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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making news this week: Miers withdraws her nomination to the Supreme Court fray. Could it affect a pending NH case? Flood Assistance on the way to southwestern NH, Winter comes early, and the Statewide property tax is ruled unconstitutional. Here to talk about all this and more from Concord: Dan Barrick of the Concord Monitor, and James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com. Here with me in Durham: Edith Tucker from the Coos County Democrat and Mike Pomp, newsdirector at WTSN1270AM. Welcome: |
| Miers/NH case Return to index of stories... |
We begin with Harriet Miers -- who withdrew her name as a potential Supreme Court Justice on Thursday. The president's friend and lawyer cited potential conflict over White House documents. Miers' withdrawal means the justice she was chosen to replace, Sandra Day O'Connor, will delay her retirement further. That could put a pending NH case before the HIGH court in a different light. A state law regulating abortion goes before the Supreme court later this month. Q DAN/JAMES: Given the Miers withdrawal -- what are the IMPLICATIONS for NH's parental notification law?? ** O'Connor could be the swing vote "striking down" the NH abortion law. ** It's unlikely O'Connor will be replaced before it goes before the justices. Q EDITH/MIKE: It seems few were SHOCKED by Miers decision??? Q DAN/JAMES: What's been the REACTION to the Miers withdrawal here in NH? Dan, you spoke with former senator Warren Rudman -- what was his read? Q DAN/JAMES: Attention now turns to a new choice for the high court. Have to ask -- could we see Senator Judd Gregg's name surface again??? Q JAMES: President Bush has suffered one of the biggest EMBARRASSMENTS of his presidency at a time when he faces a mountain of other problems. Katrina, Iraq, Spending, and now indictments in the CIA leak case -- is Mr Bush a LAME duck? We'll All be watching with interest. |
| Assist (alstead broll) Return to index of stories... |
Federal Disaster Money will soon be on its way to NH. President Bush, this week, signed Governor Lynch's request for a disaster declaration for areas impacted by recent floods. The news came the same day another flood victim was identified. The body of Sally Canfied of Alstead was discovered in Walpole -- just miles from her house.which was washed away in the storm. Her husband is still missing. Federal monies will cover some of the cost of rebuilding flood-damaged areas ---but, clearly not all. We asked the governor what residents could expect. FEMA will open an office in Keene. The Governor is urging flood victims to take advantage of a toll-free FEMA hotline to see if they qualify for assistance. The legislature put on a telethon this week to help defray costs for those impacted by the floods. Thursday night, NH residents pledged more than 300-thousand dollars for those in need. Governor John Lynch and state lawmakers helped man the phones during the program aired on WMUR-TV. Q EDITH/MIKE: That would be 100=thousand dollars an hour -- that's pretty good. ** I believe there were about 3-dozen lawmakears taking part -- that's quite amazing. Don't know if that's unprecendented. Q DAN/JAMES: Governor has indicated he's working with legislative leaders to identify ways the STATE can provide ADDITIONAL assistance to those communities. Any more talk on WHERE that money might come from?? This week's RAIN -- certainly the last thing these WATER-LOGGED areas needed. Q Certainly -- worries mount as winter draws near. |
| October Snow Return to index of stories... |
Weather continues to dominate the news. It's been the rainiest month on record in NH. So, when the Nor'easter moved in this week.much of the state was under a flood watch. While Southern parts of the state got drenching rains. northern and western NH got an early taste of winter -- closing schools and downing power lines. Some communities got as much as 5-to 10 inches of snow--and much of the North Country woke up to a "white" morning. Crews working to re-build flood-damaged roads around AL-stead were undaunted by the wet snow. Wildcat Mountain in Pinham Notch opened Friday for skiing. The record snowfall in the White Mountains -- prompted a HIGH avalanche warning. Q EDITH: Bypassed the fall foliage season -- and gone directly to winter. Too much of a good thing in the WhiteMts.danger to hikers -- trails and roadways impacted. Is this the EARLIEST we've seen danger advisories? Q Some roads in southwestern NH -- that had already took a beating from Flooding earlier this month were closed. Officials in Keene and Alstead worried rivers would overflow again. Parts of the Warner River were flooded. Q Getting back to the skiing -- early SNOW.has got to be manna from heaven. In Pinkham Notch.there was talk of opening up Great Glen to cross country skiing. |
| Heating Assistance Return to index of stories... |
With winter's early arrival --come more morries about Heating Assistance. Applications for help are up -- prices are "double" what they were, and the state is getting FEWER federal dollars than last year. And, Money has run out for 2 programs - that help the poor pay gas and electic bills. Q EDITH: Is that a big worry in the North country. ** People coming forward -- who've never come forward before. ** Southern NH Services -- has more than 45-hundred on a waiting list Q DAN/JAMES: The US Senate voted against INCREASED spending for the federal home heating program. The money just wasn't there. Judd Gregg tried to get an amendment passed -- it just didn't happen. Not likely we'll be seeing MORE home heating help from washington??? "Electric assistance program" & "Neighbor helping Neighbor" BETH: Of course -- while we're getting killed by high Gas Prices and home heating oil costs The OIL industry is making out like a BANDIT. Record 3RD quarter Profits: Industry accused of NOT discounting but POCKETING profits. This is what everyone is talking about!!! |
| Property Tax Return to index of stories... |
The statewide property tax under fire again. A Superior Court Judge ruled it "unconstitutional." This week the Attorney General's office was already talking about an APPEAL. The property tax is at the heart of NH's education funding debate. The case was brought by several property owners in Portsmouth and Rye -- who challenged their property assessment. Q DAN: What are the implications for the rest of the STATE and the school funding debate?? Q How similiar is this case to the 2000 case that got the COURTS involved in Education funding? Is this expected to end up before the state Supreme Court once again??/ Q The A-G's office says this case would have little influence on the ongoing school funding debate??? But, the Attorney arguing the case says: "this paves the way to STRIKE down the statewide property tax. Q Gov Lynch says it just goes to show NH would be better off eliminating the statewide property tax once and for all. He campaigned on that. Q Senate President Ted Gatsas said he didn't expect the ruling to significantly alter the school funding debate. Gatsas was the author of the current school funding formula. |
| Presidential Politics Return to index of stories... |
