Progs aggressively defend Burlington Telecom; push for 2010 shut down of Vermont Yankee
Editor’s note: The Vermont Progressive Party Convention took place at the Old Labor Hall in Barre, Vermont, Nov. 14. Video excerpts of speeches on Burlington Telecom, Vermont Yankee, the state budget and health care follow. About 100 party regulars participated in the daylong event. The speakers included Martha Abbott, John Franco, Sandy Haas, Susan Hatch Davis and Tim Ashe. The party standard-bearer and erstwhile candidate for governor, Anthony Pollina, wasn’t present at the convention.
John Franco, co-chair of the Burlington Progressive Party, defends the Bob Kiss administration’s decision to provide funding for Burlington Telecom out of the City of Burlington budget. Franco accuses the Democrats on the City Council of settling old scores and the Burlington Free Press of scandal-mongering. “What we have faced is the worst political crisis in the history of Progressive government in the City of Burlington,” Franco says.
Chittenden County State Sen. Tim Ashe defends Burlington Telecom. “There is no scandal, there is no controversy,” he says. “It’s an important economic engine for the City of Burlington.” Ashe slams David O’Brien, commissioner of the Department of Public Service, for claiming that Burlington Telecom was operating outside regulators authority. In fact, he says, there is a well-documented “narrative” between DSP and city lawyers “smoothing out the Certificate of Public Good issues.”
Rep. Sandy Haas says the Public Service Board can not approve Vermont Yankee’s continued operation without the legislature’s approval. “There are people in the legislature who believe no vote at all constitutes no approval,” Haas says.
Martha Abbott, chair of the Vermont Progressive Party, marks the party’s 10th year.
John Franco: Global budgeting for hospitals would save $150 million in administrative expenses this year. Franco, co-chair of Burlington Progressive Party, makes a case for global budgeting for hospitals, which would be a step toward a single payer or universal health care system.
Meg Brook reads a statement from former candidate for governor, Anthony Pollina, who wasn’t present at the annual Progressive Party.
Rep. Susan Hatch Davis, P-Washington, says the Working Vermonters Caucus will be examining the availability of paid sick time for workers. Fifty-seven percent of private employers don’t offer sick pay, she says.
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