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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making Headlines this week: The former House speaker avoids EXPULSION, The Senate rolls out the Budget, E-Z Pass and Tokens get a green light, a shipyard rally draws thousands -- and presidential politics front and center again. Here to talk about all this and more from Concord: Tom Fahey from The Union Leader and Dan Barrick of the Concord Monitor and here in Durham James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com and Jeff Feingold of the NH Business Review. Welcome to all of you. |
| Chandler Debate 1 Return to index of stories... |
We begin with the Gene Chandler Story. The former house Speaker will get to keep his SEAT after all. The Ethics Committee had called for Chandler's Expulsion -- saying he solicited and accepting 64-thousand dollars from contributors at a series of corn roasts. That money went into Chandler's personal bank account. Representative Chandler didn't DENY the charges. On Wednesday, supporters argued he'd already been punished for his transgressions. |
| Tag Chandler Return to index of stories... |
Q DAN/TOM: What are we to make of that Standing ovation? Q What about Chandler's Chairmanship of the Public Works Committee -- will he be KEEPing that position? Q JEFF/JAMES: Will the CENSURE of Gene Chandler RE-ASSURE the public about the ETHICS OF N-H lawmakers? BETH: As the debate wore on. Chandler was SURROUNDED by a number of supporters - including some of the larger members of the House. They were attempting to block news cameramen from getting shots of the former speaker. human wall Q The VOTE: 189-172. 9 MORE votes and he would have been KICKED OUT. What does the MARGIN of that vote say??? ** Suprised SO many willing to kick him out of office.? ** some say VOTE was RUSHED so expulsion wouldn't gain steam??? BETH: REP Phyllis Lockwood: Summed up views of many when she said: Gene does not deserve this.Representative Chandler does. as speaker he should have KNOWN better. Q When Rep Shawn Jasper called for EXPULSION.there was a walkout : a POWER play???? ** Politics triumphed over ETHICS. Q Chandler was Well-liked and had recently lost his wife and father -- How big a factor was that in censure decision? |
| E-Z Pass Return to index of stories... |
The tug-of war over E-Z Pass and Tokens -- may not be over --but, Transponders will go on sale nevertheless. The plan is to have the new electronic toll system in place by July. This week, the Executive Council approved a Plan that sets the initial price for transponders at 5-dollars -- and Leaves TOKENS in place until 2007. Q JEFF/JAMES: That Plan NOT popular with everyone? Some councilors argue E-Z pass won't fly without killing TOKENS. Q The Legislature has RE-entered the FIGHT over tolls. The Senate Budget includes a PLAN that would END the sale of Discount Tokens by September? So, What happens if that PASSes?? ** Lynch calls that an immediate incrrease IN TOLLS -- since 1/2 the motorists who go thru tolls use tokens. A-G says Legislature originally gave to the council the authority to set toll rates and to give out discount tokens. Unclear if council's action would be undone by a bill or the 2-year state budget bill that would get rid of tokens sooner. ** One councilor wanted to keep the transponder cost for in-state residents low while raising it for out-of-state drivers.This could run afoul of the federal commerce clause in the Constitution that has prevented states from restricting E-ZPass discounts to their own residents. Q JAMES: Some are viewing the move on tokens as a POLITICAL AFFRONT to GOV Lynch. TRUE? Q DAN/TOM: I understand there are some TENSIONS over who CONTROLS the terms of the E-ZPass system? Q Councilors and Senators Do agree on how BIG a discount N-H E-ZPass drivers will get. |
| Budget Return to index of stories... |
Let's talk about the BUDGET. The Senate finance committee released its budget this week. Interestingly enuf. the Senate voted AGAINST the cigarette tax -- but, its still in the budget plan. And, the Senate Finance Committee is recommending a budget-school aid package that RELIES on the 28-cent per pack tax increase. Q DAN/ TOM: So, there's still LIFE to the cigarette tax? Q State Employees ratified a new contract. The deal calls for Raises and workers paying MORE for health care. IS there MONEY in the budget for that? Q When it comes to SCHOOL FUNDING: Pick a plan, any plan to pay for schools. "That's about where it stands in the state Senate." so say the A-P. What's up with EDUCATIoN FUNDING. Q SCHOOL RULING: The state Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Legislature didn't violate the state constitution when lawmakers handled negotiations last year in passing the current school funding plan." |
| Shipyard BRAC 1 Return to index of stories... |
