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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Week-in-Review Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making Headlines this week- President Bush defends his budget in Manchester, Lawmakers debate a ban on Same-Sex Marriage, and should college students who live in dorms be banned from voting. Here to talk about all this and more from the State House in Concord, Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, & Colin Manning from Fosters Daily Democrat. And, here in Durham James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome to all of you. |
| Bush NH Visit Return to index of stories... |
We begin with President Bush and his stop in NH this week -- to defend his 2.7 trillion dollar budget -- which some believe spends too much and others too little. He spoke Wednesday before invited guests of the Business and Industry Association in Manchester about the state of the economy and his budget strategy. Q JAMES/JEFF: Overall Impressions? Q Who, was HIS audience. National Press there as well??? Q KEVIN/COLIN: Curious as to your thoughts on WHY he chose NH as the VENUE for his speech? Q JAMES/JEFF: No real talk about WAR costs -- although when he briefly mentioned troops he seemed to get the biggest APPLAUSE. Q Making tax cuts permanent a big theme -- popular in TAX-averse NH? Q Anything Glaring in its OMMISION? Q JAMES: Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu were slated to arrive and Depart with the President on Air Force One. How many times did Senator Judd's name get mentioned |
| Medicare Return to index of stories... |
MEDICARE was a big part of his speech. The President says Congress needs to make MORE changes to "rein-in" the COST of a program thats growing too fast. Mr Bush also promised to continue to work to reform Social Security --- which he spoke to in his LAST address in NH a year ago at Pease. Q JAMES/JEFF: MEDICARE, and Social Security reform -- given ELECTION YEAR Politics are these likely to get "Bogged down" in Congress. Q KEVIN/COLIN: Just a BRIEF mention of the Medicare Prescription DRUG program -- which has created a lot of confusion forcing the STATE to REIMBURSE Seniors struggling with the new federal program. ** How LONG will state be doing that??? |
| Presidential Politics Return to index of stories... |
The President's NH visit -- was DELAYED by a day -- due to the Coretta Scott King Funeral -- which had some political overtones. At one point, somone in the crowd shouted "Hillary for President" -- which has been the subject of a lot of discussion. Well, Senator Clinton is not due in NH this week -- but Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who's considering a run, is speaking at a Democratic fundraiser in Manchester Friday Night. Q JAMES: What can we expect. Q KEVIN: When are we likely to see Hillary Clinton -- in NH? Q U-S Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was recently here -- taking aim at the federal deficit. How did his message go over? NY Governor George Pataki here NEXT friday??? Political season Q KEVIN/COLIN: As for STATE politics -- Some New Speculation on who might be the new State GOP Chairman?? |
| Voting bill Return to index of stories... |
The right of COLLEGE students to Vote -- went before the House Election Committee this week. The Bill -- would prevent a college dorm from being considered a legal domicile for voting purposes. Q JAMES: Haven't Federal courts UPHELD students rights to vote either in their college town or back home? Q COLIN/JEFF: Homeless and emergency shelters also included? What's the RATIONALE for that? Q KEVIN/COLIN: A bill that calls for PHOTO IDs to Vote has PASSED. Will THIS bill follow suit? Q JAMES/JEFF: Why are student voters being TARGETED? Sponsor says: If stuents go home during vaction and summer == can't be considered residents of the campus town. Democrats say CONSULTANTS also impacted Q Where does this stand now? |
| Gay Marriage Return to index of stories... |
The Debate over Gay marriage was back before Lawmakers this week. At Issue: whether the NH Constitution should be amended to BAN same sex marriage. Tuesday's Hearing before the House Judiciary Committee was a long one. It takes a lot to change NH's Constitution. The proposal would have to pass the House and Senate by a 3/5ths majority, before going to a public vote, where it would need a 2/3rds majority to pass. Q KEVIN/JAMES: Doesn't NH Law already BAN same-SEX Marriage. WHY the need for an amendment?? ** 2 years ago NH Legislature passed BILL stating out-of-state same sex marriages would not be recognized in New Hampshire. Q KEVIN/COLIN: Certainly PASSIONATE debate -- SOME say Testimony More CIVIL than in PAST Hearings? TRUE? ANY SENSE AS TO WHY? Q Big turnout -- Were MOST opposed to the amendment?? Q Judicial ACTIVISM was brought up -- and the FEAR that JUDGES could OVER-TURN the state's CURRENT law? Q References made to the MA Supreme Court -- which STRUCK down a BAN on Gay Marriage and gave lawmakers 6 months to fix state laws. ** A major ISSUE in the 04 Presidential Election. ** Q KEVIN/COLIN: Last time a Constitutional amendment was APPROVED was in 19-90. What's your SENSE on this one? Q A gathering today at the LOB to celebrate what they call "MARRIAGE WEEK in NH". They thanked Gov Lynch for a proclamation that lauds traditional marriage. What do you make of this? Is this an effort to DRAW the Governor into the debate over the const. amendment. |
