November 8, 2001

No. 50

July 12, 2001

To the Honorable Members of the General Court:

By the authority vested in me as Governor of New Hampshire, pursuant to Part II, Article 44 of the Constitution of New Hampshire, I have this day vetoed Senate Bill 164, an Act establishing a comprehensive statewide accountability system concerning an adequate education.

I have long supported strong school accountability legislation. Making schools accountable for their performance is critical to improving the education we provide our children.

Senate Bill 164 is advertised as a school accountability bill. Yet, it contains no provisions whatsoever to hold school districts accountable for their performance. As President George W. Bush has emphasized so strongly in his national educational reform proposal, "without consequences for failure, there is no pressure to succeed." To call S.B. 164, in the form in which it left the legislative committee of conference and has arrived on my desk, an "accountability" bill is disingenuous. I cannot support legislation which is more symbolic than substantive on an issue as critically important as school accountability.

Several have said to me in the last few days that S.B. 164 "is better than nothing." I disagree strongly. S.B. 164 imposes many new duties on the Department of Education, but fails to provide the Department with sufficient funding to successfully carry out those additional responsibilities. When this bill first passed the Senate on May 9, 2001, it appropriated more than double the funding it now contains. Unfortunately, the very people in the legislature who have loudly fought meaningful school accountability measures for the last four years are the same people who in conference committee removed the modest accountability provisions from the Senate version of S.B. 164 and slashed the resources the Department of Education would need to succeed.

As amended by the House, this legislation seeks to make teachers more accountable by making it easier to terminate teachers in about half of the school districts in this state. While I support streamlining the process for removing non-performing teachers, it makes little sense to make teachers more accountable without making school districts more accountable.

I am also concerned by the expansion of duties assigned to the so-called legislative oversight committee. This is another example of the disturbing trend of the legislative branch to interject itself into the day-to-day operations of the executive branch.

I am disappointed that Senate Bill 164 has arrived at my desk in this form, leaving me with no choice but to veto it.

Respectfully submitted,

SB 60, relative to the authority of the board of tax and land appeals to assess attorney's fees.

SB 90, relative to misdemeanor jury trials.

SB 96-FN, repealing the requirements for resident and nonresident licenses to carry concealed weapons.

SB 97-FN, requiring the annual registration of manufactured housing parks.

SB 116-FN, relative to motor vehicle offenses which result in the death or serious bodily injury of another.

SB 180-FN-A, establishing the Hooksett district court as a full-time court and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 185, relative to push-polling.

SB 195-FN, permitting the department of regional community-technical colleges to lease building space from the Pease development authority in exchange for a reduction in Pease development authority's debt owed to the state.

HB 101, (New Title) requiring registered lobbyists to sign a statement concerning false statements or misrepresentation of material facts.

HB 130, relative to the maintenance of boundaries and fences.

HB 153, lowering the minimum medical cost coverage for motor vehicle liability policies.

HB 196-L, (New Title) relative to the penalty for failure to license a dog or renew a dog license.

HB 211-FN, establishing a restricted probationary permit to drive and correcting the ignition interlock program laws.

HB 304-FN, relative to insurance coverage for prostate cancer testing.

HB 614, relative to certain duties, responsibilities, and authority of the fiscal committee.

HB 697, extending the reporting date for the healthy kids subcommittee and clarifying the mission statement of the healthy kids corporation.

HB 748-FN-A-L, (2nd New Title) revising the definition of an adequate education and revising the weighted pupil formula used to calculate the cost of an adequate education.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 281-A:24) Room 306, LOB

CERTIFICATE OF NEED STATUTE TASK FORCE (RSA 151-C:16) Room 203, LOB

ASSESSING STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-a) Room 301, LOB

LEGISLATIVE PERFORMANCE AUDIT AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Room 103, SH

HOSPITAL BUSINESS PRACTICES AND MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS NETWORKS (HB 112, Chapter 104:1, Laws of 2001) Room 302, LOB

SENATE WILDLIFE & RECREATION COMMITTEE Room 101, LOB

GUARDIANS AD LITEM BOARD Room 103, LOB

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Berlin 12958-A Replacement of the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad over Green St from the pleasant St intersection to approx. 2^nd Avenue) Berlin City Hall Auditorium, 168 Main Street, Berlin, NH

FISCAL COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL COURT Rooms 210-211, LOB

HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE HAS INVITED THE SENATE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE TO ATTEND A PRESENTATION BY ROSS GITTELL ON ECONOMIC FORECAST Room 202, LOB

PET OVERPOPULATION COMMITTEE (RSA 437-A:7) Room 103, SH

SENATE WILDLIFE & RECREATION COMMITTEE (SB 146, relative to personal watercraft) Room 101, LOB

STATE-OPERATED TRAILS AND PRIVATE LANDS BY ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATV's) AND TRAIL BIKES (HB 717, Chapter 259, Laws of 2001) Room 207, LOB

WATER WITHDRAWALS ON INSTREAM FLOWS (SB 330, Chapter 242:1, Laws of 2000, Extended by HB 612, Chapter 138, Laws of 2001) Room 305, LOB

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Dover-Somersworth-Rochester Spaulding Tpk, Exit 10 interchange study) Dover City Hall 2^nd floor Auditorium, 288 Central Avenue, Dover, NH

HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE HAS INVITED THE SENATE WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE TO ATTEND A PRESENTATION BY RUSSELL THIBEAULT ON ECONOMIC FORECASTS Room 202, LOB