Another BIG show of Support for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Thousands turned out Wednesday to greet members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission as they arrived at the gates of the Shipyard. The four BRAC Commissioners toured the Yard as part of a fact-finding mission to determine whether it should remain on the Pentagon's recommended base closure list. It will be the only visit to the Shipyard by members of BRAC. The next step: a hearing in Boston, July 6th. The final report goes to the President in September. Q JEFF: The Commissioners say the Panel's review will be INDEPENDENT from the Defense Department's. Any reason to be hopeful? Q TOM/DAN: Governor Lynch's advisory team on the Shipyard met Thursday. Any news out of that? Q TOM/DAN: There's been some talk that the Legislature may look to CANCEL state activities on July 6th -- to add to the hundreds of shipyard supporters they want to transport to Boston to endorse the shipyard that day when the final hearing is held? Q JEFF: ANY talk in biz community about potential life AFTER the shipyard? According to Pentagon documents, the Navy wants to close the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard yard by 2008, four years ahead of the period the base closure process allows. Under federal guidelines, the military has six years to close bases, but they can be shutdown sooner. |
| Romney Visit Return to index of stories... |
Presidential Politics -- front and center this week. Mitt Romney -- speaking to the NH Federation of Repubican Women in Manchester Friday night. The MA Governor is said to be eyeing a presidential run. Is he testing the political water in NH? Q JAMES: Mitt Romney as President or V-P in 08? What do you think??? Q He'd be the first to tell you that.It's not EASY being a Republican governor in a state dominated by Democrats? Doesn't seem to be holding him back? Q What Message do you think he'll be delivering? Q Some have suggested Romney wouldn't even be able to carry Massachusetts for the Republicans. Q Some have suggested he's positioning himself to the right of the Abortion issue -- |
| Gov Richardson Return to index of stories... |
Next week, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will be in N-H for the "politics and eggs" Issues forum. Richardson-- the nation's most prominent Hispanic elected official, is often mentioned as a possible Democratic presidential candidate. Q JAMES: 2008 -- He won't say he's NOT running. What do you think -- putting his toe in the water?? . Q What will his MESSAGE be? ** former Energy Secretary, UN Ambassador under Clinton. |
| Deep Throat Return to index of stories... |
This week's bombshell story -- the unmasking of DEEP THROAT. It turns out a former FBI official -- 91-year old W-Mark Felt -- was the deep background "source" used by the Washington Post to uncover the Watergate Scandal. The Post was scopped on this one. The admission came in "Vanity Fair Magazine." Q Anyone else SADDENED that the mystery is over?? Q A whole cottage industry sprung out the guessing game over the identity of Deep Throat. Not a vetern journalist -- but a LAWYER that snagged the story. Q The book race on. But, looks like Bob Woodward's book will hit shelves sooner than John O'Connor's book. |
| Pledge/Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to Tom Fahey and Dan Barrick in Concord. And, James Pindell and Jeff Feingold here in Durham. and, thank you for watching. Before we close: A remindert that NH Outlook won't be seen NEXT week so that N-H Public Television can bring you our June Membership Drive. We hope you'll watch and pledge your support to keep programs like New Hampshire Outlook going strong. NH Outlook returns Monday, June 13-th. I'm Beth Carroll. We'll see you next time. |
| ez pass Return to index of stories... |
XX Corrects that Senate plan proposed, not voted on yet XX CONCORD, N.H. - The Executive Council today approved a plan to bring the electronic E-Z Pass toll system to New Hampshire. Councilors agreed to set the price for E-ZPass transponders at five dollars until May First, 2006. After that, the price will go up. Under the Council's current plan, New Hampshire drivers would say goodbye to highway tokens in July 2007. That differs from a Senate plan proposed yesterday that would set September First as the last day to buy tokens and January First, 2006, as the last day to use them. But Councilors and Senators agree on how big a discount New Hampshire E-ZPass drivers will get. Private automobile drivers will receive 30 percent off at state tolls. Commercial vehicles will get a 10 percent discount. Transportation Commissioner Carol Murray is going ahead with E-Z Pass while deadline details are worked out. She says the system could be in operation by July. Q Councilor Ray Burton called TOKENS a thing of the past, said it was time to move into the electronic age -- but sounds like that may not be politically popular. People don't want to give up their discount tokens. "Tokens are a thing of the past. We need to move into the electronic age," he said. AP-NY-06-02-05 1422EDT -----Original Message----- From: Walsh, Pamela Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 3:17 PM Subject: Governor and Council Approve E-Z Pass Plan For Immediate Release: Contact: Pamela Walsh Thursday, June 2, 2005 271-2121 491-7124 Governor and Council Approve E-Z Pass Plan: Protects Drivers' Wallets, Puts E-Z Pass On Line Beginning in July CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council today approved a plan that protects the wallets of New Hampshire drivers and puts E-Z Pass on line beginning in July. "This protects the wallets of our drivers and gets E-Z Pass on line beginning in July," Gov. Lynch said. "This is a balanced and consumer-friendly approach that provides incentives to encourage people to move to E-Z Pass, without