On the Political watch -- more Big Names parading thru the state. Last Sunday, NY Governor George Pataki did some door-to-door campaigning in Manchester for mayoral candidate Frank Giunta. Meanwhile, Delaware Senator Joe Biden is slated to headline a fundraiser, this tuesday, for democratic incumbent Mayor Bob Baines. Q JAMES: Safe to say both Biden and Pataki --taking steps toward a 2008 bid?? Q On this Friday Night -- NY Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is the special guest at a fundraising reception for John Lynch. The 500-1,000 dollar reception is being held at the Harvard Club. . **Now.why would he be raising money. 2006 just around the bend. HMMMM. Q This Thursday, Ann Lewis, a senior adviser to HIllary and former Clinton White House staffer spoke about WOMEN in politics in Manchester. Should we read any SIGNIFICANCE into that? Q SATURDAY: Indiana Senator Evan Bayh will address state Democrats in Manchester. 2nd appearance this year. What can we expect from that appearance??? Q INTERSTINGLY ENUF MA Governor Romney is heading to Iowa this weekend amid continued speculation about his interest in running for president. Putting off til LATE NOVEMBER announcement on plans to run for re-election or seek Presidency. ** ROMNEY: got some grief this week from consituents who say he was much more forthcoming about NH"s flood needs --then theirs in western mass. Q DNC Chair Howard Dean will be in New Hampshire on Saturday. Slated to headline a private fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee. Later on Saturday, Dean will attend the Maine Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Lewiston. |
| Gay Marriage Return to index of stories... |
Gay Marriage back in the news. The state's commission on SAME SEX unions dealt several setbacks to proponents of gay marriage. The panel said it would urge state lawmakers NOT to allow gays to marry, NOT to recognize out-of-state same sex unions and NOT to set up a domestic partner registry for couples who cannot legally marry. Q DAN: I know you've covered these commission hearings in the past. ** There's been a lot of CONTENTION.among members of the panel -- some fireworks. Can we expect that kind of VOLATILITY when it hits the Legislature??? ** Earlier this month the panel voted to recommend a constitutional amendment stating marriage is between one woman and one man. A move to RESCIND that failed -- this week. IS this measure expected to gain any TRACTION in the Legislature??? Q The panel meets again on MOnday. When does the panel issue its REPORT. ** ED BUTLER OPENLY GAY MEMBER OF PANEL said: "My hope is before I die I will be able to approach a justice of the peace in the state of New Hampshire and be legally married," He had submitted the recommendation for marriage. The panel defeated his recommendation by a 10-2 vote. _ |
| City Elections Return to index of stories... |
Before we go. election day is November 8-th. some big races in cities across the state. Q JAMES: Any RACES in particular we should keep an eye on? |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to James and Dan in Concord. and Mike and Edith here in Durham. My thanks to you for watching. I'm Beth Carroll. I'll see you next time. |
| key: National Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 10/28/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:33 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making news this week: Miers withdraws her nomination to the Supreme Court fray. Could it affect a pending NH case? Flood Assistance on the way to southwestern NH, Winter comes early, and the Statewide property tax is ruled unconstitutional. Here to talk about all this and more from Concord: Dan Barrick of the Concord Monitor, and James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com. Here with me in Durham: Edith Tucker from the Coos County Democrat and Mike Pomp, newsdirector at WTSN1270AM. Welcome: PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN 1270 AM |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 10/28/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:33 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making news this week: Miers withdraws her nomination to the Supreme Court fray. Could it affect a pending NH case? Flood Assistance on the way to southwestern NH, Winter comes early, and the Statewide property tax is ruled unconstitutional. Here to talk about all this and more from Concord: Dan Barrick of the Concord Monitor, and James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com. Here with me in Durham: Edith Tucker from the Coos County Democrat and Mike Pomp, newsdirector at WTSN1270AM. Welcome: PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dan Barrick\Concord Monitor, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN 1270 AM |
| Bia agenda Return to index of stories... |
BIA to emphasize housing, health care By TOM FAHEY State House Bureau Chief CONCORD — Increasing the stock of affordable housing and health care are among five legislative priorities the Business and Industry Association have set for the coming year. BIA president Jim Roche said the group also will push for a research and development tax credits, environmental reform, and lower power and fuel costs when the Legislature meets in January. Roche said the agenda is the result of a series of roundtable discussions it held with business people around the state this summer. The five key areas BIA wants to focus on are: Workforce housing, which BIA says is critical for businesses whose growth depends on finding new young workers. Unless workers can find affordable places to live, businesses face serious hiring hurdles, Roche said. BIA favors requiring towns to consider adequate housing for area workers in their master plans. Health care and health insurance costs, which BIA says can be better controlled with better consumer information. It wants to tap into data that show the range of costs for a number of medical procedures, and the outcome success rate of hospital and clinics. A tax credit that would reward companies on the leading edge of their industries. Research and development projects involve the brightest minds in a field, Roche said, and providing a tax credit for R&D would help companies attract top technical talent to the state. A similar bill that failed this year had an overall price tag of $650,000, Roche said, comparing it to the $400 million businesses pay in profits and business enterprise taxes. Using industry resources to control the rising cost of energy, both in electric service and fuel charges. Making environmental laws and regulation more business-friendly. BIA says, as an example, that fees for air emissions have increased as emissions controls have improved. Michael Donahue of Aries Engineering said that as companies have reduced emissions, fees have increased. BIA chairman George Gantz said the organization will work hard to pass its agenda. |
| biz Priorities Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire business groups will unveil their legislative priorities tomorrow. The Business and Industry Association, state chamber of commerce and other business advocates will discuss priorities at a news conference in Concord. The groups held roundtable discussions over the past few months to discuss issues important to business. |
| syrup Return to index of stories... |
