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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. The transition between the Benson and Lynch administration gets underway. Plans to Overhaul Medicaid get an airing. The state spending and hiring freeze is lifted --or is it? And -- a battle over the Senate Presidency. Here to talk about all this: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, and Norma Love from the Associated Press in Concord. And in Durham, Mike Pomp, NewsDirector & talk show host at WTSN- AM-1270, Colin Manning of Fosters Daily Democratand Dan Tuohy of the Eagle Tribune. Welcome!! |
| Lynch Transition Return to index of stories... |
NH Governor-elect John Lynch is in West Virginia this friday to attend seminars for incoming Governors. On January 6th Craig Benson is out, and Lynch is in. He already has a transition team in place. As promised, he's named an independent, a Republican and a Democrat to lead his team -- which will prepare the state budget for the 2 years which begins July 1st. Lynch says he expects the hiring freeze to remain in place as he works on the budget -- and will ask department heads to justify every dollar they propose to spend. There have been reports that Governor Benson told commissioners to IGNORE the spending and hiring freeze. Q KEVIN & NORMA -- What's the latest on that front? Is the hiring and spending freeze still in effect. Q COLIN/DAN/MIKE: Lynch has urged the outgoing Governor to "HOLD-OFF" on new appointments in his final days. But, just this week Benson made several dozen nominations for state offices and courts. Will Exec Council NIX those appointments???? Q Isn't it TRADITION for incoming Governor to pick his/her own dept leaders. NORMA/KEVIN: Since his election loss, Governor Benson has been low-profile. Is he back to being accessible again to the media??? Q Any talk as to what Craig Benson plans to do come January 1st? Q COLIN/DAN: Budget hearings begin next week with Gov Benson still in office. Any sense of what we can expect in those hearings???? Q 3 big projects still in the wings: The Mt Sunapee expansion project -- The Hopkinton trash-to-energy plant -- and the USA Spring in Nottingham. How much impact can Gov-Elect Lynch have on these projects??? |
| Stephen/Medicaid Return to index of stories... |
Medicaid will constitute a BIG part of the Budget. This week, the Health and Human Services Commissioner made his case for "overhauling" the state's Program. Appearing before the Legislature's joint Fiscal Committee-- John Stephen outlined his plans for "saving" the state Money. One major idea: to shift 30-percent of the state's nursing home population into home-based care. Q Norma/Kevin: Given that exchange -- it would appear Stephen's Plan could be a TOUGH SELL?? Q Gov-Elect Lynch says NH should WAIT to reform its Medicaid program until public has chance to REVIEW the plans. Q What's FUELING plans to reorganize Medicaid?? Q NH will get substantially less reimbursement money starting in 2006. . How much of a role did that play in decisions to OVERHAUL the program??? Q Is there much Legislative support for OVERHAULING the system? Q A lot of concern about letting the Government determine the care you're going to receive -- which is part of the plan??? Q Part of Stephen's plan calls for reducing the state's nursing home population by 30 percent. The counties administer nursing homes --complain state doesn't pay fair share in funding homes. That FEUD would have to be settled for any Medicaid overhaul to be successful. Q Stephen warned that without an overhaul, the state will have to raise taxes or cut services??? Fair Assessment??? 69% of the department's budget is spent on Medicaid payments for nursing home care. Q Stephen has called his reorganization plan: Medicaid Modernization. Critics call it a budget cutting excercise to "downsize" a successful program? FAIR assessment?? |
| Eaton Re-Election Return to index of stories... |
The Senate Presidency is the 2nd highest elected office in the state. And, there's a battle brewing over that leadership post. Senator Ted Gatsas, a Manchester Republican is challenging Keene Republican Tom Eaton for the top spot. The lobbying is going on now. The vote takes place Dec. 1st. Q Tom Eaton WON easily 2 years ago -- is this expected to be a TOUGH battle for him -- or, has he lined up the support he Needs? Q Does EATON still have large majority of senate republicans? . Q Will Democrats vote as a block? Won't their decision have a huge impact if Eaton and Gatsas SPLIT the vote? We'll have our answer Dec 1st!! |
| Gene Chandler Broll Return to index of stories... |
As for House Speaker Gene Chandler --he says he's not resigning his post despite calls for him to do so. A legislative ETHICS committee is investigating a complaint against him regarding 64-thousand dollars in donations he received from "friends" committees and failed to report. Q KEVIN/NORMA: What's the latest on that front? Isn't there a meeting next week? Chandler's lawyer is asking committee to reach informal agreement that could include a reprimand or asking Chandler to fulfill certain conditions? Is that LIKELY?? Q Chandlers's attorney wants committee to view Chandler's case as an opportunity to "clarify the rules and improve the education of lawmakers.". Seems to be NEEDED? Q Apparently --Chandler filled out a disclosure form in 19-99 that included donations from the "Friends of Gene Chandler" --but, STOPPED doing so, when he became SPEAKER??? What do you make of that? Q Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin also failed to Report thousands in donations from lobbyists and political action committees -- from her "friends" committee. Money went directly into her personal account. Any indication as to whether the A-G's office will INVESTIGATE? |
| Election Signs Return to index of stories... |
