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 PreshowReturn to index of stories... |
State lawmakers take on some hefty topics. From the Iraq War, to Gay Marriage to Education Funding. We'll hear from Journalists covering the beat. That's Now on NH Outlook, where NH talks. |
| Hello/Intro Return to index of stories... |
This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, for a look at the ever quickening pace of the 2007 legislative agenda. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. A flurry of activity in Concord this week as lawmakers try to sort thru a slew of controversial bills including Gay Marriage, the Death Penalty, and the View tax. Slowing things down a bit -- a debate over troop withdrawal in Iraq. Here to talk all this and more. Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. This past week, the NH House passed a resolution calling on the President to withdraw troops from Iraq. Coincidentally, Iowa, another early voting state in the presidential primary. passed a similiar resolution. The action taken in "both" states as Congress considers a similiar measure. Q Critics argue the resolution is about POLITICS. KEVIN: What are we make of this? Q Was the vote along party lines Q I understand some heated exchanges? A tense session. 2 hours of debate. Opponents lined up to register their protest. Q Foreign Policy -- hmm, isn't that what CONGRESS is for? ** Some might argue state Legislatures should concentrate on issues in their DISTRICTS as opposed to foreign policy. *** Q The Iraq war -- is a major issue in the presidential primaries. Not suprising that Iowa and NH would jump in the forefront with STATE legislature. |
| Conversation Return to index of stories... |
Q Speaking of the PRIMARY. The House aproved a bill giving the Sec of State AUTHORITY to schedule NH"s primary BEFORE the Iowa and Nevada caucuses, if he wants to. ** Didn't Bill Gardener already HAVE the authority to SET the primary date? Q Traditionally, Iowa caucus PRECEDES NH's primary. Will Bill Gardener LEAPFROG over Iowa in 08?? CONTROVERSIAL issues BEFORE lawmakers this week? NH's death penalty still alive. The House REJECTING efforts to Repeal it? Q How much did the shooting death of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs back in Oct INFLUENCE the debate? Q What would the bill have done. It failed 185-173. CIVIL UNIONS New Hampshire is one step closer to joining its neighbors in Vermont and Massachusetts who already recognize the rights of same sex couple. The New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee has endorsed the creation of civil unions. --A House panel took a historic step Thursday, endorsing the creation of civil unions for same-sex couples in New Hampshire. If civil unions pass, New Hampshire will join Vermont, New Jersey and Connecticut among states allowing the unions. Q Action also taken on GAY MARRIAGE. A proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage was DEFEATED. ANY SUPRISES HERE? Q VIEW TAX. A defeat for opponents of a View TAX --with the House voting against a proposal to take a property's VIEW out of the formula used for ASSESSING its value. NOT a popular concept with property owners. ** Give us a little background on this??? Q Critics argue that puts pressure on large landowners to sell. Supporters say leaving it out SKEW the fair market value as proponents argue? Q Ban against GREYHOUND Racing? Q Adequate EDUCATION The House -- voted to mandate a Half-day of KINDERGARTEN as part of a constitutinally ADEQUATE Education in NH. NH Only state W/O universal kindergarten - ** Lynch's proposal would divide the responsibility of paying for every child's basic education between the state and the local school districts. ** Lynch's proposal would allow the Legislature to send education aid to towns and cities solely based on need. This approach - called targeted aid - Q Kevin-- you say Gov's plan should have no problem passing Senate? April 3rd first public hearing What will this do for donor towns? Is ANYONE in House on board? FIGHT in House expected?? MANDATORY SEATBELTS |
| Thanks/Goodbye Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to Kevin Landrigan, Jeff Feingold and Josh Rogers. Special thanks to our hosts here at the NH Political Library and thank you for watching NH Outlook. Where NH Talks. I'm Beth Carroll. I'll see you around NH. |
| Death Penalty Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - With its first test in a decade pending, New Hampshire's House today kept the state's death penalty alive. The House rejected a proposal to repeal the death penalty. The state is pursuing the death penalty in the capital murder case of Michael Addison, who is accused of killing Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs last fall. AP-NH-XGR--Death Penalty,0155 N.H. House rejects repeal of death penalty dewst CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's death penalty lives. In a close vote this afternoon, the House decided to keep New Hampshire's death penalty law that faces its first test in a decade. The shooting death last October of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs influenced the debate. Attorney Kelly Ayotte had told lawmakers that repealing the death penalty so soon after Briggs' murder would be an insult to law enforcement. The bill would have made the limited number of capital crimes subject to life without parole instead of death - effectively repealing the state's death penalty. It failed 185-173. Ayotte's office is preparing a capital murder case against Michael Addison, who is accused of shooting Briggs. The state says it will pursue the death penalty in the Addison case. Repeal supporters argued that justice should not be about revenge, and capital punishment is nothing more than the government taking revenge. AP-NY-03-27-07 1252EDT |
