The first hour of the Mark Johnson show on Monday was an interview with Susan.
http://www.markjohnsonshow.net/in-the-news/mon72610
Focused on jobs, health care and education with a fiscally responsible budget.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
A Realistic Jobs Plan for Vermont
As I have said for year, government doesn’t create jobs, the private sector does. What government can do is help create the infrastructure and environment that encourages the growth of wealth in our state.
As governor there are a number of things I would work to have implemented to help retain and create jobs for Vermonters. The one issue that we all agree upon is that the telecommunications-high speed Internet structure must be developed rapidly and it must reach all parts of the state. This will need to be a public/private partnership to support access for all Vermonters. This is an example of having lots of the parts, but no system. My administration will immediately assemble the parts that exist, the parts that are planned and all the partners to lie out the completion of an up-to-date system for all of Vermont.
I will implement the following ideas as rapidly as possible to grow jobs for Vermont.
I will properly fund the regional economic development organizations and the regional planning commissions. This is where local business folks come to get the information they need. I will make sure that each region had the connections with groups such as the small business administration, Epcore, job-training programs and the sustainable jobs fund. These offices need to be the one stop-shopping place for regional businesses. I will shift $1 million from existing money spent in the central office in Montpelier.
I will assemble a group of small retail business owners to work with state government to consolidate the number of licenses and permits they need to operate their businesses. If we want our downtowns to prosper, we have to make it easier for retail businesses of all kinds to thrive in our downtown areas.
Travel and Tourism is an important part of the Vermont economy. For years the dollars we have invested in this area have only been in marketing. I believe that the agency needs to have several specially trained staff who understand the needs of these special businesses to work with them on business plans and marketing plans so they can get through the good and the bad times. Travel and Tourism is a specialized business just like farming and we should begin to address their business needs, not just their marketing needs. One specialized position $100,000.
Many businesses have trouble gaining access to capital, yet we know that our banks have money to lend. The problem is not that the banks don’t want to lend money, but they have come under so much more regulation from Washington that they can take very little risk. I will work with the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) and develop a new program that would allow VEDA to work with these businesses and the banks to create lending programs that cover the risk that the banks can’t take. This type of partnership should open the door to lending from the banks and encourage significant growth. Potentially several million dollars to capitalize.
Vermont is a state of innovators and it is time we truly recognized this and turned this asset into real jobs and real wealth for our state. I will start an office of Innovation and Intellectual Property as governor. This office will work with all the regional economic development groups and teach them the basics of helping a business or an individual with an innovative idea get on the path of securing the intellectual property rights for their idea. This office will also help find sources of capital for innovators and will encourage the growth of innovation of all types all around the state. As innovation and the demand for assistance with applying for patents grows, there could be assistance from this office in the form of grants and loans to help inventors achieve their goals of getting their intellectual property and then starting a successful business. For several years I have worked with VCET (Vermont Center for Emerging Technology) to help grow this type of idea. VCET now has a small seed capital fund to help businesses that meet their criteria.
The industry that has been hit the hardest in this recession is that of the building trades. Just like the rest of the country the Vermont housing sector has stalled. From looking at numbers and talking with folks in the field, I think it is safe to say that this sector is suffering from an unemployment rate of at least 30%. If we really want to jump start the Vermont economy, this is the sector we should help. I propose borrowing $15 million a year for two years and giving the money to Housing and Conservation. The housing organizations around the state very easily turn $15 million into $60 million with the financial packages they develop. This would mean $60 million a year spread around the state to begin to address the issue of affordable housing. Every discussion concerning growing our economy comes back to the lack of affordable housing. This two-year program would get the building trades back to work and begin to address the shortage of affordable housing.
I believe that the above steps, combined with my plan for agriculture, will get our economy moving in the right direction and will provide job growth for a number of years. We can fund many of these changes by a reallocation of the existing dollars in the Agency of Commerce and Community Affairs. I feel that these dollars need to be at work in the field, not in Montpelier. There are many Vermonters who are eager to grow their business or to start a business; we just have to provide the right attitude and the right incentives.
As governor there are a number of things I would work to have implemented to help retain and create jobs for Vermonters. The one issue that we all agree upon is that the telecommunications-high speed Internet structure must be developed rapidly and it must reach all parts of the state. This will need to be a public/private partnership to support access for all Vermonters. This is an example of having lots of the parts, but no system. My administration will immediately assemble the parts that exist, the parts that are planned and all the partners to lie out the completion of an up-to-date system for all of Vermont.
I will implement the following ideas as rapidly as possible to grow jobs for Vermont.
I will properly fund the regional economic development organizations and the regional planning commissions. This is where local business folks come to get the information they need. I will make sure that each region had the connections with groups such as the small business administration, Epcore, job-training programs and the sustainable jobs fund. These offices need to be the one stop-shopping place for regional businesses. I will shift $1 million from existing money spent in the central office in Montpelier.
I will assemble a group of small retail business owners to work with state government to consolidate the number of licenses and permits they need to operate their businesses. If we want our downtowns to prosper, we have to make it easier for retail businesses of all kinds to thrive in our downtown areas.
Travel and Tourism is an important part of the Vermont economy. For years the dollars we have invested in this area have only been in marketing. I believe that the agency needs to have several specially trained staff who understand the needs of these special businesses to work with them on business plans and marketing plans so they can get through the good and the bad times. Travel and Tourism is a specialized business just like farming and we should begin to address their business needs, not just their marketing needs. One specialized position $100,000.
Many businesses have trouble gaining access to capital, yet we know that our banks have money to lend. The problem is not that the banks don’t want to lend money, but they have come under so much more regulation from Washington that they can take very little risk. I will work with the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) and develop a new program that would allow VEDA to work with these businesses and the banks to create lending programs that cover the risk that the banks can’t take. This type of partnership should open the door to lending from the banks and encourage significant growth. Potentially several million dollars to capitalize.
Vermont is a state of innovators and it is time we truly recognized this and turned this asset into real jobs and real wealth for our state. I will start an office of Innovation and Intellectual Property as governor. This office will work with all the regional economic development groups and teach them the basics of helping a business or an individual with an innovative idea get on the path of securing the intellectual property rights for their idea. This office will also help find sources of capital for innovators and will encourage the growth of innovation of all types all around the state. As innovation and the demand for assistance with applying for patents grows, there could be assistance from this office in the form of grants and loans to help inventors achieve their goals of getting their intellectual property and then starting a successful business. For several years I have worked with VCET (Vermont Center for Emerging Technology) to help grow this type of idea. VCET now has a small seed capital fund to help businesses that meet their criteria.
The industry that has been hit the hardest in this recession is that of the building trades. Just like the rest of the country the Vermont housing sector has stalled. From looking at numbers and talking with folks in the field, I think it is safe to say that this sector is suffering from an unemployment rate of at least 30%. If we really want to jump start the Vermont economy, this is the sector we should help. I propose borrowing $15 million a year for two years and giving the money to Housing and Conservation. The housing organizations around the state very easily turn $15 million into $60 million with the financial packages they develop. This would mean $60 million a year spread around the state to begin to address the issue of affordable housing. Every discussion concerning growing our economy comes back to the lack of affordable housing. This two-year program would get the building trades back to work and begin to address the shortage of affordable housing.
I believe that the above steps, combined with my plan for agriculture, will get our economy moving in the right direction and will provide job growth for a number of years. We can fund many of these changes by a reallocation of the existing dollars in the Agency of Commerce and Community Affairs. I feel that these dollars need to be at work in the field, not in Montpelier. There are many Vermonters who are eager to grow their business or to start a business; we just have to provide the right attitude and the right incentives.