punishing our citizens who do not want - or who can't afford - to make the switch overnight." The proposal approved by Gov. Lynch and the Executive Council will allow tokens, with their 50 percent discount, to remain in use until the first day of fiscal year 2008. The discount rate for E-Z pass will be set at 30 percent for private vehicles and 10 percent for commercial vehicles. E-Z Pass transponders will be sold for $5 the first year and $30, or full price, after. The Department of Transportation says it will begin selling transponders within the next few weeks and start bringing the E-Z Pass system on line in July. fyi -----Original Message----- From: Walsh, Pamela Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 5:44 PM Subject: Updated: Gov. Disagrees with Sen. Finance Committee Vote to Raise Tolls as Part of State Budget For Immediate Release: Contact: Pamela Walsh Wednesday, June 1, 2005 271-2121 491-7124 Governor Disagrees with Senate Finance Committee Vote to Raise Tolls As Part of the State Budget CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch said he strongly disagrees with the Senate Finance Committee ' s vote today to increase toll rates as part of the state budget. While Governor Lynch is working to preserve toll discounts for New Hampshire drivers and expedite the implementation of E-Z Pass, the majority of the Senate Finance Committee today voted to require the Department of Transportation to stop selling tokens by Sept. 1, 2005, to stop accepting tokens by Jan. 1, 2006, to set a $30 sales price for E-Z Pass transponders, and to set the E-Z Pass discount rate at 30 percent for passenger vehicles. " I strongly disagree with the vote of the majority of the Senate Finance Committee to raise toll rates on the drivers of New Hampshire through the state budget. Most New Hampshire drivers use tokens and the 50 percent discount that tokens provide is important to the wallets of our families. It is unrealistic to expect that the majority of drivers will be able to switch to E-Z Pass is just two months, " Gov. Lynch said. Gov. Lynch and the Executive Council will consider a proposal on Thursday that will allow tokens, with their 50 percent discount, to remain in use until the first day of fiscal year 2008. The discount rate for E-Z pass will be set at 30 percent for private vehicles and 10 percent for commercial vehicles. E-Z Pass transponders will be sold for $10 the first year and $30, or full price, after. " Abruptly ending the use of tokens - and the discount they provide - is not fair to our residents. I firmly believed we needed a more gradual transition. The plan we will consider on Thursday is more consumer friendly, protecting the wallets of our drivers, expediting the implementation of E-Z Pass, and ensuring the long-term viability of our turnpike system, " Gov. Lynch said. " This plan provides the balance we need, by providing incentives for New Hampshire residents to move to E-Z Pass without punishing those who don ' t, " Gov. Lynch said. E-Z If the plan is approved, the Department of Transportation says it will begin selling transponders within the next few weeks and start bringing the E-Z Pass system on line in July. # # # Pamela Walsh Communications Director Office of Gov. John Lynch 271-2121 pamela.walsh@nh.gov For Immediate Release: Contact: Pamela Walsh Tuesday, May 31, 2005 271-2121 491-7124 Governor and Council to Consider Plan that Protects Drivers' Wallets and Expedites Implementation of E-Z Pass Governor and Council Meeting Date and Time Changed Because of BRAC Commission Visit to Shipyard CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch announced today that the Governor and Council will consider a toll plan at its next meeting that protects the wallets of New Hampshire drivers and expedites the implementation of E-Z Pass. Gov. Lynch also announced that the Governor and Council meeting has been changed to Thursday at 8 a.m. in the Governor and Council Chambers because of the visit of members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Wednesday morning. "My concern from the beginning was not enough thought had been given to what the financial impact on New Hampshire drivers would be if we eliminated the token discount," Gov. Lynch said. "Abruptly ending the use of tokens - and the discount they provide - is not fair to our residents. I firmly believed we needed a more gradual transition. The plan we will consider on Thursday is more consumer friendly, protecting the wallets of our drivers and expediting the implementation of E-Z Pass." Under the plan, tokens will remain in use until the first day of fiscal year 2008. The discount rate for E-Z pass will be set at 30 percent for private vehicles and 10 percent for commercial vehicles. E-Z Pass transponders will be sold for $10 the first year and $30, or full price, after. "I believe this plan provides the balance we need, by providing incentives for New Hampshire residents to move to E-Z Pass without punishing those who don't," Gov. Lynch said. "And by allowing for a gradual transition, we will be able to gather the information we need to make E-Z Pass more effective and attractive to our citizens." E-Z Pass costs $6 million a year to run, compared to the existing $750,000 for the token system. This plan helps ensure the long-term financial stability of New Hampshire's turnpike system. If the plan is approved, the Department of Transportation says it will begin selling transponders within the next few weeks and start bringing the E-Z Pass system on line in July. # # # |