| View Tax Return to index of stories... |
N.H. kills "view tax" ban. CONCORD, N.H. - Opponents of the so-called 'view tax' in New Hampshire suffered a defeat this morning. The House rejected a proposal to take a property's view out of the formula used to assess its value. The majority said leaving out the view would skew the fair market value. Others said using a view to assess property will fragment the state and destroy its rural character as large landowners are forced to sell off their land in small parcels. Controversy erupted in 2005 after assessing firms began assigning a separate value to beautiful views, either as a dollar amount or a multiplier applied to the basic value of the land and property. |
| Iraq Resolution Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - The New Hampshire House has approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for withdrawal from Iraq, but does not set a deadline. Critics said the resolution would mean little in Washington, but would hurt the troops' morale and give satisfaction to the enemy; the vote was 214-to-151. this resolution also comes on the heels of a similar resolution passed by the Iowa State Senate, another early voting state in the upcoming presidential primary. AP-NH-XGR--Iraq Resolution,0081 N.H. House debates Iraq war dewst CONCORD, N.H. - The New Hampshire House is calling on the president to begin withdrawing American forces from Iraq. The non-binding resolution approved this afternoon does not set a deadline. Chesterfield Democrat Timothy Butterworth says those in favor support the military and the troops in Iraq, but not the policies that put them there. Critics said the resolution would mean little in Washington, but would hurt the troops' morale and help the enemy. The message passed 214-151. AP-NY-03-28-07 1332EDT |
| Primary Bill Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH-XGR--Primary Bill,0185 Bill clarifies secretary of state's right to set primary date kwwwwfls CONCORD, N.H. - The New Hampshire House has approved a bill giving Secretary of State Bill Gardner clear authority to schedule New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary before the Iowa and Nevada caucuses -- if he wants to. State law requires the secretary of state to schedule the primary on a Tuesday a week or more before any "similar election." The bill gives Gardner the sole authority to decide what constitutes a similar election. In the past, Gardner hasn't challenged Iowa's caucuses, historically held before the New Hampshire primary. But last summer, the Democratic National Committee voted to squeeze Nevada between Iowa and New Hampshire, then hold South Carolina's primary before opening up the nominating calendar. Now the calendar is a moving target, as more and more states vote to move up their contests. No one knows what Gardner will do in 2008, but he's widely expected to leapfrog ahead of both Iowa and Nevada. Representative Jim Splaine, who sponsored the bill, says he wants to ward off legal challenges by other states or the national parties. AP-NY-03-28-07 1602EDT |
| bills Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's House has defeated a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. But is has postponed action on a bill to create civil unions for same-sex couples until next Wednesday. CONCORD, N.H. - It was a close vote, but New Hampshire's House has rejected legalizing marijuana use for medicinal purposes. Supporters argued marijuana is the only drug that helps people with some illnesses, but opponents said the bill had too many problems, especially on controlling who could grow marijuana. |
| MORE QUES Return to index of stories... |
to beat deadlines. repeal of death peanlty 12 votes toughter sell in House Mandatory kindergarten historic vote 4 to add civil unions to our law book if passes house and senate Not curtail dog racing House voted to pay legal fees of Brock Killed plan to take up view tax several hundred bills before done this wee then goes to Senate. cross over day Marriage civil unions gay marriage bill to allow same sex marriage. Civil unions bill expectations it will pass before full House wed took away from debate in cmte.compromise something expected inevitable. |
| Adequate Education Return to index of stories... |
Governor Lynch Applauds House Vote To Define An Adequate Education CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch applauded a House vote today defining an adequate education. The legislation, HB 927, sponsored by a group of bi-partisan lawmakers, is based on New Hampshire's existing school approval standards and curriculum frameworks. "Today was a significant step forward in meeting our obligation to define an adequate education," Gov. Lynch said. "I look forward to continue working with members of the House and Senate as this definition makes its way through the legislative process. I thank House members for all their hard work on this important issue." Gov. Lynch worked with the bi-partisan coalition of lawmakers and officials from the state departments of Education and Justice to develop a definition. "Defining an adequate education will ensure our young people have the varied educational opportunities they need to compete in today's world," Gov. Lynch said. In September, the state Supreme Court directed the legislature to define an adequate education by June 30. Kindergarten in adequacy definition klmnml CONCORD, N.H. - The New Hampshire House has