Statement on "Realistic Jobs Plan for Vermont"
Today I am releasing a detailed proposal to create jobs in Vermont. It includes accessing capital, a focus on regional development and building affordable homes to get the construction trades back to work. I will address the needs of agriculture in a separate proposal next week.
The other democratic candidates for governor have ideas for creating jobs, but they are all promises and don't address the cost of their programs. My proposal is different because it includes cost estimates. My experience as Chair of Appropriations gives me the ability to balance investment in the future with the reality of our budget problems today.
We must keep state spending under control as we build for the future.
I have talked to Vermonters all over the state and by far their number one concern is jobs. People are worried about losing the jobs they have and wondering what will happen to their children in the future. This is a critical time for our state.
Brian Dubie said on July 19 that he has a 10 point economic plan, but he is waiting to share it with Vermonters. Mr. Dubie, the people of Vermont need a plan for jobs now, not later.
Brian Dubie, what are you waiting for?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Bartlett discusses jobs and the economy
A good article in the Brattleboro Reformer that gets to the essence of Susan's thoughts on how to support business and create jobs.
"This is about who do we think has the ideas and the skills and the personality and the style that Vermont needs right now, and who can stand next to and beat Brian Dubie," Susan said. "I can walk into the governor’s office tomorrow and I don’t have a learning curve."
Read the article ...
"This is about who do we think has the ideas and the skills and the personality and the style that Vermont needs right now, and who can stand next to and beat Brian Dubie," Susan said. "I can walk into the governor’s office tomorrow and I don’t have a learning curve."
Read the article ...
Monday, July 26, 2010
Agriculture day
Susan and I had a completely packed, agricultural day Friday. We met in Hardwick and carpooled to Jasper Hill Farms in Greensboro, which I had never actually seen or known much about. It turns out that they run a incredible facility producing world class cheese, with their own cows as well as others cheese products, and is built literally into a hill. At Jasper Hill we met the two brothers who owned the company, Andy and Mateo Kehler and Susan talked to them about how they started their company, how they are expanding rapidly, and how they make ridiculously good cheese.
It was a really great conversation to listen to, as they exchanged ideas how they believed the future of Vermont agriculture was the exact opposite of the future of California agriculture. Everyone in the room believed that Cabot and Jasper Hill had the right idea, that we will never be able to compete with California and the incredible quantity of food they are able to produce in a single year. What Vermont will always be able to produce is the some of the highest quality food on earth. That will bring back high quality jobs into Vermont, and the financial growth that comes with it. With the tour at Jasper Hill, it became clear that this is exactly what they have produced.
We were joined after the bulk of the conversation by the news crew from WCAX Channel 3. They had been covering the election and joined us for the rest of the day. The first thing that they did with us was to come along for the tour of the factory that Andy took us on. It was a very cool place, with rows of cheese wheels stacked on shelves. They explained the great deal of care that goes into cheese at Jasper Hill, how they vacuumed cheese for dust mites, manually rubbed and cleaned the wheels every few days, and that they were not just left to sit and age. I was very impressed with the entire tour, and the operation as a whole. They seemed very impressed with Susan and her commitment of not only her time, but her support of the goals they strive toward.
We left after thanking the Kehler brothers and headed to Hardwick to the Center for an Agricultural Economy where we met Monty Fischer over coffee. Monty and Susan talked and I learned about the mission and goals of the program, how they try and make sure Vermonters have access to good, locally grown food. He handed us a few papers with names of all the business in Vermont which they are associated with, and it seemed like they were helping out every locally owned business in Vermont, including Barre's own LACE. After about an hour the meeting ended and we headed to Cabot, while the news team interviewed Monty Fischer.
In Cabot we stopped at Harry's Cabot True Value, which like many places in Vermont, was a little bit of everything. It was a hardware store with a diner in the back which was being used to hold a meet and greet for Susan. They had a really good assortment of food laid out for us when we got there, and had a pretty good turnout, plus the store's staff as well. Most of the people who turned up were farmers, and like the rest of the day, they asked Susan questions about farming and food policy, with Susan asking question's of her own. The news crew was there shortly after we were, and they were interviewing people about what they thought about her and the answers she gave. They got a massive amount of footage traveling around with us, it will be interesting to see what bits they use, and how it turns out.
We were at the diner for probably 2 hours, with Susan doing what she does best, talking to the average folks who turned out to see her. I don't think the news crew expected to wait that long for her, but so me of the people who were talking to her were having such a good conversation, they didn't want to leave! We thanked our hosts, and then the final bit of the day was the news crew wanted to interview Susan outside after all of our events. That lasted for probably 5 minutes and we thanked them and headed off back to Hardwick so I could get my car and go home. It was a very successful day for Susan, and a great learning experience for me.
It was a great day, and when we win the election, I will attribute it to days like this. Ever since I have been traveling with the campaign, I think that's what makes Susan different, Susan is going out and meeting people and learning what they care about, not staying at home raising money. People of Vermont know this, and its why we are going to win August 24th.
Andrew Desmarais
Addressing the next $120 million budget deficit
In order to deal with another year and another substantial deficit, as Governor I would ask legislative leaders to meet with the current administration, me, and the staff I would be appointing to budget writing assignments. It will take all the knowledge we have to develop a budget for the upcoming year.
For several years I have been focusing on the area of corrections for savings. We currently spend almost $140 million a year on this part of the budget. We know that we incarcerate a high percentage of non-violent offenders. Our goal needs to be to help Vermonters with substance abuse deal with their issues and become productive members of society.
This will take years to accomplish. For example; we currently have budgeted for 700 out of state prisoners. Each one costs us $23,000 a year. If we were to bring home all 700 of those prisoners, we would save $16 million. That is a great deal of money, but what would we do with all those prisoners? It will take years and a big investment to develop the programs we need to rehabilitate these Vermonters and to find housing and jobs for them so they do not return to a life of crime. But at least we are beginning to make these changes.
I would ask that each program in government meet with the advocates for their programs and people who use the services that the programs provide and agree upon a set of outcomes for those programs. Then the same group would decide how they would measure the outcomes. This process has the effect of having all of the people involved in programs, both providers and consumers, set the priorities for the programs and how to measure those outcomes.
The next step would be to go through each of the programs the state provides and see if the programs address the outcomes that have been agreed upon. If they don’t, then why should we continue to do those programs? One of the issues for government is that many programs are started but few are eliminated. Now is the time to stop programs that do not meet the goals we chose.
This process does not have to be overly time consuming and because it is an inclusive effort, it can be a very positive process. In these difficult times, it is much better to find the positive outcomes we all want and work together towards supporting those programs, than arguing about reductions. This means that there may well be programs that will be terminated, but those dollars can be saved or be redirected to services that address outcomes that can be measured. This is all a necessary part of right-sizing Vermont government.
I do not believe it is right to ask Vermonters to pay more taxes until government as a whole goes through the above process. Our state revenues are at about the same level that they were in 2005. We must get our spending back to those levels.
10 minutes on Education
Susan lays out some of her thoughts on how we go forward with education in Vermont. It's not just about aides ...
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Susan speaks to the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.
On May 26, she spoke to an audience at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. Chris Graff is the moderator.
Innovation and Intellectual Property, Jobs, Economic Development, the need to support Regional Planning Commissions, Challenges for Change, Economic Development, Agriculture and her experience are some of the subjects covered.
A Moderate Approach to the Budget
"I've balanced the budget for 16 years."
"The thing about being the moderate is you get beaten up by both sides. I'm pretty resoundingly, every year, beaten up by both sides. I think that proves my point that I'm the moderate."
