Too many Vermonters are struggling to find a job, pay mounting bills on stagnant incomes and make a good living in a state that has become unaffordable for many. Vermont needs to take advantage of its natural assets – its beautiful landscape, sense of community, quality education system and hard working citizens to achieve our potential and create a brighter economic future. With Peter Shumlin as Governor, Vermont will capitalize on our assets, not disparage them for political gain, in order to get a piece of the new economy, boost our small businesses, create good paying jobs and make Vermont a state where our children can return to in order to make a good living and raise their families.

Record

At the age of 23, Peter and his brother, Jeff, took over their family’s small business in Putney, Vermont (www.goputney.com). Through Vermont ingenuity and old-fashioned hard work, the small business grew into a thriving company that today employs 15 full time staff. The experience taught Peter how to create good jobs for Vermonters, generate revenue and expand a company.

A social liberal and a fiscal conservative, Peter has consistently fought for a tax policy in Vermont that encourages economic development. During his time in the legislature, Peter has cut income taxes three times, fought for all working Vermonters – not just high-income earners to receive tax cuts, and sponsored and passed a bill to eliminate the sales tax on clothing and shoes.

At the beginning of the most recent legislative session, Peter made a commitment to focusing on job creation. Working with Senate and House leadership, he played a critical role in the passage of two successful jobs bills. The legislation has given growing businesses access to much needed capital with the creation of the entrepreneurs seed fund, expanded broadband access and provided job training for Vermonters. Peter also introduced and helped to pass legislation that would protect small Vermont businesses from credit card company abuse.

As Governor

As your Governor, Peter will work tirelessly so every Vermonter has the opportunity to stay in Vermont and make a living for his or her family.

A small business owner, Peter understands that Vermont small businesses are the backbone of our economy. As Governor, Peter would reinvest in our small businesses by expanding broadband to every last mile by 2012, continue to make capital available to growing businesses, and retrain our workforce. Peter would also put an end to the Douglas/Dubie practice of publicizing how “bad” Vermont is for business. Peter often says that he has never sold a product by telling people how bad it is. Instead, Peter will highlight Vermont’s many strengths and encourage people to start businesses and grow jobs in Vermont.

A successful economic development initiative that will create thousands of good jobs is not done in one year by only looking at the short term. A Governor needs to have the vision to look two, four and six years ahead at what the global economy will look like. On a global level, as we move off our addiction to oil, huge money is going to be made. This new economy has the potential to make the industrial revolution and the tech boom of the past look small. Peter’s business experience, record of getting tough things done and vision make him the candidate that will ensure Vermont gets a piece of this economic opportunity.

Peter believes that conserving Vermont’s patchwork legacy of working farms and forests represents a direct investment in our economic future and in the way of life we have inherited. Protecting our open lands is a solemn responsibility to our children and future generations of Vermonters. Making the move to a sustainable, local agricultural economy is the best investment we can make in our future.

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Climate Change. Peter returned to the Vermont Senate in 2006, driven in large part by his commitment to combating climate change. Since 2006 Peter has played a key leadership role in passing two climate change bills. Al Gore called one of these bills the toughest climate change bills in the country. Although Governor Douglas vetoed that bill, Peter remained committed to delivering on its critical investments in in-state renewable energy generation and energy efficiency.

Our Landscape. Peter has fought hard to protect our working landscape by repeatedly blocking Governor Douglas’ attempts to cut funding for land conservation and by updating the Current Use program. He has also worked with legislators to develop important programs, such as the Farm to Plate and Farm to School programs.

The Future

As Governor, Peter would promote and invest in responsible renewable energy development by ensuring that our utilities and municipalities have the means to invest in our energy future. He would aggressively pursue a complete transition to sustainable energy sources with the goal of creating good paying jobs and making Vermont a national leader in the fight against climate change. He would build on Vermont’s world-class energy efficiency programs, and make critical investments in our public transportation and bicycle transportation systems.

As Governor, Peter would work to fight sprawl development by maintaining and strengthening existing protections. He would continue to act as a tough advocate for effective programs such as Act 250 and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.