voted to require the state to provide a half-day of kindergarten as part of a constitutionally adequate education. Critics said that would mandate kindergarten and potentially cost the state millions of dollars. Laconia Democrat Judith Reever said research has shown that kindergarten establishes a solid foundation for children that benefits them as they go through life. New Hampshire is the only state without universal kindergarten - though all but 13 districts provide it voluntarily, according to the state Department of Education. Two more districts plan to offer it in the fall, further expanding its availability. The state Supreme Court gave the state until July First to define an adequate education simply enough to determine its cost. AP-NY-03-27-07 1816EDT AP-NH--Education Bills,0117 Lawmakers to begin debating education bills dew CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire House members begin a debate today to try to define an adequate education. Two main proposals are on the table, with one including a half-day kindergarten program as a standard piece of every child's education. Democrats favor that plan, but Republicans oppose it, saying the requirement would be an unfunded mandate on schools that is barred by the Constitution. It will be a long two days for the House. The education definition bill is one of nearly 400 up for consideration today and tomorrow. Others include repealing the death penalty, legalizing civil unions, making seat belt use mandatory, banning greyhound racing and changing the right-to-know law. CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire House members begin a debate today to try to define an adequate education. Two main proposals are on the table, with one including a half-day kindergarten program as a standard piece of every child's education. |
| Lynch Amendment Return to index of stories... |
Just an FYI - http:/www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/REPOSITORY/703290327 Editorial Lynch amendment strikes good balance Monitor staff March 29. 2007 8:00AM Gov. John Lynch's proposed constitutional amendment would affirm key parts of the state Supreme Court's school funding decisions and overrule others. The balance is sensible, and lawmakers should give the idea serious consideration. It has been a decade since the court's second Claremont ruling, which found unconstitutional the state's near-total reliance on local property taxes to pay for public education. Since then, most proposals to amend the constitution on this topic have come from critics eager to get the court out of the debate altogether. These would have been a step backward, and the children and taxpayers of the state's poorest communities would have suffered for it. Lynch's amendment, by contrast, is a step forward. It embraces the most important principle of the school funding cases: that a child's opportunity for advancement through public education should not be a function of where he or she lives. All New Hampshire children have the same right to an education. Lynch's proposal makes explicit the state's duty to ensure that all of them receive the best education they can. There is a vital difference, however, between saying the state has a duty to bolster the educational opportunity of children living in relatively poor communities and saying the state must pay for the basic education of every child in every community. To the extent that the Supreme Court's rulings have called for the latter, Lynch's amendment would overturn them. There are two crucial concepts here. Both have common sense on their side. First, Lynch's proposal would divide the responsibility of paying for every child's basic education between the state and the local school districts. It would remain, as the court has mandated, the Legislature's job to define an adequate education and determine its cost. But whereas the court has said that state dollars must cover the entire cost, Lynch would require the state to pay only half of the total. Second, Lynch's proposal would allow the Legislature to send education aid to towns and cities solely based on need. This approach - called targeted aid - is the fairest and most efficient way to help communities with relatively small tax bases. The court, though, has forbidden such an approach, meaning it can't be used unless the constitution is amended. What Lynch's proposal will not do, despite the governor's optimistic rhetoric, is "bring finality" to the annual school funding debates. The nature of the debates may change, but they won't end. Nor is the amendment a standalone solution. It will be wise policy only to the extent that the governor and Legislature live up to the rest of their obligations, namely the defining and costing out of an adequate education. Those tasks remain the most important pieces of the State House agenda. They are the same ones lawmakers and governors of both parties have dodged for 10 years. Because Lynch's amendment would add to the Legislature's options, it could be the key to a responsible long-term approach to public education. Or, if the rest of the hard work doesn't get done, it could be irrelevant. ------ End of article Monitor editorial Colin Manning Press Secretary Office of Gov. John Lynch 271-2121 colin.manning@nh.gov |
