The following is the New Hampshire 2020 special presentation welcome to the candidate debate along with a senior political reporter josh rogers. And to buy Health Guidelines as we bring them to you today also josh and me and the candidates are in some studios and all Wearing Masks in the public areas of the office. Each have 60 seconds to respond and in many cases and that what they would be given and 30 seconds to respond i would strongly discourage the candidates from interrupting each other they are incumbent republican chris sununu running for a third term also former executive will come back and great to have you. Thank you for your time will come back. Starting with the sixties second and Opening Statements you first you have a sixties second opening statement. Im not running for governor to be a governor to get things done for working people and working families. Hundreds of loved ones tens of thousands lost their jobs and homes and healthcare we all relied upon they dont know the next day the working class thats right come from a workingclass family and its an honor to be here with all of you for those my dad worked in the furniture factory 45 years day in and day out for 45 years with the New HampshireLegal Assistance and each and every day if i have the privilege i wills fight for workingclass families. Governor sununu go ahead with your statement. Gov sununu first a big thank you to everyone in New Hampshire we have gone through amazing times over the past year and to the National Guard and to those who have come to together in a very difficult time and have gone results. And when it comes to the campaign i understand the frustration on the other side and even more today than the Democratic Party pulled his ads on tv but is not appropriate to talk about the future in the Management Experience those of the challenges ahead of us and we can talk with them with the right experience and with positivity to be transparent and honest and we will keep doing i it. Host good morning the latest culminating case number show a spike in cases were double what they were two weeks ago hospitalizations are raising and you and your teams of higher numbers are t on tied tomorrow testing we have emphasized the circumstances dictate to flex in or out and what is the benchmark . Its a good point cases are going up we talked about this since may knowing as universities and schools open they are rising much more drastically we should not think that cant happen here and to plan for the worst and hope for the best looking at all of these measures in place getting ppe your testing we still have 500 test today now we do 5000 positivity is still at 1 percent today its a 16 or 17 and used to be well over 100 so theres a lot of capacity in the Health Care System and we have opened up other schools are restaurants and retail in a strategic way so we have to flex a very tough decision to make we can be strategic but we will use the data. And you do mention those communities spread in case number out of schools those are quite small but some districts have closed temporarily the decision they are making on the road. And with restaurant dining and in those segments. Not at this time. My day by day but hour by hour. We all have other cards to play but when we see a cluster we work with the organization and can get folks on a better path. We saw how the lowest numbers in the country one of the strongest economies patch with the department of Public Health very specific how we go about it. As what becomes more apparent with covid19 has had on women with a higher rate of wage so what policy should the state adopt that they dont become permanent quick. Specifically to women . There is a couple of issues talking about women or minorities or disparities and in the workplace we are ranked as one of the states in the country number five in terms of equity pay with that coefficient and one of the best in the country with middleclass pay parts the Management Experience to open them back up and we have been very successful so far. If you are governor right now what would you do given the case numbers we are seeing. Listen to the medical experts that is something that donald trump and chris sununu dont do on the math. Massive the medical experts have recommended. And that is like what trump and sununu did. And then to forward their own plans including the former commissioner of hhs. We also have to look out for the Health Care System to make sure we protect and chris sununu just like donald trump supports the appeal of obama care and has back in restricted access to safe and legal abortion. Donald trump gives him the a chris sununu gives himself the Gold Standard we have to protect and strengthen the Health Care System. Host most greatest leaders approval the performance of managing of the pandemic the poll numbers at 83 percent including 70 percent democrats so why the people think the governor who is done a good job on this front wrong . I have talked to need help. They are struggling. I dont know what the next week will bring let alone the next day. And its critical in the midst of a pandemic with the Health Insurance company to get access to healthcare during the last economic crisis with the wall street banks across New Hampshire and with that Medicaid Expansion to its existing conditions chris sununu literally took over 100,000 and Campaign Contributions to support the repeal of obama care. To the Supreme Court argument to put forth by President Trump to support the process Going Forward and with the working families and healthcare stability is critical moving forward. Getting a chance to discuss this segment that those that would have been devastated this spring or that could be coming to New