Larger School Districts and Education Spending
Larger districts will offer more educational opportunities for children and save money. We need work together to reduce spending on education.
"Half our budget deficit next year, $60 million, is the general fund contribution to education. If we meet that obligation, we are breaking the back of other general fund services. To not meet them, and this is the no-win situation, is breaking the back of the property taxpayer."
Vermont Well-Positioned to Revamp Health Care System
Vermont is moving forward on global budgeting. The work we've already done on medical records immediately qualified us for millions of dollars in federal money."
Letter: Choose Bartlett as next governor
Burlington Free Press SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010
As we all know there are five candidates vying for the vacancy for governor of Vermont. After learning about each candidate's qualifications, I decided to support the senator from Lamoille County. Susan Bartlett is my choice for she is prepared to hold the position.
As we all know there are five candidates vying for the vacancy for governor of Vermont. After learning about each candidate's qualifications, I decided to support the senator from Lamoille County. Susan Bartlett is my choice for she is prepared to hold the position.
First: Bartlett has an education background earning degrees both at the University of Vermont and Johnson State College. With her degrees, she obtained employment as directorof a group home for youth and as director of special education services for a school district in Lamoille County. She developed programs that offered stability to our youth at risk.
Second: With her spouse, she has hands-on experience in organic farming and raising animals. She knows dirt, lambs and sheep.
Third: She has business experience having owned and operated a successful shop, Wool & Feathers, in Stowe. She knows yarn.
Fourth: She has served as Vermont's senator from Lamoille County for 18 years. When she won her first race, she was the first Democrat to be elected to that seat in the county's history.
Fifth: During her 18 years in the Senate, she served on the Appropriations Committee for 16 of those years. She was at the helm as the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee for eight of those years. (A former Vermont governor, the first woman from Vermont to serve in that office, also served on the Appropriations Committee.) We know what a tough time our state is in right now with budgeting issues. Bartlett knows budgets.
Sixth: If you've met or read about Susan Bartlett, you have a sense of her competence, her vision for our state, and for the people within its borders. Voters in Lamoille County know.
PATRICIA A. ALLEN South Burlington
"Not every special needs child belongs in the classroom all the time."
Susan Bartlett talks about education to the VT NEA. She discusses the importance of improving our educational system to benefit the children and the people who work in our schools.
Susan Bartlett Speaks to the NEA About Education from Susan Bartlett on Vimeo.
Susan Bartlett Speaks to the NEA About Education from Susan Bartlett on Vimeo.
How to help Southern Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom
I do not believe that government creates jobs; I believe that our citizens create jobs. It is the individuals who are already in business or who have an idea that they want to turn into a business that create jobs and prosperity for the entire state. The state can help create an environment and provide infrastructure that helps business grown. As governor I would look at all of the existing programs that give money to businesses and make sure these dollars are really creating jobs. I would make certain that money would go to the new, small businesses that are our future.
As governor I would fund the regional economic development groups properly so they could spend their time helping local business. It is these regional organizations that can best assist local business people. It is also these regional groups working locally that can best develop an economic development plan for their region.
The Northeast Kingdom has suffered higher unemployment rates than most of the state for sometime. The area has been very dependent upon Ethan Allen and the severe negative impacts can be seen when the Beecher Falls plant was closed. The expansion at Jay Peak and the interest in a high tech company building in the area are positive signs that more jobs and opportunity are coming to that part of the state. This part of the state has been the champion of getting funding through a federal program referred to as the EB5 program. This allows foreign investors to make investments into targeted programs that create new jobs. As governor I would work to have other parts of the state take advantage of this source of capital.
I believe that innovation and intellectual property will be the answer for good jobs all over Vermont. The interest in renewable energy poses opportunities for regions of Vermont to become the center of excellence for research and innovation. The rapid growth in bio-diesel and growing our own fuel can provide ways to keep our farmlands all over the state as farmland, not houses. I would form an office of Innovation and Intellectual Property that would train all the regional partners in these areas so local businesses would learn of these opportunities and be helped in getting the patents of their ideas. This office would also work to assist in finding new sources of revenue for businesses.
These ideas apply to our entire state. As I am traveling the state, I find so many pockets of good ideas for job growth. I believe that we are poised to come out of this recession in a way that will ensure slow but steady job growth for all of Vermont.
As governor I would fund the regional economic development groups properly so they could spend their time helping local business. It is these regional organizations that can best assist local business people. It is also these regional groups working locally that can best develop an economic development plan for their region.
The Northeast Kingdom has suffered higher unemployment rates than most of the state for sometime. The area has been very dependent upon Ethan Allen and the severe negative impacts can be seen when the Beecher Falls plant was closed. The expansion at Jay Peak and the interest in a high tech company building in the area are positive signs that more jobs and opportunity are coming to that part of the state. This part of the state has been the champion of getting funding through a federal program referred to as the EB5 program. This allows foreign investors to make investments into targeted programs that create new jobs. As governor I would work to have other parts of the state take advantage of this source of capital.
I believe that innovation and intellectual property will be the answer for good jobs all over Vermont. The interest in renewable energy poses opportunities for regions of Vermont to become the center of excellence for research and innovation. The rapid growth in bio-diesel and growing our own fuel can provide ways to keep our farmlands all over the state as farmland, not houses. I would form an office of Innovation and Intellectual Property that would train all the regional partners in these areas so local businesses would learn of these opportunities and be helped in getting the patents of their ideas. This office would also work to assist in finding new sources of revenue for businesses.
These ideas apply to our entire state. As I am traveling the state, I find so many pockets of good ideas for job growth. I believe that we are poised to come out of this recession in a way that will ensure slow but steady job growth for all of Vermont.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Susan Speaks at "Race to Replace"
In addition to talking about closing VY and renewable energy, Bartlett shows her humorous side in this video shot last spring.
Douglas Ignored Legislative Intent
from vtdigger
Lawmakers decried the Douglas administration’s decision to eliminate a conservation position in the Department of Fish and Wildlife at a press conference Wednesday.
Bartlett sees the administration’s decision as a matter of priorities. “This is a continuation of this administration not being supportive of conservation and/or planning,” Bartlett said.
The position was written into the budget bill that passed in the last legislative session. Legislative leaders said Gov. Jim Douglas violated lawmakers’ intent and negotiated in bad faith when he signed the budget bill and then shortly afterward allowed administrative officials to ignore language in the bill. That wording was designed to protect a staff wildlife biologist who provides technical assistance for towns engaged in conservation planning to protect wildlife habitat.
Sen. Susan Bartlett and Sen. Peter Shumlin (both Democratic candidates in the gubernatorial primary) and House Speaker Shap Smith said the Legislature saw the position as an essential component of the department’s conservation policy.
Douglas administration officials say the executive branch has the right to decide the fate of individual employees and positions. David Corriell, Douglas’ spokesman, accused lawmakers of trying to micromanage personnel.
“On the one hand, the Legislature through Challenges for Change wants the government to run more efficiently, and on the other hand, they’re running government as inefficiently as possible by dictating the way the administration is managing government,” Corriell said.
Observers say the stalemate over the language in the law could lead to a constitutional showdown between legislators and the administration. At issue is whether the administration is obliged to uphold language in the law that it deems unacceptable, and conversely whether the Legislature has the right to insist that it do so.
It’s too early to say if the question will become a constitutional issue, according to Attorney General Bill Sorrell, who, as of yesterday, had not been asked by legislative leaders or the administration to weigh in.
Smith said there are no plans yet to sue the administration over the elimination of the position. He called the decision a “breach of the good faith that we all contributed towards in reaching a budget compromise.”