As Governor, Peter would set clear targets and benchmarks for measuring pollution, use smarter regulations and the best available technology to combat it, and establish practical buffer protection programs to restore the health of Lake Champlain and other key watersheds. On the national level, he would fight to shut down dirty coal and other polluting plants.

On a global level, as we move off our addiction to oil, huge money is going to be made. This new economy has the potential to make the industrial revolution and the tech boom of the past look small. Peter believes that Vermont is uniquely situated to get a piece of this economic opportunity.

Fighting climate change may be the paramount challenge of our time, but it’s not a zero-sum game. If we’re smart about it, we can create a sustainable future for ourselves while at the same time laying the groundwork for future prosperity.

Record

Peter returned to the Vermont Senate in 2006, driven in large part by his commitment to combating climate change. Since 2006 Peter has played a key leadership role in passing two climate change bills. One of these bills, called “the toughest climate change bill in the nation” by Al Gore, would have expanded Efficiency Vermont to cover all fuels, not just electricity.

Although Governor Douglas vetoed that bill, Peter remained committed to delivering on its critical investments in in-state renewable energy generation and energy efficiency. Both bills created well-paid jobs, lowered Vermonter’s energy and heating bills, and reduced our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

Under Peter’s leadership, Vermont became the first state in the country to pass “standard offer” legislation that sets standard offer rates for renewable energy projects in Vermont. The legislation has seen great success, with a record number of renewable energy generation projects being proposed and funded since its passage.

Peter promoted and helped to pass a 2008 economic development bill with key green provisions. At his urging, the legislation included the Entrepreneurs’ Seed Capital Fund, which invests stimulus funds into start up green energy companies and developed more predictable requirements for wind and hydro development.

The Future: Green Energy In Vermont

As governor, Peter will focus his efforts on building a strong renewable energy economy that will grow businesses, create well-paid jobs, save Vermonters money, get us off our addiction to oil, and take important steps to fight the looming specter of climate change.

Educating our children is a hugely important responsibility. We must prioritize our resources to ensure their future, and our own.

Vermonters appreciate the importance of a world-class education. We know the number of kids in Vermont is declining. That’s not the fault of public schools. It reflects larger demographic trends the state is facing. With or without increasing numbers of kids, though, we owe it to them and the state’s future to invest in maintaining and enhancing Vermont’s well-deserved reputation for educational excellence.

We should not sacrifice Vermont’s leadership in the field of education, and the future of our children, to short-term economic thinking. Education policy requires a long-term perspective, and an understanding that sustained investment is required for long-term gain. What better investment can we make than the future of our children?

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During Peter’s years in leadership roles, he has fought for education policies that put children first.

Peter helped write an education funding formula that is the most progressive in the country. It allows every student in Vermont to have access to the same educational opportunities regardless of what community they happen to have been born in.

The Future of Education in Vermont

As Governor, Peter would defend the school funding law that allows for children from Hardwick to have the same access to quality education as children from Stowe. He would also work to improve it where necessary. He would work in partnership with Vermont’s children, our families, our teachers, our administrators and our school boards to ensure that we build the best educational system in the country.

As Governor, Peter would steer us away from the obsession with testing, and the flawed temptation to rate educators simply on the basis of how students score them. He would focus on public education as the primary (not the only) component of sustainable economic development. Every reputable study examining the multiple sources of economic growth places a quality public education system at the top of the list.

As Governor, Peter would look for ways to reduce costs in our education system by expanding distance learning. He would seek to make grants available to communities to help them consolidate should they choose to do so, at their own pace and their own rhythm. Grants should also be made available to communities who want to utilize the space made available from declining enrollment for consolidated community services.

As Governor, Peter would work with educators and business leaders to make Vermont a leader in early childhood education. We should strive to become the first state in the country that treats early education as an equal partner.