| Property Tax Repeal Return to index of stories... |
Efforts to REPEAL the statewide Property Tax -- back before Lawmakers this week. The tax was enacted 7 years ago to FUND public Education -- and has been contentious ever since. Q KEVIN/COLIN: Fill us in on what went down this week? Senate BLOCKED a bill to REPEAL. ** Vote along PARTY LINES. Q For the most part -- Public EDUCATION is bankrolled by local PROPERTY taxes. Eliminating it -- say Republicans would be IRRESPONSIBLE. Q Is THIS going nowhere fast? |
| Ground Flood/money Return to index of stories... |
The issue of FLOOD RELIEF went before the House Finance Committee this week. the legislation is aimed at helping the hardest-hit victims of the October floods in the southwestern part of the state. The measure would allow the state to purchase property located in 4 towns severely damaged or destroyed by the floods. On Wednesday, Committee members heard testimony from residents who described their losses. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to Kevin Landrigan and Colin Manning at the State House in Concord and James Pindell and Jeff Feingold here in Durham. And, thank you for watching. I'm Beth Carroll. I'll see you next time. |
| state gop Return to index of stories... |
News tips & feedbackNext GOP chief faces a big job By JOHN DISTASO Senior Political Reporter Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006 No major candidate for governor. No immediate prospects for a new chairman. Very little money on hand. And, some say, shoddy organization and no message. That is the state of the New Hampshire Republican Party this morning. It’s not a pretty picture, but GOP activists say it’s not as bad as all that. They insist that the announced resignation of party chairman Warren Henderson last week, effective Feb. 14, appears to have finally woken up a host of activists who used to have much to do with the party’s former dominance in state politics. Times are indeed difficult, but all is not lost, Republicans say. The GOP still has all four of New Hampshire’s seats in Congress, four of the five Executive Council seats and big majorities in the state Senate and House. But New Hampshire Republican unity and energy has generally flowed from the governor’s office, the rips and tears apparent during the Craig Benson administration notwithstanding. Democrat John Lynch holds the office now, and, barring a political earthquake, will hold it again in 2007 and 2008. Another big Lynch win in November could bring with it deeper losses for the GOP. And that makes the position of party chairman even more important today than during times of Republican administrations at the State House, Republicans say. Party activists contend that while Henderson’s resignation for family reasons was regrettable, it will be a catalyst to rebuild. They say it is now imperative to install a strong chairman lest they suffer a disastrous November. But who? After the leadership’s consensus choice, party finance co-chair Sean Mahoney, turned down the post last Thursday, a hosts of names began churning through the rumor mill. Phones have been busy and emails have been flying for the past few days, and Republican National Committeeman Tom Rath, who is in the middle of the recruitment effort, expects news early this week. A sampling of those who have been asked to consider the post or have expressed interest includes attorney James Merrill, strategists Lauren Carney and James McKay of Norway Hill Associates, state Rep. Fran Wendelboe, former party executive director Paul Young and former party political director Patrick Hynes. NHInsider.com is running polls asking who should be the next Republican chair and which Republican has the best chance of defeating Lynch in November. But, say party activists, many of whom formerly held key state party posts, it’s not an easy job, especially now. “It’s a daunting challenge,” says Steve Duprey, who chaired the party from 1993 to 2001, with a 15-month hiatus in from late 1995 through early 1997. “It feels a little bit like being asked to join General Washington’s staff at Valley Forge,” he said. “It’ not the best of times.” Duprey said he turned down several requests to return to the post, citing business and family responsibilities. He said his wife, attorney Susan Duprey, did the same, for similar reasons. “I think people have realized that when they look at the phone jamming situation and things like that, even though it happened three years ago, it’s been demoralizing to the troops,” said Steve Duprey. The 2002 phone jamming scandal has been in the news frequently for the past year as Republican officials were indicted on federal charges, pleaded guilty or were found guilty. “The chairman is on the hook and needs to be there full-time,” Duprey said. “It’s essentially a full-time, unpaid job. “There is a big election coming up, and the state in the last election went