THE CONFIDENCE OF PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THE COMPANY. THERE IS ALREADY A LAW ON THE BOOKS REQUIRING THAT IF YOU'RE GOING TO EXPENSE OR WRITE OFF CEO PAY OVER A MILLION DOLLARS, THAT IT HAS TO BE TIED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY. BUT THE REALITY IS WE HAVEN'T HAD REAL STANDARDS FOR THAT AND WE HAVEN'T HAD BEEN ENFORCING THEM. SO IF SOMEBODY IS PAID 20 MILLION OR 10 MILLION A YEAR, WHICH I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IN THE ABSTRACT IF THE COMPANY IS PERFORMING EXTRAORDINARILY WELL, THERE HAS TO BE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY AND THE PAY OF THE CEO. Jeff: WHEN YOU SAY THAT, IT KIND OF BRINGS UP THIS IMAGE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT KIND OF TELLING PEOPLE HOW MUCH THEY CAN MAKE AND SETTING LIMBS ON THAT. HOW DOES THIS WORK? Sen. Edwards: NOT -- ACTUALLY FAR FROM IT. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY IN PEOPLE WHO ARE PERFORMING WELL AND PRODUCING AND BEING PAID VERY WELL. NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO, NO MATTER WHAT LEVEL OR WHAT INCOME THEY'RE AT, THAT I'M TOTALLY FOR. WE BELIEVE IN SUCCESS IN THIS COUNTRY, I WANT PEOPLE TO DO WELL FINANCIALLY. BUT WHAT'S WRONG AND WHAT UNDERMINES OUR CONFIDENCE IN CORPORATE AMERICA IS WHEN WE SEE PEOPLE AT THE TOP OF BIG COMPANIES, NUMBER ONE, BEING PAID EX OR BY TANL AMOUNTS WHEN THE SHAREHOLDERS VALUE IS GOING DOWN, BEING PAID ENORMOUS AMOUNTS, OR PROTECTING THEIR PENSIONS AND PUTTING ASIDE MONEY INTO TRUSTS ET CETERA TO PROTECT THEIR PENSIONS WHEN THE VALUE OF THE PENSIONS OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THE COMPANY, SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN THERE FOR DECADES ARE IN FACT BEING CUT OR CHANGED OR THE WAY THEY'RE ACCOUNTED FOR ALTERED. WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, I THINK, AT THE END OF THE DAY IS BASIC HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND EQUITY, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS TREATED THE SAME WAY IN THIS SYSTEM. SO THAT INVESTORS AND WORKERS CAN FEEL CONFIDENT WHEN, IN THE INVESTORS CASE WHEN THEY'RE PUTTING MONEY INTO THE COMPANY, THAT THE INFORMATION THEY HAVE IS RELIABLE. AND IF YOU'RE WORKING FOR A COMPANY, THAT PEOPLE AT THE TOP OF THE COMPANY ARE NOT GOING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AT YOUR EXPENSE. Jeff: WELL, I'M INTERESTED IN THE ENFORCEMENT, WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. IS THAT WHO YOU ENVISIONS AS ENFORCING THESE CHANGES? Sen. Edwards: AS YOU KNOW WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE S. E. C. NOT HAVING ADEQUATE PERSONNEL, NOT HAVING ADEQUATE RESOURCES, AND THESE REGULATORY BODIES INCLUDING THE SYSTEM E. C. ARE CRITICAL TO ENFORCEMENT AND MAIN TAKENING THE CREDIBILITY OF OUR MARKETS, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT. SO I THINK THE S. E. KRISMT, I CAN TELL YOU ONE EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING I MYSELF GOT INTO THE SARBANES OXLEY, THE CORPORATE REFORM BILL THAT PASSED THE CONGRESS AND BECAME LAW, WAS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE LAWYERS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THESE TRANSACTIONS, BECAUSE I MYSELF WAS A LAWYER FOR MANY YEARS, TO BE RESPONSIBLE SO THAT IF THEY SEE WRONG DOING OCCURING, IF THEY SEE MISLEADING INFORMATION IN WHAT'S GOING TO SHAREHOLDERS OR WHAT'S GOING TO EMPLOYEES, THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT IT. BECAUSE THERE'S VERY FEW OF THESE BIG TRANSACTIONS THAT OCCUR THAT DON'T HAVE LAWYERS INVOLVED, THEY HAVE TO BE INVOLVED. SO I THINK THE LAWYERS OUGHT TO BE HELD RESPONSIBILITY ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE. EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY IN THE SYSTEM ALL THE TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, BECAUSE EACH ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE, WHAT YOU WANT, THIS WORKS IN MOST CASES, THE CEO AND THE MANAGEMENT OF MOST COMPANIES CARE ABOUT HONESTY, INTEGRITY, THEY DO THE RIGHT THING, SO YOU NEVER GET TO A CHECK. BUT IN THOSE CASES WHERE THAT'S NOT TRUE, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ACCOUNTANT ARE THE CHECK, OR