| Gay Marriage Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Gay Marriage Gay marriage commission going on the road bywstho CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's gay marriage commission is going on the road. The panel will hold the first of four meetings around the state on Tuesday, May 31st in Littleton. Commission members want to hear the public's views on whether and how same-sex partnerships would be recognized in New Hampshire. The commission is made up of lawmakers and members of the public. It was created last year to study all aspects of gay marriage and its legal equivalents. A report of its findings is due in December. AP-NY-05-27-05 1257EDT |
| richardson Return to index of stories... |
Event: "Politics & Eggs" Issues Forum featuring Governor Bill Richardson Date: June 7, 2005 Venue: 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Bedford Village Inn Bedford, New Hampshire Governor Bill Richardson was elected Governor of New Mexico in 2002 by the largest margin of any candidate since 1964. Governor Richardson just completed his third legislative session, successfully cutting taxes for more than 500,000 working New Mexicans, creating opportunities through a statewide Pre-Kindergarten program, revamping the state’s higher education system, and increasing access to quality health care. He served for 15 years as New Mexico’s Representative in the 3rd Congressional District. Governor Richardson served in 1997 as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and in 1998, he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. Governor Richardson has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. "Politics & Eggs" is co-produced in New Hampshire by The New England Council and the New Hampshire Political Library. Since its debut in 1996, the series has hosted nearly every major candidate for President and has become a "must-stop" on the campaign trail. The program brings together speakers with about 200 of the region’s business leaders for discussion and questions. This phase of the "Politics & Eggs" series will focus on the issues that will shape the next presidential election. Founded in 1925, The New England Council is the nation’s oldest regional business organization. The Council is an alliance of large and small companies, educational institutions, nonprofit and other agencies dedicated to supporting economic development and a high quality of life in the six-state region The New Hampshire Political Library, founded by former Governor Hugh Gregg and Secretary of State Bill Gardner in 1997, preserves and protects New Hampshire’s tradition of holding the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Contact: Susan Asci, VP, Communications, The New England Council 617-723-4009, ext. 27 ### |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| key:state politics/ gov Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/3/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Making Headlines this week: The former House speaker avoids EXPULSION, The Senate rolls out the Budget, E-Z Pass and Tokens get a green light, a shipyard rally draws thousands -- and presidential politics front and center again. We begin with the Gene Chandler Story. The former house Speaker will get to keep his SEAT after all. The Ethics Committee had called for Chandler's Expulsion -- saying he solicited and accepting 64-thousand dollars from contributors at a series of corn roasts. That money went into Chandler's personal bank account. Representative Chandler didn't DENY the charges. On Wednesday, supporters argued he'd already been punished for his transgressions. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor, Rep. Sheila Francoeur\ Hampton, Rep. Shawn Jasper\ Hudson |
| key:state politics/ gov Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/3/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Making Headlines this week: The former House speaker avoids EXPULSION, The Senate rolls out the Budget, E-Z Pass and Tokens get a green light, a shipyard rally draws thousands -- and presidential politics front and center again. The tug-of war over E-Z Pass and Tokens -- may not be over --but, Transponders will go on sale nevertheless. The plan is to have the new electronic toll system in place by July. This week, the Executive Council approved a Plan that sets the initial price for transponders at 5-dollars -- and Leaves TOKENS in place until 2007. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor |
| key:consumer Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/3/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Making Headlines this week: The former House speaker avoids EXPULSION, The Senate rolls out the Budget, E-Z Pass and Tokens get a green light, a shipyard rally draws thousands -- and presidential politics front and center again. The tug-of war over E-Z Pass and Tokens -- may not be over --but, Transponders will go on sale nevertheless. The plan is to have the new electronic toll system in place by July. This week, the Executive Council approved a Plan that sets the initial price for transponders at 5-dollars -- and Leaves TOKENS in place until 2007. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor |
