Help us charge up Peter’s campaign for Governor! Will you contribute $10, $25, $100 or more over the next 20 days to reach our $20,000 challenge and charge our renewable energy battery?

But first, we want you to know why we are supporting Peter and why we think you should too.

Last week, Peter showed once again that he can deliver for Vermont’s future and get things done.

Despite the pleadings from the Douglas/Dubie team for more and more delay, he delivered a bipartisan 26 to 4 vote to close Vermont Yankee as scheduled and move Vermont to a renewable energy future that will create jobs and make our state a national leader.

Peter has taken plenty of heat for his courageous stand, but as he showed us one year ago when he was the first political leader in the country to pass marriage equality legislatively, he gets important things done.

Isn’t that what we need in a governor – a chief executive with bold, visionary and bipartisan leadership?

Will you help us raise $20,000 – that’s $1,000 for every year that Entergy Louisiana will NOT be operating its aging nuclear power reactor in Vermont – and charge our renewable energy battery?

Peter has a strong track record of standing up for what he believes in and knows is in the best interest of Vermonters. He has never been afraid to do what is right, to take the lead on difficult issues important to Vermonters.

We have cited just two examples, Vermont Yankee and marriage equality. In 2007, he sponsored and passed a climate change bill (that was vetoed by the Douglas/Dubie team) that Vice President Al Gore lauded as a “fantastic piece of legislation.” Peter did this because he knows we owe it to our children to leave them a better world than the one we live in today and that Vermont must get a piece of the economic expansion and good paying jobs that are going to be created internationally as we move off our addiction to fossil fuel to renewable technology.

Peter believes that Vermont’s future is bright. As someone who has been running a business since he was 23 years old, he will work hard to support small businesses, create great paying jobs, protect our environment and build a bold new economic future in our state.

Help us charge up the campaign by making a contribution of $10, $25, $100 or more so we can reach our goal of raising $20,000. Please make a contribution today by clicking the donate button or by mailing a contribution to the address below.

Let’s charge up the campaign! We can elect Peter Shumlin Governor and move our state in an exciting new direction.

Thank you.

David Blittersdorf
CEO/President
AllEarth Renewables, Inc.

Mathew Rubin
Winooski Hydroelectric Co.
Montpelier, VT

John Warshow
Founding Director
Vermont Independent Power Producers Association

Mail contributions to:

Shumlin for Governor
P.O. Box 520
Winooski, VT 05404

MONTPELIER – When lawmakers return today to the Capital City for the second half of the legislative session they will have a lot of work left to complete.

Now that the Senate has voted not to allow the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant to be in the running for a new operating license the next year’s state budget – with a $150 million gap to fill – will likely dominate the discussion.

The House, which takes the budget up first, is closing in on a possible solution to that problem, Speaker of the House Shap Smith said Monday.

“We think we are within $10 million or $20 million of solving the $150 million problem,” Smith said.

That proposed solution will likely be based on a variety of cost cutting measures including a agreement that would temporarily reduce state employee pay, an agreement about the funding to teachers’ retirement programs and the $38 million “Challenges for Change” efficiency program already signed into law by Gov. James Douglas.

It will also likely involve some of the cuts to human services programs recommended by Douglas. In addition lawmakers may consider reducing the amount of tax expenditures – that is programs that reduce taxes for certain activities or types of enterprises – as part of their effort to close the budget hole.

Smith said lawmakers are aware that the state’s dramatically reduced revenues will continue into the fiscal year that follows the next one as well and are working to “ensure we are not making the problem worse in 2012.”

The Douglas administration will be pushing to repeal increases in estate and capital gains taxes lawmakers made last year.

“We would like to have a responsible, balanced budget that rolls back the capital gains and the estate tax portion of the tax increases made last year,” said Neale Lunderville, secretary of administration. Lunderville said the reduced tax rates at the upper income levels that legislators put in place last year to go along with the estate and capital gains changes should not be returned to their former levels.