blue” by supporting John Kerry for President and electing Lynch, Duprey said. “We have a Republican House speaker who was elected by a coalition that prominently included Democrats. We have a Senate President also elected by a coalition after a nasty public fight with his Republican predecessor. “It’s not the most attractive position right now,” Duprey said. Whoever takes the post “needs to get the activists back involved. They’re already late on candidate recruitment. And they have to get the state senators to unify. And they’ve got to raise money.” The state Republican Party entered 2005 with $25,056 on hand, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. It raised $282,885 and spent $307, 941 during the year, leaving $1,896 on hand. The Democratic State Committee reported entering 2005 with $173,799, and raised $324,657 while spending $439,414 the year. It reported cash on hand of $59,043, but debts and obligations totaling $29,657. “If times were better and we had a Republican governor, I’m sure they’d be standing on line saying, ‘Sign me up,’” Duprey said. Former House speaker Donna Sytek was the GOP state chair from 1981 to 1984. Sytek moved from party vice chair to chair after Carroll Jones left the state to take a position in the Reagan administration. “There used to be a logical succession,” Sytek said. The current vice chair, Wayne MacDonald, has said he would consider the post, but Sytek noted that as a full time investigator at the state Department of Health and Human Services, he would be in a delicate position as the lead critic of Lynch, who is officially his boss. Sytek said she took over a GOP about $80,000 in the red, “and we were able to turn it around,” partly because of the energy generated by John H. Sununu’s victory in the 1982 governor’s election. “Now they are starting in a hole, and last year, the presiding officers in the House and Senate were bounced out. “That, plus the financial difficulties and the lack of a bullpen of strong candidates to go out and run for governor doesn’t make it very attractive,” Sytek said. “Usually a governor anoints someone,” Sytek said. She said former candidate for governor Bruce Keough “anointed” Henderson when Keough was thinking seriously of running against Lynch. But Keough recently said he will probably not challenge the governor. “To do it right,” Sytek said, “it should be a full-time job, and who can afford to do that?” Wendelboe said she has been approached by several Republicans asking her to consider the chairmanship. “I think Sean Mahoney would have been excellent, but how do you give up a living wage?” she said. She agreed that the lack of Republican governor to anoint a chairman complicates the issue. “And looking at the executive committee, there really isn’t anyone there,” she said. “We need someone who is articulate and has the financial means to take a full-time position that offers no pay. “We have a challenging election coming up,” Wendelboe said. “We need party unity. It’s time to put ideological arguments aside. And we need everyone to chip in and do fundraising. The Democrats are going to be united. We need to be, too.” Young and Hynes said the demands placed on a single chairman has party leaders considering a team concept. “The party faces significant challenges,” said Young, a former state GOP executive director who now heads a marketing firm. “We’ll find a party chair and we’ll find a good one,” Young said. “It’s a serious commitment to overcome all these challenges and raise money and be an effective spokesperson for the party. He said the party needs to raise “several hundred thousand dollars” this year. Hynes, a former state GOP political director who works with Young at Calypso Communications, Inc., said, “I don’t think you’d want a co-chairmanship, but I think you do want a team of people who can provide overall leadership.” |
| medicare Return to index of stories... |
Lynch wants state to continue helping sort out Medicare problems dewnasho CONCORD, N.H. - Governor John Lynch wants the state to continue reimbursing senior citizens struggling with the new Medicare prescription program in New Hampshire. The governor says he doubts Washington will be able to fix problems in the program by the end of this month, so he's asked lawmakers to extend the state reimbursement for four months. He says pharmacists still are reporting people are not listed in the Medicare system or are not enrolled in the proper program, so the government is not paying for their medicine. The state has been paying for the prescriptions, and will file to get the money back from Medicare when the kinks are ironed out. Meanwhile, Congressman Charles Bass is urging residents who continue to have problems with the new program to call one of his offices or fill out a form on his Web site. It's www.house.gov/bass. AP-NY-02-09-06 0631EST |
