 >> THIS IS A COMMITMENT 2020
SPECIAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
NEW HAMPSHIRE INSTITUTE OF
POLITICS.
THE GRANITE STATE DEBATES.
>> LOCKDOWN.
REMOTE LEARNING.
SOCIAL DISTANCING.
SOME OF THESE WORDS WERE NOT
EVEN IN OUR VOCABULARY WHEN 2020
BEGAN, AND NOW THEY ARE SOME OF
THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES FACING
THE STATE’S CORNER OFFICE.
A SURGE OF NEW MOVEMENTS FOR
EQUALITY AND POLICE REFORM.
AN EMOTIONAL DEBATE OVER RACISM
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
THESE PRIORITIES WILL HAVE AN
OUTSIZED IMPACT ON THE USUAL
CONCERNS IN THE RACE FOR
GOVERNOR.
FROM THE ECONOMY AND TAXES TO
EDUCATION AND THE OPIOID CRISIS.
WE ARE JOINED BY TWO DEMOCRATS
WHO AGREE THAT PROGRESSIVE
CHANGE IS NEEDED, BUT HAVE SOME
DIFFERENT IDEAS ON WHAT IT
SHOULD LOOK LIKE.
>> I DON’T SUPPORT A SALES TAX
AND WOULD VETO ONE IF IT REACHED
MY DESK.
>> I WILL NOT BALANCE THE STATE
BUDGET ON THE BACK OF PROPERTY
TAXPAYERS.
>> IT IS ONE THING TO TALK ABOUT
THE ISSUES.
IT IS ANOTHER TO HAVE DONE IT.
>> NOW THE CANDIDATES MAKE THEIR
CASE IN THEIR OWN WORDS IN OUR
GRANITE STATE DEBATE.
>> TONIGHT, THE DEMOCRATIC
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR.
>> WELCOME TO OUR GRANITE STATE
DEBATES.
A WEEK’S STATE PRIMARY ELECTION.
IN A YEAR WHEN THE GOVERNOR’S
JUDGMENT AFFECTED EVERYONE’S
DAILY LIFE, AN EXECUTIVE
COUNSELOR AND STATE SENATOR ARE
VYING FOR THE CHANCE TO REPLACE
CHRIS SUNUNU.
DEMOCRAT ANDRU VOLINSKY LED THE
FIGHT TO RESTRUCTURE SCHOOL
FUNDING IN 1997, WORK THAT THE
ATTORNEY CONTINUES NOW FOR THE
SECOND DISTRICT.
STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAN
FELTES IS ALSO AN ATTORNEY.
HEALTH CARE AND BAIL REFORM HAVE
BEEN HIS TWO KEY ISSUES IN THE
STATE HOUSE.
WMUR NEWS 9 EVALUATED ALL
LEGALLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND
SELECTED THOSE CONSIDERED MOST
NEWSWORTHY TO PARTICIPATE IN
THIS DEBATE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR
THE CANDIDATES TONIGHT.
THEY WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO
ANSWER WITH 30 SECOND REBUTTALS.
THOSE QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM
ME AND OUR TWO PANELISTS,
M
 MONICA HERNANDEZ AND JOHN
DISTASO.
THIS IS BEING RECORDED INSTEAD
OF BROADCAST LIVE.
WE ARE KEEPING A SAFE DISTANCE
IN THE STUDIO AND CANDIDATES ARE
NOT IN THE ROOM WITH US.
THEY ARE JOINING US REMOTELY
FROM SEPARATE ROOMS AT THE NEW
HAMPSHIRE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS
AT SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE.
WE ASKED EACH CANDIDATE TO TELL
US HOW THEY WOULD MAKE NEW
HAMPSHIRE A BETTER PLACE.
SENATOR FELTES, LET’S BEGIN WITH
YOU.
>> THANK YOU EVERYONE WATCHING
AT HOME.
WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS MESS
IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR WORKING
PEOPLE AND FAMILIES, NOT JUST
THOSE AT THE TOP.
MY DAD WORKED IN A FURNITURE
FACTORY FOR 45 YEARS.
MY MOM DID THE NIGHT SHIFT.
I HAD A CHOICE, WORK AS A
CORPORATE ATTORNEY OR IN THE
PUBLIC INTEREST.
I REPRESENTED LOW TO MIDDLE
INCOME FAMILIES.
IN THE STATE SENATE, DELIVERED
FOR THEM.
ANDRU MADE A DIFFERENT CHOICE.
FOR DECADES WORKED AS A
CORPORATE ATTORNEY.
THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT WHICH
SIDE ARE YOU ON.
I AM ALWAYS ON THE SIDE OF
WORKING FAMILIES AND WILL DO THE
SAME AS GOVERNOR.
>> NEW HAMPSHIRE IS A WONDERFUL
PLACE.
THAT IS WHY AMY AND I CHOSE TO
MOVE HERE ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO SO
I COULD BE A PUBLIC DEFENDER.
WE WERE IN THE SOUTH, WHERE I
DEFENDED DEATH PENALTY CASES AND
TAUGHT LAW SCHOOL.
.
I DEFENDED THE INTERESTS OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE’S MOST VULNERABLE.
IT IS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
AGAINST THE CRUSHING WEIGHT OF
THE IMMORAL AND UNFAIR PROPERTY
TAX.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR BOLD IDEAS
AND COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP.
I HOPE TO OFFER THAT TO OUR
STATE AS GOVERNOR.
JENNIFER: LET’S GET TO THE MOST
PRESSING TOPIC, THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
>> COULD EVENING, GENTLEMEN.
-- GOOD EVENING, GENTLEMEN.
LOOKING AT HOW OTHER STATES
AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE DOING
WITH COVID-19 INFECTIONS AND THE
TREND OF DEATHS AND
HOSPITALIZATIONS, NEW HAMPSHIRE
HAS CONTINUED TO HOLD STEADY
WITH A RELATIVELY SMALL PERCENT
POSITIVE.
POLLING SHOWS GRANITE STATER’S
SUPPORT WHAT -- STATERS SUPPORT
HOW GOVERNOR SUNUNU RESPONDED TO
THE PANDEMIC.
HOW COULD YOU DO BETTER?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: LET’S GO
BACK TO THOSE MOST VULNERABLE
GROUPS, CHILDREN, SENIORS, AND
SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE.
THE GOVERNOR ABDICATED
LEADERSHIP ON SCHOOL REOPENING.
HE AND LISTENING TO BETSY DEVOS
AND PROVIDING NO LEADERSHIP.
SENIORS, WE HAVE SOME OF THE
WORST DEATH RATES IN NURSING
HOMES OF ANY STATE IN THE
NATION.
WE SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE
ATTENTION TO THAT EARLY.
I WOULD HAVE SPENT TIME WITH
SUPPORTING STAFF AND NURSING
HOMES.
SMALL BUSINESSES, THE GOVERNOR
THINKS A $20 MILLION BUSINESS IS
A SMALL BUSINESS.
I WOULD HAVE SPENT MORE TIME
WITH 500 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO ONE
MILLION DOLLARS BUSINESSES IN
SMALL REVENUES.
SEN. FELTES: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
I AGREE WITH MUCH OF WHAT ANDRU
JUST SAID.
WITH FIVE OR SIX WEEKS TO GO
UNTIL SCHOOL STARTED, EVERYONE
WAITED ON GOVERNOR SUNUNU TO
COME UP WITH A PLAN WITH CLEAR
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR
SCHOOLS.
HE DID ANYTHING BUT AND PUNTED
IT DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVEL.