Monday, October 24, 2005 Maple syrup, timber industries worry about caterpillars CONCORD, N.H. — A 2-inch-long caterpillar with a row of white dots on its back is costing New Hampshire's timber industry millions of dollars and could take a toll on next year's maple syrup industry as well. Kyle Lombard, forest health specialist with the state's Division of Forest and Lands, said the tent caterpillar has infested about 70,000 acres. The insects eat the canopies of northern hardwoods, which doesn't kill the trees but weakens them. The caterpillars have affected mostly forests around Mount Sunapee — and they've taken away leaves during the spring and summer. Last year, only about 10,000 acres were affected last year in New Hampshire. Lombard said tapping affected maples for syrup further stresses the weakened trees. He said foresters also have been forced to delay harvests in affected areas. Lombard estimates the insect has cost the timber industry as much as $5 million. "They're in here, and they're multiplying and they're moving," Lombard said. He said the infestation probably was carried by the wind from Vermont, where 400,000 acres were defoliated this year. To kill its caterpillars, Vermont sprayed 1,600 sugar maples with a bacterial insecticide. Tim Fluery, a forest resources educator with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension in Merrimack, said he's not recommending spraying for maple syrup in New Hampshire just yet. It's expensive and it doesn't guarantee results, he said. "It doesn't control the infestation outside the area," he said. "It could come back in," blown by the wind. Fluery advises to wait for black-billed cuckoos and flies, which eat caterpillar larvae, to control the population. ——— Information from: Concord Monitor, http:/www.cmonitor.com ## A n infestation of forest tent caterpillars is costing the state's timber industry millions of dollars and causing maple syrup producers added worry. The 2-inch-long caterpillars defoliated about 70,000 acres around the state this spring. The insects munch on the canopies of northern hardwoods, in some cases almost completely consuming the leaves. Without the ability to photosynthesize, the trees can't produce a winter store of carbohydrates or the chemical defenses that protect them against other invaders. Tree growth is stunted. This is the second year of the infestation, although just 10,000 acres were affected last year. The caterpillars, characterized by a row of white dots on their backs, are native to New England, but there has not been a widespread infestation of them in New Hampshire since the early 1980s. "They're here, and they're multiplying and they're moving," said Kyle Lombard, forest health specialist with the Division of Forest and Lands. The caterpillars don't often kill the trees. But the trees become more vulnerable to other damaging effects, such as poor soils or drought. Tapping for syrup and selective harvesting are also stresses when the trees are weak. ---ADVERTISEMENT--- State experts are asking syrup producers to follow conservative tapping guidelines - one tap on trees with a diameter of 12 to 18 inches and two taps on anything bigger - and to monitor for declining health. Foresters should avoid cutting in affected areas. Lombard estimated that New Hampshire's timber harvest will be down between $4 million and $5 million this year because foresters have had to delay cutting plans. "The economic impact is immense," he said. Lombard said the infestation was likely carried by wind from Vermont, where 400,000 acres were defoliated this year, up from 100,000 last year. In New Hampshire, the forests around Mount Sunapee have been most affected. About 5,000 acres in Goshen, Newbury and Washington managed by LandVest Timberland were defoliated. Forester Bob Bradbury estimated that the company will have to harvest 25 percent to 50 percent less timber this year in an area that normally brings in about $500,000. Bradbury, who has been a forester in New England for 20 years, said this is one of the worst infestations he's seen. He said one parcel in Goshen was about 50 percent defoliated by summer. "It really looked like kind of a fall day, where the leaves were falling off, and it was the middle of August," he said. Bradbury said his crews are still working to clean up areas damaged by the 1998 ice storm, but they can't work where the trees have been weakened. He's worried about losing trees in those areas, where the forest is already under stress. Forester Don Clifford said it was eerie to see trees on his land defoliated in June. On a 20-acre parcel that he manages on Pike Hill in Newport, he said, "there was not one leaf left." Another 60-acre plot that Clifford owns in Plainfield was defoliated. In both places, the caterpillars had attacked mostly sugar maples and red oaks, which are two of the most valuable trees in New Hampshire. He said they bring in about $400 per 1,000 board feet, or feet of board produced at the mill that is an inch thick and a foot wide. Clifford said he will probably reduce his timber harvest by about 25 percent this year. To maple syrup producers, sugar maples have a different kind of value as long-term investments. Most trees are at least 30 years old before they are tapped for sap collection. Tim Fluery, a forest resources educator with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension in Merrimack, said sugar maple owners become particularly alarmed when the trees on which they depend for a yearly crop look sick. "All of a sudden, you look up and say, 'Wow, what happened?'"Fluery said. The sugar maples at Pearl and Sons Farm in Loudon were defoliated. On Friday, a stand of maples there looked as you'd expect them to at his time of year. A blanket of yellow leaves coated the ground, while some still clung to their branches. In the spring, however, Fluery said, this stand looked "ragged." Fluery said he wasn't sure how the caterpillars would affect the amount or quality of sap that the trees produce. He will be working with owner Howard Pearl to monitor the health of the stand, which produces about 1,300 gallons of maple syrup each year from 5,000 taps. In Vermont, the state coordinated the spraying of 1,600 acres of sugar maples with a bacterial insecticide to kill the caterpillars. Barbara Burns, a forest health specialist there, said the state is assessing the caterpillar population to prepare possible spraying for next year. Fluery said he's not recommending spraying for maple syrup producers here. Aerial spraying is expensive - about $26 an acre in Vermont - and doesn't guarantee a result. "It doesn't control the infestation outside the area," he said. "It could come back in," blown by the wind. Instead, he's advising people to wait for natural predators, like the black-billed cuckoo and the "friendly fly," a large, black housefly that eats the caterpillar larvae, to control the population. Fluery said he's seen an increase in the presence of both predators in the Sunapee region this year. Fluery said he hopes the Sunapee area will see a decrease in infestation next year. Other places that took their first hit this year, such as the Pearl property, will likely see the caterpillars return next spring, he said. Northam Parr, an extension educator in Grafton County, said the caterpillar infestation is a dilemma for those people who rely on the trees for a living. But the state's forests will survive this, as they did a gypsy moth infestation in the 1990s and the ice storm of 1998. "New England is a tough environment |
| forest grant Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Forest Grant Northern Forest gets 135-thousand-dollar boost dewho CONCORD, N.H. - Projects to improve forest-related business and recreation have gotten a boost in northern New Hampshire. The Northern Forest Partnership Program has awarded 135 thousand dollars in grants to 21 projects aimed at helping forest-related businesses and the environment in the Northern Forest including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. In New Hampshire, grants will help publish a manual on caring for woodland, develop programs for a visitors center and help the North Country Council develop an economic project for the region. AP-NY-10-26-05 1331EDT |
| wx/floods Return to index of stories... |