“When we passed the budget document, we expected it to be followed,” Smith said. “It’s not merely guidance – it is the law of the state of Vermont. This year we worked very diligently with the administration to put together a budget that could be signed by the governor and was the result of many compromises, and to then have the governor sign the budget, and then ignore the language of the budget, really cuts against the spirit of the compromising that we did to get to a budget we could all leave the building with, without the repeat of the veto and override scenario that happened last year.”
Jonathon Wood, secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, said in a recent interview that there is no constitutional problem. “Those powers are clear and absolute,” Wood said. “The administration has the authority to do this. We have to manage the budget and the Legislature sets the budget. They fund certain programs and we manage the positions.”
Bartlett said the administration is choosing to ignore “what the budget said.”
“If the budget’s a guideline, and you don’t need to pay attention to it, maybe you just need one branch of government,” Bartlett said.
The position, Fish and Wildlife Scientist II, was held by Jens Hawkins-Hilke, who worked with 50 to 80 towns a year to help them identify and map habitat. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant paid for half of Hawkins-Hilke’s salary, which was roughly $22 an hour. He was laid off recently and has filed a grievance with the union. According to the legislative letter of intent, his position would have cost the state roughly $16,000.
He provided technical support for towns, as well as helped local community members understand the scientific concepts behind conservation, such as habitat protection. Often this meant helping towns identify what kinds of habitat they valued for recreation, hunting, fishing and other wildlife, he said. Some towns are focused on deer yards; others are interested in protecting salamanders.
Hawkins-Hilke said in an interview that he was No. 4 on the reduction-in-force list at ANR last year. He survived the first round of cuts, but in February he was told his position would be eliminated. Town planning commission and conservation commission officials canvassed lawmakers about the RIF and pressured the Legislature to retain the position. By mid-June it was clear the administration had gone ahead with its original plan.
Wood called it a “limited service position” that wasn’t “meant to be a full-time job” and he said the agency will continue to offer services to local communities through its district offices.
“The position provides planning assistance to towns and municipalities — just assistance to conservation commissions and town plans on the types of things in towns that could be done to protect wildlife habitat,” Wood said. “That type of thing has been done by the department for many years.”
Mike Hedges, a member of the Waterbury Conservation Commission, said he is not confident ANR will help his group finish mapping for new subdivision regulations. Nor is he counting on help from officials from the agency with plans for protecting a moose crossing corridor on Route 100 near Walker Construction. It’s the only place, he said, where the large game animals can pass from the Green Mountains to the Worcester Mountains. Hawkins-Hilke identified the crossing for the commission and was going to help them develop a plan for protecting the area.
“It’s hard for others to take up those extra duties,” Hedges said.
Wood said the agency is responding to constant downward budget pressures.
“There aren’t any more paper clips to cut,” Wood said. “We’ve been into significant cutting of positions for a while now. There isn’t any choice.”
Wood said game wardens, however, continue to be fully funded by the Department of Fish and Wildlife because they “are a high priority.”
“I have not tried to cut game wardens, though the Legislature has cut their overtime,” Wood said.
Since the recession began in 2007, the agency has eliminated 100 positions, many of which were federally funded, according to Wood.
Corriell said the state faces an uncertain revenue outlook in the current fiscal year and a $100 million deficit in fiscal year 2012. He said small amounts add up to “real money” in the budget and that government leaders have to make hard decisions.
“This is a very challenging time, and as a state government there need to be priorities,” Corriell said. “What we need to do is focus on growing our economy. It’s short-sighted to focus on one position.”
Bartlett also sees the administration’s decision as a matter of priorities. “This is a continuation of this administration not being supportive of conservation and/or planning,” Bartlett said.
Lawmakers decried the Douglas administration’s decision to eliminate a conservation position in the Department of Fish and Wildlife at a press conference Wednesday.
Bartlett sees the administration’s decision as a matter of priorities. “This is a continuation of this administration not being supportive of conservation and/or planning,” Bartlett said.
The position was written into the budget bill that passed in the last legislative session. Legislative leaders said Gov. Jim Douglas violated lawmakers’ intent and negotiated in bad faith when he signed the budget bill and then shortly afterward allowed administrative officials to ignore language in the bill. That wording was designed to protect a staff wildlife biologist who provides technical assistance for towns engaged in conservation planning to protect wildlife habitat.
Sen. Susan Bartlett and Sen. Peter Shumlin (both Democratic candidates in the gubernatorial primary) and House Speaker Shap Smith said the Legislature saw the position as an essential component of the department’s conservation policy.
Douglas administration officials say the executive branch has the right to decide the fate of individual employees and positions. David Corriell, Douglas’ spokesman, accused lawmakers of trying to micromanage personnel.
“On the one hand, the Legislature through Challenges for Change wants the government to run more efficiently, and on the other hand, they’re running government as inefficiently as possible by dictating the way the administration is managing government,” Corriell said.
Observers say the stalemate over the language in the law could lead to a constitutional showdown between legislators and the administration. At issue is whether the administration is obliged to uphold language in the law that it deems unacceptable, and conversely whether the Legislature has the right to insist that it do so.
It’s too early to say if the question will become a constitutional issue, according to Attorney General Bill Sorrell, who, as of yesterday, had not been asked by legislative leaders or the administration to weigh in.
Smith said there are no plans yet to sue the administration over the elimination of the position. He called the decision a “breach of the good faith that we all contributed towards in reaching a budget compromise.”
“When we passed the budget document, we expected it to be followed,” Smith said. “It’s not merely guidance – it is the law of the state of Vermont. This year we worked very diligently with the administration to put together a budget that could be signed by the governor and was the result of many compromises, and to then have the governor sign the budget, and then ignore the language of the budget, really cuts against the spirit of the compromising that we did to get to a budget we could all leave the building with, without the repeat of the veto and override scenario that happened last year.”
Jonathon Wood, secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, said in a recent interview that there is no constitutional problem. “Those powers are clear and absolute,” Wood said. “The administration has the authority to do this. We have to manage the budget and the Legislature sets the budget. They fund certain programs and we manage the positions.”
Bartlett said the administration is choosing to ignore “what the budget said.”
“If the budget’s a guideline, and you don’t need to pay attention to it, maybe you just need one branch of government,” Bartlett said.
The position, Fish and Wildlife Scientist II, was held by Jens Hawkins-Hilke, who worked with 50 to 80 towns a year to help them identify and map habitat. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant paid for half of Hawkins-Hilke’s salary, which was roughly $22 an hour. He was laid off recently and has filed a grievance with the union. According to the legislative letter of intent, his position would have cost the state roughly $16,000.
He provided technical support for towns, as well as helped local community members understand the scientific concepts behind conservation, such as habitat protection. Often this meant helping towns identify what kinds of habitat they valued for recreation, hunting, fishing and other wildlife, he said. Some towns are focused on deer yards; others are interested in protecting salamanders.
Hawkins-Hilke said in an interview that he was No. 4 on the reduction-in-force list at ANR last year. He survived the first round of cuts, but in February he was told his position would be eliminated. Town planning commission and conservation commission officials canvassed lawmakers about the RIF and pressured the Legislature to retain the position. By mid-June it was clear the administration had gone ahead with its original plan.
Wood called it a “limited service position” that wasn’t “meant to be a full-time job” and he said the agency will continue to offer services to local communities through its district offices.
“The position provides planning assistance to towns and municipalities — just assistance to conservation commissions and town plans on the types of things in towns that could be done to protect wildlife habitat,” Wood said. “That type of thing has been done by the department for many years.”