| key:state politics/ gov Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/3/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Making Headlines this week: The former House speaker avoids EXPULSION, The Senate rolls out the Budget, E-Z Pass and Tokens get a green light, a shipyard rally draws thousands -- and presidential politics front and center again. Let's talk about the BUDGET. The Senate finance committee released its budget this week. Interestingly enuf. the Senate voted AGAINST the cigarette tax -- but, its still in the budget plan. And, the Senate Finance Committee is recommending a budget-school aid package that RELIES on the 28-cent per pack tax increase. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor |
| key:state politics/ gov Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/3/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Making Headlines this week: The former House speaker avoids EXPULSION, The Senate rolls out the Budget, E-Z Pass and Tokens get a green light, a shipyard rally draws thousands -- and presidential politics front and center again. Another BIG show of Support for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Thousands turned out Wednesday to greet members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission as they arrived at the gates of the Shipyard. The four BRAC Commissioners toured the Yard as part of a fact-finding mission to determine whether it should remain on the Pentagon's recommended base closure list. It will be the only visit to the Shipyard by members of BRAC. The next step: a hearing in Boston, July 6th. The final report goes to the President in September. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor, Anthony Principi\BRAC Chairman |
| key:natl politics/ gov Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/3/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Making Headlines this week: The former House speaker avoids EXPULSION, The Senate rolls out the Budget, E-Z Pass and Tokens get a green light, a shipyard rally draws thousands -- and presidential politics front and center again. Another BIG show of Support for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Thousands turned out Wednesday to greet members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission as they arrived at the gates of the Shipyard. The four BRAC Commissioners toured the Yard as part of a fact-finding mission to determine whether it should remain on the Pentagon's recommended base closure list. It will be the only visit to the Shipyard by members of BRAC. The next step: a hearing in Boston, July 6th. The final report goes to the President in September. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor, Anthony Principi\BRAC Chairman |
| key:natl politics/ gov Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 06/3/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:46 minutes Making Headlines this week: The former House speaker avoids EXPULSION, The Senate rolls out the Budget, E-Z Pass and Tokens get a green light, a shipyard rally draws thousands -- and presidential politics front and center again. Presidential Politics -- front and center this week. Mitt Romney -- speaking to the NH Federation of Repubican Women in Manchester Friday night. The MA Governor is said to be eyeing a presidential run. Is he testing the political water in NH? PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Tom Fahey\The Union Leader, Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor |
| Post Show Log Return to index of stories... |
Friday, June 3, 2005: The last show before the summer hiatus!!!! Director's Log: We had a few shading issues. First, Beth was hot because of her shirt, so we turned down her key light show she was glowing on the wide shot. But that did make her daker on her regular shot. And James Pindell was wearing White and so poor John Shaver had to shade him down every timr camera 1 was on him. In Concord, Tom and Dan looked like the walking dead. Grey faces. I think it was the camera more than the shading for them. So, each person looked a little different in terms of color and darkness. The audio was also a bit shaky. Dan's mic wasn't coming up from silent very smoothly. Every time Carl would pod his mic up, you would hear it crackle. Tom's mic always seems low but that is partly because of how he speaks. On the good side, they had a very lively discussion and it was a good content wise show. We will miss Beth and Kim for our next two Friday's edition shows. |
| cigarette tax Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Cigarette Tax Senate votes against cigarette tax but it's still in budget plan amsavbnmlst CONCORD, N.H. - The Senate voted 14-to-ten today against increasing the tax on cigarettes. The Senate Finance Committee is recommending a budget-school aid package that relies on the 28-cent per pack tax increase. If the Senate wants to eliminate that tax, it will have to come up with another source of revenue or make additional cuts in the two-year spending plan. A 28-cent increase would raise about 87 million dollars. Several lawmakers said it makes little sense to vote against the cigarette tax increase when it remains in the budget proposal -- which means it would come up for another vote. Opponents argued it's unfair to tax smokers, a minority of the state's population, for services that everyone should support. Supporters say businesses should not suffer because New Hampshire's cigarette prices would remain below those of neighboring states even with the increase. |