Legislators will also continue their work on other bills as well. For instance a bill that puts in place many of the recommendations of a commission on restructuring the judicial system with an eye to making it less expensive will likely be completed in the House in the next couple weeks and then go on to the Senate, Smith said.

There also remains a highway safety bill dealing with sending text messages while driving on which differences of opinion remain between members of the House and Senate.

In addition a jobs and economic development bill that spends nearly $10 million of federal stimulus money on various initiatives from expanding high speed internet service to providing farmers with money to buy seeds and fertilizer has passed the Senate and is now in the House.

That measure should be approved and sent to Douglas as soon as possible, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin said Monday. The money also provides job training money that is needed in the state, Shumlin said.

“There are jobs out there that Vermonters are not trained for,” he said.

The administration has been asking lawmakers to speed passage of the measure, in part because the training program is running low on funds and farmers need spring planting funding.

The bill also includes about $800,000 for businesses in Addison County that were hit by the closure of the Lake Champlain bridge, which has been a priority of Shumlin and Smith.

There may well also be an education spending bill coming out of the Legislature. Both Shumlin and Smith agreed Monday that such a measure should encourage and aid districts and supervisory unions to consolidate, rather than requiring by law that they do so.

“We know there are a lot of schools looking at their long-term future and looking at the possibility of a merger or having consolidated supervisory unions,” Smith said.

Shumlin said there was a clear message from this year’s Town Meeting day votes on school budgets, which were close to flat over last year.

“Local control works,” he said.

“I think there are incentives that Montpelier should pass to help local communities decide if consolidation is the right thing for them,” Shumlin said. “I don’t think we should mandate it from Montpelier.”

Lunderville said that while local school boards did by and large limit spending more needs to be done at the state level.

“School boards and voters took a great step in reducing school budgets around the state,” he said. But “more needs to be done at the state level to reform the property tax system we have.”

This article appeared in the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus

Montpelier – Vermont lawmakers returned to work after the Town Meeting Day break, and priority number one was the budget.

The state is facing a $150 million shortfall, and Democratic leaders say they’re closing in on a final plan to fill the gap.

Reporter Kristin Carlson: “You just got back from town meeting day break; did you hear any common themes from voters?”

Rep. Shap Smith/D-Vt. House Speaker: “Well I think people are still uncertain about where the economy is going.”

Economic problems hitting Main Street and the Statehouse. The state budget is short $150 million and much of the session so far has been spent figuring out a fix.

“We think we’re within $10 million dollars of solving the problem,” said Smith.

Democratic leaders are counting on $40 million in savings from making state government more efficient, $20 million from changes to state employee and teacher salaries and retirements, and about $15 million could come from cuts to service programs, like having people on Catamount health pay a higher deductible.

“Everyone is making sacrifices,” explained Sen. Peter Shumlin/D-Vt. Senate Pro Tem.

And Democrats say they’ll balance the $1.1 billion budget, without tax increases.

“We have to balance this budget without new taxes,” said Shumlin, “Vermonters can not afford higher taxes, so we have to make the tough decisions here.”

Tough decisions that led to a breakdown last year between Democrats and Governor Douglas. The two sides could not agree on a spending plan and Democrats put their own budget in place.

“Another year older, another year wiser,” said Rep. Smith, “You can move forward and I’m very happy with the progress we’re making, and I think the relationship with the administration has been better then it was last year.”

A new tone from Democrats, met cautiously by the Douglas Administration, who laid out their priorities in January and called for deeper cuts.

“Our concern is they still have not closed the whole $150 million budget gap,” said Administration Secretary Neale Lunderville, “Until they close the whole gap and see what they are offering it will be hard for us to tell, but the Governor has been clear we need to make long term sustainable solutions.”

Solutions that need to be found fast, lawmakers are planning to adjourn by the end of April.

This story appeared on the 6pm broadcast. Reported by Kristin Carlson.

Montpelier, Vt – The Senate passed S. 288, An Act Relating to the
Vermont Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The economic development bill passed through all stages with a voice vote.