Mike Hedges, a member of the Waterbury Conservation Commission, said he is not confident ANR will help his group finish mapping for new subdivision regulations. Nor is he counting on help from officials from the agency with plans for protecting a moose crossing corridor on Route 100 near Walker Construction. It’s the only place, he said, where the large game animals can pass from the Green Mountains to the Worcester Mountains. Hawkins-Hilke identified the crossing for the commission and was going to help them develop a plan for protecting the area.
“It’s hard for others to take up those extra duties,” Hedges said.
Wood said the agency is responding to constant downward budget pressures.
“There aren’t any more paper clips to cut,” Wood said. “We’ve been into significant cutting of positions for a while now. There isn’t any choice.”
Wood said game wardens, however, continue to be fully funded by the Department of Fish and Wildlife because they “are a high priority.”
“I have not tried to cut game wardens, though the Legislature has cut their overtime,” Wood said.
Since the recession began in 2007, the agency has eliminated 100 positions, many of which were federally funded, according to Wood.
Corriell said the state faces an uncertain revenue outlook in the current fiscal year and a $100 million deficit in fiscal year 2012. He said small amounts add up to “real money” in the budget and that government leaders have to make hard decisions.
“This is a very challenging time, and as a state government there need to be priorities,” Corriell said. “What we need to do is focus on growing our economy. It’s short-sighted to focus on one position.”
Bartlett also sees the administration’s decision as a matter of priorities. “This is a continuation of this administration not being supportive of conservation and/or planning,” Bartlett said.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
House Caucus Event
Last weekend I attended the House Caucus Event in Danville. Unfortunately, Susan already had an event scheduled in Johnson and could not make it. I really did not know what I was getting into beforehand, aside from the knowledge that it was a fundraiser, and that the Speakers of the House from Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine were all going to be there. When I got there, it was already packed, and was clearly very well prepared and organized under a giant tent with people serving very fancy food.
As a kid growing up in a middle class family in Barre I can honestly say I felt a bit out of place there. Clearly it was a high class event for the state party in which they hoped to raise a great of money. Generally I am pretty good at going around and introducing myself to people, but as a college student with twenty-thousand dollars of debt, finding things in common with people who are having lobster and steak served to them is not easy. My idea of fancy food is still from working at Cabot Cheese the last two summers when we would package the extra sharp instead of the sharp cheddar.
I was surprised that the speakers themselves did not speak very long. Vermont's Speaker of the House Shap Smith talked for probably about 10 minutes, and introduced the Speaker of the New Hampshire House, Terie Norelli and Speaker of the Maine House, Hannah Pingre. Neither of the two women spoke as long as Shap did, probably about 25 minutes total. The entire event was 2 hours long, and I got to talk to some great people there including Representative Kitty Toll whose home was the site of the event, and whose family helped put everything together. She seemed like a very nice woman, although understandably a bit rushed. I talked to several people and had a few good laughs. I was happy to find strong support for Susan's experience and vision for Vermont's future.
What else I thought was interesting was the fact that they had several vendors who were there showing off products. It wasn't Coke or Pepsi or anything, but they had someone with a small tent showing off his cheese, and others who were giving away Maple products and what seemed to be Apple wine. I tried a little of each at the end, all were very good.
At around 6 things slowed down, and I headed back home to join friends and see the movie Inception, which was great. Hanging out with bigwigs is something that something I guess I am going to have to get used to in politics, and as long as they keep bringing lobster, I look forward to it.
Andrew Desmarais
What's Emily's List Afraid of?
Do you believe the polls?
We got a call from a supporter who was polled on her preference for governor in the primary. She said it was clear it was a poll supporting Deb Markowitz. They listed Racine, Shumlin, Dunne ... but no Bartlett!
The pollster didn't know, or wouldn't say, who was conducting the poll.
"Just doin' my job, ma'am."
Is it any wonder the recently "leaked" poll results show Susan is unknown? If you look at Deb's listing on Emily's List at the link below, check the 7th paragraph. Racine, Shumlin, Dunne ... but no Bartlett! This despite two calls to Emily's List asking for a correction.
What's Emily's List afraid of? Could it be a woman who is more qualified and experienced than their candidate?
From Emily's List: http://emilyslist.org/what/candidates/deb_markowitz/more/
"Before she can face Dubie, Markowitz must come out on top of a crowded field of Democrats that includes state Senator Doug Racine, who ran for governor in 2002 and lost to Douglas; state Senator Peter Shumlin, who ran for lieutenant governor in 2002 and lost to Dubie; and Google executive Matt Dunne, a former state legislator who also lost to Dubie in 2006."
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
LGBQT Forum
Susan poses with Amber LeMay at the LGBQT Forum July 19
Photo and edited text below from http://houseoflemay.blog-city.com/glbtvt_gubernatorial_forum.htm
On Monday, July 19, the five candidates running for the Democrat nomination for Governor met in a forum addressing GLBT issues. Those present walked away feeling that any of the five would be a great ally as governor.
We, as the League of Drag Queen Voters, were present and were pleased to pose with each of the candidates (see below). We also presented them with a pin that several wore during the the event. We'll be looking for them during this weekend's Pride events, too!
Addressing Property Taxes
It is obvious that education is a hot topic in most of our communities. Many school boards worked hard to deliver a level funded or lower budget than last year. Staff reductions were made and programs were cut; and still tax rates went up. Voters are angry and frustrated. How can we have a system that penalizes communities that are doing all the right things to contain costs with a higher tax rate?
The culprit is the Common Level of Appraisal or the CLA.
The CLA is the part of Act 60 and Act 68 that is designed to make sure that all taxpayers and communities are treated in an equitable manner. It is the means by which the school tax on a $210,000 home is the same no matter which community the home is located, as long as the school spending is the same. I believe that it is the CLA that disconnects voters from their school budgets, not income sensitivity. It is the CLA that is causing tax rates to rise, when school spending is dropping.
I have been talking with the Finance Committee for several years about working to find a solution to the problems with the CLA formula. So far no one has come up with a solution. It is my understanding that there are some issues with “freezing” the CLA where it was last year, but I find it hard to believe that it could be more of a problem than we have now increasing it!
I am going to ask the Finance committee once again to see if we can at least get a short-term fix for this problem. I do have a longer term fix.
When Act 68 passed, I worked with Representative Richard Marron from Stowe to put a new system of property evaluation in place. Rep. Marron was then the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and he did a great deal of work with the state of Maryland to understand their system.
They have a 3-year rolling, on-going statewide appraisal system. One year it is primary residences, the next year business property and the third year all other property. This system keeps property up to date and I believe it would serve to get rid of the complex CLA formula. I still believe that this is a good idea and I’m trying to get folks to consider it again.
My plan for Vermont envisions hiring professional appraisers to work for the state tax department, performing the ongoing work in each county. We would keep our local listers doing the work that they currently do. With professional appraisers, I believe there would be more consistency in the property evaluations eliminating the need for the CLA.
This system would save money for the towns, which constantly have to reappraise. There would still be an appeal process for taxpayers who felt they had an unfair evaluation.
I believe that this system will keep evaluations up to date in every part of the state, is easy to understand and meets the requirements of treating taxpayers in a fair and equitable manner. It may even reduce property taxes.
It sure would be better than watching property taxes increase while school boards cut services.
The culprit is the Common Level of Appraisal or the CLA.
The CLA is the part of Act 60 and Act 68 that is designed to make sure that all taxpayers and communities are treated in an equitable manner. It is the means by which the school tax on a $210,000 home is the same no matter which community the home is located, as long as the school spending is the same. I believe that it is the CLA that disconnects voters from their school budgets, not income sensitivity. It is the CLA that is causing tax rates to rise, when school spending is dropping.