| Gay Marriage Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH-XGR--Gay Marriage,0133 N.H. House defeats amendment against gay marriage nmlsthos CONCORD, N.H. - The New Hampshire House soundly defeated a proposed constitutional amendment today to limit marriage to between one man and one woman. Gay marriage opponents fought hard for the amendment, but failed to get a majority. The House voted 233 to 124 to kill it. Supporters argued the people had a right to vote. Windham Republican Anthony DiFruscia said lawmakers wouldn't be bigots to support putting the amendment on the ballot. But Nashua Democrat Bette Lasky urged said the constitution should never be amended to restrict rights. Plymouth Democrat Carole Estes recounted her years as a young, black woman treated as a second-class citizen in the South. She said it was ironic she now was being asked to vote to discriminate against others. She urged its defeat. AP-NY-03-28-07 1736EDT AP-NH--Gay Marriage,0103 Protesters greet lawmakers dewst CONCORD, N.H. - Protesters against gay marriage greeted New Hampshire lawmakers on their way into the Statehouse today. A proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is expected to come up for a vote today or tomorrow. About 150 people were on the Statehouse plaza. Many carried signs that said "One man, one woman." It will take 60 percent of House members to approve the proposed amendment and send it to the Senate, where another 60 percent vote would be necessary to send it to voters in the 2008 election. To amendment the constitution, two-thirds of voters then must agree. AP-NY-03-27-07 1013EDT |
| Life Jackets Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH-XGR--Life Jackets-Children,0092 N.H. House: raise mandatory life jacket age dewst CONCORD, N.H. - Children aged 12 and younger would have to wear a life jacket when they ride on a boat outside an enclosed cabin under a bill approved today by the New Hampshire House. Currently, children aged 5 and under must wear protection. Boats with a 3-foot high enclosed side rail would be exempt. Opponents argued the requirement was intrusive since no children in the age range had drowned in boating related accidents in the past eight years. The 204-135 vote sent the bill to the Senate. |
| Greyhound Racing Return to index of stories... |
From the Union Leader News tips & feedbackRacing vote: Neck and neck By JOHN DISTASO Senior Political Reporter 13 hours, 7 minutes ago CONCORD – Leaders on opposing sides of a bill to ban greyhound racing in New Hampshire by mid-2009 say they expect a close vote when the Dog Protection Act is taken up by the House of Representatives, perhaps as soon as today. "This is our people against their money and muscle," Carey Theil, executive director of Grey2KUSA, said yesterday, referring to the greyhound tracks at Belmont, Seabrook and Hinsdale. The Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization, which opposes greyhound racing across the country, has also invested heavily in the bill. If passed, House Bill 923 would make New Hampshire the 35th state to ban greyhound racing, but the first to shut down an existing, operating industry. The ban would take effect on July 1, 2009, and the bill would immediately set up a committee to "make recommendations for mitigating the impacts of prohibiting dog racing." Proponents say dogs are mistreated at the tracks. Grey2KUSA's report says that in 2005 and 2006, there were 716 injuries, with 22 percent, or 157 deemed "career or life-ending." The report, based on state Pari-Mutuel Commission data, says that more than a dozen dogs died or had to be euthanized as a result of racing-related injuries. Track-goers watch silmulcast racing in 2005 at the greyhound track in Belmont. ?Bill could shut down NH greyhound tracks ?Belmont track reopens ?AG clears way for wagering at Belmont track ?Dennis McKeon: Greyhounds are safe on New Hampshire’s race tracks ?Paul LaFlamme: New Hampshire greyhounds deserve better Rick Newman, a lobbyist for The Lodge at Belmont, called the statistics "overblown" and said 500 jobs are at stake. "There were in excess of 40,000 racing starts in those two years, and they indicate a little more than 700 injuries," he said. "There is no question that some were severe, but that also included some very minor injuries. Like any other athlete, sometimes, racing dogs get hurt." State Pari-Mutuel Commission Ted Connors said that while the commission has not taken a vote, "I can say that the commission individually and collectively opposes the bill." He said the commission regulates the kennels closely and has a veterinarian at all tracks to treat injured animals "within 90 seconds of any injury. That's better care than you get for your pet at home." Rank-and-file sentiment The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee voted 14-3 last Wednesday recommending that the full House kill the bill. "Passage of this bill would mean the 500 employees of race tracks , the state employees who regulate the industry and employees of the kennels who care for the dogs would lose their jobs," Rep. Frank Sullivan, D-Manchester, wrote in the committee majority report. He wrote that the industry is "highly regulated," track kennels are inspected and the tracks "contribute millions of dollars to the economy of our state, including over $500,000 in taxes and fees." Rep. John Reagan, R-Deerfield, said in a minority report, "Our society should not accept a state revenue dollar amount as justifying an immoral activity." Reagan said yesterday that the tracks "heavily lobbied" committee members, who, he said, "were influenced by the idea that this was a necessary economic activity." But he said that in the House rank-and-file, "I think that there is a lot of sentiment" in favor of the ban. Newman acknowledged that despite the committee recommendation, "It's going to be a close vote. "Grey2K has been working, and I'm hearing legislators say they are being inundated by phone calls and e-mails," he said. "We're working hard on our