Hampshire but with more restrictions that they needed this fall and this winter and more money doesnt come from washington what do you support businesses that could be analyzed ravaged of the pandemic . We need to support Small Businesses in particular. One. 5 billion taken control of and that people listening and watching at home, how much of his one. 2 5 billion did you get . How much did your family get . A bit you didnt get much and those Corporate Campaign donors at saigon honest truth. And those to strengthen and bolster the Health Care System. The mainstream relief and i set up is most successful in the country. And other state put the money we did for businesses. Tens of thousand. That the small diners are the flower shops some with only a couple of employees all got money to help them pay bills and taxes. So the nonprofits to selfemployed not texas or new york. And with the this tough economic times. Was talk about in the ways that bolster the particular arm argument we can agree this is tragic so what specifically would you have done differently than the governor . Sixtysecond. Is the way that society treats its most vulnerable. Represented folks in longterm care facilities for legal aid work to help people like diane who is a Breast Cancer survivor losing her job and then we reach out to the governors response didnt get a response and then we are her unemployment and then longterm care facilities and Nursing Homes we put forward measures to help in the comprehensive outside audit of what went wrong and the second wave was vetoed by chris sununu and we see spikes of outbreaks and Nursing Homes along care facilities. Host you have said repeatedly the governor wants to get rid of the Affordable Care act the at the governor signed onto a multistate lawsuit to defend the aca from a federal court challenge. If they oppose the aca and then seeking to appeal it. But chris sununu is opposing obama care. And he voted down Obama Care HealthCare Exchange and in 2016 ran on the pledge to repeal obama care. Because they were and Affordable Program that is obama care and senator shaheen and the late senator mike mccain voted no announced before the judge. Nomination to the Supreme Court she has a long history of opposition to obama care. Host and sign on to the letter to support judge. But to the other statements i will give you 30 seconds governor what about those previous statements and positions that mr. Teefive reasons that sounds like the aca. Gov sununu first of all i agree with most americans we all frustrated the lower cost with obama care didnt come to fruition and thats the frustration early on. But you dont just throw it out thats why i book the trend fighting to keep the aca in place and then there are other provisions in the republicans in 2017 who voted to do Medicaid Expansion the next five years. That was us supporting those initiatives. Spirit just for the record it is a bipartisan effort but getting back to longterm care and with those facilities it was tough. How would you is governor decide whether to clampdown or ease up what sort of metrics would you use . That could happen in early on in the independent that concrete recommendations. With the repeal of obama care and thats exactly what the federal legislation 2017 was the repeal without replacement. Christening you said it was a huge win in the u. S. Senate and had a huge loss thankfully and now in order to move forward with the entire Health Care System we need to protect and strengthen obama care and make it work. Host but my question was how word you decide to make that tough decision whether to clampdown to put more restrictions on the Nursing Homes or ease up . This has been very tough thats my question weve already talked about obama care. Listen to the medical experts and the cdc guidance to indicate routine frequent testing and then to do testing of the facilities inadequate with the inadequate approach for governor sununu. And then we need to do an independent audit and review. Host am looking at the clock i do want to give the governor a chance to have a 62nd opportunity. He said he was doing a great job at old doctor fauci said it is the model. And this extends to universal testing. With the elderly have been better protected . You are right. Vermont is done a great job report very closely. And senator teefive was at home and used to write Long Term Care facilities to say we didnt listen to those experts they are right here helping us to make these tough decisions and i was talking to the doctor one on one on these issues so we tackle these issues with the most Aggressive Program in the country we test more folks with longterm care than any other state because we are so good and aggressive about getting that testing it has nothing to do with senator feltes he was on the first three months they passed a bill on june 30th lincoln back for two days and passed one what we had already done. So with this political talking point we will have challenges of longterm care focusing on the stakeholders at risk. Host coming up on our next statement we will tackle the politics and take a very quick break and we will be right back. Along with a senior local reporter josh rogers and the democratic challenger and joshua began the next segment with you. Due to the state of emergency with a free hand the legislatures out of session and the judge ruled the authority and for react in the state of emergency you will be back to work more closely with the statehouse as is largely under democratic control. Based on the track record and then the veto and the key nominations so should the public expect anything different . This is a pandemic we had to take strict action legislature went away when it comes in doing the