Peter Shumlin for Governor

Shumlin Outlines Details Of Federal Disaster Relief

selene — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:34:30 +0000

Vermont Public Radio – June 16, 2011

(Host) Governor Peter Shumlin says he’s optimistic that all Vermont counties that have suffered damage from recent flooding will be eligible for federal disaster relief programs.

Federal officials have now identified seven counties for relief, and another three counties are seeking the designation.

VPR’s Bob Kinzel reports:

(Kinzel) Federal Emergency Management officials review flood damage to homeowners, businesses and the state’s transportation system on a county by county basis. The three counties in question – Washington, Caledonia and Windham – experienced significant damage during the flash floods at the end May.

The Governor says he’s confident federal officials will make these counties eligible for disaster relief just as soon as they tally up the damage totals in each county.

Listen here/Read more…

Shumlin Signs Health Care Bill Into Law

selene — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:43:47 +0000

Vermont Public Radio – May 26, 2011

(Host) Governor Peter Shumlin has signed a bill that puts Vermont on a path to become the first state in the country to adopt a single-payer health system.

Shumlin said Vermont is now a national leader on health care. And a local grassroots group wants to help other states follow Vermont’s example.

VPR’s John Dillon reports:

(Shumlin) “We gather here today to launch the first single payer health care system in America.”

(Dillon) Governor Peter Shumlin addressed a crowd of about 150 people on the Statehouse steps.

“To do in Vermont what has taken too long: have a health care system that’s the best in the world, that treats health care as a right, and not a privilege.”

(Dillon) After he signed the bill, Shumlin gave the pen he used to Doctor Deb Richter, a primary care physician who has lobbied for years for a universal, government-funded system of coverage.

Listen here/Read more…

Vt. governor hails achievements as session closes

selene — Sat, 07 May 2011 02:57:32 +0000

Bloomberg Business Week – May 6, 2011

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is praising Vermont lawmakers for balancing the budget without raising broad-based taxes and for passing an ambitious health care bill designed to move the state toward a publicly financed system that provides coverage to everyone.

The governor made the remarks as the House of Representatives wrapped up its business for the year early Friday evening.

Shumlin also listed a host of other legislation, ranging from cracking down on repeat drunken drivers to promoting expansion of cellular phone and broadband internet in the state.

Mr. Shumlin goes to Washington, testifies on the Vermont way

selene — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:59:55 +0000

vtdigger.org – April 15, 2011

by Anne Galloway

It was a study in contrast: Two governors, from opposite ends of the political spectrum — Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican — testified to a congressional committee on Thursday about their respective state budget deficits and the very different ways in which they are resolving the shortfalls. Both governors are serving their first terms in office and were elected in November 2010.

Watch the C-SPAN video here.

Governor pitches in to fill potholes

selene — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:43:59 +0000

WCAX- April 6, 2011

Middlesex, Vermont – It’s rough ride around Vermont. Potholes are everywhere. This is the worst season in the past few years.

“It’s jaggedy and can throw your car around if you have a lightweight car. So it’s kind of dangerous and needs to be repaved and fixed,” said Al Jones of Waterbury.

A message the governor got. He traded the suit for an orange vest and got hands on fixing the problem.

Shumlin calls for rail investment in Northeast

selene — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:14:55 +0000

By Chris Garofolo, Reformer Staff

Brattleboro Reformer – Tuesday April 5, 2011

BRATTLEBORO — Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has joined other governors in the Northeast urging the federal government to increase the high-speed rail investment in the region.

In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday, eight governors of Northeastern states requested an increase in the size of the nation’s most extensive high-speed intercity passenger rail network. The letter signifies a collective support for updated rail infrastructure projects around the region, including advocacy from the mid-Atlantic states of Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Executive officers submitted the paperwork to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in response to the Federal Railroad Administration’s March 11 notice of availablity of grants as a way to further support the applications for the funding.

Grants will build new local housing

selene — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:52:31 +0000

By Neal Goswami

Bennington Banner – Monday April 4, 2011

BENNINGTON — Housing grants awarded by the state will serve several projects in Bennington County and add additional affordable housing. Gov. Peter Shumlin announced $2.4 million in Vermont Community Development Program grants in Rutland Monday, including $650,000 to the town of Bennington, the Regional Affordable Housing Corp. of Bennington and Housing Vermont to construct 14 new rental units and renovate 12 units of existing housing.

“The Vermont Community Development Program helps Vermonters by developing affordable housing, creating jobs, making town halls and community centers accessible, and providing services to those in need,” Shumlin said. “Our ability to help municipalities meet the unique needs of their communities, which is the hallmark of the grant program’s success, would be severely diminished if those in Washington have their way.”