| state property Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - Voting along party lines this afternoon, Republicans in the New Hampshire state Senate blocked a bill to repeal the state education property tax. The vote was 15 to eight. Democrats argued that the majority Republicans had promised to get rid of the tax by the end of 2003 and that the tax was enacted seven years ago as a short-term fix to fund public education. But Republicans said eliminating the tax without replacing a way to help fund education would be irresponsible. For the most part, pubic education in New Hampshire is bankrolled with local property taxes. The state property tax has been contentious ever since it was enacted in response to a state Supreme Court decision that the state must provide children with an adequate education. |
| Tonight at 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us Monday at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Public Television. =============================== Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| Warner /Pataki Return to index of stories... |
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who is considering whether to run for president, heads back to New Hampshire tomorrow for a major Democratic fundraiser. Warner will speak at the state Democratic Party's annual 100 Club dinner in Manchester. Governor Mark Warner will join Governor John Lynch and several hundred New Hampshire Democrats at the annual 100 Club Dinner on Friday, February 10 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 Dems Annual 100 Club Dinner WHERE: Center of New Hampshire Radisson Inn Main Ballroom WHO: Fmr. Governor Mark Warner Governor John Lynch Other Guests WHEN: Doors open at 6:45 pm, program begins at 7:00 pm Friday, February 10, 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. ### GOV. MARK WARNER TO HEADLINE NH DEMS' ANNUAL 100 CLUB DINNER ON FEBRUARY 10 MANCHESTER, NH -- Governor Mark Warner of Virginia will be the keynote speaker at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's annual 100 Club Dinner on Friday, February 10th in Manchester, New Hampshire. The dinner will take place at the Center of New Hampshire Radisson Inn, and will begin at 7pm. "Governor Warner sparked some real interest on his trip here last month, and we are very excited to have him back in the Granite State for the 100 Club Dinner," said NH Democratic Party Chair Kathy Sullivan. "Mark Warner is one of the few Governors in the country with home-state support as strong as our own Governor, John Lynch, and we look forward to hearing from him about his tenure in office and his vision for our country." Tickets for the dinner are $100, available at www.nhdp.org and by calling 225-6899. Credentialing information for the media will be sent in mid-January. WHAT: Annual NH Democratic Party 100 Club Dinner WHO: Governor Mark Warner WHEN: Friday, February 10, 2006 7pm WHERE: Center of New Hampshire Radisson Inn Manchester, NH ### Pataki --= next friday. |
| Frist Return to index of stories... |
Frist vows to reduce federal debt By JAMES W. PINDELL PoliticsNH.com HAMPSTEAD, Feb. 4 - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist visited New Hampshire for the first time in about six months vowing to rein in the large federal deficit. In an audience including Senate Budget Chairman Judd Gregg , Sen. John E. Sununu and about 300 tax cutting minded Granite Staters, Frist said "the biggest challenge" was the eight trillion dollar federal debt. "The simple fact is, we need to put an end to wasteful Washington spending and balance our books, Frist said. "No more hidden earmarks. No more runaway entitlement spending. No more mortgaging our children's future. No more bridges to nowhere." This was Frist's third trip since the 2004 election, but the first trip in about nine months. Speaking to reporters, Frist said he feels he must travel around the country - including Iowa and New Hampshire - to help build the party. "It's part of my duties with the leadership role I served in the Senate," Frist said. This is not to suggest that he isn't thinking about a presidential run. As he said, he will retire from the Senate in November, go back to the home where he grew up in Tennessee, and make a decision about a White House bid in January 2007. If he was looking for any guidance from this crowd the general mood would suggest he'd receive a lot of polite answers, but not a lot of enthusiasm. That said, Frist helped the Republican committees of Derry, Portsmouth and Rockingham County sell about 130 more tickets than last year's speaker, White House Chief of Staff Andy Card. In his introduction, Gregg compared Frist to philosopher Thomas More because like More, First has lived "a full life". Senate President Ted Gatsas said he was impressive. State Rep. Ken Wyler said "he liked what he heard". And Senate Majority Leader Bob Clegg also used the word "impressive". But all of these would agree that it is still too early to be falling behind a candidate, and even if they were, it's not highly likely that they would be falling behind Frist this week. "This is New Hampshire we'll take our time and be courted a little," Greg Moore, the spokesman for Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen. State Sen. Jack Barnes said he still remained skeptical when it came to Frist's call to reduce debt. "I'll believe it when I see it," Barnes said. |
| eMINENT domain Return to index of stories... |