KEENE, N.H. - Groups working to help the victims of the southwestern New Hampshire floods are working on plans to coordinate their efforts to get more aid to more people, especially as winter sets in. Representatives of many agencies met yesterday in Keene and said they hope to set up offices in Keene and Alstead and establish a toll-free hotline. They say flood victims who visit the offices or call the number will be assigned a case worker to help assess their needs and guide them to help for the next year or two. AP-NY-10-26-05 1341EDT AP-NH--Flooding-Disaster Aid President grants Lynch request for 'major disaster' flood aid klmhofls CONCORD, N.H. - President Bush has signed Governor Lynch's request to declare a major federal disaster in New Hampshire areas affected by the recent floods. This means individuals, communities, businesses and the state are eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency and other assistance. Assistance for individuals was granted for Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Sullivan counties. Assistance for state and local governments was granted for Belknap, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Sullivan counties. AP-NY-10-26-05 1642EDT AP-NH--Flooding-Hotline Groups pushing for flood hotline dewkee Q KEENE, N.H. - Groups helping victims of the southwestern New Hampshire floods are working on plans to coordinate their efforts to get more aid to more people, especially as winter sets in. Representatives of many agencies met yesterday in Keene and said they hope to set up offices in Keene and Alstead and establish a toll-free hotline. * MANCHESTER, N.H. - The National Weather Service says heavy rainfall from this week's nor'easter has caused part of the Merrimack River to rise to flood stage in Manchester. Officials say the river rose to its flood stage of eleven feet around nine o'clock last night. It's expected to stay that high until sometime tonight. Officials have issued a flood warning for the river, saying minor flooding is likely in the lowest lying areas along the river in Goffstown, Manchester, Merrimack and Litchfield. CHESTERFIELD, N.H. - New Hampshire's largest state park is still closed after major flooding damage two weeks ago. Pisgah State Park Director Norma Repucci says the floodwaters did about 200 thousand dollars in damage, washing out two major roads and numerous trails and knocking bridges off their posts. The park is in Chesterfield, Hinsdale and Winchester. . |
| phone jamming Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - Former Republican National Committee official James Tobin wants a federal court to dismiss charges he conspired to jam phone lines set up to get voters to the polls in 2002. Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled a hearing next month on the request. ap 10/25 CONCORD, N.H. - Former Republican National Committee official James Tobin wants a federal court to dismiss charges he conspired to jam phone lines set up to get voters to the polls in 2002. Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled a hearing next month on the request. GOP-PHONE JAMMING Tobin seeks dismissal of charges nmlman CONCORD, N.H. - A former regional director for the Republican National Committee wants a federal court to dismiss charges he conspired to jam phone lines set up to get voters to the polls in 2002. Judge Steven McAuliffe has scheduled a hearing next month on James Tobin's request to dismiss a four-count indictment. The hang-up calls overwhelmed the Democrats' get-out-the-vote phone banks and a ride-to-the-polls line for more than an hour on Election Day. Former state G-O-P director Chuck McGee and Republican consultant Allen Raymond pleaded guilty to taking part in the scheme. Tobin is scheduled for trial in December. In a new motion, Tobin argues the government's allegations are insufficient for a conspiracy charge and that other charges fail to show he prevented voters from voting. |
| farm bill Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Farm Bill Session Agriculture department hears from public avbnmlfls MANCHESTER, N.H. - The U-S Department of Agriculture wants to hear what New Hampshire's people would like to see in the next farm bill. The agency today brings its nationwide listening tour to Manchester to get public suggestions as it prepares the 2007 farm bill, which accounts for agricultural spending, policy and regulation. Participants will get two minutes to comment on issues including how farm policy can improve the nation's competitiveness in global markets, how to distribute assistance to producers as well as conservation and environmental issues. |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us Monday at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. =============================== Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| prop tax Return to index of stories... |
Q How smThe case is similar to another challenge of property tax assessments brought by Portsmouth property owners. Judge Richard Galway ruled in 2001 that the statewide property tax was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court overturned that ruling. Galway has sin Robert Shaines, the Portsmouth attorney representing the plaintiffs, envisioned a wider application of McHugh's ruling. "This paves the way to strike down the statewide property tax altogether," he s "This ruling underscores why New Hampshire would be better off eliminating the statewide property tax once and for all," Lynch said. Lynch campaigned on a pledge to repeal the statewide property tax, but the school funding formula approved by the Legislature earlier this year retains the tax. A superior court judge has ruled that the statewide property tax at the heart of New Hampshire's education funding system is unconstitutional. But it's unclear what impact the ruling will have on the larger school funding debate, since it applies only to taxes collected from a handful of people in a single tax year. The ruling, issued on Friday by Judge Kenneth McHugh of Rockingham County Superior Court, came in a case brought by several property owners in Portsmouth and Rye, who challenged their 2002 property assessments. The plaintiffs argued that differing property values in different towns resulted in an unfair division of the statewide property tax burden. McHugh agreed, but he limited his opinion to the 2002 tax year. "For the tax year 2002, the statewide property tax assessments are disproportionate both within each municipality and between the various municipalities in the state," he wrote. "This disproportionality evidences a widespread scheme of intentional discrimination and is therefore unconstitutional." Since individual towns assess property, which is then taxed at a statewide rate, the tax is not equally applied, McHugh wrote. ---ADVERTISEMENT--- The ruling goes on to say that property tax assessments must be redone for 2002, with abatements for those property owners who were over-assessed. But McHugh acknowledges that the ruling will likely go before the state Supreme Court. "The court recognizes that its findings herein will create a major procedural dilemma for the state,"McHugh wrote. "... However, the court cannot ignore the constitutional mandate of the guarantee of a fair and reasonable property tax merely because the implementation of a proper tax structure will be difficult." Associate Attorney General Anne Edwards, who argued the state's case, said she would appeal McHugh's ruling. She said the ruling, if upheld, would have little influence on the ongoing school funding debate. "It doesn't apply at all to the current funding formula or the current system," she said. "And there have been significant changes since 2001 to the state's assessment method."She said the state has improved its oversight of town assessments in recent years. Robert Shaines, the Portsmouth attorney representing the plaintiffs, envisioned a wider application of McHugh's ruling. "This paves the way to strike down the statewide property tax altogether," he said. He added: "Under any view, this is an unconstitutional tax. We weren't looking to particularly break the system. But if the tax is unconstitutional, it shouldn't have been paid by anybody." The property owners, in suing their respective towns, did not claim that their individual assessments were excessive. Rather, they asked the court to find that the property tax system as a whole was irregular and unconstitutional. The