IT IS NO WONDER WHY CHRIS SUNUNU
CALLS HIMSELF A TRUMP GUY
THROUGH AND THROUGH.
THOSE ARE CHRIS SUNUNU’S OWN
WORD.S
IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO CRITICIZE
THE ABSENCE OF A SCHOOL
REOPENING PLAN.
WE PUT FORWARD OUR OWN PLAN.
I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE FOR
GOVERNOR WITH A SCHOOL REOPENING
PLAN, INCLUDING THE CURRENT
GOVERNOR.
WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS MESS
IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR WORKING
FAMILIES.
IT INCLUDES HOUSING INSURANCE
AND SO MANY THINGS CHRIS SUNUNU
VETOED.
>> YOU CALLED FOR A MASK MANDATE
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
WHICH AGENCY WOULD BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT
ENFORCEMENT?
WHAT TYPE OF PUNITIVE MEASURES
WOULD BE INCLUDED?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: TRUMP AND
SUNUNU QUESTIONED THE PUBLIC
HEALTH DATA ON WHETHER MASKS
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
IT IS CLEAR THEY DO.
I WOULD HAVE CONFRONTED SUNUNU
ABOUT THIS IN EARLY APRIL AND
ASKED HIM TO PUT TOGETHER A MASK
MANDATE.
I WOULD SHOW LEADERSHIP.
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE IS OFTEN
WHAT WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE
TO WEAR MASKS AND BE SAFE.
I WOULD ASK BUSINESSES TO
REFRAIN FROM SERVING CUSTOMERS
WHO REFUSE TO WEAR MASKS.
IF YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC INDOOR
SPACE, YOU SHOULD BE WEARING A
MASK BECAUSE IT IS GOOD FOR YOUR
COMMUNITY.
IT PROTECTS YOUR NEIGHBOR.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT
ARGUMENT WITHOUT RELYING ON
PUNITIVE MEASURES, MOVE PEOPLE
TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY
MODELING THE KIND OF BEHAVIOR
THAT WE WOULD EXPECT OF OUR
NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.
JENNIFER: SENATOR?
SEN. FELTES: I DO SUPPORT A
COMMON SENSE PUBLIC MASK
REQUIREMENT.
WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN NEW
ENGLAND THAT DOESN’T HAVE IT
UNDER GOVERNOR SUNUNU.
IT IS BASED ON THE ADVICE OF
PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS.
WE HAVE TO RELY ON THEIR ADVICE
IN A PANDEMIC.
IT IS ONE THING IF YOU ARE
WALKING A DOG BY YOURSELF, IT IS
ANOTHER IF YOU ARE IN PUBLIC
ACCOMMODATION.
OUT OF RESPECT FOR OUR
FRONT-LINE WORKERS, PEOPLE
SHOULD WEAR A MASK.
WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
COMMON SENSE PUBLIC HEALTH
MEASURES.
WE HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED
RECENTLY, INCLUDING CHRIS SUNUNU
ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET FOR
DONALD TRUMP IN A RALLY.
THAT IS NOT PUBLIC HEALTH.
THAT IS ELEVATING POLITICS ABOVE
PUBLIC HEALTH.
IT IS PRIORITIZING CHRIS
SUNUNU’S RELATIONSHIP WITH
DONALD TRUMP OVER PUBLIC HEALTH.
JENNIFER: HOW DO YOU DIFFER FROM
YOUR OPPONENT ON THIS MATTER?
SEN. FELTES: FROM ANDRU?
I THINK ANDRU AND I AGREE ON
THIS.
WHAT WE ALSO AGREE ON IS CHRIS
SUNUNU SHOULDN’T BE ROLLING OUT
THE RED CARPET FOR A ROCK
CONCERT STYLE ATMOSPHERE.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE JAMMED
TOGETHER.
IT SHOULDN’T BE A POLITICAL
RALLY, IT SHOULD BE ROCK
CONCERTS AND OTHER FORUMS WHERE
PEOPLE ARE JAMMED TOGETHER.
THAT IS ELEVATING POLITICS ABOVE
PUBLIC HEALTH.
JENNIFER: WHAT ABOUT YOU BETWEEN
YOU AND YOUR OPPONENT, SENATOR
FELTES?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: SUNUNU AND
TRUMP SHOULD NOT BE TREATING NEW
HAMPSHIRE AS A PHOTO OP.
THEY ARE DANGEROUS WHEN IT COMES
TO SPREADING THE VIRUS.
WE SHOULD HAVE NOT ALLOWED THE
PRESIDENT TO HOLD THAT RALLY
TODAY.
I WAS THE ONE THAT OPPOSED THE P
EACE RALLY WHEN THAT WAS BEING
PLANNED.
NO PHOTO OPS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE
IN SPREADING THE VIRUS.
JENNIFER: LET’S TALK ABOUT
SCHOOLS.
>> SCHOOLS ARE GETTING BACK TO
CLASSES.
SPORTS ARE STARTING WITH
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.
GOVERNOR SUNUNU HAS GIVEN EACH
DISTRICT DISCRETION TO REVISE
THEIR OWN PLANS.
IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU
GET DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN HOW
SCHOOLS SCHEDULE CLASSES AND
WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE
BUILDINGS?
WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT CERTAIN
REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS,
TEACHERS AND STAFF BEYOND THE
CURRENT HEALTH GUIDELINES?
SEN. FELTES: WE HAVE LAID OUT
EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD DO AS
GOVERNOR.
THE PLAN IS ON OUR WEBSITE.
IT LAYS OUT PUBLIC HEALTH
STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE.
IT IS BASED ON CONVERSATIONS
WITH PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS,
INCLUDING THE FORMER
COMMISSIONER OF HHS.
IT LAYS OUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A
KID GETS SICK, CONCRETE SPECIFIC
GUIDANCE.
IT DOESN’T CONTROL EVERYTHING.
THIS IS NOT A QUESTION OF LOCAL
CONTROL VERSUS NOT, IT IS A
QUESTION OF DOING YOUR JOB.
CHRIS SUNUNU ISSUED NO GUIDANCE
AND NO ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL
SUPPORT.
WHAT WE LAID OUT IN OUR PLAN IS
TO MAKE SURE WE TREAT EDUCATORS
WITH RESPECT.
MEDICAL GRADE N95 MASKS FOR
EDUCATORS.
THE AVERAGE TEACHER SPENDS OVER
$400 OUT-OF-POCKET TO DO THEIR
OWN JOB.
THEY SHOULD NOT SPEND ANY MORE
TO BE SAFE WHEN THEY TEACH.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: IN A JOINT
OP-ED WITH THE CHAIR OF THE
DOVER SCHOOL BOARD, I LAID OUT A
PLAN ON HOW WE CAN REOPEN
SCHOOLS.
BACK IN THE SPRING, I ASKED
SUNUNU AND HIS COMMISSIONER TO
DO A SHORT SUMMER PROGRAM SO WE
CAN TEST HOW TO REOPEN SAFELY.
THEY REFUSED TO DO THAT.
WE NEED TO LOWER DENSITY IN THE
SCHOOLS.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE AIR
HANDLING SYSTEMS ACTUALLY WORK.
KEEN FOUND OUT THEIR PRESCHOOL
BUILDING IS WITHOUT A WORKABLE
VENTILATION SYSTEM.
I HEARD FROM TEACHERS TODAY THAT
EVEN THOUGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS
AGREED TO PROVIDE THEM WITH PPE,
THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN’T FIND
IT.
THAT IS A FAILURE OF SUNUNU.