I have been talking with the Finance Committee for several years about working to find a solution to the problems with the CLA formula. So far no one has come up with a solution. It is my understanding that there are some issues with “freezing” the CLA where it was last year, but I find it hard to believe that it could be more of a problem than we have now increasing it!
I am going to ask the Finance committee once again to see if we can at least get a short-term fix for this problem. I do have a longer term fix.
When Act 68 passed, I worked with Representative Richard Marron from Stowe to put a new system of property evaluation in place. Rep. Marron was then the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and he did a great deal of work with the state of Maryland to understand their system.
They have a 3-year rolling, on-going statewide appraisal system. One year it is primary residences, the next year business property and the third year all other property. This system keeps property up to date and I believe it would serve to get rid of the complex CLA formula. I still believe that this is a good idea and I’m trying to get folks to consider it again.
My plan for Vermont envisions hiring professional appraisers to work for the state tax department, performing the ongoing work in each county. We would keep our local listers doing the work that they currently do. With professional appraisers, I believe there would be more consistency in the property evaluations eliminating the need for the CLA.
This system would save money for the towns, which constantly have to reappraise. There would still be an appeal process for taxpayers who felt they had an unfair evaluation.
I believe that this system will keep evaluations up to date in every part of the state, is easy to understand and meets the requirements of treating taxpayers in a fair and equitable manner. It may even reduce property taxes.
It sure would be better than watching property taxes increase while school boards cut services.
Fairness and Diversity
How will I change the structure and tone of state government?
Right now I think state government is tone deaf on the issues of diversity. The changing population is something we are watching and mostly going “wow this is different”. There have been token appointments and conversations, but the reality is we don’t have any idea what to do. As governor I would convene a series of public meetings to talk about the various issues and work with state and local government to develop solutions. The real solution is education and that takes time, but it is the most effective way to go. Taking an issue and keeping it visible is the best way to get good results. That’s the power a governor has, to take an issue and make it public and keep constructive conversations going.
Appointments to boards
This administration has misused their power of appointment and has used many appointments as political rewards. My approach to board appointments would be to ask the various groups that are involved with the board to make recommendations. As a new and important part of the process I would include individuals who are working in the area of diversity and fairness to participate in the recommendation of individuals for boards. The comment about Native American’s and District Environmental Commissions is an excellent example. One of the problems is we don’t know what we don’t know. So a key to moving forward is getting a different point of view as base line input for recommendations.
Hate Groups
I return to the issue of education. I can see an entire series of public service ads talking about these issues. They would be made with public officials, regular citizens, law enforcement, and all kinds of Vermonters, of all types of ethnic backgrounds. Vermont has a long history of welcoming all folks; it’s time to get back to that behavior.
Vermont brand
As governor I would celebrate the growing diversity of our state and show that pride in our advertising and promotion of Vermont. We are still in the process of figuring out how to develop innovation and intellectual property as economic development and there is no reason that these issues have any ethnicity attached to them. I would develop an introduction to diversity daylong program that would be given to all state workers and any group that receives state dollars. It would at least be a start in developing awareness.
School Issues
I wish I had an easy answer for this question. We have passed laws that have resulted in attempts to address bullying, harassment and hate crimes and as you say they have come to nothing. There must be programs in other states that have been effective in training educators in these issues. I believe we need a total education and sensitizing set of programs to truly move forward. How long has the south been integrated and how much progress has been made?
I don’t think the issue is large or small districts; the issue is human nature and ignorance. For many years I have felt that half the trauma for the state of Vermont surrounding Civil Unions was that for years Vermonters had prided themselves on “not being like other state” and not being prejudiced. Civil Unions smacked us right in the head and said “Oh yea, you think you’re not prejudiced? How come you’re acting like this?”
Right now I think state government is tone deaf on the issues of diversity. The changing population is something we are watching and mostly going “wow this is different”. There have been token appointments and conversations, but the reality is we don’t have any idea what to do. As governor I would convene a series of public meetings to talk about the various issues and work with state and local government to develop solutions. The real solution is education and that takes time, but it is the most effective way to go. Taking an issue and keeping it visible is the best way to get good results. That’s the power a governor has, to take an issue and make it public and keep constructive conversations going.
Appointments to boards
This administration has misused their power of appointment and has used many appointments as political rewards. My approach to board appointments would be to ask the various groups that are involved with the board to make recommendations. As a new and important part of the process I would include individuals who are working in the area of diversity and fairness to participate in the recommendation of individuals for boards. The comment about Native American’s and District Environmental Commissions is an excellent example. One of the problems is we don’t know what we don’t know. So a key to moving forward is getting a different point of view as base line input for recommendations.
Hate Groups
I return to the issue of education. I can see an entire series of public service ads talking about these issues. They would be made with public officials, regular citizens, law enforcement, and all kinds of Vermonters, of all types of ethnic backgrounds. Vermont has a long history of welcoming all folks; it’s time to get back to that behavior.
Vermont brand
As governor I would celebrate the growing diversity of our state and show that pride in our advertising and promotion of Vermont. We are still in the process of figuring out how to develop innovation and intellectual property as economic development and there is no reason that these issues have any ethnicity attached to them. I would develop an introduction to diversity daylong program that would be given to all state workers and any group that receives state dollars. It would at least be a start in developing awareness.
School Issues
I wish I had an easy answer for this question. We have passed laws that have resulted in attempts to address bullying, harassment and hate crimes and as you say they have come to nothing. There must be programs in other states that have been effective in training educators in these issues. I believe we need a total education and sensitizing set of programs to truly move forward. How long has the south been integrated and how much progress has been made?
I don’t think the issue is large or small districts; the issue is human nature and ignorance. For many years I have felt that half the trauma for the state of Vermont surrounding Civil Unions was that for years Vermonters had prided themselves on “not being like other state” and not being prejudiced. Civil Unions smacked us right in the head and said “Oh yea, you think you’re not prejudiced? How come you’re acting like this?”
While Vermont has been “white,” the prejudice against the French Canadians and the Italians has been very real and very nasty. Just because a state has been all white doesn’t mean it free from prejudice.
What sets me apart?
I was born in Massachusetts and raised in South Carolina. My family moved to Orleans, Vermont in 1962 when I was entering the 11th grade. My father worked in textiles and my mother worked for a lawyer. They were totally supportive of integrating schools and raised my brother and I to judge each person as an individual.
A woman of color worked for us so there was someone at home when my brother and I got home from school. My parents spent 3 years trying to convince Johnny Mae to use the front door. She never would. As the violence was increasing, my father had the chance to take a job in Vermont.
My parents saw they had two children who thought all folks were equal and that we were in for a very difficult time as some of our school friends began to take sides in the issue of integration. So my parents made the decision to leave the south and move to Vermont for their children's well being.
I have never shared this story before. When the issue of Civil Unions came along, I felt that I was being given the opportunity to act on a civil rights issue in a way that my parents had never had the opportunity to, and if they had still been alive would have been so proud and happy that I had that chance. So I think that kind of awareness makes me different than all the rest.
What sets me apart?
I was born in Massachusetts and raised in South Carolina. My family moved to Orleans, Vermont in 1962 when I was entering the 11th grade. My father worked in textiles and my mother worked for a lawyer. They were totally supportive of integrating schools and raised my brother and I to judge each person as an individual.
A woman of color worked for us so there was someone at home when my brother and I got home from school. My parents spent 3 years trying to convince Johnny Mae to use the front door. She never would. As the violence was increasing, my father had the chance to take a job in Vermont.
My parents saw they had two children who thought all folks were equal and that we were in for a very difficult time as some of our school friends began to take sides in the issue of integration. So my parents made the decision to leave the south and move to Vermont for their children's well being.
