Editor’s note: This commentary is by Dottie Deans, who is chair of the Vermont Democratic Party. She lives in Pomfret.
[T]he Republicans played out their roles last week according to script. Their efforts to help Scott Milne overturn the popular will of Vermonters and usurp democracy failed hours before the governor’s inaugural address. Then, surprisingly, they didn’t find much to disagree with in the governor’s inaugural address, which was part one of a two-part agenda focused on jobs, affordability and quality of life. For a political party that focuses on cutting government but never identifies which specific programs, that’s a welcome sign.
But of course they had to find something to complain about. They have an obligation to take an opposition viewpoint. What they found was pretty unimaginative. They complained that the governor didn’t say more. From Sen. Joe Benning — who recently took the bold step of advocating for tax increases while saying he would never vote for one — to Rep. Don Turner to Republican “analyst” Mike Smith, the message was the same: The governor didn’t focus on the “real” issues. Since this criticism misses the mark completely, let me respond.
First, the inaugural address was only part one of the governor’s two-part agenda. There is more to come on economic development and job creation, property taxes and school spending, health care, opiates, keeping our kids safe and much more. Republicans knew that because the governor said it at the beginning of his speech. The challenges facing Vermont are many, he said, and that would require two speeches. Maybe Vermont Republicans wanted a four-hour speech. I for one am glad the governor has better sense than to do that. And I bet Republican members of the Legislature are too.
The issues the governor laid out are the “real” issues facing Vermonters. To argue that cleaning up Lake Champlain and protecting Vermont’s natural beauty is not an economic issue is completely nonsensical.
Second, the issues the governor laid out are the “real” issues facing Vermonters. To argue that cleaning up Lake Champlain and protecting Vermont’s natural beauty is not an economic issue is completely nonsensical. Lake Champlain alone accounts for hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity each year. It is why many people who live in Chittenden County do so. Vermont’s competitive advantage is our natural beauty and environment. It’s a big reason why people choose to put down roots here. Ensuring our environment remains pristine and the best in America is paramount if we want continued economic success.
On energy, the governor outlined a bold proposal that will position Vermont to lead the green energy revolution in America. This is huge. Clean energy already supports 15,000 jobs in Vermont. If we can be the state that leads the nation in charting a new, cleaner energy future, we’ll double that number in no time while doing the right thing for our planet. The clean energy industry is like the tech industry or the ski industry in their early days, bursting with possibility. The governor just proposed that Vermont be the first state to tap into that industry and harvest it for jobs and economic opportunity. If that’s not an agenda to grow jobs for Vermonters I’m not sure what is. Fortunately, the climate deniers endless weekly tirades against accepted science are ignored by thinking Vermonters.
Finally, the false message that he has given up on health care reform will be addressed in his budget address. But make no mistake, there are hard budget choices to be made in 2015, and Gov. Shumlin will continue to make hard choices, even if they are not the most politically popular but are the right choices for Vermont.