THEY SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO
BETSY DEVOS.
-- SHOULDN’T HAVE LISTENED TO
BETSY DEVOS.
THEY SHOULD HAVE STEPPED UP AND
DONE THE RIGHT THING.
>> IN A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH
ABC NEWS, JOE BIDEN SAID HE
WOULD "DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO
COMBAT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS
IN THE U.S.," INCLUDING LOCKING
IT DOWN IF NECESSARY, SAYING "I
WOULD SHUT IT DOWN; I WOULD
LISTEN TO THE SCIENTISTS."
IF NEW HAMPSHIRE IS IN A
SITUATION LOW CASE NUMBERS AND
THE PRESIDENT LOCKED THE COUNTRY
DOWN, WOULD YOU DEFY HIS ORDERS?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: IT IS SUCH A
LOADED QUESTION DESIGNED NOT TO
LEAD US ANYWHERE.
WE ARE IN A PUBLIC HEALTH
CRISIS.
WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC
HEALTH SCIENTISTS.
IF THE PRESIDENT, BASED ON THEIR
SPECIFIC AD -- ADVICE,
CONCLUDES THE NATION NEEDS TO
ACT AS ONE COMMUNITY TO LOCKDOWN
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, OF COURSE
I WOULD COOPERATE.
PROTECTING MY NEIGHBORS, THE
CITIZENS OF THE STATE IS WHAT WE
NEED TO DO, PARTICULARLY THE
MOST VULNERABLE, THE SENIORS WHO
OFTEN CAN’T FEND FOR THEMSELVES.
WE NEED TO COOPERATE.
NEW HAMPSHIRE IS THE ONLY STATE
THAT DOESN’T COOPERATE IN THE
SHARING OF PPE EQUIPMENT.
I WOULD REVERSE THAT AND WORK
WITH OUR NEIGHBORS.
SEN. FELTES: FIRST, I LOOK
FORWARD TO VOTING FOR JOE BIDEN
TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE
U.S.
I THINK HIM LISTENING TO
SCIENTISTS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE
NEED TO DO.
THE SCIENTISTS SAY WE NEED A
PUBLIC MASK REQUIREMENT.
THEY SAY WE NEED PUBLIC HEALTH
STANDARDS FOR SCHOOLS.
GOVERNOR SUNUNU HASN’T DONE IT.
WE NEED PPE FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES.
GOVERNOR SUNUNU VETOED IT.
WE NEED PAID FAMILY MEDICAL
LEAVE INSURANCE.
GOVERNOR SUNUNU VETOED IT.
ISSUE AFTER ISSUE THAT AFFECTS
OUR ECONOMY AND WORKING
FAMILIES.
LET’S DISABUSE OURSELVES OF THIS
NOTION THAT PUBLIC HEALTH AND
THE ECONOMY ARE DIFFERENT.
THEY ARE INTERTWINED.
ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND WORKER
HEALTH, CHRIS SUNUNU VETOED
EVERYTHING, INCLUDING BIPARTISAN
LEGISLATION WE SENT HIS WAY.
>> THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC ARE STILL
BEING FIGURED OUT.
WE DO KNOW THE STATE AT THIS
POINT FACES A MORE THAN $300
MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT.
YOU IDENTIFIED CUTS YOU YOU
WOULD DEFINITELY MAKE, OR HOW
WOULD YOU OTHERWISE CLOSE THAT
GAP AS GOVERNOR?
SEN. FELTES: GOVERNOR SUNUNU CAN
CLOSE THE GAP RIGHT NOW.
THE $400 MILLION GAP CAN BE
CLOSED WITH CARES ACT MONEY IN
THE STATE TREASURY.
HE REFUSES TO DO IT.
HE IS GOING TO A CONSULTANT
USING CARES ACT MONEY TO
IDENTIFY CUTS SO HE CAN, I
GUESS, HIDE BEHIND THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CONSULTANT
RATHER THAN USING CARES ACT
MONEY TO FILL THE GAP.
LOOK FOR ADDICTION TREATMENT AND
HOMELESSNESS SERVICES, THINGS
THAT GOVERNOR SUNUNU HAS CUT
RECENTLY.
WE ARE ONLY GETTING WORSE UNDER
COVID-19.
LOOKING OUT FOR WORKING PEOPLE,
THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
MAKING SURE THIS BUDGET LOOKS
OUT FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE, NOT
PUSHING TAX BREAKS FOR BIG
CORPORATIONS, BUT PAYING FOR
TREATMENT SERVICES AND FOR OUR
FAMILIES.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: LET’S START
WITH WHAT I WOULD NOT DO.
COMING OUT OF THE 2008
RECESSION, THE SPEAKER SHIFTED
EVERY STATE RESPONSIBILITY HE
COULD TO THE LOCAL PROPERTY
TAXPAYER AND SCOOPED UP LOCAL
PROPERTY REVENUES AT THE SAME
TIME.
SUNUNU DOUBLED DOWN ON THAT PLAN
ALREADY.
UNDER HIS ADMINISTRATION, LOCAL
PROPERTY TAXES HAVE GONE UP BY
MORE THAN $320 MILLION, MORE
THAN UNDER ANY OTHER GOVERNOR.
I DON’T KNOW WHY CHRIS SUNUNU
AND DAN BOTH SUPPORT THIS
PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM.
WE NEED TO DEVELOP REVENUE
SOURCES THAT WILL ALLOW THE
STATE TO MEET ITS RESPONSYS
ABILITIES IN TERMS OF --
RESPONSIBILITIES.
WE CAN USE WHAT IS THERE TO
BAILOUT SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES.
WE WILL HAVE TO PRESS MCCONNELL
TO RELEASE NEW CARES ACT FUNDING
SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND
PROTECT OUR LOCAL PROPERTY
TAXPAYERS.
JOHN: YOU HAVE BOTH CRITICIZED
GOVERNOR SUNUNU FOR NOT TAKING
ACTION TO STOP PRESIDENT TRUMP
FROM HOLDING A RALLY IN NEW
HAMPSHIRE.
YOU BOTH SUPPORTED OR MARCHED IN
BLACK LIVES MATTER
DEMONSTRATIONS.
THOSE POLITICAL RALLIES ARE
FORMS OF FREE SPEECH.
WHY SHOULD ONE TYPE OF
EXPRESSION BE ALLOWED AND
ANOTHER SHOULD NOT?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: IT IS A
QUESTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
IT IS NOT THE MESSAGE.
YOU LOOK AT THE PHOTOS FROM THE
TRUMP RALLY AND RNC CONVENTION.
YOU WILL SEE AN OCCASIONAL MASK.
I WALKED WITH BLACK LIVES
MATTERS IN CONCORD.
EVERYONE WAS WEARING A MASK.
EVERYONE WAS STAYING SOCIALLY
DISTANT.
THOSE WHO CAME WITHOUT MASKS
WERE SUPPLIED MASKS.
YOU NEED TO TRUST THE PUBLIC
HEALTH DATA.
MASKS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY THE
PRIVILEGES OF FREE SPEECH, YOU
NEED TO DO IT CONSISTENT WITH
PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS.
THAT IS WHY I WAS PLEASED TO
PARTICIPATE WITH BLACK LIVES
MATTERS TO INVOLVE THEM IN
DISCUSSIONS OF HOW I WOULD
GOVERN IF ELECTED.
WE DO IT IN SAFE WAYS, EITHER BY
TELECONFERENCE OR MASKS ON IN
PERSON.
JENNIFER: SENATOR, GO AHEAD.