side to get our message out." $2.4 million loss? In a letter to lawmakers, Newman and lobbyists for the other tracks say banning greyhound racing "would cost the state nearly $2.4 million in pari-mutuel tax, business taxes, rooms and meals tax and state property tax revenue." But Rep. Mary Cooney, D-Plymouth, a co-sponsor said, "It is more of an animal rights issue than anything. These dogs are considered agricultural products more than dogs. If you saw your neighbor treating his dog this way, you would call the police on them. I think in this state, we've moved beyond the exploitation of animals." Current law allows the three greyhound tracks to take bets on dog and horse races broadcast to the tracks from throughout the country. State law requires the tracks to run at least 50 days of live greyhound racing in order to simulcast. Track officials say banning live racing would effectively put the tracks out of business. State statistics show that at Belmont and Seabrook, the total bet on live racing is a small fraction of the amount wagered on simulcasting. But at Hinsdale, live racing out-performs simulcasting in the amount wagered and pari-mutuel tax to the state. Hinsdale lobbyist Curtis Barry said that in 2006 Hinsdale held live racing programs more than 200 days. "The management at Hinsdale has been able to demonstrate that when they've gone without live racing, they can show a significant decrease in simulcasting as well," Barry said. "There is still a market for year-round live racing. It's a total entertainment package." Barry said the reports cited by Grey2KUSA show that "many injuries occur away from the racetrack and are the same injuries that occur to pets in the home. When you boil it down to injuries that occur while racing, it's small compared to how many races are run." Gov. John Lynch has so far taken no position on the bill, a spokesman said. Simulcast amendment Rep. Fran Wendelboe, R-New Hampton, has proposed an amendment to allow simulcasting to continue at the three tracks even if live racing is banned. Her plan would protect the tracks by forbidding any new entity from simulcasting races. Newman said the tracks oppose the amendment because it "would turn the three tracks into off-track betting parlors, and down the road, three or four years from now, someone can come to the Legislature and say, 'Why can those people be off-track betting facilities and I can't?' It would be the beginning of opening up off-track betting statewide to multiple locations." Theil said his organization has taken no position on Wendelboe's proposed amendment, but is "open to compromise," such as allowing "a longer phase-out period." Newman said his client, Gulf Coast area entrepreneur Marlin Torguson, "came into the state last June and invested $7 million in acquisition and capital improvements to open a racetrack" at the former Lakes Region Greyhound Park. "He did that based on existing law that allows dog racing until 2029. There is an argument out there that if you take that away, it could be considered a taking requiring fair compensation." Another racing lobbyist, former House speaker George Roberts has said banning live racing would hurt the tracks' chances of receiving approval for video slot machines. But Newman sees a live racing ban as having "no impact at all" on the future of video slot machines. Theil cited a "large coalition" publicly endorsing, including state Sen. Sheila Roberge, R-Bedford, 39 House members, nine animal shelters, five animal protection groups and the National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion. |
| Flu Costs Return to index of stories... |
NH Business Review Article published Mar 27, 2007 Study calculates pandemic’s effect on N.H. economy If a flu pandemic were to hit New Hampshire, a recession could follow in its wake, but the impact would be less severe than in many other states, says a new study on the economic effects of a global outbreak of disease. Researchers at the Trust for America’s Health released the report “Pandemic Flu and the Potential for U.S. Economic Recession” on March 23 using the 1918 flu pandemic as a model to project what a similar crisis would do to the country’s economy today. The trust’s study estimates that the national gross domestic product could drop by more than 5.5 percent, or $683 billion — the second-worst recession since World War II. According to the report’s state-by-state analysis, New Hampshire’s economy could shrink by 5.30 percent, with losses totaling $2.9 billion. The estimates place the Granite State at 44th for economic impact. New Hampshire was also further down the list for gross state product losses in the six-state New England area, just behind Rhode Island and Massachusetts at 47th place, or 5.20 percent. Massachusetts also tied with New York for 47th place. New Hampshire may do relatively well economically during a pandemic because of its size and its reliance on critical sectors is less than other states, said Laura Segal of the Trust for America’s Health. “While New Hampshire may still experience a recession, it has lower levels of tourism, manufacturing and transportation than others,” said Segal. “New Hampshire also has higher participation in real estate and professional service sectors, which the researchers feel will recoup losses later in the year after a pandemic.” She also said being a “small state,” with a smaller population and large rural areas, was a bit of an advantage in that New Hampshire’s economy was in a “more stable environment” than other more populous states. Of the other New England states, Maine was ranked 40th, a 5.38 percent loss, and Vermont was ranked 