| romney Return to index of stories... |
Romney to make first NH appearance since election. Gov. Mitt Romney has just been confirmed for his first New Hampshire appearance since last year's election. Romney, who is said to be eyeing a presidential run in 2008, will headline NH Federation of Republican Women Lilac Dinner in Manchester. The dinner will be held June 3. Romney already announced that he will hold an event at his house in the Lakes Region some time 2 Mitt Romeny as President or VP 3 |
| deep throat Return to index of stories... |
OConnors But Mr. Woodward's book undoubtedly will hit the shelves sooner, and although it could have the effect of keeping interest in Deep Throat alive, it could alternatively sate peoples' appetite for the 30-year-old story. NEW YORK - A former top F-B-I official reportedly admits he was "Deep Throat." That's the name given the source used by two reporters who helped uncover the Watergate scandal of the early 1970s. Vanity Fair magazine says the admission comes from W. Mark Felt. He's now 91 years old and living in California. Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein had vowed never to reveal the identity of their source until after his death. By Lisa Todorovich washingtonpost.com Friday, June 13, 1997 T he identity of Bob Woodward's deep background source during the Watergate investigation remains simply the best-kept secret in American politics and journalism. Only four people on the planet are known to have the name -- Woodward; his partner, Carl Bernstein; Ben Bradlee, the former executive editor of The Washington Post; and of course, Deep Throat himself. In "All the President's Men," their 1974 account of the Watergate scandal, Woodward and Bernstein describe their source as holding an extremely sensitive position in the executive branch, and as one "who could be contacted only on very important occasions." Dubbed "Deep Throat" by managing editor Howard Simons after a popular porn film at the time, the source encouraged Woodward and Bernstein to "follow the money" and confirmed or denied reports from other sources. "Deep Throat had access to information from the White House, Justice, the FBI and CRP ," Woodward and Bernstein wrote. "What he knew represented an aggregate of hard information flowing in and out of many stations." Woodward has kept his 1972 promise to protect his source's identity because he says Deep Throat wishes to remain anonymous. But some bits of information have been disclosed over the years: Deep Throat is one person, not a composite of several sources, he is a man and he is still living. Woodward noted that Deep Throat was a smoker and that he drank Scotch. "Aware of his own weaknesses, he readily conceded his flaws," the reporters wrote. "He was, incongruously, an incurable gossip, careful to label rumor for what it was, but fascinated by it.. He could be rowdy, drink too much, overreach. He was not good at concealing his feelings, hardly ideal for a man in his position." The most-cited Deep Throat suspects include Nixon administration members Henry Kissinger and Alexander Haig; CIA officials Cord Meyer and William E. Colby; and FBI officials L. Patrick Gray, W. Mark Felt, Charles W. Bates and Robert Kunkel. The identity of "Deep Throat" was a scoop pursued by squads of ace reporters for 30 years. But the man who finally snagged it was no journalism school graduate or veteran newshound who had been lured to the business by the exploits of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The story was broken by a 58-year-old politically conservative corporate litigator from San Francisco best known for his work defending cigarette companies. John D. O'Connor in this case is both journalist and attorney, representing former FBI official and Watergate informant Mark Felt. And he is the strategist behind the revealing of one of American politics' deepest secrets and chief adviser to the participants. In his article in the upcoming Vanity Fair magazine, Mr. O'Connor says he knew Mr. Felt's grandson, Nick Jones, because he was a classmate of his daughter's at Stanford University. The two were so friendly that Mr. Jones referred to Mr. O'Connor as "Big John." At a dinner party in 2002, Mr. Jones mentioned to Mr. O'Connor that he was Mr. Felt's grandson. Mr. O'Connor recognized the name and said to Mr. Jones, "Your granddad is Deep Throat! Did you know that?", repeating a rumor he had heard for years. Mr. Jones replied that he'd heard the rumor too and said "just recently we have started to think maybe it's him." After the party, the article says, Mr. Jones invited Mr. O'Connor to meet his grandfather and speak with his mother, Joan Felt, about unveiling Mr. Felt's story. At the meeting, Mr. Felt remained reluctant to expose his identity, but Mr. O'Connor agreed to represent the family with a view toward publishing a book. Eventually, Mr. O'Connor writes, Mr. Felt acquiesced and Mr. O'Connor was permitted by family members to sidestep attorney-client privilege and write the story for Vanity Fair. So far, Mr. O'Connor has managed to portray Mr. Felt to the public as a kind