I have never shared this story before. When the issue of Civil Unions came along, I felt that I was being given the opportunity to act on a civil rights issue in a way that my parents had never had the opportunity to, and if they had still been alive would have been so proud and happy that I had that chance. So I think that kind of awareness makes me different than all the rest.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Editorial: Money Talks
Times Argus
Published: July 18, 2010
Published: July 18, 2010
Vermont Democrats are discovering one of the difficulties created by a contested primary. In the latest campaign finance reports from the six candidates in the governor’s race, Republican Brian Dubie has reported contributions of $943,961. The combined total for the five Democrats in the race is $1,491,375. But because they are battling it out among themselves, win an eye on the August primary, none of them comes close to matching Dubie.
Dubie, the popular lieutenant governor, has managed to carry on a low-key campaign in this early stage, though he also has managed to spend about half of the money he has raised so far. That money is either going toward building a solid foundation for his campaign, or else it is being frittered away.
The Democrats, too, have each spent about half of their contributions, more or less. They are involved in a spirited battle to distinguish themselves from their competitors, and they need to spend the money now.
Secretary of State Deb Markowitz began her campaign early with the aim of locking up some of the major contributors for herself, and her finance figures reflect her success. She leads the pack in fundraising with $523,946 reported so far.
Sen. Susan Bartlett trails the pack, reporting only $70,920 so far. Bartlett issued a statement before the release of the numbers as a kind of preventive strike against what she called the “political pundits” who would deploy the conventional wisdom to assert that her relative lack of money would doom her candidacy. She said she always knew she would raise less money than the other candidates and she planned to run a low-budget campaign. She presents herself as an underdog — like the 2004 Red Sox — and also a Howard Dean Democrat willing to make hard choices about state finances. As chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has established credibility on financial questions, though she has not necessarily established visibility around the state.
Among the other three Democrats, Sen. Douglas Racine reported raising only $210,158 so far. Former Sen. Matt Dunne has raised $267,861, and Sen. Peter Shumlin has raised $418,490. Racine’s relatively modest sum comes as a surprise given his success in winning several high-profile endorsements from labor organizations and given his long history in Chittenden County politics. Shumlin’s total was boosted by a contribution of $166,787 that he made personally to his campaign.
The difficulty for the Democrats is that they will have to spend a good portion of what they raise just to get past the Aug. 24 primary. Dubie can marshal his resources for the General Election. Even having spent half of what he has raised, he has a healthy advantage over the Democrats so far.
But as Bartlett reminds us, “If money alone determined the outcome of an election, Jack McMullin would have beaten Fred Tuttle.” Jack McMullin was the wealthy Republican who moved to Vermont and soon thereafter entered the race to defeat Sen. Patrick Leahy. He didn’t count on the late Fred Tuttle, the retired and hobbling old farmer from Tunbridge, who used subversive Yankee wit to undermine McMullin’s credibility. How many teats on a cow? McMullin didn’t know. Tuttle won the Republican primary and went on to endorse Leahy.
Bartlett is no Tuttle. She is a serious, if underfunded, candidate. But Dubie is no McMullin; nor is the Democrats’ fundraising leader, Markowitz. All are serious candidates with credible records and diverse strengths and weaknesses. Enter a conversation with Vermont Democrats this summer, and while each of the candidates has committed supporters, many Democrats scratch their heads wondering which of several good candidates to back.
It is a sign of the times that the candidates have gravitated toward positions that have many themes in common. Markowitz has issued an action plan for the economy in order to build jobs. The other candidates have their own proposals for creating jobs.
Dubie, meanwhile, stands firm with what for eight years has been Republican orthodoxy: shrink government and cut taxes. It is a message that resonates with Republicans. The Democratic candidates are betting that Vermonters, after the eight-year administration of Gov. James Douglas, are looking for more. Their battle to win the chance to make that case now enters its critical phase.
Dubie, the popular lieutenant governor, has managed to carry on a low-key campaign in this early stage, though he also has managed to spend about half of the money he has raised so far. That money is either going toward building a solid foundation for his campaign, or else it is being frittered away.
The Democrats, too, have each spent about half of their contributions, more or less. They are involved in a spirited battle to distinguish themselves from their competitors, and they need to spend the money now.
Secretary of State Deb Markowitz began her campaign early with the aim of locking up some of the major contributors for herself, and her finance figures reflect her success. She leads the pack in fundraising with $523,946 reported so far.
Sen. Susan Bartlett trails the pack, reporting only $70,920 so far. Bartlett issued a statement before the release of the numbers as a kind of preventive strike against what she called the “political pundits” who would deploy the conventional wisdom to assert that her relative lack of money would doom her candidacy. She said she always knew she would raise less money than the other candidates and she planned to run a low-budget campaign. She presents herself as an underdog — like the 2004 Red Sox — and also a Howard Dean Democrat willing to make hard choices about state finances. As chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has established credibility on financial questions, though she has not necessarily established visibility around the state.
Among the other three Democrats, Sen. Douglas Racine reported raising only $210,158 so far. Former Sen. Matt Dunne has raised $267,861, and Sen. Peter Shumlin has raised $418,490. Racine’s relatively modest sum comes as a surprise given his success in winning several high-profile endorsements from labor organizations and given his long history in Chittenden County politics. Shumlin’s total was boosted by a contribution of $166,787 that he made personally to his campaign.
The difficulty for the Democrats is that they will have to spend a good portion of what they raise just to get past the Aug. 24 primary. Dubie can marshal his resources for the General Election. Even having spent half of what he has raised, he has a healthy advantage over the Democrats so far.
But as Bartlett reminds us, “If money alone determined the outcome of an election, Jack McMullin would have beaten Fred Tuttle.” Jack McMullin was the wealthy Republican who moved to Vermont and soon thereafter entered the race to defeat Sen. Patrick Leahy. He didn’t count on the late Fred Tuttle, the retired and hobbling old farmer from Tunbridge, who used subversive Yankee wit to undermine McMullin’s credibility. How many teats on a cow? McMullin didn’t know. Tuttle won the Republican primary and went on to endorse Leahy.
Bartlett is no Tuttle. She is a serious, if underfunded, candidate. But Dubie is no McMullin; nor is the Democrats’ fundraising leader, Markowitz. All are serious candidates with credible records and diverse strengths and weaknesses. Enter a conversation with Vermont Democrats this summer, and while each of the candidates has committed supporters, many Democrats scratch their heads wondering which of several good candidates to back.
It is a sign of the times that the candidates have gravitated toward positions that have many themes in common. Markowitz has issued an action plan for the economy in order to build jobs. The other candidates have their own proposals for creating jobs.
Dubie, meanwhile, stands firm with what for eight years has been Republican orthodoxy: shrink government and cut taxes. It is a message that resonates with Republicans. The Democratic candidates are betting that Vermonters, after the eight-year administration of Gov. James Douglas, are looking for more. Their battle to win the chance to make that case now enters its critical phase.
Lamoille County senator looks to moderates to deliver primary victory
By Peter Hirschfeld
Vermont Press Bureau - Published: July 18, 2010
Susan Bartlett has read her own political epitaph before.
In 1997, she alienated powerful constituencies in her Lamoille County Senate district by helping to shepherd Act 60, the landmark education funding law, through the Statehouse.
“They said re-election was impossible after that,” she says now. “They’d dug the hole and nailed the coffin.”
In 2000, it was Bartlett’s strong advocacy for civil unions that was to be her undoing.
“They said if Act 60 didn’t kill her, then we’ve got her this time,” she says. “I was outspent 5-to-1. They said I was toast.”