“As Vermont continues to suffer the impacts of one of our country’s
greatest economic downturns, Vermonters are either facing pink slips or
struggling to pay mounting bills on stagnant incomes,” said Senator
Peter Shumlin. “By making critical investments into our economy, the
jobs bill will put struggling Vermonters back to work and create better
job opportunities for all of our hard working citizens.”

The jobs bill will create new job opportunities for Vermonters by
investing in workforce training, expanding broadband access in rural
areas and investing in growing businesses. The bill also follows through
on Senator Shumlin and Speaker Smith’s commitment to provide
assistance to the struggling businesses of Addison County affected by
the Champlain bridge closure.

The bill will now proceed to the House where it will be taken up for
consideration following the legislature’s town meeting recess.

Vermont is the only state in the country with a law giving its Legislature a say over a nuclear plant’s relicensing, and Wednesday’s 26-4 vote on a 20-year extension marks the first time lawmakers have formally weighed in on the question.

Supporters of the move to close Vermont Yankee say it’s getting old and less reliable and that its owner, New Orleans-based Entergy Corp., has not proven itself trustworthy.

Backers of keeping it open say Vermont needs the energy from the plant and its good-paying jobs.

The vote may not be a death knell for the plant. Lawmakers could come back next year – after the November elections – and reverse themselves.

The Rutland Herald will update this story as more information becomes available.

BENNINGTON — A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has prompted a small group of state senators to craft legislation aimed at providing more transparency in political advertising for the November election and beyond.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, D-Windham, and Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, are working to draft a bill they say will make it clear who is paying for political advertisements, and on behalf of whom.

A decision handed down last month by the nation’s highest court “basically struck down the campaign finance laws regarding companies,” Sears said. The effort now is “to respond in some constitutional manner with the Supreme Court decision,” he said.

That decision, in Citizens United vs. Federal Elections Commission, allows corporations and unions to spend money to influence elections with few restrictions so long as they do not coordinate with candidates.

Shumlin, one of five candidates vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, ripped the decision, saying it provides corporations and unions with “unfettered access to politicians because they can spend unlimited money to say whatever they want.

“There’s no reason to say that the CEO of a corporation shouldn’t be able to express what they think of a candidate and give money to a candidate within the limits of the law,” he said. “But for (the court) to say the corporation has free speech seems a creative interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

“Basically, Senator Sears and I looked at each other and said, ‘This is one of the worst decisions for elections and democracy that the Supreme Court has ever made. What can we do to mitigate it?’” Shumlin said.

The legislation that Sears, Shumlin and Sen. Jeanette White, D-Windham, intend to introduce will not limit campaign contributions in any way, they said. Vermont lawmakers have run afoul with the U.S. Supreme Court in the past over limiting monetary contributions. The court struck down in 2006 a state law that limited contributions in statewide races.

Rather, it will require any person or group that purchases political advertising to register the purchase on a Web site within a short time-frame. The registration would indicate who purchased the ad.
“We want to make clear who’s paying for these ads. We’ve all had them run against us, those of us who’ve been around for a little while,” Sears said.

Under the legislation, advertisements on television, radio and in print would be required to more prominently display who purchased it. Television spots will require a continuous banner, while radio and print ads would have to be more boldly declared and displayed.

Any so-called robo calls would have to announce exactly who paid for it. “We’ve had a pretty loose system,” Sears said. “You need to understand who’s paying for these things. That’s critical, I think, so the electorate knows.”

In addition, the legislation would require any corporation to get clear approval by a majority of board members, Shumlin said.

The tougher requirements would be mandated on independent expenditures made on behalf of a campaign or candidate. The legislation, expected to be introduced in the coming weeks, would not alter how a candidate or campaign spends money on their own behalf, according to Shumlin.

The ideas have been developed in concert with Vermont Law School Professor Cheryl Hanna, a constitutional law expert, he said.

Such a law is aimed at providing Vermonters with information about which companies are backing a candidate, and why. It is not focused on any one company, but Entergy Nuclear, currently embroiled in a battle with state officials over renewing the operating license for the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, is an obvious example, Shumlin said.

