When governor-elect Craig Benson gives his inaugural address tomorrow, people at the Statehouse will be listening closely. But what about those far away from the state capitol? We asked business and community leaders around New Hampshire whether they?ll be paying attention to the Governor?s first speech, and what they hope to hear. NHPR?s Trish Anderton has this report.
WHEN NEW HAMPSHIRE?S NEW GOVERNOR STEPS UP TO THE PODIUM, THE FIRST THING ON MANY PEOPLE?S MINDS WILL BE MONEY. THE STATE HAS STRUGGLED FOR FIVE YEARS OVER HOW TO PAY FOR SCHOOLS. A LOOMING BUDGET CRUNCH HAS ONLY ADDED FUEL TO THAT FIRE. WE CAUGHT UP WITH PORTSMOUTH SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR KENT LEPAGE LAST WEEK AS HE WATCHED ICE CARVERS PREPARE FOR THE CITY?S FIRST NIGHT CELEBRATION. LEPAGE SAID HE?D LIKE TO SEE PROGRESS ON SCHOOL FUNDING, AND HE?D LIKE TO SEE IT FAST.
The biennial budget begins in june. He has a very short time from jan to june to get something into place. Otherwise towns like Portsmouth will continue to lose staff and programs.
WHILE SOME TOWNS WORRY ABOUT THE SHORT TERM, OTHERS ARE EYEING THE LONG TERM PICTURE WITH ANXIETY. THE INCOMING GOVERNOR HAS SAID HE WANTS TO FREEZE STATE AID FOR TWO YEARS AND THEN TRANSITION TO A NEW SYSTEM AIMED AT HELPING THOSE SCHOOLS THAT NEED IT THE MOST??. BENSON SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS SCHOOLS NEED STABILITY. ASSISTANT TOWN ADMINISTRATOR JASON HOCH OF LITTLETON HOPES BENSON FOLLOWS THROUGH. HOCH SAYS IT?S HARD FOR HIS TOWN TO PLAN WHEN EDUCATION FUNDING IS IN FLUX.
One thing we?ve done in Littleton is work closely with the town and school to keep taxes under control. I?d love to hear gov offer plan to keep rev stable for next couple of years for us.
AN HOUR EAST OF LITTLETON, THE MILL CITY OF BERLIN IS STRUGGLING WITH ITS OWN FINANCIAL QUESTIONS. BERLIN IS TRYING TO DIVERSIFY ITS ECONOMY. MIKE NEEL OF THE NORTHERN WHITE MOUNTAIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS HE?D LOVE SOME HELP FROM BENSON IN THE FORM OF TAX BREAKS OR OTHER INITIATIVES TO GET BUSINESSES TO MOVE HERE. HE ALSO HOPES THE GOVERNOR WILL THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT THE NORTH COUNTRY?S CHIEF NATURAL ASSET: WOOD.
I think it wd be wise to look at alternative uses for wood. Let?s face it, we have a lot of wood up here, they don?t call us the great north woods for nothing, and there are some interesting areas people are exploring like bio oil and green chemicals made from wood.
IN PLYMOUTH, SELECT BOARD CHAIR JOHN TUCKER WILL BE LOOKING FOR CLUES TO BENSON?S FISCAL PLAN TOO. BUT THAT?S NOT ALL. TUCKER HOPES THE NEW GOVERNOR WILL CHART A CONSERVATIVE COURSE ON SOCIAL ISSUES LIKE THE DEATH PENALTY AND GAY ADOPTION. AND HE?D LIKE TO HEAR BENSON PUT HIS SUPPORT BEHIND THE STATE?S FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER CLEAN AIR RULES.
33 28 I?m enthusiastic abt protecting enviro and that?s something I?ll look for from benson also, a pro environment program. // I?m hoping that he?s dedicated, and I think he is, to preserving our tourist industry and our way of life and all the other things we enjoy with the outdoors.
HEALTHCARE IS ALSO HIGH ON MANY PEOPLES? LISTS. TOWNS AND BUSINESSES WORRY THE RISING COST OF INSURANCE WILL WREAK HAVOC ON THEIR FINANCES. ADVOCATES WORRY IT WILL LEAVE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO CARE. BILL TOMS IS MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE CHESHIRE MEDICAL CENTER IN KEENE.
the cost of insurance is becoming prohibitiave, and it will skyrocket. // Important to do everything we can to reduce uninsured by retaining affordable health ins.
TOMS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE BENSON ENDORSE TOUGHER SEAT BELT AND MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAWS, AS WELL AS MORE RESTRICTIONS ON SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES. NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS TRADITIONALLY SPURNED GOVERNMENT MANDATES OVER WHAT MANY LAWMAKERS FEEL ARE PERSONAL CHOICES. BUT TOMS ARGUES THAT LAISSEZ FAIRE APPROACH COSTS LIVES.
Seat belts, helmets, smoking reduction are no brianiers that don?t cost money and don?t vioate anyone?s civil rights. Is it important to the state of nh? I can show you lots of people whose lives have been ruined because they didn?t have a seatbelt on. We need some courage here.
SEAT BELTS, WOOD PRODUCTS, CLEAN AIR, HEALTH INSURANCE AND, LET?S NOT FORGET A LOOMING BUDGET DEFICIT ? THAT'S A LOT OF EXPECTATIONS FOR A 20 MINUTE SPEECH. OF COURSE, SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ANY EXPECTATIONS. BILL PETCH OF BROADWAY BOOKS IN DERRY SAYS HE WON?T BE PAYING ATTENTION AT ALL.
i won't be watching or following it ... an inaugural's and inaugural. I get the feeling there?s a disconnect between government and the governed. I don?t think it?ll make much difference one way or the other.
ONCE THE NEW GOVERNOR GETS INTO OFFICE HE?LL HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GET HIS MESSAGE OUT. BENSON IS MAKING A SPECIAL EFFORT TO INCLUDE THE RURAL NORTH, WHICH OFTEN FEELS OVERLOOKED IN CONCORD. BENSON IS HOLDING A SECOND INAUGURAL BALL IN THE NORTH COUNTRY. HE?LL ALSO TRAVEL TO THE BERLIN AREA NEXT WEEK TO SPEAK TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. AS HE LAUNCHES HIS ADMINISTRATION, BENSON WILL FACE THE SAME HURDLE AS EVERY NEW GOVERNOR: MEETING THE DEMANDS OF THOSE WHO ARE PLUGGED INTO THE SYSTEM. BUT FEW WOULD DISPUTE THAT THE HIGHER GOAL OF GOVERNMENT IS TO REACH THE BILL PETCHES OF THE WORLD, TOO. FOR NHPR NEWS I?M
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