19th, or 5.65 percent loss. Nationally, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, with their strong government sectors, would be expected to suffer the softest impact — about a 5 percent drop in GSP or less. Nevada fared worst, with a loss projected at over 8 percent of GSP, or $9 billion, with Hawaii second with a 6.6 percent GSP loss, or $3.6 billion, since both states’ economies are heavily tied to tourism. New Hampshire’s tourism industry would be its hardest-hit sector, according to the report. Losses in the Granite State were estimated at $328 million in the accommodations and food service sector. Manufacturing and transportation and warehousing also could suffer steep declines of $165 million and $148 million, respectively, according to the report. The state’s health-care sector, however, could make gains — as much as $171 million — as hospitals and other health care-related resources surge in response to a pandemic. A pandemic could have profound impacts on trade, asserts the report. The study estimates that fluctuations in trade could drop the U.S. GDP about 1 percent, or $124 billion. In New Hampshire, the projected GSP loss from the trade impact is estimated at $500 million. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 90 million Americans could contract a pandemic flu strain and of those, 2.25 million could die — about a 2.5 percent fatality rate. In New Hampshire, an estimated 389,000 could become ill, with 10,000 dying from the disease. To put the figures in perspective, using 2005 population estimates by the state Office of Energy and Planning, virtually everyone in the towns of Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Derry, Salem, Merrimack, Keene, Portsmouth and Claremont would come down with the pandemic strain of the flu, and almost every person in a town the size of Hanover would die from the disease. The report also makes several recommendations to prepare for a possible pandemic including: • Encourage the private sector and government at all levels to examine and modify family and medical leave policies. • Expand telecommuting capabilities. • Assess infection control procedures in the workplace. • Establish contingency systems to maintain delivery of goods and services during a pandemic event. • Update methods for communicating with personnel. • Community groups should have emergency contact numbers to reach out to their volunteers and develop realistic plans for continued operations during a pandemic. To view a copy of the report, visit healthyamericans.org/reports/flurecession. — CINDY KIBBE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| LANDRIGAN Return to index of stories... |
Lynch plan is out; now the fun begins Gov. John Lynch has finally presented his controversial amendment to the Constitution on school finance. The plan started in the state Senate last week, and shouldn’t have much trouble clearing that body. Lynch’s plan was introduced Thursday, with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Foster of Nashua as its prime sponsor. “I came up with the amendment some time ago and it’s extensively gone through the drafting stage as the language has been adjusted,’’ Foster said. The plan faces its first public hearing April 3 at 1:15 p.m. If all 14 Senate Democrats hold firm, Lynch only needs one Republican to assure passage, and Lempster Republican Sen. Robert Odell is already on board. Portsmouth Democratic Sen. Martha Fuller Clark is the one who could have the most to lose politically by signing on, and she already has. Clark represents several rich donor towns that presumably are going to see significant cuts in school aid if the amendment passes, and Lynch gets to target more aid to genuinely needy communities. It’s worth noting here that Lynch has sweetened the pot for wealthier towns, too. His proposal would guarantee that even the richest towns get an aid increase of 5 percent for the next two years. A few Senate Republicans declined requests to support the bill, but as we’ve seen before, that doesn’t preclude them from voting “yes” when the time comes. The fight in the House of Representatives is entirely another story. No one in the House Democratic leadership is publicly on board, and that’s not for lack of trying. Lynch started to apply the full-court press with wavering legislators a week ago Friday. House Democrats have a 60 percent majority. If only a few Republicans come on board, Lynch can’t afford much slippage in his own party. The pressure will build since the lawmakers can’t modify an amendment to the Constitution once submitted. It’s this plan or no plan in 2007. Once again, Lynch took advantage of a busy legislative week to submit the amendment with no public notice in hopes it would leave critics scrambling for a response. They were scrambling, but this fight won’t be won on a single punch. Launch the attack! The media campaign to discredit the Lynch amendment begins Monday. The anti-income tax, New Hampshire Advantage Coalition has placed a three-week, $25,000 advertising buy that will air throughout the Comcast cable system. During Jim Coburn’s disastrous campaign for governor, campaign manager Michael Biundo discovered a small, targeted buy could result in a bucket load of commercials on cable station shows. When Coburn met his limit at more than $1 million of his own money, the campaign switched primarily to cable TV for the last three weeks of the race. We saw how well that went. Lynch romped to a historic 74 percent victory. But the coalition decided with limited start-up dollars, this was the best place to put them. The Coburn ads featured a ticking clock counting down the