of quaint folk hero, with few critics accusing him of treachery or hypocrisy. And he has cast Ms. Felt and Mr. Jones, who partly wanted Mr. Felt to break his silence to generate money, as concerned relatives wanting their patriarch to take a much-deserved bow. And although the 91-year-old Mr. Felt's mental acuity is in some question, few media accounts have painted him as a victim. Mr. O'Connor, for his part, is known as an ambitious defense lawyer, fierce cross-examiner and charming raconteur. Though colleagues were unaware he was working with Mr. Felt, few are surprised he earned his trust. "He gets to know everyone in the room and tells a story that draws a crowd," says Veena Mitchell, a lawyer who worked with Mr. O'Connor on R.J. Reynolds Co. litigation. Mr. O'Connor, a partner at the law firm of Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady, Falk & Rabis, has focused on corporate-liability defense cases. He has represented not just Reynolds against lung-cancer patients but won favorable verdicts for a brakes manufacturer sued by the surviving children of parents killed in a car accident, and an insurance company sued by a paraplegic woman. Prior to joining Howard Rice he was a name partner at Tarkington, O'Connor and O'Neill. In 1999, he handled a highly-publicized between National Basketball Association coach Don Nelson and the Golden State Warriors. Early in his career, as an Assistant United States Attorney, he was on the team that prosecuted Patricia Hearst in 1976 for participating in an armed robbery. Opponents cite his affability. "He's a pleasure to work with," says Gilbert Purcell who has argued against Mr. O'Connor on over 20 tobacco- and asbestos-related cases since the late 1980s. Mr. Purcell says Mr. O'Connor accommodates opponents when he can. "He's tenacious," says Mr. Purcell. "But he's tenacious on the right points." Mr. O'Connor affects a humble approach in the courtroom. Joseph Escher III, a partner at Howard Rice, likens him to Columbo. "He has perfected the down-home, poor, country lawyer routine" says another attorney who has worked with him. "He likes to bumble around and appear befuddled. He's the nice guy who, you find out at end of the day, has destroyed your case." The subject of Watergate would seem well-suited to Mr. O'Connor's love of sifting through vast quantities of complicated information. Last year, he pub lished an article in the San Francisco Daily Journal that attempted to map out a connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. "He'd say, 'This connection goes here and this guy is the brother of so-and-so and he has an alias,'" recalled Rep. Dan Lungren R-Calif., a friend of Mr. O'Connor's from his undergraduate college years at Notre Dame. "It's like having a computer available to you." Mr. O'Connor has a distant connection to Watergate. The father of his college friend, Rep. Lungren, was John C. Lungren, who was Richard M. Nixon's personal physician. After college, the younger Mr. Lungren chaired the California faction of "Youth for Nixon." Mr. O'Connor attended collegiate Republican conventions and in the years since, he has avidly campaigned for Mr. Lungren. "And in San Francisco, that's not an easy job since I'm a conservative Republican," the congressman says. Mr. O'Connor first approached Vanity Fair about selling the story. The magazine told him it couldn't pay for interviews. The lawyer considered other options -- including the possibility of working with Watergate reporter Mr. Woodward -- and even consulted another writer, who has not been identified. In the end, that writer didn't feel comfortable that Mr. Felt was "Deep Throat." "The writer didn't feel persuaded that Mark was the guy and that they had the goods," says David Friend, the editor at Vanity Fair who later edited Mr. O'Connor's piece. Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Friend decided that Mr. O'Connor should write the article himself. Mr. Friend also checked out Mr. O'Connor's story. "We did do due diligence," Mr. Friend says. "We called to find out who he was. I forced John to go through his firm's records. I wasn't going to publish the piece until he could send me phone records on his firm's print-outs that showed that he had talked to Bob Woodward." What is next for Mr. O'Connor and the Felt family isn't clear. Mr. O'Connor said Tuesday that he was receiving a flurry of book and film offers, and literary agents say if such a book is executed properly it could command a seven-figure advance. But Mr. Woodward's book undoubtedly will hit the shelves sooner, and although it could have the effect of keeping interest in Deep Throat alive, it could alternatively sate peoples' appetite for the 30-year-old story. |
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state contract CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire state workers have ratified a new contract. Members of the State Employees Association overwhelmingly approved a contract that carries three, two percent pay raises over the next 18 months, but also has workers paying more for health care. The union now is urging members to lobby lawmakers to approve the deal. State workers have not had an across-the-board raise since 2002, when negotiations with former Governor Craig Benson stalled over health benefits. |