THE LAWYERS ARE THE CHECK. Jeff: WHAT ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS OR THESE LARGE INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS LIKE THE CALIFORNIA PENSION FUND, WHAT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF US? Sen. Edwards: OF COURSE THEY HAVE RESPONSIBILITY. LISTEN, WE CAN'T PROTECT PEOPLE FROM MAKING BAD INVESTMENT, WE CAN'T PROTECT PEOPLE FROM MAKING DECISIONS THAT TURN OUT OH TO BE WRONG. BUT WE CAN PROTECT AGAINST IS HAVING THE INFORMATION THAT THEY'RE RECEIVING BEING MISLEADING AND NOT HAVING ACCESS TO THE KIND OF ACCURATE INFORMATION THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE ACCESS. WHAT YOU WANT IS YOU WANT BOTH INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AND FOR THAT MATTER INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS TO HAVE THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED, RELIABLE, ACCURATE INFORMATION TO MAKE A JUDGMENT. AND THEN YOU HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR JUDGMENT, BUT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO RELY ON THE INFORMATION THEY'RE GETTING TO MAKE THAT JUDGMENT. Jeff: I'VE SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF THE CANDIDATES, AND THERE IS ONE OF THEM IN PARTICULAR BROUGHT UP THE CASE OF KIND OF CRACKING DOWN ON CORPORATIONS SPECIFICALLY AS OPPOSED TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING THE CORPORATIONS. YOU KNOW, HAVING SOME, THE CORPORATE DEATH PENALTY. WITH WE HAVE THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT FOR CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, AND THE ARGUMENT IS LET'S HAVE THREE STRIKES OUT FOR THESE CORPORATIONS. DO YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE YOU JUST GET RID OF A CORPORATE ENTITY IF THEY'RE A BAD SEED? Sen. Edwards: I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS. Jeff: WELL, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JUST DISSOLVES THE CORPORATION AND PICK UP THE PIECES. Sen. Edwards: CORPORATIONS ARE MADE UP OF HUMAN BEINGS. SO THE PEOPLE WHO, IF SOMETHING WRONG IS HAPPENING IN A CORPORATION, SOMEBODY MADE THE DECISION TO DO WHAT WAS WRONG. AND I THINK WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO SEE, AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVEN'T SEEN RECENTLY, IS THEY WANT TO SEE THESE PEOPLE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DID. BUT NOT JUST FINANCIALLY. IF SOMEBODY AT THE TOP OF AN ENRON OR A WORLDCOM OR SOME BAD ACTING CORPORATION VILE LATE THE LAW, THEN WHAT PEOPLE SEE IN THEIR, IN THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES, SOMEBODY WHO GOES TO THE GROCERY STORE AND STEALS A HALF GALLON OF MILK, THOSE PEOPLE ARE PUNISHED AND EVERYBODY WHO KNOWS IT. SOMEBODY WHO STEALS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS RUNNING A BIG CORPORATION OR DEFRAUDS INVESTORS OUT OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT, PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE GO TO JAIL. THEY SHOULD GO TO JAIL, THEY NEED TO BE MADE EXAMPLES OF. BUT THEY WANT TO SEE THEM TREATED, THIS IS THE POINT I'VE BEEN MAKING THE WHOLE CONVERSATION, THEY WANT TO SEE THEM TREATED THE SAME WAY AS THEY SEE SOMEONE TREATED WHO STEALS A HALF GALLON OF MILK FROM A GRASSRY STORE. IT MATTERS TO PEOPLE WHEN THEY SEE WHEN THAT KIND OF CONDUCT OCCURS. Jeff: I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS FOR A SECOND. WE TALKED ABOUT CORPORATE ETHICS AND STUFF. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU CAN SHARE WITH US THE TOUGHEST ETHICAL DILEMMA YOU'VE FACED SINCE YOU STARTED RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. HAVE YOU FACED ANYTHING LIKE THAT? Sen. Edwards: I DON'T REMEMBER THE SPECIFIC DETAILS, BUT YOU ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS ARE FACED WITH QUESTIONS OF, ABOUT ISSUES THAT YOU KNOW ARE UNLIKELY TO EVER COME TO THE PUBLIC THAT AROUND LIKELY TO KNOW. BUT HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT YOUR CHARACTER IS, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT DO, YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE DONE. AND THE TRUTH IS THE BEST TEST OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY IS WHEN NOBODY IS LOOKING. WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO, WILL YOU STAND UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING, EVEN THOUGH THE GREAT LIKELIHOOD IS NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW. THAT'S ACTUALLY THE KIND OF CHARACTER WE NEED AS A PRESIDENT. Jeff: I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US, IT'S BEEN VERY ED FILING. Sen. Edwards: THANK YOU, HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU. |