days before New Hampshire would have to adopt an income tax to comply with the Supreme Court’s edict on education funding. This 30-second spot warns there are too many “strings attached’’ to Lynch’s plan to define an adequate education and get lawmakers to adopt a constitutional amendment without knowing the price tag of that definition. Civil unions gain traction The House Judiciary Committee’s 15-5 recommendation to endorse civil unions sends the bill to the House of Representatives this week with plenty of momentum. This was a triumph for two legislators, past and present, who counseled gay rights colleagues that half a loaf is better than none, especially since Gov. Lynch is against a marriage bill and would probably veto one. Rep. Jim Splaine, D-Portsmouth, and Rep. Raymond Buckley, D-Manchester, have been openly gay for years. Buckley was the catalyst in 1999 when the Legislature became one of a half dozen states to make it legal for gays and lesbians to become foster or adoptive parents. This came at a time when several states were going in the opposite direction. They helped convince then-Gov. Jeanne Shaheen to push hard for a state law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. Now they’re near the end of a three-year battle to give the House an option that may fall short of gay marriage, but it more politically palatable. Unlikely allies? Splaine and Buckley have two veteran Republican lawmakers to thank for helping to give civil unions some oomph – Grafton Rep. Gregory Sorg and Salem Rep. David Bettencourt. Both went against the Republican State Platform in supporting the bill. More upsetting to House Republican leaders is that Bettencourt is a tri-chairman of the House Republican Alliance that keeps an exhaustive score on how conservative lawmakers are. The group puts out a brochure with each session instructing GOP members on the “right’’ positions to take on key bills. Sorg is easier to understand. He was a member of the legislative commission that studied the issue for more than a year at the instruction of then-GOP Gov. Craig Benson. The majority came out against gay marriage and civil unions. But Sorg found himself in the minority at times, supporting a state law along the lines of Hawaii that recognizes domestic partner benefits and allows unmarried couples to obtain relationship rights by entering into a contract. Finally what is to become of Hudson Republican Sen. Bob Clegg’s proposal to let unmarried couples enter into contracts? That’s easy. It’s going nowhere. Clegg revealed his plan nearly two months ago. Meanwhile, the complex legislation has sat on the docket and will be one of the last Senate bills to have a public hearing this week. Once the House takes a position on civil unions and gay marriage, it will be in no mood to embrace a gender-neutral alternative. In the unlikely event the Democratically controlled Senate would find Clegg’s option palatable, those who want civil unions won’t allow the House to cave in to it. Timing is everything and the time has not come for this idea. A win for the minority It took House Republican Leader Mike Whalley a few months, but he finally got a victory for his minority. The upset came over procedure, as House Democrats wanted to suspend rules to let committees have more time on three pet bills. The request was ill advised since it requires a two-thirds vote and all Republicans had to do was stick together. That was that. Whalley had 15 other bills he wanted more time for including several, pet GOP projects. Ultimately, both parties got together and passed a compromise motion. House edginess reigned after Speaker Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth, stopped Hudson Republican Rep. Lars Christiansen from reading the committee report on a House bill. Manchester Republican Rep. Steve Vaillancourt challenged Norelli’s decision and lost badly. But this is a sore point for House Republicans, who complain some of their own dissenting reports on bills have been edited. At week’s end, Whalley won another skirmish when he led a committee effort to dilute a resolution condemning the Bush administration troop surge in Iraq. But the matter is far from settled. What’s good for the goose... When Republicans ran the House of Representatives, Democrats cried foul when they came up with a legal way to tuck any bill into a drawer for a year. The new device was to retain legislation that must be acted upon by lawmakers in the following year. But unlike in the past, that decision is not made by the full House but by the policy committee that has custody of the bill. The decisions don’t get published after they happen and in fact House records don’t record the vote taken to retain a bill. Well in their first year at the helm, the Democratic leadership has gotten plenty skillful at using the instrument to either bury a Republican bill or at least defer if not smother outright a politically controversial idea. By week’s end, House panels had already retained more than 105 bills on a variety of subjects ranging from a Constitutional amendment to define marriage exclusively as a male-female union to speed limits on boats in the state’s lakes and ponds. Sticks and stones... It got personal in the Senate on Thursday when Senate Republican Leader Ted Gatsas, R-Manchester, tried to revive his plan to give a $31 million property tax break to 70,000 homeowners in the state over 65 years old. Cornish Democratic Sen. Peter Burling called it a “stupid bill,” arguing it only forced other homeowners to pay higher taxes. State tax officials said it would be hard to enforce. Moments later, Burling apologized for the remark. Hours