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Governor Says Senate Finance Committee's Budget Cuts are Unnecessary, Will Hurt People May Revenues Show State on Track To Meet Governor's Revenue Estimates CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch said today that the Senate Finance Committee's cuts to the state budget are unnecessary and will jeopardize care to some of New Hampshire's most vulnerable citizens. "People across New Hampshire will be hurt by these proposed cuts. With this budget, fewer children will have health insurance, fewer seniors will be able to receive home health care or nursing home care, county taxpayers will face higher property tax bills, and our ability to protect the safety of our citizens will be hindered," Gov. Lynch said. "These cuts are unnecessary and wrong for the people of New Hampshire. "The budget I proposed in February is a blueprint for a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of our citizens. With reasonable revenue estimates and a modest increase in the tobacco tax, we can afford to put in place a good budget and a lasting solution to school funding," Gov. Lynch said. May's strong revenue returns show that the state is on track to meet the revenue estimates included in the Governor's budget. Business taxes and the real estate transfer tax continue to perform well ahead of last year. "We should not use unwarranted and unfounded pessimism about New Hampshire's economy to force deep cuts in vital services to our citizens," Gov. Lynch said. "I will continue to work with members of the House and the Senate for a responsible budget." =========== Statement of the Senate Finance Committee chairman, Sen. Chuck Morse, on the state budget adopted by his committee CONCORD, N.H., June 2, 2005 -- New Hampshire Sen. Chuck Morse, R-Salem, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the state budget approved by his committee. "The Senate budget does not include any cuts to direct services for those in need. The people of New Hampshire can feel confident that the Senate has maintained the safety net for our residents. "The blueprint we've laid out gives more than $2 million in property-tax relief annually for county taxpayers by allowing the counties to keep new federal revenues through the Proshare program. "The Senate budget restores funding for disability and mental-health services across the state to help our most vulnerable citizens. The budget also increases the funding to move more people off the disability waiting list, which means vulnerable citizens will receive services more quickly. "The budget restores the reserve for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program. This reserve is critical to undertake any changes that may be required by federal transformation when TANF is reauthorized. It also helps the state prepare for future economic uncertainties, such as would be the case if the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is closed. "The budget adds funding to create a new incentive program for more than 200 child-care centers to improve their quality. This will be a real benefit to the children of New Hampshire as these centers work to performance in a number of areas. "The Senate budget includes the first rate increase for physicians' services for Medicaid in many years, totaling $4 million. This rate increase will be tied to prevention so that we can see improved health outcomes for Medicaid recipients. "The budget begins to reform our Medicaid program using best-management practices that improve the quality of services. For example, our budget implements care management for Medicaid. This will allow the state to monitor the highest-cost cases closely, so that we can improve outcomes while reducing costs by developing personal plans for these individuals. In addition, our budget also creates a number of pilot programs to improve health care under Medicaid, including medical homes for Medicaid recipients, TeleHealth and primary care for those with mental illnesses. "The Senate budget includes rate increases for residential-care providers, child-care providers, nursing-home providers, assisted-living facilities and adult-medical day care. It also restores a funding cut to independent case managers for home- and community-based care. "The budget lets more seniors who use Medicaid stay in their communities. It also builds an infrastructure to support a shift to home- and community-based care by offering counties the opportunities to match funding for conversion of nursing-home beds to assisted-living facilities, offering senior-wellness programs in the senior centers of the state, expanding adult day care and foster care and developing a family home-care program, modeled after the successful program that has work well for individuals with disabilities. "The Senate budget does not address the coming issues associated with the implementation of Medicare Part D. Due to the continuing high level of uncertainty in Washington as the method of how this new program is being developed, it is impossible to predict what might be the final outcome. Potential delays in implementation, ambiguity in how this might affect other programs and potential for reimbursement of new administrative costs are all being debated both within the Beltway and in other states. The Senate will join many states in taking a thoughtful approach to Medicare Part D." --30 # # # |