towns argued that they were mandated by the state to collect statewide property taxes, so the attorney general's office handled the defense. In a written statement, Gov. John Lynch described the statewide property tax as "a gimmick that puts virtually no real money into New Hampshire's school system." "This ruling underscores why New Hampshire would be better off eliminating the statewide property tax once and for all," Lynch said. Lynch campaigned on a pledge to repeal the statewide property tax, but the school funding formula approved by the Legislature earlier this year retains the tax. That new law is being challenged in a separate court case by a coalition of communities and school districts, including Concord, that claim the law is unconstitutional because they say it fails to satisfy the requirements laid out by the New Hampshire Supreme Court nearly a decade ago: that the state must define and fund an "adequate education" for every child. Bill Chapman, a Concord attorney representing that coalition, had not seen McHugh's ruling yesterday afternoon and thus was uncertain how it might apply to his case. Senate President Ted Gatsas said he didn't expect McHugh's ruling to significantly alter the school funding debate. Gatsas was the author of the current school funding formula. "The ruling only pertains to the 2002 tax year," Gatsas said. "I would think that if somebody was looking to fund education in a different manner, maybe with an income tax, this is a ruling they could hang their hat on. But the voters of this state have already spoken out against that." The case is similar to another challenge of property tax assessments brought by Portsmouth property owners. Judge Richard Galway ruled in 2001 that the statewide property tax was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court overturned that ruling. Galway has sin BRENTWOOD, N.H. - The latest court ruling on New Hampshire's state property tax says it's unconstitutional and the governor says the state should get rid of the tax. The matter is expected to end up before the state Supreme Court again. Governor John Lynch said yesterday taxpayers, communities and the state are wrangling in court over an accounting gimmick that puts no real money into schools. He says the state would be better off eliminating the tax. For Immediate Release: Contact: Pamela Walsh Monday, October 24, 2005 271-2121 491-7124 Statement of Gov. John Lynch On Rockingham County Superior Court Decision On 2002 Statewide Property Tax Assessments "Taxpayers, local communities and the state are wrangling in court over an accounting gimmick that puts virtually no real money into New Hampshire's school system. This ruling underscores why New Hampshire would be better off eliminating the statewide property tax once and for all." # # # The latest twist in the statewide property tax fight is cruelly ironic. In 2001, Mayor Evelyn Sirrell and the 32 "Coalition Communities" successfully argued in Superior Court that the statewide property tax was unconstitutional. The favorable ruling was overturned by the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and Portsmouth, Rye, Newington and many other communities were forced to collect a statewide property tax to help fund education in property-poor school districts. This week, a case very similar to the one filed by Sirrell and the Coalition Communities was won in Superior Court by a group of 22 property owners in Rye and Portsmouth. And this time, Rye and Portsmouth found themselves under attack for collecting a tax they had fought hard not to collect back in 2001. Now the attorney general is once again stepping in and will argue that the statewide property tax is constitutional now, just as it was constitutional in 2001. There are two key differences, however: First, Judge Richard Galway, who agreed in 2001 that the statewide property tax was unconstitutional when he presided in Superior Court, now sits on the state Supreme Court. Second, the current case, argued by Portsmouth lawyers Robert Shaines and J.P. Nadeau, has the advantage of addressing the weaknesses the judges found in the Sirrell case of 2001. While the attorney general sounds confident the Supreme Court will overturn the latest ruling, anything can happen. And the worst thing that could happen to Portsmouth and Rye would be an order forcing them to pay back money they never wanted to collect from residents in the first place. That money was taken from local residents to benefit other communities, and that money was used, in some instances, for extremely questionable purposes. "If we have to pay back the taxes, then we’ll be bankrupt," the mayor said. How’s that for ironic? |
| miers Return to index of stories... |
Arguments in that case are scheduled for Nov. 30. With the nomination process about to begin all over again, it's WASHINGTON - Harriet Miers' withdrawal today as a potential Supreme Court justice puts a pending New Hampshire case in a new light. Miers' withdrawal means the justice she was chosen to replace, Sandra Day O'Connor, will delay her retirement further. O'Connor could be the swing vote when a New Hampshire abortion law hits the court next month. On November 30th, the court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of the state's law that requires a parent or guardian be informed if an underaged girl seeks an abortion. A lower court has ruled the law is unconstitutional because it lacks an exception allowing a minor to have an abortion to protect her health. O'Connor has been expected to vote to strike down the law. |
| poltiics Return to index of stories... |
Friday, October 28, 2005 at 4:00 PM Please join us at a reception for Governor John H. Lynch with special guest Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Friday, October 28, 2005 4:00 - 6:00 pm The Harvard Club Commonwealth Avenue Boston, Massachusetts $500 per person ANN LEWIS A senior advisor to the 2008 Democratic presidential Bigfoot – New York Sen. Hillary Clinton – will speak Thursday night at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. Ann Lewis heads up HILLPAC, Clinton’s political action committee, which is trying to reward many Democratic candidates in key states across the country, including this one. Lewis worked in the Clinton White House and will speak on women in politics. Her talk begins at 7 p.m. and is open Ann Lewis, a senior adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Clinton White House staffer, will speak about women in politics at The New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. Lewis was director of communications and counselor to President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2000. She also worked on the Clinton reelection campaign in 1995 and 1996. The event is free and open to the public BIDEN Showing that he is getting more serious about a run for the Democratic presidential nomination, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden will head to New Hampshire later this month to address the New Hampshire Building & Construction Trades Council. Biden will be in the Granite State for the event the week of Oct. 24; he will be accompanied at the fundraiser by Manchester Mayor Bob Baines. Earlier in the week, Biden will be in Kentucky to headline a fundraiser for the state's Democratic party. Biden has taken other steps toward a 2008 bid, including forming a leadership PAC -- Unite Our States. If the Delaware senator announces his candidacy, it would mark his second bid for the party's presidential nomination. His first attempt in 1988 ended before a single vote was cast after allegations of plagiarism came to light. Biden joins three of his Senate colleagues who are making the trek to New Hampshire this month. Tomorrow Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback will be in Manchester for a town hall sponsored by St. Anselm College. Then on Saturday, Virginia Sen. George Allen visits the city of Stratham for a reception. Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh keynotes the New Hampshire Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Manchester Delaware Sen. Joe Biden will headline a fundraiser on Nov. 1 for Democratic incumbent Mayor Bob Baines at Manchester's Alpine Club, hosted by the New Hampshire Building Trades Council. New Hampshire Travel Watch Thanks to an astute reader, we can add former North Carolina senator John Edwards to the list of politicians visiting New Hampshire in October. Edwards will be in the state on Oct. 21, visiting Dartmouth College. The visit is part of a 10-college tour by Edwards to promote "Project Opportunity" -- a new initiative to encourage young people to get involved in the fight against poverty. Today Edwards is in New York City to speak at a Service Employees International Union event with Democratic mayoral nominee Freddy Ferrer. Tomorrow he will travel to New Jersey to rake in cash for state assembly candidates in Newark. Posted on Oct. 10: Showing that he is getting more serious about a run for the Democratic presidential nomination, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden will head to New Hampshire later this month to address the New Hampshire Building & Construction Trades Council. Biden will be in the Granite State for the event the week of Oct. 24; he will be accompanied at the fundraiser by Manchester Mayor Bob Baines. Earlier in the week, Biden will be in Kentucky to headline a fundraiser for the state's Democratic party. Biden has taken other steps toward a 2008 bid, including forming a leadership PAC -- Unite Our States. If the Delaware senator announces his candidacy, it would mark his second bid for the party's presidential nomination. His first attempt in 1988 ended before a single vote was cast after allegations of plagiarism came to light. Biden joins three of his Senate colleagues who are making the trek to New Hampshire this month. Tomorrow Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback will be in Manchester for a town hall sponsored by St. Anselm College. Then on Saturday, Virginia Sen. George Allen visits the city of Stratham for a reception. Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh keynotes the New Hampshire Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Manchester on the 29th. Are there other upcoming visits I'm missing? If so, drop the information in the comments section or shoot me an e-mail. By Chris Cillizza | October 11, 2005; 12:04 PM ET | Category: Eye on 2008 Previous: New Jersey Gov. Race Tightens | Return to The Fix's Main Page | Next: The Hamlet Effect TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: http:/www.typepad.com/t/trackback/3344007 Listed below are links to weblogs that reference New Hampshire Travel Watch: CommentsPlease email us to report offensive comments. If Sen. Biden is serious about running for president he had better stop advocating the sending of more troops to Iraq. Posted by: norman | Oct 11, 2005 8:46:14 AM Not interested in Biden if his main focus isn't the internal USofA. Enough of Iraq, bring the soldiers home now! Posted by: robert gravenor | Oct 11, 2005 11:31:46 AM Lord help us all if Joe Biden and George Allen are the nominees in 2008. Posted by: chicago | Oct 11, 2005 12:08:01 PM Try Bill Richardson, governor of NM. I understand he's been looking at NH Posted by: B Weinbaum | Oct 11, 2005 1:02:51 PM If Biden or any other Democrat is serious about getting elected, he or she should postulate a plan about getting our troops out of Iraq within the next year. If not, they will joint the "Me-too" Republicans in not allowing the electorate a clear choice on Foreign Policy. It might also be wise for the Democrats to concentrate on a plan for repairing the frayed infra-structure of the US; propound a national health care plan, take the "No Child Left Behind Plan," out of its currently supine soon to be moribund state. It would also be wise when referring to Newt Gingrich,to remind voters that he was opposed to Bill Clinton's creative initiative on "National Health Care" telling the former president that if the program were passed under a Democrative administration, the Republicans wouldn't recover for three terms. Source of that comment is Clinton's book, "My Life." Surely most folks realize that Bush and his ilk have made a sorry mess of virtually everything during the last six tortuous years, but the electorate is not going to vote the Democrats in for name calling, but for constructive proposals that will improve our position, nationally and internationally. Posted by: Big Dave | Oct 11, 2005 3:21:59 PM I agree with Big Dave's post. The Democrats have to be FOR something not against everything. The Republicans are sucessful because they all sing from the same hymnal and they stick to their core beliefs even with a disastrous President, like Bush, as their leader. I just hope and pray that the tribal infighting that is bound to happen when the nomination draws near doesn't put the Democratic Party in further disarray and present a disorganized front to the undecided voters. But first let's take back the Senate in 06 and bring a little more balance to the House. Then we take care of the Presidency. Posted by: Tom in NH | Oct 11, 2005 4:48:58 PM Taking back in Senate in '06 and balancing the House are worthy goals. Bush was the man for his time in 2000 in that he was able to unite all the fractious interests in the party together. Hopefully Biden will be able to fulfill that role for Democrats in '08. Pulling out of Iraq may be the option that feels best to the American people, but the fact is most Americans supported the invasion and now it's our responsibility to fix it. Democrats like Carl Levin and Joe Biden have offered realistic, responsible actions on the issue. Withdraw that leads to a war in the Middle East and/or gasoline prices through the roof is not in the interests of the US. Posted by: Frank | Oct 11, 2005 10:29:34 PM Post a Comment BIG NAME PARADE Tentative GOP plans are on tap for a visit by Republican National Chair Ken Mehlman in December. Meanwhile, New York Gov. George Pataki will go door-to-door with Manchester GOP mayoral candidate Frank Giunta on Sunday and has cut a radio ad for Giunta, to air next week, funded by Republican First. Delaware Sen. Joe Biden will headline a fundraiser on Nov. 1 for Democratic incumbent Mayor Bob Baines at Manchester's Alpine Club, hosted by the New Hampshire Building Trades Council. Democratic National Chair Howard Dean will be in New Hampshire on Saturday, headlining a private fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee at the home of Gary and Meg Hirshberg in Concord. Later on Saturday, Dean will attend the Maine Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Lewiston. |
| evan bayh Return to index of stories... |
ADVISORY/CREDENTIALS CONTACT: NH Dem Party, 557-4704 SAT, 10/29: EVAN BAYH TO HEADLINE NH DEMS' ANNUAL JEFFERSON-JACKSON DINNER *** Radio & TV Must Register for Credentials *** Senator Evan Bayh will join Governor John Lynch and several hundred New Hampshire Democrats at their annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Saturday, October 29th in Manchester, New Hampshire. Credentials are required for radio or television reporters. For credentials, just reply to this email with the name of the reporter and the name of the media outlet, or call Katie List at 225-6899. WHAT: NH Democratic Party's Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner WHERE: Center of New Hampshire Radisson Inn Armory Room WHO: Senator Evan Bayh Governor John Lynch Other Guests WHEN: Doors open at 5:30 pm, program begins at 6:00 pm Gov. Lynch will be introduced at 6:50pm, followed by Sen. Bayh Saturday, October 29, 2005 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Room open for media set-up at 3pm. Mult. box available. ~60 foot throw. To reserve satellite truck parking please call Carol Myer at the hotel, at 603-625-1000. For an in-room telephone line, please call Verizon directly. ### |