Bartlett endured, though, riding her reputation for fiscal moderation to eight consecutive re-elections since first winning the county’s lone Senate post in 1992.
As the five-way race in the Democratic gubernatorial primary hits its midsummer stride, Bartlett is once again fielding rumors of her political demise.
Polls show her lagging well behind the rest of the field. And Bartlett’s fundraising totals bode ill for her candidacy (in campaign filings disclosed last week, she reported $70,000 in donations, the only Democratic candidate below $200,000).
Perhaps owing to her previous political battles, Bartlett is unfazed. Last year, when she announced her candidacy, Bartlett predicted certain triumph in the 2010 general election. Voters are ready to leave Gov. James Douglas and Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, she said, but want a voice of fiscal moderation that she alone among Democrats can provide.
On a recent sweltering Monday, inside the dark, wood-floored living room of her North Hyde Park home, Bartlett remained cocksure in the face of political realities that point to almost certain defeat in the Aug. 24 primary.
“They’ve said I was done before. They’ve told me it was all over,” Bartlett says. “Then the silent majority goes to the polls and elects me.”
‘Willing to say no’
In the Statehouse, where she has been chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee for a decade, Bartlett has made a comfortable home on the conservative edge of the Democratic spectrum.
During the last two legislative sessions, more progressive members of Bartlett’s caucus championed the use of “rainy day” funds to protect government programs from revenue shortfalls. Bartlett, however, urged a fiscal restraint that exposed the Agency of Human Services to significant budget cuts.
In advance of the Senate vote on Challenges for Change, a government restructuring plan that was criticized by fellow Democrats – including three also running for governor – as a backdoor downsizing scheme, Bartlett delivered the sales pitch for a piece of legislation that cut more than $30 million from state spending.
“She’s willing to say no,” says Sen. Jane Kitchel, former human services secretary under Howard Dean and now vice chairwoman of the appropriations committee. “If you’re the chair of Appropriations, you do have to say no at times. It’s not the most pleasant position to be in, but she never led people with false hopes.”
Senate President Peter Shumlin, who 10 years ago made Bartlett the first woman to head the appropriations committee, cited her “moderation” and “balance” among his chief reasons for her appointment.
“I think the thing about Susan that makes her so good at that job is that she has a very balanced approach to making decisions, and that’s what an Appropriations chair has to do,” says Shumlin, who is competing against Bartlett in the Democratic primary.
The same moderation that won Bartlett respect, and considerable power, in Montpelier – in her inaugural Senate run in 1992, she considered declaring as an independent – has probably hurt her standing with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, which generally decides primary elections.
Going for the moderates
Bartlett has made clear her primary campaign strategy: Own the moderate bloc of Vermont Democrats, a portion of which has swung for Douglas and Dubie in the past four general elections.
That approach might be problematic, according to Eric Davis, professor emeritus of political science at Middlebury College.
“She has been quoted in the last several weeks as saying she’s looking for the support of so-called moderates,” Davis says. “But I believe her main difficulty is going to be that most of the people who vote in the Democratic primary call themselves either liberals or progressives rather than moderates.”
Moderates haven’t shown up in primaries, Bartlett counters, because there weren’t any moderates to vote for.
“I can say to people, ‘This is the primary where you actually have a choice. This is the primary where you can have a profound impact by actually coming out to vote,’” she says. “I hear folks all over the state telling me, ‘This is the one. This is the one where I vote.’ We’ll see if they show up.”
At home in the Kingdom
Even as she peddles her self-styled fiscal conservatism, Bartlett says she never wavers from her belief in the goodness of government.
“I’m sure not one of those Republicans,” she says. “My father and I stopped talking about politics when he decided he liked Ronald Reagan.”
Bartlett is a chatty woman whose family moved to Orleans when she was 15. The daughter of a soldier father and an English mother – they met while he was stationed in the European Theater during World War II – Bartlett, 63, says she took immediately to rural life in the Northeast Kingdom.
“I’d been in South Carolina before that, and this new place was much, much better for me,” she says.
Bartlett says she wasn’t a great student at Orleans High School (though her campaign website touts her receipt of the “Betty Crocker Award”). Nor did she achieve excellence in her undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont, where she met her future husband, Bill.
“I was not a terribly good student,” she says. “I just was not interested.”
At Johnson State College, where Bartlett earned her master’s in administrative education – she specialized in special education – she says she found her calling.
She started working in group homes for at-risk youth. After graduating, she was hired by the Lamoille North Supervisory Union, where she developed a districtwide special-education program.
“My parents used to tell me that from when I was a toddler, I was always a defender of the weak on the school playground,” Bartlett says. “It’s just been an obvious part of who I am, and the special-education work was a natural fit for me.”
Bartlett says her work with children helped spawn her interest in politics, which she came to see as a way to make government work for vulnerable children and adults.
“The fundamental thing that makes me a Democrat is I really do believe it is appropriate for government to create programs to help people,” Bartlett says. “This whole ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ thing, maybe that used to work. But you go look at some of the poor folks in this state and tell me what the odds are of those kids being able to pull themselves up.”
For all that she burnishes her conservative credentials, Bartlett says she has a long record of supporting government programs even in the face of budget constraints.
She’s long been a proponent of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and, colleagues say, helped protect it from draconian cuts pushed by the Douglas administration in 2009 and 2010.
She also touts court diversion programs, for which she helped carve out additional appropriations.
‘Not slick’
Bartlett is one of the few gubernatorial candidates without a well-polished stump speech and says she rarely uses prepared remarks.
She often pauses a few beats before answering questions at candidate forums and isn’t given to rhetorical bluster.
“She’s very down to earth and straightforward,” says Sen. Diane Snelling, a Chittenden County Republican also on the appropriations committee. “She’s definitely not slick.”
Nor is she a polished politician. One of Bartlett’s early forays into campaign PR left many political observers scratching their heads. In advance of the Senate’s February vote on the relicensing of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, Bartlett’s campaign circulated a news release condemning the timing of the vote. She accused Senate President Peter Shumlin of grandstanding and said lawmakers needed more time to study the issues surrounding the aging plant.
It was odd enough – politically, at least – that a gubernatorial wannabe had opted to publicly criticize a vote around which her party’s faithful had rallied so strongly. Odder still was her position on a key vote just a few days later. A Republican-led amendment sought to delay the Yankee vote until later in the session – precisely the action Bartlett had called for just days earlier.
Yet she voted against the amendment.
She later said she wanted the Senate to speak in a unified voice on Yankee. When she failed to rally support for her position to postpone, she reasoned, she might as well join the majority.
But the turnabout left many Statehouse insiders wondering whether the senator was ready for prime time.
“I say what I think. I always have, and you can be sure I always will,” Bartlett says. “I really don’t spend a lot of time thinking how it’s going to play.”
Long odds
Davis, who moderated a candidate forum in Middlebury earlier this year, says Bartlett has the least name recognition of any of the five Democratic candidates. But he says she’s impressed with her knowledge of all things budgetary.
“My sense is that to people attending the forums, she comes across as very knowledgeable, especially in state fiscal policy,” Davis says. “Susan Bartlett knows more about budgets than anybody who doesn’t work on the fifth floor of the Pavilion building,” where the governor’s office is.
While Davis puts long odds on Bartlett to win the primary, he says she’s well positioned for other executive jobs. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bartlett end up with a senior position in the next administration if a Democrat wins in November.”
Bartlett says she’s not interested. And she warns political pundits not to embarrass themselves later by writing her off now.
“I’ve always been lifted by that great and wonderful silent majority,” she says. “They’ve always come out for me before. We’ll see if they do it again.”
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