SEN. FELTES: GOVERNOR SUNUNU HAS
CALLED PRESIDENT TRUMP’S RALLIES
IN HIS OWN WORDS A POT CONCERT
STYLE VENUE -- ROCK CONCERT
STYLE VENUE.
WOULD YOU HAVE ROCK CONCERTS
RIGHT NOW?
THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR PUBLIC
HEALTH.
IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT
POLITICAL PARTY THE POLITICIAN
IS.
WHAT MATTERS IS PUBLIC HEALTH.
GOVERNOR SUNUNU SAID HIMSELF HE
WOULDN’T GO INTO THE CROWD FOR
HIS OWN HEALTH AND SAFETY.
IF IT IS NOT SAFE FOR GOVERNOR
SUNUNU, IT IS NOT SAFE FOR
GRANITE STATERS.
WE HAVE TO PUT THE POLITICS
ASIDE.
ALL TOO OFTEN CHRIS SUNUNU IS
ELEVATING HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH
DONALD TRUMP OVER PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE HAVE GOT TO LOOK OUT FOR OUR
COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR OUR
NURSING HOMES AND WORKERS.
MONICA: COVID HAS TOUCHED
EVERYONE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
TELL US ABOUT A PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE YOU HAD WITH COVID-19
AND HOW IT AFFECTED YOUR LIFE.
SEN. FELTES: FOR A GOOD CHUNK OF
THE PANDEMIC, MY TWO YOUNG
DAUGHTERS WERE OUT OF DAYCARE.
WE DID THE BEST WE COULD, JUST
LIKE EVERY OTHER FAMILY, TO
JUNGLE.
-- TO JUGGLE.
FOR 20,000 PARENTS, DAYCARE HAS
NOT OPENED UP.
WHEN IT OPENED UP ON THE FIRST
OR SECOND WEEK, MY DAUGHTER HAD
A RUNNY NOSE.
BOTH WERE SENT HOME.
FOR A WEEK PLUS, WE STRUGGLED
WITH THE ABSENCE OF RAPID
TESTING IN THE STATE.
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS SO
MANY FAMILIES AND OUR WORKFORCE.
THIS IS CRUSHING WORKING
FAMILIES RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE GOT TO LOOK OUT FOR
WORKING FAMILIES.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: AMY AND I
HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
WE HAVE A NEW GRANDSON WHO IS
NOW 14 WEEKS OLD.
I HAVE NOT HELD HIM HAVE NOT
HELD.
AMY, MY WIFE, AND MY DAUGHTER
FIVE OR SIX WEEKS AGO RENTED A
VAN TO DROVE TO DENVER SO THEY
COULD MEET AND HOLD OUR
GRANDSON.
I MISSED THAT.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR FRIEND
LOST HER HUSBAND IN A NURSING
HOME.
SHE COULDN’T BE WITH HIM DURING
HIS FINAL HOURS.
THAT IS CRUSHING.
WE HAVE HEARD OF THOSE STORIES
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
THE SMALLEST INCONVENIENCE, THE
SMALL DIFFICULTIES AMY AND I
SUFFERED PALE IN COMPARISON TO
THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN WITH
THEIR LOVED ONES WHEN THEY PASS
AWAY.
>> IN THE SPIRIT OF MAKING SURE
WE COVER A NUMBER OF TOPICS, WE
ARE GOING TO HIT SEVERAL NOW IN
A LIGHTNING ROUND.
PLEASE ANSWER IN 30 SECONDS OR
LESS.
REGARDING JUDICIAL NOMINEES,
SHOULD WORKING ON OR FOR A
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN DISQUALIFY A
LAWYER FROM SERVING ON THE BENCH
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: IT SHOULD
NOT DISQUALIFY THE LAWYER, BUT
IT IS APPROPRIATE TO ASK WHAT
THE PLATFORMS WERE.
THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH GORDON
MCDONALD’S NOMINATION.
HE TWICE WORKED WITH POLITICAL
PARTIES THAT DENIED THE RIGHT TO
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.
THAT IS DISQUALIFYING.
SEN. FELTES: ANDRU LIFTS UP HIS
BLOCKING OF GORDON MCDONALD AS
THE THIRD ANTI-CHOICE JUSTICE ON
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE FIVE-MEMBER
SUPREME COURT.
THE QUESTION FOR ANDRU IS, WHY
DID HE VOTE FOR THE FIRST TWO?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I AM HAPPY
TO ANSWER IF PERMITTED.
THEY DIDN’T HAVE DOCUMENTED
RECORDS OF ANTAGONISM TOWARD
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.
IF YOU WERE SO CONCERNED ABOUT
THE FIRST TWO, WHY DIDN’T YOU
SAY SOMETHING DURING EITHER OF
THEIR NOMINATION PROCESSES?
JENNIFER: SENATOR, RESPOND AND
WE WILL MOVE ON.
SEN. FELTES: BECAUSE I AM NOT ON
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
I THINK THE QUESTIONS NEED TO
COME FROM ANDRU.
HE VOTED FOR THE FIRST TWO.
I DON’T THINK WE HEARD AN
EXPLANATION ABOUT WHY HE VOTED
FOR THEM.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I DON’T
DISQUALIFY CANDIDATES JUST
BECAUSE THEY ARE REPUBLICANS.
I LOOK AT THEIR DOCUMENTED
RECORD.
THERE WAS NO ANTAGONISM TOWARD
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, AS THERE
WAS WITH GORDON MCDONALD.
IF YOU THINK I MISSED SOMETHING,
YOU HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY TO
POINT IT OUT IN TIME RATHER THAN
TAKE SHOTS DURING A DEBATE.
SEN. FELTES: I THINK IT IS
CLEAR.
ANDRU HAS CAMPAIGNED ON HIS
BLOCKING OF GORDON MCDONALD AS
THE ALLEGED THIRD ANTI-C
HOICE JUSTICE.
HE IS BASING MUCH OF HIS
CAMPAIGN ON THIS.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: THE FIRST
TWO WERE NOT ANTI-JOYCE.
THE FIRST WAS A WOMAN WHO
SUPPORTS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.
I HAVE NOT SAID GORDON WAS THE
THIRD, I SAID HE IS THE CHIEF
JUSTICE.
JENNIFER: IS IT OFFENSIVE TO
CELEBRATE COLUMBUS DAY AS A
STATE HOLIDAY?
SEN. FELTES: ON HOLIDAYS, I
THINK WE OUGHT TO MAKE ELECTION
DAY A HOLIDAY AND DO AWAY WITH
COLUMBUS DAY.
THAT IS MY VIEW.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: WE SHOULD
RECOGNIZE OUR HISTORY AND
CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
.
JENNIFER: WOULD YOU GO TO A
SOCIALLY DISTANCED SPORTING
EVENT?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: A
PROFESSIONAL EVENT?
JENNIFER: ANY SPORTING EVENT,
SOCIALLY DISTANCED.
WOULD YOU GO?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I WOULD
HESITATE.
I THINK THIS IS THE WRONG TIME.
IT SETS A BAD EXAMPLE,
ESPECIALLY RUNNING FOR
LEADERSHIP IN OFFICE.
MY KIDS WERE ALL HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETES.
I WAS PROUD TO ATTEND AS MANY
GAMES AS I POSSIBLY COULD.
I THINK IN THESE TIMES IT IS
MORE IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SET THE
RIGHT EXAMPLE.
SEN. FELTES: I WOULD AGREE WITH
ANDRU.
JENNIFER: SENATOR, WHAT IS YOUR
FAVORITE ACTIVITY TOD O -- TO DO
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?