| heating assistance Return to index of stories... |
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Two programs that help the poor pay their gas and electric bills in New Hampshire have run out of money. Southern New Hampshire Services says it has more than 45-hundred households on a waiting list for a program that lowers electric and natural gas rates for the poor. Louise Bergeron, energy director for Southern New Hampshire Services, says demand remains high, with many people are coming forward who have never sought help before. Another program, Neighbor Helping Neighbor, also is out of money. AP-NY-10-26-05 1643EDT CONCORD — New Hampshire senators are coming under pressure from oil dealers and the elderly to vote today to increase heating assistance for low-income households. Applications for assistance are running well ahead of last year, and prices are nearly double what they were two years ago. At the same time, the state has fewer dollars from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program than it got last year. Members of AARP yesterday began calling the offices of Sen. Judd Gregg and Sen. John Sununu, the two New Hampshire Republicans, urging them to vote for a bill today to release $2.9 billion that the Energy Policy Act of 2005 called for but did not allocate. Local and national fuel oil dealer groups are pressuring Congress and the White House to boost funding. Gregg responded yesterday by offering an amendment to the federal spending bill that would release $1.276 billion by making across-the-board cuts to the budgets of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments of just under 1 percent. He said the funding increase of 58 percent more covers this year’s increased cost of energy, keeping the program’s purchasing power level. Gregg voted against releasing extra funds in a procedural vote last Friday, and was criticized for casting the vote on the same day he won more than $800,000 in the Powerball lottery. Yesterday, he said, “unlike previously offered LIHEAP amendments, this proposal is fiscally responsible and does not adversely impact the budget deficit.” He said it covers increased energy costs and, “will provide real assistance to all who are dealing with high oil prices nationwide.” Sununu was not available yesterday. In a statement, he said: “I will continue to work to ensure that LIHEAP resources are available to those families in New Hampshire who need a helping hand.” Mary Ann Manoogian, director of the state Office of Energy and Planning, said local community action program offices have taken 18,680 applications for assistance so far, 31 percent ahead of last year. CAPs processed nearly 36,000 applications last heating season. People can apply through April each year. “It’s been pretty warm so far. But as people start turning on their heating systems, we’ll see more and more demand for help,” she said. Oil prices have doubled in the past year, to $2.586 a gallon yesterday. At the same time, the state’s LIHEAP allocation was cut 10 percent, from $14.7 million to $13.2 million, Manoogian said. After last’s year’s supplementary aid, the state saw a total of $18.2 million. She does not want talk of low aid levels to dissuade people from applying for assistance. “They should still apply and work with their CAP offices,” she said. Sean Cota, president of the New England Fuel Dealers Association, said dealers throughout the region back full funding of the LIHEAP program to help their customers. Cota runs Cota &Cota Inc., a fuel dealer in Bellows Falls, Vt., with customers in Vermont and New Hampshire. “Even if we had the same amount of folks receiving fuel assistance, just to keep up with energy prices increase, we need to more than double last year’s allocation,” he said. AP-NH--Heating Aid Heating programs running out of funds |
| gay marriage Return to index of stories... |
GORENSTEIN SCRIPT - Oct. 6, 2005 The same-sex marriage commission was created to consider how NH should move forward on the issues of civil unions and same sex marriages. The panel, made up of lawmakers, state officials and members of the public, began meeting in April. Since then, the Commission has held at least 35 hours of hearings.taking testimony from over 300 people across the state. This week, the panel met to start discussing its findings. But instead, a commissioner quickly introduced a motion to recommend lawmakers pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. The motion passed 7-4. And Mo Baxley, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition was surprised. T.10 13:43 I have been to every commission meeting, every minute.and to be able to come to this conclusion, just, boom, here we are, before they even discuss one piece of expert testimony, one piece of public testimony, that feels like hate. The move also caught panel member, Ray Buckley off guard. He says he believed there was agreement among Commissioners to consider common ground. T.6 3:21 I thought, right from the beginning, by taking the constitutional amendment and full marriage rights off the table, and come up with some NH-style response to this, that we were going to be able to be successful. 4:09 instead of trying to find that compromise, they decided to go right off the edge. Buckley says he has lost any hope of making a useful recommendation to lawmakers that increases equality for gays and lesbians in New Hampshire. But panel chair Representative Tony Soltani is calling for patience. He concedes his commission's actions this week send a bad message. But he predicts satisfaction, ultimately. 18:36 what I have heard from the same sex community there is a small minority that want marriage. It is the marriage that is interested in the rights and responsibilities which we are going to do. And we are going to recommend. The title of the name doesn't matter. It's what the meats and potatoes are. Supporters of same-sex marriage believe Soltani is more likely to pay lip service to their concerns over discrepancies in parental rights, hospital visitations and tax laws. But Karen Testerman, for one, is convinced some kind of change is needed. Testerman, who is the executive director of the conservative organization Cornerstone Policy Research, says she supports law changes that bring greater equality to same-sex couples on one condition. T.3 4:30 if, and that's a big if, it applies to all people who are in domestic relationships, we could have a father and a son and they would like to have reciprocal benefits, or something like that. I object to signaling out the homosexual community and say you alone in a special situation. They're not.there are two sisters living together, three in a family living together. They all deserve to have the same kind of benefits that the homosexual community is asking for. And it doesn't need to appear in a marriage per se. That strikes the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition's Mo Baxley as absurd. T.10 12:23 no one has ever come forward, no two sinsterly sisters have ever come forward and asked for this. This is a red herring, no one started talking about this, until we stared talking about marriage equality for gays and lesbians. This is purely a distraction. As the state grapples with this question of equality, Mo Baxley thinks about the some 400 laws that a married couple enjoys, that are off limits to gay and lesbian couples. That is something that Representative Tony Soltani says concerns him too. At the end of the day, Soltani remains convinced marriage is sacred. But at the same time a same-sex union is worthy of protections. 