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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. On the agenda this week: Fallout over school funding -- it's far from over. The Governor's race gets a bit more crowded, There's a delay in the state Primary filing season, and Judd Gregg and Burt Cohen make it official. |
| Roundtable Return to index of stories... |
Here to talk about this week's events in Concord are: James Pindell of politicsnh.com, and Colin Manning of Foster's Daily Democrat, And joining me in Durham, Dan Tuohy of the Eagle Tribune, and Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat. |
| Education Funding Return to index of stories... |
The School Funding Issue continues to stir controversy. The new distribution formula requires "property-rich" towns to continue to subsidize poorer school districts through property taxes. In the past, 5 of New Hampshire's poorest communities successfully sued the state over education funding. Now it appears the state's largest city will take the Legislature to court. Manchester stands to lose anywhere from 4 to 6 million under the new school aid equation. Mayor Bob Baines -- a guest on NH Outlook this week -- is not backing away from plans to take LEGAL action. The latest twist involved some changes in the bill's language -- done by a legislative committee. Q COLIN: What is the furor over the "fine-tuning" done by a legislative committee that checks bills for errors. DAN: Opponents say a change of such magnitude needs to be done by ENTIRE legislature not just Select members of a Committee? FAIR criticism? That kind of language change -- is that common practice? Q JAMES: Isn't it a no-win situation for Legislators -- No matter what it does.one political segment of the state is going to be unhappy with the result. Q EDITH: Any more fallout in the North Country? Manchester's Mayor Baines says he's willing to talk to other communities looking to challenge the education funding plan? Q EDITH: Is the state's decision to target LESS money to the neediest communities pitting community against community? Q Dan or Colin: What's the status of SB 302? Q Any predictions on what we're likely to see in the next few weeks on the education front? Q Safe to say The issue of adequately funding public schools -- is one that won't be going away soon! |
| McEachern & Lynch Return to index of stories... |
The School Funding Problem has brought a NEW candidate into The Governor's race. It's a familiar name in NH politics. Portsmouth Democrat Paul Ma-KEK-ern. The 66-year-old Ma-KEK-ern-- currently serving in the House-- made his decision to run during last week's HOUSE debate on the latest education funding plan. He believes an INCOME TAX is the solution to the state's education funding crisis. Q Dan: Give us a little more background on Ma-KEK-ern if you can? Q JAMES: Democrats, Looking for a primary in the Gubernatorial Race - will get their wish. Paul Ma-KEK-ern will be matched up against 51-year-old John Lynch!! So, Is that a good thing for the party? Lynch, has pledged to VETO any sales or income tax. His anti-income tax stand Didn't go over well at the state convention. Does that bode well for Ma-KEK-ern?? Q EDITH: In the 2002 race Democrat Mark Fernald made compelling arguments for an Income tax --but LOST. Is there enuf anger over the ED funding crisis to sway voters on an income tax? Q I asked Bob Baines -- if he would support MaKEK-ern given his stand on the educ funding and reforming the state property tax. I got a resounding NO. He insists no political will for income tax? true? Q DAN: Peter Burling and Phil McLaughlin bowed out of Gov race to endorse John Lynch -- whom they thought would be the LONE candidate for the democratic nomination. Will they have any second thoughts on their allegiances? Burling is also an income tax backer? |
| Benson Return to index of stories... |
As for Governor Craig Benson -- he's expected to file re-election papers next Tuesday, June 8th. This week, state employees "weighed in" on the Governor's job performance --and, they didn't have good things to say. The NH State Employees Association -- says Governor Benson is doing a lousy job. Nearly all of the ballots returned from the union's 32-hundred members said they had no confidence in the Governor's leadership. The union went public with its vote after trying unsuccessfully to get a private meeting with Benson. Q COLIN: Certainly no suprise -- the Governor has been at odds with the union for some time, hasn't he? Q Has there been a straw that broke the camel's back so to speak? Not happy with talk of prison privatization, not happy with the cyber easter egg hunt, not happy with stalled contract talks? Q JAMES: How big a deal is a NO CONFIDENCE vote for a candidate? Q EDITH: You've been at a lot of events where the Governor has been in attendance.what seems to be the reception he gets from the general public? Q DAN: Is Benson's rocky relationship with state employees a major liablity -- or just a bump in the road? |