deal for testing it was literally minute by minute the guys in china, fema, everybody in the whole team to get it together thats exactly what the state of emergency and he had numberless there are a lot of pieces of the state of emergency in the orders they can keep that telemedicine stuff to put in place for the pandemic keep up and there are certain restrictions i think will have to stay in place and a lot of that absolutely should come before the legislature. But when the democrats sued me to slow things down that would have been a disaster for the state and frankly they have the gall to think the bureaucracy is put into our pandemic is the wrong approach. Being employed is why we have gotten such Great Results for the state. Now was not the time for victory lap. Donald trump gives himself in a press christening he gives himself the Gold Standard is not the time to parcels on the back we have to plan for the future with paid family medical leave insurance and stabilize the healthcare system. Been helping people the pandemic people like diane and beth of both the cracks with the Unemployment Insurance system and help Small Business owners and we made commonsense progress on telemedicine and codify that into law but this is fundamentally an issue of working together. Host so with the Wishful Thinking to envision the return of the the pandemic world when you are governor to say that divided government requires leaders to embrace the spirit of cooperation. You decided with the chief justice for more than a year because of the executive council disagreed with your first choice so given that word evidence is there in your spirit of cooperation quick. In the past year i. C. E. Signed more legislation with the Democratic Legislature passed out and knocked on maggie but we got more done than the four years that maggie didnt did i say no to that extreme legislation with taxes and fees and surcharges that they vetoed . Yes. Of the executive council thats why havent for the chief justice because they put in politics and they said you are republican so we can do it is a part republicans and democrats but the ugliest of washington politics and played in a process that was wrong. You sat on the council the governor proposes you have to get the votes and to be chief justice you know he didnt have the votes to do so. The most qualified candidate and dozens of judges and lawyers and those for 200 years there was no politics involved. Working with republicans and democrats amazing success and tell they let that type of attitude there was no place when the state of New Hampshire. And the politics on the council i have never heard of that. 79 pieces of legislation he does 65 a bipartisan support in job training and Addiction Treatment services independent bipartisan Redistrict Commission and with testing and treatment bipartisan work paid family medical leave insurance, the problem here isnt a democratic or republican problem occur sununu problem if we move forward in this way we have to win the race. Talk about the experience to inform the approach to politics but with your administrative experience what suggest you are qualified as a manager to this bureaucracy like the man on New Hampshire government quick. Chairman of the ways and Means Committee serving as a legal aid lawyer as a decade and part of the Service Helping people as best i could including the managing Justice Project and the grant work and discrimination all across New Hampshire managing the casework to say peoples homes in the Great Recession battling wall street banks. I was not gifted like a ski resort. I managed to help people stay in their homes the time he was working at the ski resort its a difference of perspective i will always look out for workers on the frontlines. Talk about teams the team of state employees in the state associations endorsed me and this race the state troopers and state police endorsed me so quite frankly governor they want a new coach. Asked what type of Management Experience he has he has no answer he is never managed a budget process or build the team to stay up nights worrying how they will make payroll the next day. Dan is taking shots of my business for so long do you know how many thousands of Family Businesses . I was proud to run my family business. It wasnt easy to worry about every day and those constant shots of my family mom on the scoreboard data on the Planning Board my point was a senator. My sister runs a museum other sister was a teacher. That is service not career politicians. That is New Hampshire is all about and i cannot be part of the service they have given the state. And constantly take shots we have done a great job that is the negativity and attack ad is unbelievable every single ad on tv is an attack why is that . Feltes just be clear governor you talk about your management of the ski resort as an issue. I will talk about it and campaigns about distinctions while you are working at the ski resort and that is fine thats a difference of perspective. I help people with the economic crisis i saw the devastation of the budget cuts that chris sununu is doing right now to put on the ground on day number one i will manage the budget and working people you cannot sue your way out of a crisis you cannot go your way out you have to manageable teams and lift people positivity. Thats exactly why the association. Senator he promised to have support and promised to nominate a woman to the Supreme Court if elected are there other prerequisites you require . I think its a surprise from prochoice and its no surprise that nomination that reflects that view i will nominate a prochoice woman i think it is a surprise that christina new is not prochoice. Thats not true. Come on. Every