Another person in the news this week. Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen-- who served as John Kerry's NATIONAL chairperson. Shaheen's name is surfacing as a possible Democratic National Chairman -- with Terry McAuliffe stepping down. Q Any CREDENCE to that talk?? Q Vt Governor Howard Dean's name and NY Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's name also being bandied about?? The state attorney general’s office has filed a civil penalty against state Rep. Richard Morris of Seabrook, alleging he removed a "John Kerry for President" sign from a South Hampton lawn. He could face a 1-thousand dollar fine. JUST another indication of how DIVISIVE the election was. |
| Portsmouth Shipyard Return to index of stories... |
The centuries-old dispute over the location of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is still alive. This, even though the US Supreme Court has ruled TWICE in favor of Maine. A state boundary commission has now concluded that the yard is in NH. They believe the court threw out overwhelming evidence-- and they want the case re-heard. They're seeking a legislative resolution to ask Congress to get involved. Q MIKE: This is an issue that just won't go away in the seacoast area? Q Lawmakers want justices to hear the argument again with evidence they feel was not presented. Is there ANY chance that could happen??? q The commission will ask the Legislature for a resolution to ask Congress to get involved ============ |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to Kevin and Norma in Concord, Colin, Dan & Mike here in Durham. And, thank you for watching. I'm Beth Carroll. We'll see you next time. |
| eaton Return to index of stories... |
Gatsas challenging Eaton for state Senate presidency bywman CONCORD, N.H. - Last week Keene Republican Tom Eaton defeated Democrat McKim Mitchell to keep his state Senate seat. This week Eaton finds himself in another race -- state Senator Ted Gatsas, a Manchester Republican, is challenging him for the Senate presidency. Yesterday Eaton announced the support of eleven of 16 Senate Republicans, putting him ahead of Gatsas. There are 24 members in New Hampshire's Republican-controlled Senate. Democrats increased their party's representation in the Senate by two seats in last week's election. The Senate presidency is the second-highest elected office in the state. That's a change from two years ago, when Eaton was able to seize the presidency with the support of 13 Republicans. This year, Eaton still has the support of a large majority of Senate Republicans - 10 out of 16, not including himself. He also has the support of at least one Democrat, Sen. Lou D'Allesandro. With those numbers, Eaton's future looks secure. But the rest of the Democratic caucus has yet to decide who to endorse, meaning their decision could sway the chamber's balance of power from Eaton to Gatsas ==== Lawmakers are required to fill out a disclosure form each year listing major donors and sources of income. Chandler filled one out in 1999 that included donations from the Friends of Gene Chandler, but stopped doing so when he became speaker. There have been calls for House Speaker Gene Chandler to step down-- but, he says he won't resign his post. -A legislative ETHICS committe has yet to decide on a complaint against House Speaker Gene Chandler. At issueThe committee could have dismissed the complaint against Chandler or called for a formal hearing. Instead, members decided to collect more evidence and tentatively planned a meeting on Nov. 16 to reconsider the matter The Legislative Ethics committe was slated to meet thimeeting was slated for this week Gene The chairman of the Legislative Ethics Committee has called for House Speaker Gene Chandler to resign from his leadership role. continue investigating nearly $64,000 in donations Chandler received over several years and did not report.Jasper said he felt compelled to speak out because the complaint against Chandler places a cloud over the House. "The House should not be under such a cloud in electing its new leadership," he said. Jasper did not ask Chandler, who is up for re-election, to resign as a lawmaker. Chandler's lawyer, Ovide Lamontagne, afterward called Jasper's conduct and statements "outrageous." Lamontagne had asked the committee to consider reaching an informal agreement with Lamontagne urged the committee Chandler has admitted receiving almost $64,000 raised by the Friends of Gene Chandler Committee but said he did not believe he needed to report it. The committee could have dismissed the complaint against Chandler or called for a formal hearing. Instead, members decided to collect more evidence and tentatively planned a meeting on Nov. 16 to reconsider the matter Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin received donations of more than 25-thousand dollars this year from people involved with dog tracks, New Hampshire Verizon, lobbyists and political action committees. Griffin submit a list of contributors to the Friends of Ruth Griffin committee after investigations were launched into similar gifts received by House Speaker Gene Chandler. The attorney general's office has not indicated whether Griffin also will be investigated. Griffin previously has said the money was collected at a semiannual fund-raiser by her friends committee. According to the filings, Griffin has received nearly 80-thousand dollars in gifts since 2000, W-M-U-R--T-V reported. The money received by the friends committee went directly into her personal bank account. She has said she spent the money buying clothes and maintaining her lifestyle as an executive councilor. |