It’s a travesty that this nation has not had a health policy that ensures that we all have access to high quality care. Sadly, even after all of the sound and fury in Washington, it’s clear that the cost of health care will continue to increase at seriously frightening rates, and people will still be deprived of quality, affordable care – unless we, in the states, do something about it.

Vermont is a small state with hardworking, intelligent citizens, and a history of leading the way. With Peter Shumlin in the Governor’s office, Vermont could create a system of public financing of health care that would provide all Vermonters with quality, affordable health care and eliminate the administrative waste of the current system that goes into paperwork and profits, not health care. Vermont can and should be a leader again. By doing so we would unleash the largest economic development program in our state’s history. Tens of thousands of jobs would be created as a result of businesses being freed from the yoke of rising health care costs, giving them an enormous incentive to set up shop in a state that is truly and uniquely business-friendly.

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Peter worked with Howard Dean to make Vermont the first state in the nation to extend health care coverage to all pregnant women and all of Vermont’s children. Peter also worked closely with Howard Dean to pass the first mental health parity bill in the nation.

Peter was one of the sponsors of the original S.88, which would have committed the state to a single payer system and set up a process for designing and implementing it. A single payer system is the most fiscally responsible and conservative way to create universal access to health care in Vermont. By eliminating the profits and paperwork of insurance companies and pooling our funds, we can support a health care infrastructure that is accessible and available to everyone, and that is rational and controls costs. During the most recent legislative session, Peter worked to strengthen S. 88, ensuring that the legislation doesn’t just produce another useless study, but lays the groundwork for real progress next year.

The Future: Extending Coverage

As Governor, Peter would look at health care as an economic issue. We need to completely reform health care to avoid the looming cost increases, save our health care system, and properly take care of all Vermonters. Peter will also look at it as a way to unleash our own economic stimulus and job creation program. Getting health care off the backs of our employers is one of the most important things we can do to get back on the path of prosperity and economic health.

Health care is now crushing our businesses, families, schools, property taxes, and state budget. As Governor, Peter would work to create an economic environment in Vermont that attracts employers, truly supports our small businesses, and makes Vermont an even more attractive place in which to do business. Companies want to cover their employees and not go broke in the process. In this regard, health care in Vermont needs to follow each Vermonter, regardless of employer. This approach would put an end to Vermonters making unhappy employment choices simply to get health care. It would also end the horror of losing health care coverage if you were to lose your job.

Dealing with an issue of this magnitude will take major-league leadership. As Governor, Peter will work with President Obama and our Congressional delegation (the best in the country) to make Vermont the small rural state that partners with the federal government to create a better health care model for the future. Let’s show the rest of the country how it can be done!

A more inclusive and just nation that takes into accounts the rights and benefits of all groups is a central part of Peter’s vision for Vermont. As our cities and towns become more layered and diverse, it becomes even more critical that Vermont’s next Governor works hard to ensure equality of rights. With the right Governor in place, Vermont can lead the nation in ensuring that all our laws are applied equally, encompassing the legitimate concerns of all its citizens – women, men, lesbians, gays, heterosexuals, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, or Caucasians.

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As President of the Vermont State Senate, Peter worked with Governor Howard Dean to make history in 2000 when Vermont became the first state in the nation to grant same-sex couples the rights and benefits of heterosexual couples.

Peter often tells the story of the day that Barack Obama was elected to be President of the United States. That day, Peter turned on the tv and watched with despair as Californian citizens had their rights taken away from them with Proposition 8. On that day, Peter vowed to pass marriage equality in Vermont.

On April 7th, 2009, Peter and Speaker Shap Smith led the legislature in overturning the Governor’s veto of the marriage equality bill. Under Peter’s leadership, the marriage equality bill became law and Vermont became the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage by legislative action, not by a court order. This historic moment marked almost twenty years since a governor’s veto has been overridden. In November 2009, Peter received the “Marriage Equality Award” from the Human Rights Campaign, for his commitment to equal rights.

Peter has also fought for women’s rights throughout his time in the legislature. Peter has a proud record of standing up for a woman’s right to choose, universal healthcare for pregnant women, and wage equity.