| Budget Deficit Return to index of stories... |
Perhaps a bigger problem for the Governor is a looming Budget DEFICIT. According to the NH Center for Public Policy Studies the state faces a 306-Million dollar deficit for the next biennium. The non-partisan think tank also projects a 71-million dollar DEFICIT at the end of the Current biennum -- that's next June. The Governor and Lawmakers, you may recall, had projected a 70-million dollar SURPLUS last year. Largely to blame: Over-Spending, Unrealized Savings counted on in the budget plan, and payments to health care providers. Q COLIN: The Governor says he'll ask dept heads to trim expenses. Senator Dick Green says there's no way to cut spending by 300-million -- tax increases would be needed!! This sounds like a real mess. Q JAMES: Senator Green says " We're heading down the road to financial ruin". He's against a sales or income tax. Green has been talked about as a potential Gubernatorial candidate. Any rumblings about a Green candidacy? Q DAN, EDITH: Talk of State Deficit, and budget gaps -- are people concerned about this, or oblivious? Q Reduction in Medicaid reimbursement payments going to leave a gaping hole |
| Redistricting Return to index of stories... |
There's a bit of snag in filing papers for House and Senate seats. The filing period for state & federal offices opened this Wednesday but the court has placed a filing ban in 9 state Senate districts and ALL state House districts after Democrats challenged changes to legislative district boundaries. Q DAN: Give us a little history on this controversy? Q COLIN; House Republican Leaders want the state Supreme Court to reconsider and allow candidates to file for at least some HOUSE seats. What's the status on that request? Q House Democratic Leader Peter Burling said he'd like the court to leave the filing closed for ALL House districts until the dispute is resolved. Q Edith: HOw big an issue is this in the North country? Q DAN: Democrats call it a "protection plan" for Republican incumbents. How so? Q COLIN: Where do we stand now? What's next. -- Republican leaders in the New Hampshire House have asked the state Supreme Court to reconsider and allow candidates to file for at least some House seats. The reconsideration request identifies roughly 30 House districts and asks that candidates be allowed to file for those seats. New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner has asked the state Supreme Court to reconsider and allow candidates to file for House seats. |
| Gregg Filing Return to index of stories... |
It's official. Senator Judd Gregg filed for re-election this friday afternoon. Gregg was joined by his wife and mother as he filed at the State House. Gregg is seeking a third term in office. Democrat Burt Cohen is hoping to unseat Gregg. Earlier this week Cohen officially announced his bid to unseat the Republican incumbent accusing Gregg of failing to protect New Hampshire jobs. Cohen is leaving the state Senate after 14 years. Q COLIN & JAMES: You were at Gregg's re-election announcement. Paint us a word picture? Hear anything new? What themes did he emphasize? Q Did he acknowledge his challenger, Burt Cohen? Q: DAN: how would you characterize this matchup? Q A recent poll showed Judd Gregg with a 59-percent favorability rating. That's got to be a bit daunting for Burt Cohen -- who calls himself the UNDERDOG. Q Edith: What's Senator Gregg's reputation in the North Country? Q DAN: Biggest Diffrences between GREGG & cohen? Q. Does Cohen have a chance? Bueller? |
| Edith Biz Award Return to index of stories... |
Finally, we want to take a moment to congratulate one of our colleagues. This week, Edith Tucker received the Small Business "Journalist of the Year" award at the S-B-A's annual award ceremonies. Edith is seen here with Jeffrey Butlad, the regional administrator of the US Small Business Administration, and William Phillips, District Director of SBA New Hampshire. Edith, our congratulations to you and the other winners at this year's ceremonies. TAG: We think all our panelists deserve awards. My thanks to Colin Manning, and James Pindell in Concord, and Dan Tuohy and Edith Tucker -- and THANK YOU for watching. |
| Next OutlookTease Return to index of stories... |
The New Hampshire Outlook crew will be on assignment all next week so that N-H-P-T-V can bring you our summer membership drive. Please watch and pledge your support to keep programs like New Hampshire Outlook going strong. NH Outlook will return Monday, June 14-th. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