SEN. FELTES: OTHER THAN BEING IN
MY BACKYARD WITH MY FAMILY, MY
TWO GIRLS, IS HIKING.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: AMY AND I
HAVE EACH HIKED ALL 48 OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE’S 4000 FOOTERS.
DAN AND I AGREE.
I REALLY LIKE THE OUTDOORS.
IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
ATTRACTED ME TO NEW HAMPSHIRE IN
THE FIRST PLACE ALMOST 40 YEARS
AGO.
JENNIFER: HAVE YOU DINED INDOORS
AT A RESTAURANT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
DURING THE PANDEMIC?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I HAVE NOT.
I HAVE DONE TAKE OUT TO SUPPORT
FRIENDS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES,
BUT I HAVE NOT DIED
SEN. FELTES: I HAVE NOT DINED
INDOORS.
 
 
 
 
I HAVE DINED OUTDOORS AND LIKE
ANDREW, DONE SOME TAKE-OUT.
JENNIFER: LET’S MOVE ON FROM THE
LIGHTNING ROUND.
WE HAVE DEDICATED FROM THE
CORONAVIRUS, BUT WE ALSO ASKED
OUR FACEBOOK FANS WHAT THEY
THOUGHT SOME OF THE ISSUES WOULD
-- SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
SOME SAID SOCIAL INJUSTICE.
LET’S TURN TO THAT TOPIC.
HERE IS MONICA.
MONICA: DOES NEW HAMPSHIRE HAVE
TO WORK TO ACCEPT ALL PEOPLE OF
RACES AND SENATOR, WILL YOU WORK
TO GET PEOPLE OF COLOR TO WORK
IN PUBLIC OFFICE?
SEN. FELTES: YES, ABSOLUTELY.
WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER.
THE CURRENT GOVERNOR HAS SAID
SYSTEMIC RACISM DOES NOT EXIST.
IT DOES.
IN THE FIRST STEP IS SAYING IT
EXISTS.
AND WE HAVE WORKED.
AS A LEGAL AID LAWYER, BENDING
-- DID THAT WORK?
IN THE TRENCHES, FACING
DISCRIMINATION, FACING
IMPEDIMENTS.
AND THE STATE SENATE DID THAT.
AND AS GOVERNOR -- TO WORK
TOWARDS SYSTEMIC PRACTICES AND
INCLUDE MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR
FROM STATE GOVERNMENT.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: LET ME START
HERE.
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
I WOULD INVITE ANYONE -- YOU
WOULD FIND THAT MIND IS THE ONLY
DIVERSE WOMAN LED STAFF OF THE
THREE CANDIDATES.
LET’S START THERE.
MY LAW FIRM IS THE SAME WAY.
VERY DIVERSE STAFF.
WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT
SYSTEMIC RACISM EXISTS IN NEW
HAMPSHIRE AND NEED TO CALL IT
UP.
-- CALL IT OUT.
WE HAVE TO CALL OUT THE
CHALLENGE TO THE PRESIDENT WHEN
HE ACTS IN A RACIST WAY.
I STOOD IN COURTROOMS THROUGHOUT
THE SOUTH DEFENDING DEATH
PENALTY DEFENDANT.
I THINK WE BOTH HAVE -- AND I AM
VERY PROUD OF MINE.
SEN. FELTES: AND YOU MENTIONED
THAT HE INVOKED OUR CAMPAIGN.
THE TABLE IN OUR CAMPAIGN.
A LEECH DIGITAL PERSON IS A
PERSON OF COLOR.
WE HAVE THE MAJORITY -- WE HAVE
A MAJORITY OF WOMAN STUFF.
LOOK.
WE ARE LOOKING TO --
JOHN: NEW HAMPSHIRE’S NEW
CHOKEHOLD LAW BANS CIRCUMSTANCES
WHERE AN OFFICER BELIEVES THAT
SOMEONE’S LIFE IS IN IMMINENT
DANGER.
COUNCILOR GALINSKY, SHOULD HE
HAVE TAKEN A STRONGER STANCE ON
THIS WHEN THE BILL WAS BEING
DRAFTED AND DEBATED IN THE
SENATE?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I DO NOT
THINK HE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN
CREDIT FOR THE COMPASS YOU MUCH.
IN EFFECT, NOTHING CHANGED.
THAT IS ONLY ONE PIECE OF THE
PUZZLE.
WE NEED TO DO AND MILITARIZE OUR
POLICE.
WE NEED TO MOVE RESOURCES FROM
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL WORK
SO THAT POLICE OFFICERS CAN DO
THEIR JOBS IN MENTAL HEALTH --
AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
CAN DO THEIR JOBS.
WE NEED TO COMMIT RESOURCES.
POLICE OFFICERS CAN FOCUS ON
THEIR JOBS AND WE CAN PROVIDE
RESOURCES TO PEOPLE WHO NEED
THEM SO THAT WE DO NOT HAVE
JAILS AND PRISONS BECOME MENTAL
HEALTH TREATMENT FACILITIES,
WHICH IS WHAT THEY TOO OFTEN
ARE.
JENNIFER: SENATOR.
SEN. FELTES: WE HAVE MADE
PROGRESS IN WORKING TOGETHER.
SERVING AS MAJORITY LEADER IN
THE STATE SENATE FOR THREE
TERMS, WE MADE PROGRESS WITH A
WHOLE BUNCH OF ISSUES.
AND POLICE REFORM.
PART OF DOING THAT IS WORKING
TOGETHER.
NOT SHOUTING FROM THE SIDELINES.
ACTUALLY WORKING WITH PEOPLE.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR
MORE REFORM.
WE HAVE TO CONTINUE LISTENING TO
ONE ANOTHER.
THIS IS NOT JUST A MOMENT.
WE NEED TO MAKE A MOVEMENT FOR
CHANGE.
WHETHER IT IS SUBTLE OR OVERT,
EVERYDAY, BLACK AMERICANS FACE
ACTIONS AND POLICIES THAT ROB
THEM OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, IF
NOT THEIR LIVES.
WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON
HEALTH CARE.
HOUSING AND PROTECT PEOPLE’S
HOMES.
I HOPE WE GET TO CHAT A LITTLE
BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.
JENNIFER: THANK YOU.
MONICA: YOU BOTH PROMISED BLACK
LIVES MATTER ORGANIZERS THAT YOU
WOULD REDUCE DISPROPORTIONATE
INCARCERATION.
WHITE CONVICTED KILLERS PRIOR
DID NOT FACE CAPITAL MURDER
CHARGES.
WAS THE DECISION TO PURSUE THE
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT RACIST?
SEN. FELTES: THIS IS A SERIES OF
LITIGATION.
WHAT RESULTED IS WHAT RESULTED.
WE DID IN THE STATE SENATE IS
REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY.
OVER THE VETO -- BY ONE VOTE,
WORKING FOR CHANGE.
WE DID THAT IN THE STATE SENATE.
AND THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ALL
ABOUT.
SO MUCH OF THIS CAMPAIGN IN THIS
PRIMARY IS ABOUT WORKING
TOGETHER.
IN THE STATE SENATE, THAT IS
WHAT I HAVE DONE.
WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO MOVING
FORWARD.
AND THE VOTERS DESERVE THAT FROM
ELECTED OFFICIAL.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I HAVE
WORKED -- I STOOD IN FRONT OF
THE SUPREME COURT AND ONE.
-- AND WON.
I LEFT FOR A WEEK TO WORK ON A
DEATH PENALTY CASE IN GEORGIA.
