Updates on Race for Vermont Governor

Recently 200 Vermonters turned out in Windsor County for a Democratic candidate's forum in Hartland, Vermont. You can read about the forum here. This is great news for Vermont Democrats and shows the level of enthusiasm for all the excellent candidates we have to choose from.

But, it got me thinking that I should put together a brief synopsis on what our candidates have been up to recently. This is not exhaustive (check their respective websites for scheduled events and more details). But, here is at least a cursory effort to provide you with one-stop shopping with respect to the latest from Vermont's Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls (in alphabetical order):

Sen. Susan Bartlett is promoting "Challenges for Change" on Green Mountain Daily. Read her post here. This is the plan put together by consultants and promoted by Gov. Douglas, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, and House Speaker Shap Smith. The goal is to save $38 million in Vermont's budget through streamlining and efficiency measures. Is it possible? You decide. You can read the report here. More information at the website: www.bartlettforgovernor.com.

Former Senator Matt Dunne wrote recent articles on Vermont Yankee and has an op-ed reflecting on Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the importance of community service in today's Burlington Free Press: Honor King With Service. He will be doing community service work at CEDO sites in Burlington on Monday. More information at the website: http://www.mattdunne.com/.




Secretary of State Deb Markowitz was endorsed by Emily's List and is promoting a fundraiser directed to her supporters. She has also been active on the issue of moving Vermont's primary election date. More information at the website: http://www.debforvermont.com/.




Sen. Doug Racine worked with his House committee counterparts to convene a public hearing on health care reform. Over 400 Vermonters turned out last week to Vermont's statehouse to make their views known on this issue. You can read about it in the Times Argus and VPR. He's also formally kicking off his campaign on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at various sites around Vermont. More information at the website: http://www.dougracine.com/.





Sen. Peter Shumlin has been in the news with respect to the latest revelations about Vermont Yankee, and told over 100 marchers opposing Vermont Yankee relicensing that he opposes relicensing it if it comes to a vote this year. He was also present for the unveiling of the "Challenges for Change" report referenced above. More information at the website: http://www.shumlinforgovernor.com/.



** Also, there was news about the Douglas Administration's efforts to allow ATV's onto state lands. At a recent candidate's forum before VASA, the sports group representing ATV riders, Senators Bartlett, Racine, and Shumlin all made statements on the issue (Sec. of State Markowitz and former Sen. Dunne were unavailable, or did not appear) - all opposed the way the Douglas Administration is attempting to implement a rule change to allow ATV's on state lands. Sen. Shumlin flatly opposed allowing ATVs on state lands. Senators Bartlett and Racine said they might be open to limited ridership, but not the way the Administration has proposed. You can read the article here, and an editorial on the issue, here.

Finally, a word about the presumptive Republican nominee, Brian Dubie. Apparently, he's kicked off something he's calling a "Jobs Tour" to kickstart his campaign. It's good that the Republicans are trying to figure out how to create jobs. After seven years holding the Governor's office, they have failed on their promise of providing jobs or a positive economic climate. Don't forget the Douglas-Dubie team were prime cheerleaders of the failed economic policies of the Bush Administration that squandered the budget surpluses left by the Clinton Administration. Maybe Dubie's effort would be more appropriately called a "Jobless" Tour?

Next Meeting/Holiday Party!

Please join the Northfield Democrats for our December meeting and annual holiday party:

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Brown Public Library (downstairs in the community room).

Happy Holidays!

Reorganization Caucus - Sept. 21st @ 6:00 p.m.

Just a friendly reminder to everyone that we will be reorganizing the town committee on Monday, September 21st at 6pm (prior to the health care forum) at the Kreitzberg Library (multi-purpose room) at Norwich University.

Since many of you expressed interest in the health care forum and are likely to attend anyway, it made sense to have the meeting prior to the forum, and at the same location. The meeting is being warned in the Times Argus, and I'll have it posted at the library and the town offices. After the meeting I'll file all the appropriate paperwork with the State Party and the Town Clerk (just names of committee members, not contact information) per the rules.

So, please come even if you cannot stay for the whole health care forum. We need to elect our town committee and its officers. This meeting will be brief lasting 20-30 minutes maximum. Just enough time to sign everyone up and to elect our officers. Hope to see you then. Thanks.

Next Meeting - 8/22 at 9am!

Just a friendly reminder that our next meeting is: Saturday, August 22 at 9am for breakfast at the village pizza (formerly red kettle).

As we frequently do, if anyone wishes to bring food items for CERV, it's encouraged. I stopped by CERV today and they said they are short on the following items: cereal, jam/jelly (to go with peanut butter which they have in abundance), canned beets, pasta sauce, any fresh fruits or vegetables, cheese, and butter. They'll be delighted with anything folks care to contribute, but those are the kinds of items they are short on right now.

Hope to see you then!

Overridden!

The Vermont House of Representatives voted 100-50 to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of the legislature's budget.

This is a huge political victory for Speaker Shap Smith, and a sure sign that the power dynamic in Montpelier has changed for the remainder of the biennium. No more can Gov. Douglas count on the veto to sustain his conservative agenda.

While Speaker Smith will justifiably get the lion's share of the credit, don't forget about the very able Majority Leader, Rep. Floyd Nease, who is responsible for making sure they get the votes.

Among the other winners are: Sen. Peter Shumlin, who orchestrated a 23-5 vote in the Senate, and advocacy organizations who mounted considerable opposition to the Governor's proposed budget.

Oh yeah, and let's not forget the biggest winners of all - middle-class, working, and low-income Vermonters. This includes Vermont property tax payers who will not have to worry about the massive property tax increase Jim Douglas had in mind. The social safety net remains intact, if a little tattered. But the fight is really just beginning. Next session look for another attempt to cut social programs.

It will be interesting to see who wins the spin wars: Douglas will claim the Democrats now "own" both the budget, and the economy. Democrats should insist that Douglas take responsibility for getting us into this mess, and that they prevented his massive property tax increase. The real question will be this: does the economy turn around? If it does, the Dems will get all the credit and Douglas will be in real trouble. If it doesn't, Douglas is going to blame all the ills of the world at the feet of the Democrats. Will voters buy it?

Vermont Democrats Hire New Executive Director!

That's right... after months of speculation and a critical position at the top to fill, the Vermont Democrats finally made their selection. Ladies and gentlemen (drumroll please), I give you Robert Dempsey.

Dempsey hails from Buffalo, NY originally and most recently worked for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee out of the mid-west. Shay Totten posted a pretty good overview over at Blurt (the Seven Days blog) with choice quotes from VDP Chair, Judy Bevans and Mr. Dempsey himself. You can check out the official news release from the party, here.

Welcome aboard, Robert!

Northfield News: Dems Raise Money for CERV

If you missed it, there's still time to pick up a copy of the Northfield News, or cruise on over to its website to read about our Town Meeting Day efforts to raise funds for CERV.

Here's a brief excerpt:

On Town Meeting Day this year, voter debate about the issues wasn't the only thing brewing. The Northfield Democrats brewed hot coffee and supplied free baked goods, requesting contributions to CERV in return. Altogether volunteers raised $120.49 for CERV, plus another $10.00 for the Vermont Foodbank.

"Our committee met the Saturday before Town Meeting Day," explained Christopher Curtis, Chairman of the Northfield Democrats. "And, we all agreed as a group that this was something we wanted to do," he said.

Linda Gray, CERV Coordinator gladly accepted the contribution. "We have seen an increase of fifty percent in need this year," she said. "And, we're up to 400 visitors this month compared to 300 last month," said Ms. Gray. "We could really use more food donations, and more volunteers," she said.

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Great job everyone!