Senators Hold Hearing on Eminent Domain Reported by David Darman on Wednesday, February 8, 2006. listen: No audio currently available. Order on CD. The Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Committee today heard testimony as to whether the state should strengthen its eminent domain laws. A rough transcript follows: Those who argued to strengthen New Hampshire's law said they thought government power to seize private property was growing too strong. Democratic Senator David Gottesman of Nashua co sponsored the measure. He said he thought it would curb the excesses that have developed in other states. we as legislators need to make sure that nh's cities and towns are not forcing landowners to sell their land below market value with threats of eminent domain. the practice of condemning property, simply to devalue it and then selling it to the highest bidder in the name of public good is not the way to treat landowners in the state of nh. The measure is sure to pass, since all 24 senators are sponsors. Its one of several measures in the Legislature that have been filed in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last June in Kelo versus New London, Connecticut. In that case, the court upheld New London's taking of private homes and businesses for a developer to construct a luxury hotel, upscale condominiums, and new office buildings. The rationale for the taking was that the development would be in the best economic interest of city residents. In New Hampshire, the Legislature is aiming to focus the state's eminent domain law to make sure takings are not for economic gain, but strictly for public use. In that light, takings for roads and highways seem well within bounds. But Edwin Smith of the Department of Transportation testified at least 3 recent eminent domain takings were done at least partially for economic gain. there are three projects in the state that when we were developing the purpose and needs statement economic development was used as one of the reasons why the project was done. they're listed here the manchester airport access road, rochester spaulding turnpike exit 10 and the derry londonderry exit 4a. these are the only three projects we have that are done this way. the rest of them are all for safety purposes or whatever, but this could be in the strict sense of the word, not for public use. In other cases in New Hampshire in recent years, the right of eminent domain was exercised three times. In one, the state had to resort to eminent domain to allow Fraser Papers to buy the idle pulp mill in Berlin. In another, Manchester had to reach for the power to get the Verizon Wireless Arena constructed. Concord has also used eminent domain, to clear the way for a downtown hotel to build a conference center. That hotel never did go through with the plan, but the city did eventually get their center. In each of these cases, the takings were done with landowner approval. Cordell Johnson of New Hampshire's Municipal Association told the committee that the bill before the senators would prohibit transactions like these. all of those transactions would have been prohibited under this bill. and these are cases where no one objected the property owner was always willing to sell. so what we have, we have a procedure that is almost never used. and in the rare cases where it has been used, everyone wins. no one objects. no one's property rights are impinged. its a winning situation all around. so now we're introducing a bill to make that illegal. i know that's not what's intended. but that's what's going to happen because this bill would prohibit these so called friendly taking as well as these coercive takings everyone is worried about. Johnson and other critics urged the senators to pass a measure that included a study to consider the eminent domain question a little longer. And they also said a one year moratorium would be a good idea, to give lawmakers time to consider the unintended consequences of tightening eminent domain law. 207 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301-5003 / phone 603.228.8910 / fax 603 |
| Tobin/ Phone jam Return to index of stories... |
bc-DNC-NH-voting $2.5 Million and Counting; Union Leader Reports That Republican National Committee May Have Paid Legal Bills for Operative, Says DNC To: State Desk, Political Reporter Contact: Damien LaVera of the Republican National Committee, 202-863-8148 WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Union Leader today reported that the Republican National Committee may now have paid as much as $2.5 million in legal bills for a political operative convicted of two criminal charges stemming from an Election Day phone-jamming scheme that disenfranchised countless New Hampshire voters in 2002. According to the report, the RNC's most recent Federal Election Commission filings indicate that the RNC paid $1,771,360.21 on December 15 to the law firm representing James Tobin, President Bush's 2004 New England campaign chairman and a former RNC political director. After Tobin was convicted in December, the RNC confirmed that it had already paid more than $722,000 in Tobin's legal bills. The new payment means the RNC may have paid as much as $2.5 million for Tobin's legal defense. "It was bad enough for the Republican Party to pay so much money to defend a man who conspired to disenfranchise so many voters, but to see that those payments may be continuing is truly disturbing," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "Together, American can do better. Instead of paying millions of dollars to defend a criminal who broke the law to keep people from voting, the RNC should join Democrats in fighting to make it easier for Americans to vote and to have their votes counted." ------ Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http:/www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. http:/www.usnewswire.com -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 211 AP-NY-02-09-06 1557EST |