| gov Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - Governor-elect John Lynch begins getting an idea next week of how much state departments will want in their budgets next year. The state has scheduled budget hearings to begin on November 19th. The hearings will open with comments from Governor Craig Benson, who had asked his department heads to come in with plans on how they might spend ten percent less next year. After his election defeat last week, he lifted the request, but has said he still will try to persuade department heads to spend less. Some Talk this week talk began of a possible leadership shakeup in the Democratic National Committee. with Terry McAuliffe expected for some time now to step down, there is buzz about a number of people, in particular former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. What are you hearing about Dean and who is the front-runner? What are you hearing? another name I keep hearing is former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen. That's a new rumor running around. Governor Jeanne Shaheen is being mentioned as Democrats around the country look for a new leader. Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe is stepping down in January. The list of possible successors includes Shaheen, who was John Kerry's national campaign chairwoman, and New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook: If you're looking to give a book during the upcoming holidays we have the top book picks of a local librarian and book store owner. Join us Monday at 10:30 only on New Hampshire Public Television. ============================== Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: If you're looking to give a book during the upcoming holidays we have the top book picks of a local librarian and book store owner. Join us tonight at 10:30 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| boundary Return to index of stories... |
We haven't heard the last of the debate as to whether it's located in Maine or NH. Not again: Location of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard still up for debate - PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - So, you thought you'd heard the last about whether the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is in Maine or New Hampshire. A report from a new commission in New Hampshire is keeping the centuries-old dispute alive. The boundary controversy dates back to the 1600s. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled twice in favor of Maine, but the nine-member New Hampshire Boundary Commission, set up by the Legislature, has concluded the yard is in New Hampshire. Portsmouth Democrat Laura Pantelakos says the court threw out overwhelming evidence that points to New Hampshire. She thinks the justices should hear the case again. The commission will ask the Legislature for a resolution to ask Congress to get involved. PORTSMOUTH - The New Hampshire Boundary Commission in its final report has found that the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is located not in Maine, but in New Hampshire. The judgment will likely perpetuate an interstate debate that has been argued for hundreds of years. State Rep. Laura Pantelakos, who sponsored the bill establishing the commission, said the report comes as the result of more than a year’s time and research invested in finding an answer to the enduring controversy. The commission plans to file a resolution before Dec. 10 to be voted on by both the state Senate and House, after which it will be sent to the U.S. Congress - the only legal body authorized to make an official change to the boundary line, Pantelakos said. "This affects the whole state," she said, adding that the state is not "whole" if the shipyard is deemed to be in Maine. |
| medicaid Return to index of stories... |
Governor-elect John Lynch says New Hampshire should wait to reform its Medicaid program until the public has had a chance to review the plans. Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen says Medicaid needs to change or else face unsustainable spending in the ten years. Stephen intends to present plans to gradually shift nursing home care to cheaper home and community settings to the joint Fiscal Committee this week. He says 69 percent of the department's budget is currently spent on Medicaid payments for nursing home care. Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen sought to ease fears today about proposals for major changes in New Hampshire's Medicaid program. Stephen said nothing will be done without public input and legislative approval. But he warned that without an overhaul, the state will have to raise taxes or cut services. Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen sought to ease fears today about proposals for major changes in New Hampshire's Medicaid program. Stephen said nothing will be done without public input and legislative approval. But he warned that without an overhaul, the state will have to raise taxes Governor-elect John Lynch says New Hampshire should wait to reform its Medicaid program until the public has had a chance to review the plans. Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen says Medicaid needs to change or else face unsustainable spending in the ten years. Stephen intends to present plans to gradually shift nursing home care to cheaper home and community settings to the joint Fiscal Committee this week. He says 69 percent of the department's budget is currently spent on Medicaid payments for nursing home care. New Hampshire's health and human services commissioner offers details today on his wide-ranging plan to save millions of dollars in the state's Medicaid program. John Stephen will outline the plan at a legislative hearing this morning. Part of the plan calls for reducing the state's nursing home population by 30 percent. Morris was not arrested or charged with any crime, but he could face a $1,000 fine if a Rockingham County Superior Court judge decides that the allegation is true. |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/12/04 HOST: Beth Carroll LENGTH: 26:10 Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. The transition between the Benson and Lynch administration gets underway. Plans to Overhaul Medicaid get an airing. The state spending and hiring freeze is lifted --or is it? And -- a battle over the Senate Presidency. Here to talk about all this: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, and Norma Love from the Associated Press in Concord. And in Durham, Mike Pomp, NewsDirector & talk show host at WTSN- AM-1270, Colin Manning of Fosters Daily Democratand Dan Tuohy of the Eagle Tribune. Welcome!! PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAMES OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph Norma Love\Associated Press Colin Manning\Fosters Daily Democrat Dan Tuohy\Eagle Tribune Mike Pomp\News Director WTSN-AM 1270 |