WE WON A COMMUTATION FOR MY
CLIENT IN GEORGIA.
I THINK THAT ADDISON AND A WHITE
GUY NAMED BROOKS WERE CHARGED
WITH CAPITAL MURDER AT ALMOST
THE SAME TIME.
BROOKS HIRED SOMEONE AND PLANT
-- THE JURY IN ADDISON’S CASE SO
THAT HE ACTED RECKLESSLY.
THERE IS A RACIST COMPONE IN
EACH AND EVERY CASE.
I THINK THERE IS A PROCESS IN
PLACE WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
AND THE GOVERNOR.
IF THE COUNCIL VOTED TO COMMUTE
ADDISON’S SENTENCE, I WOULD
APPROVE THAT.
SEN. FELTES: I AGREE WITH ANDREW
AND THE PROCESS.
WE REPEALED THE DEATH PENALTY.
IF THE COUNCIL VOTED TO DO THAT,
WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
JENNIFER: THANK YOU.
JOHN: LET’S TURN TO TEXAS.
WHAT SPECIFICALLY NOW -- A WIKI
FOR THE PRIMARY -- WILL YOU
 
 
 
 
PROPOSE TO RELIEVE THE TAX
BURDEN ON THOSE WHO NEED IT
MOST?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: IT KEEPS US
FROM BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
THAT YOUNG PEOPLE AND WORKING
PEOPLE NEED.
IT HURTS US IN DEVELOPING SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT ALSO CREATE JOBS
BURDEN.
THE PROPERTY TAX IS NEW
HAMPSHIRE’S BROADEST BASED TAX.
IT IS UNFAIR AND IMMORAL.
I WOULD SAY THIS.
ABOUT A WEEK AGO, EXPERTS FOR
THIS SCHOOL FUNDING COMMISSION
SAID TWO THINGS.
ONE, THAT WE SPEND THE RIGHT
AMOUNT OF MONEY.
AND TWO, WE CAN SOLVE THE SCHOOL
FUNDING CONSTITUTIONALLY WITHOUT
AN INCOME OR SALES TAX.
JOHN: SENATOR, YOU SAID THAT YOU
CLOSED TAX LOOPHOLES TO TRY TO
RELIEVE THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN.
COULD YOU GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT
THAT?
WHICH ONES YOU WOULD CLOSE AND
HOW MUCH THAT WOULD RAISE?
SEN. FELTES: SURE, THANK YOU.
THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN 20
YEARS.
WE CLOSED LOOPHOLES FOR
CORPORATIONS IN THE SYSTEM,
INCLUDING CORPORATIONS LIKE
NETFLIX WHO CLEARLY HAD A
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH NEW
HAMPSHIRE.
THERE ARE A LOT MORE OF THOSE
LOOPHOLES TO CLOSE.
I DON’T SUPPORT A BROAD-BASED
INCOME TAX.
LAST NIGHT AT A FORUM, ANDRU
SAID HE WOULD CELEBRATE A
BROAD-BASED INCOME TAX.
I DON’T THINK WE SPENT THE RIGHT
AMOUNT ON SCHOOLS.
I THINK THE STATE SHOULD STEP UP
AND SPEND MORE.
>> I THINK THE QUESTION WAS HOW
MUCH IN THE LOOPHOLES WOULD YOU
DEVELOP?
SEN. FELTES: ANDRU, A LOT MORE
THAN YOU ARE SHUFFLING AROUND
PROPERTY TAXES.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: IT DEALS
WITH THE PROBLEM AS THE EXPERTS
INDICATED LAST WEEK.
HOW MUCH WOULD YOU DEVELOP FOR
THE BUDGET FOR SCHOOLS?
WHY HAVEN’T YOU CLOSED THE
LOOPHOLES UNTIL NOW?
SEN. FELTES: WE DID CLOSE THEM.
IT IS ONE THING TO LITIGATE AND
FUND A CASE.
IT IS ANOTHER TO ADD FUNDING.
ANDRU, YOUR IDEA IS TO RAISE
PROPERTY TAXES IN SOME AND
REDISTRIBUTE IT.
I THINK THE STATE SHOULD STEP UP
AND SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOL
EDUCATION.
THIS IS ABOUT ALL OUR KIDS’
FUTURE.
THEY DESERVE A FOUNDATION FOR
OPPORTUNITY AS STRONG AS OUR
GRANITE STATE SOIL.
WE WILL BUILD ON THAT AND MOVE
FORWARD.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: MOST OF THAT
PROGRESSIVE BUDGET LEAVES US
50TH IN THE NATION FOR STATE
SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
IT IS MOSTLY ONE-TIME MONEY.
IT CAME AFTER MULTIPLE YEARS OF
CUTS.
REALLY YOU WERE GIVING BACK
MONEY THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN IN PRIOR
YEARS WHILE YOU WERE IN THE
SENATE.
SEN. FELTES: THAT IS NOT TRUE.
I KNOW YOU NEVER WORKED ON A
STATE BUDGET, BUT THIS IS THE
BIGGEST INCREASE IN 20 YEARS.
FOR ANDRU TO SAY WE ARE 50TH
AFTER THIS BUDGET AND THEN SAY
WE SPEND THE RIGHT AMOUNT ON
SCHOOLS DOESN’T MAKE A LOT OF
SENSE.
WE HAVE HEARD A LOT FROM ANDRU
ABOUT PLEDGE THIS, PLEDGE THAT.
DON’T HEAR ANY PLANS.
TALKING ABOUT THE PLEDGE WITHOUT
TALKING ABOUT YOUR PLANS IS
POLITICS AS USUAL.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I AM HAPPY
TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM WITH
SCHOOL FUNDING.
LET’S ALLOW THE NEXT QUESTION.
I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING.
JENNIFER: WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE
NEXT QUESTION.
MONICA: BEFORE THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC, NEW HAMPSHIRE HAD
ANOTHER HUGE CRISIS, DRUG
ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE DEATHS.
NEW NUMBERS SHOW O.D.’S IN
MANCHESTER IN JULY WERE THE
HIGHEST SINCE JUNE OF 2019.
HOW WOULD YOU HAVE PREVENTED
THAT SPIKE?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I HAPPEN TO
BE WITH SUNUNU AT A COUNCIL
MEETING WHEN HE TOLD US HE
DREAMT UP, HIS WORDS, THE SYSTEM
FOR TREATING OPIOID ADDICTION.
I KNEW THAT VERMONT HAD THE SAME
SYSTEM FIVE YEARS EARLIER.
I WENT TO VERMONT AND ASKED HOW
DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?
WHERE ARE THE SHORTCOMINGS?
THEY TOLD ME THE HUBS ARE
RELATIVELY EASY TO SET UP.
IT IS THE PROVIDERS IN THE
COMMUNITIES THAT ARE OFTEN
MISSING.
IN PART WE DON’T PAY THEM WELL
ENOUGH.
NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS SOME OF THE
LOWEST MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT
RATES IN THE NATION.
WE DON’T SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY
HEALTH CENTERS AS WE SHOULD.
WE DOWNSHIFT TO THE LOCAL
PROPERTY TAXPAYER AND ASK PLACES
LIKE MANCHESTER AND NASHUA TO
FUND STATE STATIONS PROGRAMS.
-- SAFE STATIONS PROGRAMS.
SEN. FELTES: AS A LEGAL AID
LAWYER, I HELPED PEOPLE GET
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND
TREATMENT.