| voting Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's Democratic Party chairwoman says a bill to ban students who live in college dorms from voting in college towns is an attempt by Republicans to get an edge. Kathleen Sullivan says students live in the state at least nine months of the year and have a right to vote. The sponsor, Mont Vernon Republican William O'Brien, says if students go to their parents' home during vacation weeks or the summer, they can't really be considered residents of the campus town. AP-NH--Student Voting CORRECTION Sullivan blasts bill that would restrict dorm resident voting dewbc Restores dropped word "to" in final graf CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's Democratic Party chairwoman says a bill to ban students who live in college dorms from voting in college towns is just an attempt by Republicans to get an edge. Mont Vernon Republican William O'Brien sponsored the bill, saying students should only be allowed to vote if they have made a commitment to the town they live in. Democrat Kathleen Sullivan says the bill is unconstitutional because students live in the state at least nine months of the year and have a right to vote. She also says the ban might affect others, including consultants, for instance, who may move to the state for two years under a work contract. O'Brien says if students leave dorms to go to their parents' home during vacation weeks or the summer, they can't really be considered residents of the campus town. AP-NY-02-09-06 1315EST ill would restrict voting for college dorm residents dewman CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire lawmakers are considering a proposal to ban students who live in college dorms from voting in college towns. Mont Vernon Republican William OBrien says students should only be allowed to vote if they have made a commitment to the town they live in. Opponents say the bill is unconstitutional because it creates different classes of voters. Students who live in other forms of housing, such as fraternity houses, would not be excluded from being a qualified voter in the town. OBrien says if students leave dorms to go their parents' home during vacation weeks or the summer, they cant really be considered residents of the campus town. AP-NY-02-08-06 0804EST |
| flood money Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's Executive Council votes today on accepting ten million dollars in federal money to help pay for the damage from October's flooding in the southwestern part of the state. The payments reimburse the state for fixing roads and dams and for other expenses tied to the floods which tore through southwestern New Hampshire. For Immediate Release: Contact: Pamela Walsh Wednesday, February 8, 2006 271-2121 491-7124 Governor Urges House Finance to Support Legislation To Help Hardest-Hit Victims of October Floods CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today urged members of the House Finance Committee to support legislation to help the hardest-hit victims of the October floods. "The damage from the October floods was unprecedented in modern New Hampshire history. I believe the exceptional nature of this disaster calls for exceptional action by the state," Gov. Lynch wrote members of the Finance Committee. "Through federal and nonprofit assistance, most of the victims of these floods have been able to rebuild their lives. But a handful of families, living in or near Alstead, lost everything and without some additional assistance they may not be able to recover. These are our neighbors, and we should help them," Gov. Lynch wrote. Gov. Lynch asked the Finance Committee in a letter to support House Bill 1767, legislation that would allow the state to purchase property located in Alstead, Acworth, Langdon and Walpole that was severely damaged or destroyed by the floods. The property would be purchased at pre-flood assessed value minus the total amount of financial aid the property owner received from any other source, such as federal disaster aid or insurance payments. No property owner would be required to sell. The legislation is sponsored by Representatives Dan Eaton, Jay Phinizy, Jack Pratt, Liz Hager, Deborah Hogancamp, and Sen. Bob Odell. Gov. Lynch has also asked the legislature to support a bill providing assistance to communities. The federal government pays 75 percent of disaster costs, and the state and local communities normally split the remainder