22:20 at some point in history I hope they will understand why we made the dinstinction.that distinction will exist even then. Marriage is a marriage. And a union is a union between two loving people.I believe that will continue to be viewed in annals of history. I don't think we will be judged harshly. Fellow Commissioner Ray Buckley. T.5 8:30 I think the next generation of people are not going to even realize it was illegal for same sex families to be married in NH. Just like people didn't know at one time it was illegal for Catholics to hold office or vote, or that women weren't allowed to voted.people of different races weren't allowed to married.I think the next generation of people will be shocked to find out there was such nervousness to go forward on this issue. The Commission's final report is due December 1st. For NHPR News, I'm DG. Panel rejects gay marriage amid table-pounding arguments By Beverley Wang, Associated Press Writer | October 24, 2005 CONCORD, N.H. --The state's commission on same sex unions dealt several setbacks to proponents of gay marriage Monday. A In a series of votes, the panel said it would urge state lawmakers not to allow gays to marry, not to recognize out-of-state same sex unions and not to set up a domestic partner registry for couples who cannot legally marry. "My hope is before I die I will be able to approach a justice of the peace in the state of New Hampshire and be legally married," said Ed Butler, an openly gay commission member, who had submitted the recommendation for marriage. Soon afterward the panel defeated his recommendation by a 10-2 vote. Earlier this month the panel voted to recommend a constitutional amendment stating marriage is between one woman and one man, though the measure is not expected to gain traction in the Legislature. A move on Monday to rescind that measure failed. Also on Monday, the commissioners defeated a measure stating no religious denomination "will be required to perform any marriage which is not consonant with its doctrine." They opted for a broader amendment stating "religious freedom being an essential right in New Hampshire, no person should be required to perform any marriage which would otherwise offend his or her conscience." The panel, which is expected to issue its report to the Legislature on Dec. 1, has not yet taken up Vermont-style civil unions. It meets again on Oct. 31. The commission has been meeting regularly since April, gathering testimony from the public as well as doctors, sociologists and psychologists, but their meetings often have been marked by conflicts over appointments and how to proceed. Monday's meeting was no different, as an argument between its chairman and another member broke into a shouting match. Early in the meeting, Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, R-Manchester, distributed a letter to commission members in which he accuses Rep. Tony Soltani, R-Epsom, the panel's chairman, of using homophobic slurs against an openly gay member of the commission. Arriving later, Soltani interrupted the meeting to demand Vaillancourt prove the allegations. "I would like you to explain when and where I referred to Commissioner Buckley as queer or faggot," Soltani said. Shouting and table-pounding ensued as Soltani and Vaillancourt argued. Soltani and Vaillancourt, both Republicans, sit next to each other in Representatives' Hall. Vaillancourt sent the letter to House Speaker Douglas Scamman last week. But Scamman isn't responding to the letter, so Vaillancourt took it to his fellow commission members. Soltani says he did not use the slurs against Buckley, a Democrat and former House member. "I am not going to apologize for something I didn't do," Soltani said. Buckley and Vaillancourt insist he did. "You indeed did refer to me as that every time I got onto the floor of the House," Buckley said. © Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP-NH--XGR-Gay Marriage Gay marriage commission rejects same sex marriage; continue arguing bywst CONCORD, N.H. - A state panel this afternoon voted against gay marriage, but not before a shouting match between two Republican members. Chairman Tony Soltani and Commissioner Steve Vaillancourt argued during the meeting over whether Soltani had used homophobic insults against an openly gay commissioner. Soltani denies it. Vaillancourt insists Soltani did. Vaillancourt has written a letter to the House speaker, asking for Soltani's resignation from the state's same sex marriage commission. Speaker Douglas Scamman hasn't responded to the letter. At its previous meeting, commissioners voted in favor of a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one woman and one man. Today, they also voted against recognizing out-of-state gay marriages and establishing a domestic partnership registry for couples who cannot marry legally. AP-NY-10-24-05 1655EDT |
| snow Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - Snow is falling in much of New Hampshire this morning, making driving treacherous and knocking out power. While southern parts of the state got drenching rains during the past 24 hours, northern New Hampshire, parts of the Lakes Region and the Sunapee area got its first major snow of the season. Some communities may get five to ten inches. The snow is taking down powerlines wires in many areas. Much of the state also was under a flood watch overnight. Some minor flooding was reported along the Warner River in Warner. CONCORD, N.H. - The month's not over yet, but National Weather Service meteorologists say this already has been the rainiest month on record in New Hampshire. Not counting yesterday's downpour, Concord already had broken the all-time monthly record of almost eleven inches of rain set in September 1888. More than a foot of rain already has fallen in Concord since the beginning of the month. Source: WMUR Embargo:BOSTON/MANCHESTER/DERRY SYNOPSIS -- FIRST MAJOR SNOWFALL OF THE SEASON IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. -- SUPERS- Sunapee, NH Wednesday --VIDEO SHOWS-- VS- Night time video of snow falling on trees --VO SCRIPT-- A NOR'EASTER WITH STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN HAS HIT NEW ENGLAND.AND NEW HAMPSHIRE IS GETTING ITS FIRST MAJOR SNOWSTORM OF THE SEASON. FLURRIES ARE FALLING THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE STATE, MAKING DRIVING DIFFICULT. SOME AREAS COULD GET FIVE TO TEN INCHES OF SNOW. THE NOR'EASTER ALSO BROUGHT SNOW TO NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND TO UPSTATE PORTIONS OF VERMONT, NEW YORK AND MASSACHUSETTS. |
| Post Show Log Return to index of stories... |
Director's Log: We had a very smooth show. They did a fax check at 1:30 and it all seemed to be working just fine. It was a good day, finally!! |
| audobon Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Audubon-Lay Offs, CORRECTS Audubon Society lays off eight, shifts focus nmlcon XX Corrects spokeswoman to spokesman in 2nd graf XX CONCORD, N.H. - The Audubon Society of New Hampshire has laid off eight of its staff in a restructuring to focus on conservation. Spokesman Iain MacLeod said the society plans to focus on land protection as more open land is threatened with development. Less emphasis will be placed on environmental education. Two educators, two administrative assistants, two nature store workers and two staff members who worked in membership were laid off. They were laid off last week and given no severance pay. Two full-time positions in the conservation department were also made part-time jobs. Three other workers left or were laid off over the summer. The nature store at the Massabesic Center in Auburn also is closing. The changes come as the society builds a 12 thousand 200 square foot addition to its Concord headquarters at a three-point-five million dollar cost. AP-NY-10-25-05 0706EDT |