IN THE STATE SENATE, I HAVE
BROKEN DOWN BARRIERS, INCLUDING
WORKING WITH THE THEN-STATE
SENATOR TO GET RID OF
AUTHORIZATIONS FOR INPATIENT
DRUG TREATMENT.
WE PUT FORWARD INITIATIVES TO
ADVANCE ADDICTION TREATMENT
SERVICES.
SUNUNU VETOED A BILL THAT WE
PASSED 24-0 TO ENHANCE ADDICTION
TREATMENT SERVICES.
WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED THE
DOORWAYS GRANDMA.
--  PROGRAM.
THERE IS NO TREATMENT CAPACITY.
WE NEED TO BUILD UP TREATMENT
CAPACITY ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF
CARE.
IT NEEDS TO BE ON A STATEWIDE
BASIS, NOT JUST ON THE I-93
CORRIDOR.
FAMILIES AROUND THE STATE SHOULD
HAVE ACCESS.
THIS IS A COST SAVINGS ISSUE.
SUNUNU UNILATERALLY CUT
ADDICTION SERVICES OUT OF THE
BUDGET.
JOHN: MENTAL HEALTH AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE ARE OFTEN
INTERTWINED.
THIS NEXT QUESTION IS ABOUT
PEOPLE IN A MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS.
WHILE THE STATE HAS DONE WORK TO
REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
HOUSED IN EMERGENCY ROOMS WHILE
IN A CRISIS, IT IS STILL
HAPPENING.
THE STATE SEEING AN UPTICK IN
THE NUMBER OF CASES.
HOW CAN THIS BE PREVENTED?
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON YOUR FIRST
DAY TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING?
SEN. FELTES: THERE ARE PEOPLE
WAITING IN EMERGENCY ROOMS FOR
TIMELY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.
YOU DON’T WAIT IF YOU BREAK YOUR
LEG.
PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR MENTAL
HEALTH TREATMENT, INCLUDING KIDS
.
WE ACTUALLY PUT MEASURES INTO
THE BUDGET AND FUNDED THEM TO
DEAL WITH THIS, INCLUDING A
STATEWIDE MOBILE HEALTH CRISIS.
SUNUNU HAS FAILED TO STAND IT
UP, LITERALLY.
THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THOSE
23 KIDS FROM WAITING IN
EMERGENCY ROOMS.
ON DAY ONE WE WILL STAND UP THE
SERVICES WE NEED IN THE BUDGET.
WHEN I TALK ABOUT PEOPLE NOT
HAVING EXPERIENCES IN THE
BUDGET, THIS IS WHAT IS AT
STAKE.
WE NEED THIS BUDGET TO DEAL WITH
THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS AND
PEOPLE LEFT BEHIND.
THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO ON DAY
ONE.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I WORK AS
HARD AS I CAN TO TALK TO PEOPLE
WHO UNDERSTAND THESE ISSUES.
I WAS TALKING TO COMMUNITY
MENTAL HEALTH CENTER LEADERS THE
OTHER DAY.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY
POINTED OUT AS MISSING.
THAT IS ONLY PART OF THE
PROBLEM.
WE HAVE ABOUT 70 PEOPLE IN E.R.
BOARDING RIGHT NOW.
THE STATE SAID IT IS THE
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL’S
RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT IS WHAT THEY DID IN THEIR
FEDERAL LITIGATION.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS STAND UP
RIGHT AWAY, COMMUNITY HALFWAY
TRANSITION FACILITIES SO WE CAN
DISCHARGE PEOPLE HELD AT THE
HOSPITAL WHO SHOULDN’T BE.
WE CAN DO THAT AT THE SUNUNU
CENTER, AT THE FACILITY IN
LACONIA.
THERE ARE PLACES WE CAN USE FOR
THAT PURPOSE.
WE SHOULD DO THAT NOW AND GET
THOSE PEOPLE OUT OF THE
EMERGENCY ROOMS.
JENNIFER: NEXT QUESTION.
MONICA: DURING COVID-19, NEW
HAMPSHIRE HAS SEEN A NOTABLE
RISE IN BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR
FIREARMS PURCHASES.
BOTH OF YOU BACKED NEW FIREARMS
LAWS, INCLUDING WAITING PERIODS
FOR FIREARMS PURCHASES AND RED
FLAG LAWS.
HOW FAR ARE YOU WILLING TO GO
WITH THOSE NEW LAWS?
WILL YOU REQUIRE MANDATORY
LICENSING AND TRAINING IN ORDER
TO OWN A FIREARM IN OUR STATE?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I START
HERE.
MY SON IS A MIDDLE SCHOOL
SCIENCE TEACHER.
MY DAUGHTER JUST FINISHED FIVE
YEARS AS A HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL
WORKER IN AN URBAN HIGH SCHOOL
IN NEW YORK CITY.
IF YOU ARE ASKING WOULD I DO
EVERYTHING TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF
SCHOOLS AND PROTECT THE CHILDREN
AND PERSONAL WHO WORK THERE?
YOU BET I WOULD.
DAN AND I HAVE MOMS DEMAND
ACTION CANDIDATE OF DISTINCTION
RECORDS.
WE SUPPORT COMMON SENSE GUN
SAFETY LAWS.
WE BOTH THINK THOSE LAWS ARE
NECESSARY TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE IN
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
MOST SUICIDES TAKE PLACE WITH A
FIREARM.
IF A PERSON DIDN’T HAVE A
FIREARM, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN
TIME FOR INTERVENTIONS.
I WOULD HAVE SIGNED EVERY ONE OF
THOSE BILLS THAT THE THE
LEGISLATURE PASSED.
JENNIFER: WOULD YOU BAN AR-15
TYPE RIFLES AND REQUIRE
MANDATORY TRAINING IN ORDER TO
OWN A FIREARM?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: I WOULD DO
EVERYTHING I COULD TO PREVENT
AR-15’S FROM GETTING INTO
INDIVIDUAL’S HANDS, BUT IT IS
LARGELY A FEDERAL ISSUE BECAUSE
YOU HAVE INTERSTATE COMMERCE
CLAUSE ISSUES.
IN ORDER TO DRIVE IN NEW
HAMPSHIRE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A
TEST TO EARN YOUR LICENSE.
I DON’T SEE WHY GUN OWNERSHIP IS
ANY DIFFERENT.
SEN. FELTES: IT IS NOT A
FEDERAL ISSUE.
I DON’T THINK WEAPONS OF WAR
SHOULD BE ON THE STREETS OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE.
BUT I DON’T SUPPORT MANDATORY
LICENSING.
I DO SUPPORT COMMON SENSE GUN
VIOLENCE PREVENTION, INCLUDING
MEASURES WE PASSED IN THE
LEGISLATURE.
WE DELIVERED RESULTS.
WE BLENDED -- LANDED THOSE
BILLS ON GOVERNOR SUNUNU’S DESK.
A WAITING PERIOD, THINGS THAT WE
KNOW PREVENT SUICIDE FROM GUN
VIOLENCE.
SUNUNU VETOED THEM.
SUNUNU SAID HE SUPPORTED
UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.
THEN HE VETOED THE BILL.
THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN
ISSUE.
SUNUNU IS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF
THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF
REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS
SUPPORT COMMON SENSE GUN
VIOLENCE PROTECTIONS, INCLUDING
UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.
MONICA: DEPENDING ON HOW THE
NATIONAL ELECTIONS GO, THE
HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY COULD
LOOK DIFFERENT.
WHAT COULD YOU DO AS GOVERNOR TO
MAKE SURE GRANITE STATERS GET
PROPER HEALTH CARE?