action in between is anything but and Insurance Coverage for Reproductive Health care and redirected covid relief money to antiabortion center in support of the nomination to make abortion and illegal. He worked to defund planned parenthood. Thats not the record of someone who is prochoice. I am prochoice every step of the way feltes i was supporting contracts before mr. Feltes was even a senator. That is not a secret we have stood by that and it should never be a litmus test i use any litmus test everything i have voted on at the counsel ive never once asked for a Political Party where you stand on this issue with that issue when it comes to that kind of service they have to know the constitution and the law. And with legal in terms of judging with those emotional decisions based on the political personality has to be bipartisan effort there should be no litmus test there is a litmus test. Host we have used up over time on the segment thank you very much for a spirited backandforth to highlight some of these issues that have been part of this campaign. Another issue is race and placing. The final report of the Governors Commission on Law Enforcement accountability covers a wide range of topics concerning police have been widely praised and the governor has endorsed all 48 recommendations. How much more will you do as governor . I support all those recommendations of the commission with legalization of marijuana something chris sununu opposes and has a post throughout his entire career as a Racial Justice issue. We need to move forward making sure you have the office of Racial Equity to make it a parody to boot out systemic racism and he denies systemic racism exist. He will talk about the things that he has done you cannot be a leader of Racial Justice to support donald trump i have talks last him several times no response in this divisive times and turn on is divisive politics to call yourself and that is not the right way to go but the governor has spoken clearly and racism saying and has no place in our state. The president should have been more unequivocal about condemning fisa promises to groups and spoke pretty clearly on this what more does he need to say. If you supporting donald trump not speaking out unequivocally. And getting pressure to Say Something on this issue you cannot have it both ways. So whether it is subtle or overt or caught on tape or not those the bottom of the American Dream we need to support people that the movement i will give you 60 seconds for the language that the president has used and others in your party and how you position yourself as a republican given the language we have seen around people of colo color. Thats what i do for those in our own community that we disagree with we a ride out there we had been clear there is no gray area which is why with the commission nationally as a great example because black lives matter the aclu all of these groups on the change of attitude and culture we brought them into work sidebyside with state police and his play standards and training. Sixty days to come up with over 40 different recommendations and they agreed with each other on everyone that type of partnership youll see across the country you see in New Hampshire and proud to have led the effort some legislatively and then is not over we will come back to look as though living and breathing document how the attack this issue. Leaders have issued a series of demands with state and local offices but they are demanding legislation with qualified immunity for all Law Enforcement offices. No. Absently not to be taught qualified immunity democrats are a big fan. He might as well just tell them youre not supporting them they have to be held in place that we have the right approach when Institute Community policing in terms of Training Program and partnering with Mental Health. Not just things were talking about it already moving forward with pretty recommendations. We are not talked to getting it done and held up as an example. Host how do you feel about qualified immunity . I have been very clear about that. That protection and therefore a Police Officer and others is common sense and taking the municipality or talent off the perk that takes the systemic change that could be implemented and individual Police Officers quite frankly in the amount of money they could get it is not the same. With that justice. Host moving to the environment and energy. And not to sign on to the manager asking for the supportive of Renewable Energy at the same time to have the lowest Renewable Energy goal in the region and all things i have over the mission in other states why should this become an out why are regionally . This allowed other states to make the decision for New Hampshire. And frankly when its a great job i have led new england to push for a Great Offshore allowing that to be a part of our Renewable Energy portfolio Going Forward. Rooftop solar i could not agree with you more. To put millions of dollars of subsidies in the back pocket of these developers. Every time you turn on the light you pay the bill on fixed incomes pay the bill. With millions of dollars of the surcharges make sure the rooftop solar goes on low Income Housing longterm care facilities and mobile home parks they are the ones i can least afford the surcharge its about changing and doing it differently. Was the only governor to say we will not accept offshore drilling and i got that commitment from the secretary its about what you do to preserve the environment. It is about what you do and the Clean Energy Legislation has resulted in New Hampshire losing solar jobs and investments of clean energy. And Solar Energy Efficiency that is the fact so the move forward is to stand up and