| Web Pointer Return to index of stories... |
That is it for this edition of our program. For more information and links to our guests and interviews, connect with us on-line at nhptv.org. Join our online discussion and tell us what's on your mind. You can also find streaming video of all our broadcasts. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - One on one with Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
I'm Richard Ager. 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 |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. One on one with Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/07/04 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 15:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, as the new year begins state democratic legisators wonder: where do they fit in? And later, do ethics matter in business or politics? We hear from Senator John Edwards. But first, the state legislature began the second year of its two-year session today. The House, Senate and Governor and Council all met to deal with some old and a lot of new business. By the end of the day, seven other vetos by the Governor were sustained. After the Executive Council meeting, Richard asked Governor Benson about his trip on Thursday to Washington. He's going there to get some answers on almost $300 million in federal funds that the state is counting on to balance its budget over the next two years. On last night's Outlook, we featured a look-ahead at the new legislative session with the House Speaker and the Senate President. Tonight, it's the turn of the Democratic Minority Leaders. I spoke with Rep. Peter Burling and Sen. Sylvia Larsen this afternoon. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Sen. Richard Green\R - District 6, Craig Benson\NH Governor, Councillor Ruth Griffin\Executive Council - District 3, Sen. Tom Eaton\President, NH Senate, Rep. Peter Burling \House Minority Leader, \Sen. Sylvia Larsen\Senate Minority Leader |
| key: National Politics / Governmrnt Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/07/04 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 11:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, as the new year begins state democratic legisators wonder: where do they fit in? And later, do ethics matter in business or politics? We hear from Senator John Edwards. Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry was in New Hampshire today to speak at the Politics and Eggs Luncheon in Bedford. He spoke about the need to protect the rights of workers and the pensions that fund their retirement. The economy has been a key issue in the campaign. New Hampshire Outlook and the Center for Public Responsibility and Corporate Citizenship have teamed-up for a special series of interviews with the candidates. NH Business Review’s Jeff Feingold sat down with Senator John Edwards to get his views on ethics in the business world. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Celene Ramadan, Jennifer Vachon NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Sen. John Kerry\Democratic Presidential Candidate, Sen. John Edwards\Democratic Presidential Candidate |
| Intro Bird Dogging Return to index of stories... |
One of the great privileges of living in New Hampshire is every four years, you have opportunities to meet presidential candidates. Often, you can even ask them a question or two. The American Friends Service Committee in Concord is helping train people how to ask those questions to get clear answers. It's called bird-dogging. Producer Phil Vaughn has found a group of high school students who are in the process of becoming bird-doggers. |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
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