Q & A with Governor Peter Shumlin

selene — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:48:51 +0000

Manchester Journal – April 1, 2011
MANCHESTER – Two weeks ago, before heading off to the Bennington County Courthouse to take part in the town’s launch of its 250th anniversary celebration., Gov. Peter Shumlin stopped by our newsroom for an interview. The following are excerpts from that discussion.
JOURNAL: What’s been your biggest surprise since taking over as Governor?
SHUMLIN: The thing that surprises me the most is how slowly things move. In business, when we make an executive decision, it moves quickly. In government, it moves slowly, and that’s a constant frustration for me.
The biggest challenge we face as a state in my judgment isn’t the unemployment – although that’s a serious problem – the biggest challenge is that Vermonters are on average making the same amount of money as they were 10 years ago. We don’t have a lot off time to create jobs and raise the incomes of those who have jobs. We have to get our fiscal house in order without raising broad-based taxes, but then we have a huge opportunity to grow jobs by moving quickly on the infrastructure investments that will raise our economic prospects. They are: (1) broadband and cell phone service to every last mile – I’ve committed to getting it done by 2013… we won’t compete until we get it done. Second, we won’t compete until we get healthcare costs under control. We’re paying more and more for less and less coverage. This is not sustainable. Third, workforce training – Businesses can’t find qualified workers. We can be the education state.
It’s a big agenda; it’s not what other governors are trying to do.

The Vermont Way

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:13:42 +0000

Voice of the Free Press: Recommendation for Vermont governor

alex — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:49:42 +0000

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010

Shumlin for governor

The Burlington Free Press editorial board recommends Peter Shumlin, the Democrat from Putney, for governor of Vermont. The critical characteristic is that he will get things done. Shumlin’s promise to run state government in the most open way possible is the precondition for anyone who seeks the state’s highest elected office.

Vermont continues to struggle to rise above the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. A steady hand to maintain the status quo is no longer sufficient to move this state forward — socially and economically. This state can no longer afford a governor who would see blocking legislation as the major accomplishments of his tenure.

As Senate President Pro Tempore, Peter Shumlin has displayed considerable legislative skill in bringing about results on the biggest issues, an advantage he holds over his main competitor, Republican Brian Dubie of Essex Junction.

Shumlin was a driving force in Vermont becoming the first state to grant marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples without being told to do so by the courts.

Shumlin was a legislative leader in the 2009 budget fight with Gov. Jim Douglas that led Douglas to veto the budget and the Legislature to override that veto — both a first for a state budget in Vermont.

Shumlin can claim credit for the 26-4 vote this year that led the Senate to deny Vermont Yankee a chance to seek from the Public Service Board an extension of its operating license for 20 years beyond 2012.

Regardless of whether you agree with Shumlin’s agenda, there is no denying the senator from Windham County has built a record of bold action in the Legislature.

Shumlin’s platform is equally full of bold initiatives — from his proposal to reduce Corrections costs by focusing on keeping nonviolent offenders from returning to prison, to his push for a single-payer health care system for the state.

Shumlin’s platform shows a politician unafraid of controversy in his search for solutions to challenges facing Vermont. To shy away from trying new approaches to the state’s fiscal problems is to go back to simply cutting services the state provides to Vermonters to bridge the budget gap.

Shumlin will bring his experience gained in the Senate helping to build state budgets in an environment of reduced revenues to work with the Legislature on solutions that are fair to Vermonters.

In politics, the safe route is to stick to generalities and avoid leaving a public trail that could come back to haunt a candidate. In the general election campaign, Shumlin’s willingness to speak out on contentious issues and talk about specifics of his platform leaves him open to equally specific criticism. He has been direct. Again, this is part of being open and accessible as a representative of the people.

Shumlin exposes some weakness when delving into details of some of his proposals. He stumbles to make himself understood on his Corrections plan. He reached too far in claims of cutting taxes. And people will argue about how realistic his plan is to pay for his agenda without raising taxes, especially when he will face a $110 million-plus budget gap on day one as governor.

But throughout his campaign, Shumlin has been consistent on the issues and has remained the man Vermonters have come to know during his legislative career. With Shumlin, his legislative record and his willingness to delve deep into his proposals mean Vermonters know who they are getting as their next governor.

Shumlin pledges to look out for the interest of Vermonters who need help.

Shumlin offers a nuanced approach to Vermont’s budget challenges that avoids a simple-minded policy that more resembles hacking away at spending with a dull ax.

Shumlin’s platform recognizes the importance of investing in education as a way to boost the economy and tackle our social problems.

Shumlin has pledged to run an open administration, and work to reduce the barriers to public access that permeates Vermont laws. This is the only way to run state government, and the only way elected officials can be held accountable. Openness is the most important promise to Vermonters the next governor must keep.

Vermont needs a doer.

Peter Shumlin of Putney will be that governor.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20101024/OPINION/101023016/Voice-of-the-Free-Press-Recommendation-for-Vermont-governor