The Future

It took a prolonged struggle to grant equal marriage laws to same-sex couples. Thankfully, it resulted in success. It was another step forward in shaping a better and more civil future for the next generation, but the fight for equal rights is not over. As Governor, Peter will work hard to ensure that this struggle, and others like it, do not fall short in the quest for equal legal protection for every Vermont citizen.

As Governor, Peter will take advantage of the momentous opportunity to make a difference in the central civil rights movement of this generation and to join those who came before us in shaping the march for a more inclusive and just nation. This includes working until all states deliver same sex marriage and taking a stand on the national level in opposing DOMA.

As Governor, Peter will work tirelessly until women in Vermont receive the same amount of money for their hard work as their male colleagues. Women, today make 81 cents from every dollar that a man earns. This is unacceptable. As Governor, Peter will fight for wage equity in Vermont.

A sustainable, local agricultural economy is a key part of Peter’s vision for Vermont. As oil prices rise and the effects of climate change become more apparent, eating local foods will become an economic necessity, not just an upper-income fad. This is as an opportunity to grow our economy, create jobs, and nurture our core values. Successfully promoting a locally based farm economy will make Vermont-grown foods more affordable and practical for all. In addition, Vermont is perfectly situated to capitalize on the large markets that are within our reach – New York, Boston and Montreal. Innovative Vermonters are already taking advantage of our proximity to these population centers, and are making a living from their value-added agricultural exports.

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Peter has supported the development of a sustainable agricultural system by working with members of the legislature to establish the Farm to Plate program, increase the number and availability of slaughterhouses in Vermont, and allow small farmers raising less than 1,000 chickens to sell to consumers.

Peter has fought hard for working farms by repeatedly blocking Governor Douglas’ attempts to cut funding for land conservation, by updating the Current Use program, and by securing much-needed emergency funds for our struggling dairy farmers.

The Future of Farming in Vermont

As Governor, Peter would direct state agencies to develop a statewide food policy to identify our current farmers, produce, available agricultural land, and infrastructure so we can determine what barriers exist and begin to break them down. He would establish regional food centers where people can preserve and process their food and become better educated on how to feed themselves and their communities.

As Governor, Peter would provide better support to our local farmers. The future of Vermont’s agriculture lies both in traditional dairy and in diversified farming. Peter would continue to work with our federal delegation to establish an over-order milk premium that would help ensure our dairy farmers are getting paid what they deserve for their milk. He would also expand programs that help traditional farmers transition to diversified farming, including increasing farmer technical training for processing and expanding our network of much-needed processing and distribution facilities.

Our state’s population is aging. Vermont’s elders will represent one fifth of our population by 2025. This demographic shift will place higher demands on health care, assisted living and other services. We owe a lot to our elders, not only because of all they have done for us in the past, but because they are a critical part of Vermont’s present community, volunteering their time, experience and wisdom to improve our state. Peter is committed to caring for our elders by increasing access to home care, continuing the fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and improving our public transportation system.

The Record

Our elders often prefer to receive care at home. This is of course easily understandable from an emotional perspective: it allows them to remain in a comforting and familiar environment, conserve precious financial resources, and maintain a higher degree of independence. As Democratic Leader in the Senate in 1996, Peter helped pass Act 160, a bill that has resulted in the dramatic drop of Vermonters living in nursing homes. Peter is proud of the fact that this legislation has allowed many more Vermonters the option of choosing home-based or community-based care environments.

Peter also led a long struggle to reduce the costs of prescription drugs. Peter co-founded NLARX, a regional non-profit, to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to Vermonters. This work continued in 2009, when the Vermont Senate passed a groundbreaking bill requiring drug companies to report their gifts to doctors.

Our Future Together

As the population continues to age, much work remains to properly care for our elders. Unfortunately, home care costs, as well as costs of most other long-term care services, are higher in Vermont than nationally. As Governor, Peter will work closely with home care providers, medical professionals and communities to reduce these costs, all in the interest of allowing our elders to live at home or in community-based care facilities for as long as they are able.