SEN. FELTES: AS A LEGAL AID
LAWYER FOR A DECADE, I EXPANDED
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.
IN THE STATE SENATE, I WAS THE
LEAD DEMOCRATIC NEGOTIATOR ON
SECURING HEALTH CARE FOR 50,000
GRANITE STATER.
I LEAD THE WAY ON PRESCRIPTION
DRUG RELIEF, INCLUDING IMPORTING
SAFE AND LOW-COST DRUGS FROM
CANADA.
THE MOST PROGRESSIVE PRICE CAP
ON INSULIN IN THE NATION.
$30 OUT-OF-POCKET.
WE DELIVERED RESULTS FOR
ORDINARY PEOPLE.
WE KNOW UNINSURED RATES ARE
GOING UP UNDER COVID-19, UNDER
CHRIS SUNUNU.
CHRIS SUNUNU VETOED OUR BILL TO
MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS WHO NEED
TESTING AND TREATMENT UNDER
COVID-19 DON’T HAVE TO PAY
OUT-OF-POCKET.
HE VETOED FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE
INSURANCE.
THESE ARE KEY FOR REDUCING COSTS
FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: BEFORE I
TOOK OFFICE, I SERVED FOR SIX
YEARS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE MANCHESTER COMMUNITY
HEALTH CENTER.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO
PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO PEOPLE IN
POVERTY.
I LEARNED A GREAT DEAL.
WE NEED TO BUILD OUT AND BUILD
UP OUR BACKBONE OF FEDERALLY
QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS ACROSS
THE STATE.
THERE ARE SOME CENTERS ACROSS
THE STATE WITHOUT OBSTETRIC
CARE.
HOW CAN WE EXPECT ARTHUR -- OUR
STATE TO THRIVE IF THERE ARE
PLACES WHERE YOU CAN’T HAVE A
BABY?
THE PROBLEM OF TYING EMPLOYMENT
AND HEALTH INSURANCE TOGETHER, I
AM A MEDICARE FOR ALL GUY.
I THINK THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN
DO TO APPROACH THAT ON THE STATE
LEVEL USING MUNICIPAL RISK
POOLS.
I WOULD UNDERTAKE THAT.
DAN IS RIGHT ON FAMILY MEDICAL
LEAVE.
I WOULD WORK TO ADVANCE THE
INTEREST OF PLANT FAMILY CENTERS
-- PLANNED FAMILY CENTERS.
JENNIFER: THIS LAST QUESTION.
WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME WHEN
PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR
HEALTH, THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR
JOBS, THE POLITICAL CLIMATE.
HOW WILL YOU BE THE PERSON TO
LEAD GRANITE STATERS THROUGH
THESE TIMES?
SEN. FELTES: YOU HAVE TO TRUST
SOMEONE WILL BE IN YOUR CORNER.
WORKING PEOPLE OUGHT TO HAVE
SOMEONE IN THEIR CORNER.
THAT IS WHO I THOUGHT FOR MY
ENTIRE CAREER.
WHEN I WAS FIGHTING FOR THE
COVERAGE FOR FOLKS WITH DIABETES
TO MAKE SURE THE PRICE CAP IS
ONLY $30, WHEN I WAS FIGHTING AS
A LEGAL AID LAWYER, ANDRU WAS
REPRESENTING CRAIG BENSON’S
CORPORATION, DISMISSING SOMEONE
WITH DIABETES.
WHEN I WAS FIGHTING TO PROTECT
HOMEOWNERS WHO GOT THE HOME OF
THEIR DREAMS AND THEN FELL
BEHIND IN THE GREAT RECESSION,
WHEN I WAS HELPING THEM SAVE
THEIR HOME AGAINST A WALL STREET
BANK, ANDRU WAS ON THE OTHER
SIDE REPRESENTING A TITLE
COMPANY THAT WAS ALLEGED TO
DEFRAUD PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR
HOMES.
THIS IS ABOUT WHO YOU TRUST.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON THE SIDE
OF WORKING FAMILIES.
WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS MESS
IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR THEM.
JENNIFER: YOUR RESPONSE?
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: WE NEED TO
RELY ON PEOPLE WHO WILL TELL THE
TRUTH WHETHER IT IS HOPEFUL OR
PAINFUL FOR THEM.
THE TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS
DISCIPLINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
INSURANCE FOR GIVING DISCOUNTS
TO FELLOW BUSINESS MEMBERS OF
THE PORTSMOUTH COUNTRY CLUB.
IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH
MORTGAGES.
THAT IS A BALD-FACED
MISSTATEMENT.
YOU NEED PEOPLE WHO YOU CAN
TRUST, WHO SHOW GOOD JUDGMENT.
I OPPOSED THE FRACKED GAS
PIPELINE.
I HAVEN’T SWITCHED SIDES ON THAT
ISSUE.
ON CAMPAIGN-FINANCE, I SAID I
WOULD NOT TAKE PAC OR LLC MONEY.
I NEVER HAD TO RETURN MONEY
BECAUSE I DID NOT LIVE UP TO MY
OWN STANDARDS.
IT IS.
-- IT IS JUDGMENT.
THAT IS WHO YOU TRUST.
JENNIFER: WE HAVE GIVEN EACH
CANDIDATE 60 SECONDS FURTHER
CLOSING STATEMENTS.
SEN. FELTES: THANK YOU TO ANDRU
AND WMUR, APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY.
AND TO ALL THE VIEWERS AT HOME.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE
IN THIS RACE.
NO SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN.
NO PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS.
INCLUDING VETOING INSURANCE
COVERAGE FOR WOMEN’S
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.
SAYS HE IS PRO-CHOICE, BUT EVERY
ACTION IN BETWEEN ELECTION TIMES
IS ANYTHING BUT.
WE ARE ENDORSED BY SO MANY,
INCLUDING END CITIZENS UNITED.
NO CORPORATE MONEY.
ALSO FEEL MONEY, NON --  FOSSIL
FUEL MONEY, NONE.
WE ARE WORKING HARD TO LIFT
PEOPLE UP, NOT TEAR PEOPLE DOWN.
COUNCILOR VOLINSKY: THIS DEBATE
IS ABOUT WHO STANDS UP BETTER
AGAINST SUNUNU AND TRUMP IN THE
FALL.
DAN HAD SOME GOOD POLICY
INITIATIVES, BUT SUNUNU FORDED
THEM WITH HIS VETOES.
I SAT ACROSS THE TABLE FROM
CHRIS SUNUNU AS AN EXECUTIVE
COUNSELOR.
WHEN HE WAS RIGHT, I COOPERATED.
WHEN HE WAS WRONG, I WAS
PERSISTENT RESISTANCE.
I KNEW MORE THAN HE DID.
I STUDIED THE ISSUES HARDER THAN
HE DID.
I BROUGHT FORWARD THE ARGUMENTS
THAT AT TIMES BROUGHT MY
REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ALONG WITH
ME.
THAT IS HOW WE STOPPED GORDON
MCDONALD, HOW WE STOPPED AN
UNQUALIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMISSIONER.
THAT IS HOW WE FORCED SUNUNU TO
RELEASE THOSE SWEETHEART
CONTRACTS.
I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
GO TO VOLINSKYNH.COM.
JENNIFER: WE THANK THE
CANDIDATES FOR THEIR TIME AND
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE
FIRST OF OUR GRANITE STATE
DEBATES.
TOMORROW WE WILL HEAR FROM THE
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RUNNING
FOR THE U.S. SENATE NOMINATION.
IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THE
DEBATE, YOU CAN FIND IT ON