I'm Beth Carroll. We'll see you -- June 14th!! |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Prescription Drugs Return to index of stories... |
This week, Senator Gregg introduced legislation in Congress that would allow for the safe and legal importation of drugs from Canada and other countries. The proposal calls for individuals to import F-D-A approved prescription drugs immediately and within one year, pharmacies and wholesalers could import commercial quantities of approved drugs. The bill would also establish protections for consumers buying online and would give the F-D-A the same authority it has over imported foods. Q JAMES: With the high-cost of prescription drugs in the United States -- this move has got to be a big plus for Gregg? Q DAN/COLIN: It seems both Democrats and Republicans realize the momentum involved when it comes to Drug Reimportation? Q Edith: In the north country we know Pharmacists weren't happy about the state doing business directly with Canada. Under Gregg's bill pharmacies would be able to import drugs and sell them locally. Would that be more palatable to them ? Q |
| Kerry & Edwards Return to index of stories... |
John Edwards is reportedly on the short list as John Kerry's Vice Presidential choice. New Hampshire's democratic chief says Edwards would help carry the state. New Hampshire Democratic Chairperson Kathy Sullivan says its Kerry's decision and a lot of good people are being mentioned but she says she likes Edwards a lot. Q JAMES: Is that a common perception -- that Edwards would be a major plus to NH voters? Q Anyone else want to weigh in on the VEEP Sweepstakes? Any other names still being bandied about? We'll know soon enough -- the convention's in JULY? |
| key:State Politics/Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/04/04 22:00 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:50 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. On the agenda this week: Fallout over school funding -- it's far from over. The Governor's race gets a bit more crowded, There's a delay in the state Primary filing season, and Judd Gregg and Burt Cohen make it official. Here to talk about this week's events in Concord are: James Pindell of politicsnh.com, and Colin Manning of Foster's Daily Democrat, And joining me in Durham, Dan Tuohy of the Eagle Tribune, and Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: James Pindell\politicsnh.com Colin Manning\Foster's Daily Democrat Dan Tuohy\Lawrence Eagle Tribune Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat |
| key:National Politics/Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/04/04 22:00 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:50 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. On the agenda this week: Fallout over school funding -- it's far from over. The Governor's race gets a bit more crowded, There's a delay in the state Primary filing season, and Judd Gregg and Burt Cohen make it official. Here to talk about this week's events in Concord are: James Pindell of politicsnh.com, and Colin Manning of Foster's Daily Democrat, And joining me in Durham, Dan Tuohy of the Eagle Tribune, and Edith Tucker of the Coos County Democrat. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: James Pindell\politicsnh.com Colin Manning\Foster's Daily Democrat Dan Tuohy\Lawrence Eagle Tribune Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat |
| Post Show Log Return to index of stories... |
Friday, June 4, 2004: Recorded the show at 3pm rather than 2pm to accommodate two of the guests who had to attend Sen. Judd Gregg's filing of election papers. two of the graphics we ordered early in the day were not ready for air time so we finished them after the show was done and added them to the tape. We finished at 4:15pm. |
| gregg drugs Return to index of stories... |
kcmavbstap -- Senator Judd Gregg has introduced legislation for the safe and legal importation of drugs from Canada and other countries. Gregg's bill would establish protections for consumers buying drugs online. The bill would grant the Food and Drug Administration the same authority it has over imported foods. The proposal calls for individuals to import F-D-A-approved prescription drugs immediately. Within one year, pharmacies and wholesalers could import commercial quantities of approved drugs. Gregg says the bill also would ensure all Internet pharmacies are legitimate, licensed and accountable. Credit card companies would be prohibited from authorizing sales to non-registered Internet pharmacies. AP-NY-06-02-04 1345EDT |