The Exchange

William O'Brien, The Republican House Speaker from Mont Vernon, has kept himself in the headlines over the past two years, both for his leadership and for dramatic changes in state government.  Some Granite Staters praise O’Brien for following through on promises made during the election and shaking up state politics, but others call him a “polarizing figure” and even a “bully.”  We sit down with him to talk about the past two years and his hopes for the November Elections.

Guest

Often called New Hampshire’s “hidden coast, the Great Bay is considered an estuary of national significance. Yet, its future seems in question both because pollution has taken a toll on its ecosystem and because nearby communities, activists, and officials can’t agree on how best to eradicate it, even as all realize something must be done. We'll look at the Great Bay debate and see if some sort of compromise can be made?

Guests

Next week on the Exchange– We begin looking at our state's Great Bay region. Pollution is taking over and communities, activists and officials can't agree how best to eradicate it. Then we sit down with one of the biggest players in New Hampshire politics this year, Republican House Speaker Bill O’Brien, on what he feels his party accomplished, and some of the session’s controversies.

We sit down with UNH Professor Jeannie Sowers, on the transformation of Egypt and what may lie ahead. The Middle East expert has co-edited a new book called The Journey to Tahrir.  It’s not just about the dramatic events of the Arab Spring in Egypt, but also those aspects of Egyptian government, culture and economy…that created the groundwork for the uprising.   

Guest

A new report by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies finds that CEO pay has risen by eighteen percent in recent years, a far greater increase than wages in the private sector. Critics say this seems out of line with the charitable mission of these hospitals. But others say these salaries are in keeping with a competitive job market and reward highly skilled leaders.

Guests

Lorraine Merrill, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food discusses the new Farm bill in Congress, as well as trends here in New Hampshire -- from the struggles of dairy farms to new efforts promoting exports of Granite State food.