“The job of government is to level the playing field between those who have and those who don’t. Any profitable corporation is always going to try to protect their profits. There are so many examples where we pass legislation that is in the public’s best interest, but might have some impact on a corporation’s profits,” Shumlin said. “Entergy Louisiana is an obvious possibility, but there are so many. The sky is the limit.”

David Coriell, a spokesman for Republican Gov. James Douglas, said Monday that Douglas, in general, favors more transparency.

“Philosophically, we believe that the more people know about who is donating to campaigns, the better for democracy. We’ll take a look at what the bill says and see what’s in the details,” Coriell said.

However, Coriell said Vermont has a custom “of not changing campaign finance laws through legislation in the middle of an election year.” To “truly remove the politics,” any new legislation impacting campaign finance disclosure “should, at minimum, take effect in 2012,” Coriell said.

Former state Sen. Matt Dunne, also running for the Democratic nomination for governor, has pitched changes to campaign finance laws, too. Dunne said the state should limit the contributions of companies or groups that conduct business with the state.

This story appeared in the Bennington Banner

State Leaders Sign Higher Education Agreement

Montpelier, Vt – The Vermont Commission on Higher Education Funding today released its report and recommendations aimed at recognizing the value of higher education for Vermonters and the State.

The new Compact with the State of Vermont , entitled Higher Expectations for Vermont: The Sixty Percent Solution proposes increasing the percentage of Vermonters who have earned a two or four–year college degree from 42% to 60% by 2019.

In a presentation at the State House, members of the Commission and legislative leaders emphasized that post secondary education is essential for Vermonters to compete in the global economy and is essential for a stronger Vermont .

“Education and training beyond high school is imperative for all Vermonters and can’t be considered a luxury but, rather, a minimum educational goal for all,” said Representative Floyd Nease, Co-Chair of the Commission.

“A well-educated workforce is a prerequisite for job growth and supports entrepreneurial businesses to hire Vermonters,” said Senator Hinda Miller, Co-Chair of the Commission.

Senate President Pro-Tem Peter Shumlin and Speaker Shap Smith praised the report.

“ Vermont has a great tradition of educational excellence,” said Senator Shumlin. “We must do everything we can to ensure that all Vermonters are afforded an opportunity to graduate from an institution of higher learning. This will provide Vermonters and Vermont with a robust jobs future.”

“Education is one of the fundamental building blocks of society,” said Speaker Shap Smith. “Our state benefits when all Vermonters are able to access higher education.”

The Compact for the State of Vermont recommends that the State undertake several commitments to reach the 60% higher education gradation goal, including: increased career awareness, increasing the number of high school graduates who enter college, increasing college completion rates; and increasing opportunities for working adults to return to college and complete degrees.

Members of the higher education community were also on hand for the report’s release.

“Higher levels of education translate into higher earnings, increased civic engagement, and decreased dependency on government services–all critical elements of a prospering economy and vibrant democracy,” said Tim Donovan, Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges.

“It is essential to Vermont’s future well being to have our state’s leaders committed, as expressed in this compact, to creating a culture where all Vermonters recognize the power of higher education,” said Daniel M. Fogel, President of the University of Vermont.

“The sixty percent solution is one hundred percent correct for our times,” said Susan Stitely, President of the Association of Vermont Independent Colleges. “ Vermont ’s independent colleges are pleased to be a part of that solution.”

“The compact is a great example of the Governor, legislators and the higher education community working together to ensure that all Vermonters have access to a post secondary education,” said Don Vickers, President of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation.

The Compact with the State of Vermont reflects broad state-level agreement about the importance of educational attainment in relation to Vermont’s economic vitality, and is signed by Governor James Douglas; Shap Smith, Speaker, Vermont House of Representatives; Peter Shumlin, President Pro Tempore, Vermont Senate; Tim Donovan, Chancellor, Vermont State Colleges; Daniel M. Fogel, President, University of Vermont; Susan Stitely, President, Association of Vermont Independent Colleges and Don Vickers, President/CEO, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation.