By Terri Hallenbeck
Burlington Free Press
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Peter Shumlin released an economic-development plan Wednesday in which he said he would boost the economy by implementing a single-payer health-insurance plan, expanding Internet coverage, and expanding early education and higher-education opportunities.
Shumlin, one of five Democrats seeking the party’s nomination for governor in this year’s election, is the second to release an economic-development plan. Deb Markowitz outlined her ideas in a plan called JumpStartVT a week earlier.
Shumlin, of Putney, who is leader of the state Senate, unveiled his “Vision for Vermont” at a small company called Dreamlike Pictures in downtown Burlington that makes television commercials and films for clients around the world. Shumlin touted it as the sort of business he wants to see more of and an example of the need for better high-speed Internet access.
Owner Art Bell said although he is across the street from City Hall, he lacks access to Burlington
Telecom and sometimes sends large files from his Burlington home, where he does have Burlington Telecom.
Among Shumlin’s ideas:
• HEALTH CARE: He promised a single-payer health care plan that would free businesses from providing insurance plans. He said he would await the results of a pending report the Legislature has commissioned that will outline how it would work and how to pay for it.
“I will deliver the first single-payer health care in the country,” Shumlin said, arguing that it would attract businesses to locate in Vermont so they don’t have to deal with providing coverage themselves. Shumlin said although a consultant the Legislature is in the process of hiring is slated to produce three health care models, he has his sights set on the single-payer plan.
• INTERNET: Shumlin said he would expand high-speed Internet service across the state by 2013. Retiring Gov. Jim Douglas promised it by 2010 but has since acknowledged it won’t happen. Shumlin said he would use state bonding to work with private entities to build the infrastructure.
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