New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen delivered what is widely believed to be her last State of the State Address yesterday.
In it, the governor offered her prescription for getting New Hampshire's economy back on track.
NHPR's Doug MacPhreson reports.
GOVERNOR SHAHEEN TOLD A JOINT SESSION OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT NEW HAMPSHIRE CANNOT AFFORD TO HESITATE AND SIMPLY HOPE FOR BETTER TIMES. SHE SAID SHE�S ORDERED STATE OFFICIALS TO PUT 87-MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS OUT TO BID BY JULY. SHE CALLED FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO LOWER ENERGY COSTS, PROMOTE HIGH TECH INDUSTRY, AND INCREASE TOURISM. AND SHE CALLED FOR HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
TAPE SHAHEEN The sooner we pass this bill, the sooner we begin helping workers who lose their jobs. Today I ask you: fast track this legislation. :12 & APPLAUSE
THAT REQUEST MET WITH SCANT APPLAUSE. ONE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL MET WITH A STANDING OVATION, HOWEVER. THAT WAS SHAHEEN�S CALL TO PASS A BOND TO HELP SECURE 170-THOUSAND ACRES OF NORTH COUNTRY LAND THAT INTERNATIONAL PAPER HAS PUT UP FOR SALE.
TAPE SHAHEEN The bipartisan leadership of the legislature and I have all agree to bond up to ten million dollars for a conservation easement and the purchase of the most environmentally sensitive of these lands, including the headwaters of the Connecticut river. :15 & APPLAUSE
AS FOR THE STALEMATE OVER FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, THE GOVERNOR OFFERED NO NEW IDEAS. BUT SHE DID SAY NEW HAMPSHIRE CANNOT GO BACK TO A SYSTEM THAT SHORTCHANGED SOME STUDENTS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR ZIP CODE.
TAPE SHAHEEN If legislation gets to my desk that turns back the clock on our children�s education, I will veto it. : 08 & APPLAUSE
MOST DEMOCRATS STOOD FOR THAT REMARK, WHILE MOST REPUBLICANS SAT ON THEIR HANDS. FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR�S ADDRESS, ONE REPUBLICAN LEADER IN THE HOUSE CALLED SHAHEEN�S VETO PROMISE �A GOOD CAMPAIGN THREAT.� LATER, HOUSE REPUBLICANS MANAGED TO PASS A �RESOLUTION� DENOUNCING PAST SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON EDUCATION AS �WRONG.� THE RESOLUTION HAS NO LEGAL AFFECT.
DEPUTY HOUSE SPEAKER, REPUBLICAN MIKE WHALLEY OF BOW, CRITICIZED SHAHEEN FOR NOT TALKING ABOUT CREATING NEW JOBS.
TAPE WALLY People who collect unemployment don�t necessarily want unemployment. I�ve yet to meet somebody out of work who want unemployment. They would like a new job. So we need to be focusing on how to get those jobs. :12
WHALLEY ALSO CRITICIZED SHAHEEN FOR DELAYING AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE QUESTION THAT WAS ON EVERYONE�S MIND -- WHETHER SHE�LL RUN FOR THE U-S SENATE THIS FALL.
TAPE WALLY well I think she needs to say that, I haven�t heard her say that yet, but it sure looks like she�s doing that. this sounded like a campaign speech to me. :07
IF THE GOVERNOR WASN�T TALKING ABOUT THE SENATE YESTERDAY, HER HUSBAND WAS. BILL SHAHEEN SAID HE EXPECTS HIS WIFE WILL MAKE A STATEMENT SOON.
TAPE BILL SHAHEEN she�s certainly eyeing the race, and looking like it�s something she�d like to do .
TAPE MACPHERSON is it something you�d like to see her do?
TAPE BILL SHAHEEN yes. I think she has a lot to contribute to the state. And to the nation. :11
ASKED IF HIS WIFE IS LEANING TOWARDS RUNNING FOR THE U-S SENATE,
SHAHEEN SAID SIMPLY, �YES.� FOR N-H-P-R NEWS, I�M DOUG MACPHERSON.