take our responsibility. This is how we get out of this mess so right here in New Hampshire and unfortunately stop that progress but not only that the jury is out on Climate Change the jury is in and is time to move forward. Host we will take a quick station break. Stay with us for New Hampshire governor. Host will come back to the candidate to pay for New Hampshire governor this hour we talking with incumbent republican governor chris sununu and the democratic challengers senator feltes turning to Mental Health but just to break we were having a backandforth about Climate Change i want to give you a little more opportunity. So governor sununu you were invoked that you dont believe in Climate Change. Gov sununu of course i believe in Climate Change humans contribute we been saying this in 2018 i know that dan likes to have a nice political talking point with the allies but at some point you have to look at the accountability. The fact that dan just of these hundreds of millions of dollars that i vetoed we did just the exact opposite solar energy Renewable Energy you can have the balance to make those investments but you cannot over 1 billion in subsidies its a smarter way to do it and to say yes to everything. Host moving on to the Mental Health crisis you have 30 seconds. Feltes the governor said its out on Climate Change just like trump checks the science he was called the trump guy through and through moving ahead on clean energy and Energy Efficiency resulted in the rates going up that is absolutely true. Is not just a couple boxes hundreds of millions. And that was vetoed. Host you said that governor said the view is out when were the statements made . A few years ago. Thats convenient. You cannot just keep saying things with nothing to back it up. Did used to feel the jury was still out . Im environmental engineer for over ten years and went to mit. My job was looking at the chlorinated solvent in the groundwater designing the exact systems we are talking about. This is what i do. And those experiences try those decisions that we make today but at the end of the day if they say no to a couple bills that i vetoed those i will veto again because theres always a better way to do it. And focusing those solar panels at those that can afford it the least. From climate to Mental Health you can have first crack. Talk specifically about whats available for the children and Mental Health because senate bill 14 sent more money to improve Mental Health overall brought with the childrens Mental Health care. But doing some great reporting some very few steps to take place on the finance committee and the ways and Means Committee so what have you been doing to keep track of this . I when writing letters to the administration to give a specific timeframe at the end of june. And we need to lead the way. Intervention and stabilization for children at risk to keep them out of the emergency room given and the need the Mental Health treatment in the community. If you break a leg you can get medical care right away. Mental health right now under this administration 27 kids waiting in Emergency Rooms. Waiting for Mental Health treatment that could have been taken care of that could have been implemented by chris sunun sununu. You for request for was the last week and in the words of Nelson Mandela and to work out for children and families every step of the way. Host 20 million allocated to improve last year and yet we have a spike for people waiting for her psychiatric it is heartbreaking why we still this problem money on this issue one person said we dont have the money issue its a timing issue whats the holdup . Just before the pandemic the way in Emergency Rooms was he will. But making those investments doing the right thing to create a whole variety of issues the isolation issues for kids and adults to use the pandemic as the example to show we have the model to get that number with those investments across the communities and transitional housing we inherited one of the worst crises in 2018 than any other in history and with the Suicide Prevention to allow teachers to get that training because its such a big part of the solution moving out of New Hampshire hospitals to have a more kid friendly environment and then talks about one contract that went out last week the 25 to talk about all of these investments across the state we are not backing away from the challenge but as we work through these issues we know we can get back to zero we are the first number to get that 20 survey a very proud theres just so much more work in so many that to get back to normal and the normal system. So like it or not that ticket looms large and as we have heard today and as you well know at this point democrats want to make this race in may of 2019 of the challenge of the Massachusetts Governor that was mounting in the president ial primary against President Trump to get through and through. Do you still feel that way and if not, why . Every add is the attack ad and with those ideas of the state of New Hampshire and 20 times in one debate work, the head of the Republican Party i support the president i will vote for him i think thats a shock to anybody want to go down this path for four years. I call the balls and strikes when i see them. And not clear about the racism we said unequivocally that there is no place of gray area. And female was not giving us the testing materials we have to do a better job so im in New Hampshire and i will always fight for what gives us disadvantage other trump or biden to get the best results for our state. With those that havent voted for president and its true you criticize the president and they tried to watch the president ial debate with your daughter and you