CONSUMER PROTECTION EFFORT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (HB 109, Chapter 12:1, Laws of 2001) Room 302, LOB

NH-CANADIAN TRADE COUNCIL (RSA 12-A:2-g) Room 304, LOB

COMMISSION TO STUDY THE CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING (SB 21, Chapter 262:2, Laws of 2001) Room 103, SH

NEW BUDGET SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT (HB 170, Chapter 158:39, Laws of 2001) Room 103, SH

NH CIVIL WAR MEMORIALS COMMISSION (RSA 21-K:18) Room 203, LOB

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Salem-Manchester 10418-C, I-93 Widening) Salem High School Cafeteria, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A: 2) Rooms 306-308, LOB

OSTEOPOROSIS ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 126-I:3) Room 205, LOB

PRIVACY TASK FORCE (HB 702, Chapter 256:8, Laws of 2001) Rooms 210 - 211, LOB

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND TREATMENT (RSA 12-J:1) Rooms 202-204, LOB

PERINATAL ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG USE TASK FORCE (RSA 132:19) Room 101, LOB

CAPITAL BUDGET OVERVIEW COMMITTEE Room 201, LOB

ASSESSING STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-a) Room 301, LOB

ASSESSING STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-a) Room 307, LOB

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACCESS STUDY COMMITTEE (SB 367, Chapter 208:2, Laws of 2000 Extended by SB 37, Chapter 51, Laws of 2001) Room 103, SH

NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE TUITION SAVINGS PLAN ADVISORY COMMISSION (RSA 195-H:2) Room 103, SH

OIL FUND DISBURSEMENT (RSA 146-D:4) Room 305, LOB

SENATE WILDLIFE & RECREATION COMMITTEE (SB 146, relative to personal watercraft) Room 101, LOB

ASSESSING STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-a) Room 301, LOB

HOSPITAL PRACTICES & HMO's (HB 112, Chapter 104, Laws of 2001) Room 307, LOB

211 COMMISSION (HB 707, Chapter 258, Laws of 2001) Room 304, LOB

TOBACCO USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (RSA 126-K:19) Room 205, LOB

JOINT HEALTH COUNCIL (RSA 326-B:12) NH Board of Nursing, Room 17, 78 Regional Drive, Building 2, Concord, NH

BOARD OF MANUFACTURED HOUSING (RSA 205-A:25) Room 201, LOB

UNIFORM COMMON INTEREST OWNERSHIP ACT (HB 117, Chapter 6, Laws of 2001) Room 302, LOB

OSTEOPOROSIS ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 126-I:3) Room 102, LOB

CERTIFICATE OF NEED STATUTE TASK FORCE (RSA 151-C:16) Room 203, LOB

PRIVACY TASK FORCE (HB 702, Chapter 256:8, Laws of 2001) Rooms 210 - 211, LOB

INTERBRANCH CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION Room 101, LOB

10:00 a.m. Steering Committee Regular Meeting

ARCHITECTURALLY SECURE FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY SHELTER CARE FACILITIES FOR JUVENILES, NEED AND LOCATION (SB 55, Chapter 97:2, Laws of 2001) Room 201, LOB

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A:2) Rooms 306-308, LOB

SOURCES THAT BURN VIRGIN PETROLEUM OR COAL TO COMPLY WITH AIR TOXIC CONTROL ACT (RSA 125-I), STUDY OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS (SB 93, Chapter 88:1, Laws of 2001) Room 101, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

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State House Complex

Flu Vaccine Clinic

sponsored by the

Concord Regional

Visiting Nurse Association

Once again, it's time to think about protecting yourself from the flu. Our clinic will not be open to the general public, but is certainly intended for the convenience of everyone in the State House Complex. Adult family members are welcome, but children should receive the vaccine from their own healthcare provider if warranted. Members and staff who have healthcare coverage from CIGNA or Medicare need only bring their membership card and the VNA will bill those companies directly. The cost is $10 per person for all others, payable at the time of immunization, and may be reimbursable to the client from other insurance companies. Most health insurance providers have a process and form for that purpose.

Anyone who wishes to decrease the risk of developing influenza is encouraged to receive the flu vaccine. Persons at high risk for developing complications from influenza and are considered high priority for immunization would include. (Those over 65, people with diabetes, or suppressed immune systems; chronic heart, lung and kidney disease, severe anemia or Residents of nursing homes.

Household contacts of the above persons are also considered high priority. Those 50-64 who are not at high risk, but wish to decrease the chances of developing influenza, and younger adults in good health who regularly obtain the flu vaccine are encouraged to attend.

For more information about the clinic please contact Health Services at Ext. 2757, or come by our office in the basement of the State House, Rm. 30, just inside the Park Street entrance. Questions specific to the vaccine can be answered by the VNA at 224-4093, or your healthcare provider.

Senator Arthur P. Klemm, Jr.

Barbara Leahy, RN

Margaret Lind, RN

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As a convenience to the members of the NH General Court, the Visitors’ Center offers the following schedule of schools and other groups visiting the State House in November 2001. These listings will replace individual notifications in an effort to reduce paper usage and to ensure all members will be notified in a timely manner. Our schedule is tightly booked for the remainder of the school year. Please contact the Visitors’ Center concerning school tour booking information. Thank you for your continued participation with your School Visitation Program.

Kenneth Leidner, Director