equally. Given the scope of the damage in the floods, that is more than some communities can afford. Gov. Lynch has asked the legislature to pass a bill covering all but $5,000 of the required match for each community. The complete text of Gov. Lynch's letter follows. # # # Dear Chairman King and Members of the Committee: The damage from the October floods was unprecedented in modern New Hampshire history. I believe the exceptional nature of this disaster calls for exceptional action by the state. Through federal and nonprofit assistance, most of the victims of these floods have been able to rebuild their lives. But a handful of families, living in or near Alstead, lost everything and without some additional assistance they may not be able to recover. These are our neighbors, and we should help them. House Bill 1767 is the best legislative vehicle available at present to expedite assistance to the individual homeowners who lost so much because of the October floods. I ask you and your committee to support relief legislation so that we will be able to help these citizens reestablish their permanent homes and move on with their lives. I want to thank you and your colleagues again for working so closely with me to help those communities and citizens adversely affected by the floods of October 2005. Sincerely, John H. Lynch Governor |
| Key: National Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/10/06 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:10 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Week-in-Review Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making headlines this week, President Bush defends his budget in Manchester, Lawmakers debate a ban on Same-Sex Marriage, and should college students who live in dorms be banned from voting. Here to talk about all this and more from the State House in Concord, Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, & Colin Manning from Fosters Daily Democrat. And, here in Durham James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome to all of you. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Colin Manning\Fosters Daily Democrat, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review |
| Key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/10/06 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:10 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Week-in-Review Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making headlines this week, President Bush defends his budget in Manchester, Lawmakers debate a ban on Same-Sex Marriage, and should college students who live in dorms be banned from voting. Here to talk about all this and more from the State House in Concord, Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, & Colin Manning from Fosters Daily Democrat. And, here in Durham James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome to all of you. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Colin Manning\Fosters Daily Democrat, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review |
| key: Minorities / Civil Rights Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/10/06 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:10 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Week-in-Review Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making headlines this week, President Bush defends his budget in Manchester, Lawmakers debate a ban on Same-Sex Marriage, and should college students who live in dorms be banned from voting. Here to talk about all this and more from the State House in Concord, Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, & Colin Manning from Fosters Daily Democrat. And, here in Durham James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome to all of you. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Colin Manning\Fosters Daily Democrat, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/10/06 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:10 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Week-in-Review Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making headlines this week, President Bush defends his budget in Manchester, Lawmakers debate a ban on Same-Sex Marriage, and should college students who live in dorms be banned from voting. Here to talk about all this and more from the State House in Concord, Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, & Colin Manning from Fosters Daily Democrat. And, here in Durham James Pindell from PoliticsNH.com and Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review. Welcome to all of you. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Colin Manning\Fosters Daily Democrat, James Pindell\PoliticsNH.com, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review |
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Friday February 10, 2006 The show went well. Stephanie did audio and master again and we checked everything at 1:00 and that seemed to help. One of the lights went out and Ron very nicely helped fix it. Thanks Ron. Charlene has been ADing on Fridays and she is getting better at not talking too much during the show and being alert to telling me key cues. Everything went well. |