turned it off and discuss but do you think four more years of the president is the best option for the country right now . Going forward the challenges we will face when i look at those challenges about the economy, Law Enforcement and safety these are the anxieties we have 46 million from the federal government dan feltes he wouldnt even take the money. Its about creating opportunity with that is what 20 and 21 2021 is about we will make sure the folks in the state what they need not just what the government says. Are you better off after four years of trump and sununu . I dont think so. Working people taking it on the chin and every step to move forward with paid family medical leave insurance that has been vetoed and minimum wage he took a 31000 pay raise for himself while the total the minimum wage. These are not my words these are his words. The governor. The governor to give himself a raise this is the most outrageous lie. The legislature decides the governor salary. Never asked for a raise. The previous governors were independently wealthy and they did a great job and they chose not to take the full salary. Thats wonderful. Thats great but i get this salary the legislature gives me the idea somehow i gave myself a phase is outrageous progress is more about dan feltes and his campaign. Is a something about respect for frontline workers. I will reject the ways he gave himself i will give back to reinstate and raise the minimum wage. Gov sununu your email legislature dictates up if the governor. You could choose whether or not to take it. Gov sununu i should work for free . Feltes thats 143,000. Endorsing the republican for governor in 30 years the editorial said you would make a fine governor but also noted that with those repeated props to discuss the vision you chose to highlight instead that sununu is trump through and through. Is a priest that may be underestimated voters capacity on his own record . We have plans for the future of the Healthcare Plan to reduce cost the uninsured rate had gone up to triple the uninsured. Even prior to the pandemic with a comprehensive Healthcare Plan and with the housing plan to move forward to build on the Bipartisan Initiative he has a vision to lift up working families. We havent had any plans from chris sununu. None. Why he was running for a rear third term as governor. Those left out and left behind. And what chris sununu has said recently it is not true. We need to turn the page on the trumps sununu agenda will. Just be clear dan feltes says hes working for families. Thats absolutely not true. Dan feltes says he will create jobs when i ask them not to put in the 13 percent business taxes he said no and we had a managed to that. And then to create opportunities for kids and we had 46 million from the federal government from the opportunity of Charter Schools and at the end of the day you have to bring results. Look at the results of state laws covid numbers an opportunity not the individual number and 85 percent of the students on the schools open and the leadership and Management Experience to bring the economy back to make the economy safe. I will give another 30 seconds then we have to move on. I have been very clear. Thats not true. Talk about family medical leave insurance that chris sununu opposes. Give him his time. Three bipartisan bills, people you need the help. And the family paid medical leave insurance. People on covid not having access to paid medical leave thats what its all about to make sure we take care of our families and page were just like Social Security and is pretty simple. I been standing up for working families and it is a flat out lie. The payments shall equal. 5 percent per wages and per employee per week. Everybody plays a matter how much you make. That is an income tax payment it is a tax you can use whatever linguistics for those income tax bills because you chose the one with the income tax we could of had paid family leave today. Let me make it very clear he has no plans. Referrals . Pay bills. Status quo not one person supported this bill. Does not apply was just an effort to say in the selection he supports it. Each of the first two terms did not get it done. Democrats and republicans on the panel is not a democrat problem or republican problem the senate move forward is a chris sununu problem. Of never supported an income tax ever. Host 15 seconds. Who in the opposite party, a living person do you respect the most . Fifteen seconds. Feltes probably senator nancy stiles i have worked with ronald host of issues. We broke down barriers to Insurance Coverage to people who need and just a wonderful perso person. Host governor sununu . Gov sununu Bobby Stephen in manchester. He worked closely with my dad bipartisan to get stuff done. Just a great manchester guy. I still talk to him will i go to him for advice from time to tim time. I was not expecting them. [laughter] my best wishes say that you have good health on the campaign trail moving for the concludes our debate with the candidates for New Hampshire governor governor sununu. Also my colleague and the many Staff Members who have worked on this event this is New Hampshire public radio a group and a larger landscape of activism this is fran dry activism with the government power advocating for Second Amendment rights and also sometimes involving people who are outright supremacist. Not everybody that identifies with antifa to have a legitimate response to fascism. Will come back from the break the minute the coronavirus reach the unitedd statesor is much more impact for the communities of color the cdc reports compared to white nonhispanic americans and then to contract the virus and four. Six times more likely to require hospitalization