after the session, Gatsas was still hot under the collar about the exchange. Unions 1, taxpayers 0 Score round one for organized labor in the fight over putting the state pension system on a diet. Firefighters, police officers and state employees flexed their muscle and got a House committee to back away from the most significant changes that a working group of labor and management representatives had hammered out under the watchful eye of a federal mediator. The fracas already cost one lobbyist a longtime gig. Former State Employees Association Executive Director Denis Parker severed his ties as a lobbyist for the union this week. Parker was one of those working group members and had to painfully watch as his employer opposed the plan. Before the week was over, Parker had tied on with the National Education Association of New Hampshire, whose lobbyist, Rick Trombly, endorsed the working group product. The NEA had not taken a vote nor had the other union for public educators, the American Federation of Teachers. “Denis is one of the recognized experts in the state on retirement. We’re lucky to have him,’’ Trombly said. The state municipal lobby’s executive committee met Friday to plot its next move. “Many of our members aren’t going to be pleased,’’ said Maura Carroll, the group’s chief lobbyist. Exchange of the Week: |
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/1/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: State lawmakers take on some hefty topics. From the Iraq War, to Gay Marriage to Education Funding. We'll hear from the Journalists covering the beat. This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, for a look at the ever quickening pace of the 2007 legislative agenda. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. A flurry of activity in Concord this week as lawmakers try to sort through a slew of controversial bills Here to talk all this and more. Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, Josh Rogers\NHPR |
| Key: state politics / government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/1/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: State lawmakers take on some hefty topics. From the Iraq War, to Gay Marriage to Education Funding. We'll hear from the Journalists covering the beat. This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, for a look at the ever quickening pace of the 2007 legislative agenda. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. A flurry of activity in Concord this week as lawmakers try to sort through a slew of controversial bills Here to talk all this and more. Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, Josh Rogers\NHPR |
| Key: war / veterans Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/1/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: State lawmakers take on some hefty topics. From the Iraq War, to Gay Marriage to Education Funding. We'll hear from the Journalists covering the beat. This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, for a look at the ever quickening pace of the 2007 legislative agenda. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. A flurry of activity in Concord this week as lawmakers try to sort through a slew of controversial bills Here to talk all this and more. Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, Josh Rogers\NHPR |
| Key: health / healthcare Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/1/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: State lawmakers take on some hefty topics. From the Iraq War, to Gay Marriage to Education Funding. We'll hear from the Journalists covering the beat. This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, for a look at the ever quickening pace of the 2007 legislative agenda. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. A flurry of activity in Concord this week as lawmakers try to sort through a slew of controversial bills Here to talk all this and more. Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, Josh Rogers\NHPR |
| Key: education Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/1/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: State lawmakers take on some hefty topics. From the Iraq War, to Gay Marriage to Education Funding. We'll hear from the Journalists covering the beat. This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, for a look at the ever quickening pace of the 2007 legislative agenda. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. A flurry of activity in Concord this week as lawmakers try to sort through a slew of controversial bills Here to talk all this and more. Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, Josh Rogers\NHPR |
| Key: family / marriage Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/1/2007 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 25:00 NOW on New Hampshire Outlook -- where NH Talks: State lawmakers take on some hefty topics. From the Iraq War, to Gay Marriage to Education Funding. We'll hear from the Journalists covering the beat. This week we're broadcasting from the NH Political Library, inside the State Library in Concord, for a look at the ever quickening pace of the 2007 legislative agenda. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to NH Outlook. A flurry of activity in Concord this week as lawmakers try to sort through a slew of controversial bills Here to talk all this and more. Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph, Jeff Feingold from the NH Business Review and Josh Rogers from NH Public Radio. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph, Jeff Feingold\NH Business Review, Josh Rogers\NHPR |