Shumlin for governor

Shumlin for governor                                                                  When we ask ourselves which of the candidates will do more to address Vermont’s high-tax issues, business stagnation, education quality and environmental issues, we believe it is Peter Shumlin.

The choice this election is largely between Republican Brian Dubie’s cautious stagnation and Democrat Shumlin’s optimism, action and his understanding of the value of education as an economic driver that will lead to significant job growth.

Shumlin believes the promise of Vermont’s future lies in remaining innovative and progressive. Dubie believes the state must hunker down, cut government services and education spending to balance the budget, and reduce taxes for the richest Vermonters.

Shumlin and Dubie agree that Vermont is a high-tax state, and the state’s school-funding formula (Act 60) now guarantees that Vermonters (and anyone else who owns a home in this state, for that matter) are paying among the highest property taxes in the nation.

But Shumlin is already moving ahead with plans to rework Act 60 school funding and Vermont’s taxes. Along with his counterpart in the House, Rep. Shap Smith, Shumlin last winter set up a three-member Blue Ribbon Tax Commission to study Vermont’s taxes and propose “a tax system that provides sustainability, appropriateness, and equity.” The commission includes three great minds — from all political spectrums — and is scheduled to make its recommendations this January.

Will Shumlin follow through? The past tells us yes. With Shumlin at the center of the ring, his Legislature accomplishes what it sets out to do: It voted against Vermont Yankee’s license renewal after repeated safety breaches and untrustworthy conduct by its corporate owners; even as state revenues plummeted, it protected programs that serve our most vulnerable citizens; it balanced the budget without rash cuts or tax increases; it achieved substantial marriage equality in the state. The Legislature, with Shumlin leading the charge, also dealt with a looming deficit in the unemployment insurance fund, addressed teacher pensions and advanced the ball on health care. And, against the Douglas administration’s wishes, Shumlin led the charge to direct federal money to renewable energy, among other important initiatives.

Were all these efforts perfect? No. Shumlin would be the first to admit that politics and government are works in progress. His job has been to keep the ball moving up the field: Problems are addressed and issues resolved, even as new ones arise.

Meanwhile, his opponent was largely on the sidelines.

Shumlin’s resume in business and as a respected community and legislative leader has yielded a man who knows how to analyze data, and can remember it, someone who can help bring together intelligent minds to define the best courses of action, someone who can build consensus, and close deals. His record shows he’s also someone who will admit mistakes in order to make better choices going forward.

For the first time in a decade, Vermont has the opportunity to elect a governor who has a positive vision for the state — a small-business incubator and hub, with a record of environmental excellence and pragmatic and practical social policies — and knows how to chart a road map to get there.

The time for stagnation is over. Vermont needs ideas, innovation, creative thinking.

Brian Dubie has had a stellar career in the National Guard, in aviation, and as lieutenant governor, but his resume is thin on the critical leadership skills needed to lead Vermont in the competitive new economy: Business savvy, creative and innovative thinking, and team and consensus building.

Peter Shumlin has what it will take. He will be an effective, thoughtful governor if you give him that chance.

Scott for lieutenant governor

Republican Phil Scott is the right choice for lieutenant governor. Of all the candidates for statewide office, he is the most capable of reaching across the aisle to work with members of all parties. Unlike most politicians who make that claim, Scott has already done it.

As a Republican, Scott was appointed to Senate leadership positions by Democrats. His supporters come from all parties. He is known as a hard worker who campaigns for what he believes in. We believe his common-sense approach is needed in state government. We agree with the St. Albans Messenger, which declared Scott “the antidote for what ails Vermont.”

Condos for secretary of state

There’s enormous potential in the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office. It runs elections, registers corporations, handles licensing for 45 professions and occupations, and offers advice on the state’s public-records and open-meeting laws.

The last point is where the potential is greatest. Now, no one enforces state laws on openness. If you spot a violation, it’s up to you to sue; no state agency will do that for you.

Jim Condos, a Democrat, understands the consequences of that fact. He’s been a leader in local government and in the state Senate, believes strongly in the need for a more aggressive push for open records and meetings, and wants action to penalize officials who violate the law.

Doyle, Cummings, Osman for Senate

Most of the seven candidates running to represent Washington County in the Vermont Senate are qualified and bring interesting skills to the race.

Republican Bill Doyle has been in the Vermont Senate since 1969 and is its longest-serving member. He is also the Senate minority leader.

As the dean of the Senate, Doyle may be getting up there in years, but he is more active than some of his colleagues who are 20 years younger. Doyle remains engaged and involved with his constituents. Voters seem to enjoy participating in his polls and he is excellent at constituent service. When the Legislature reconvenes this year, several familiar faces will be missing. Doyle’s institutional memory (which is still mighty impressive) will be important.

Democrat Ann Cummings should also be returned to the Senate. While we would like to see her pay a little more attention to the specific concerns of Waterbury — and maybe spend more visible time with her Waterbury constituents — her position as chairwoman of the finance committee and a member of the judiciary committee put her in critical positions to deal with the challenges facing our state right now.

Finally, we endorse Democrat Donny Osman for the seat vacated by Republican Phil Scott, who’s running for lieutenant governor. Osman, who lives in Plainfield, has a wide range of experience. He was a state representative from 1996 to 2002 and has held a variety of professional and volunteer positions with a wide spectrum of organizations —from Washington County Mental Health to the Vermont state colleges.

We like Osman’s broad experience and his expertise in conflict management and mediation. These skills will serve him well in consensus-building in the Legislature.

Minter, Stevens for House

Two years ago, we said that an endorsement of Democrat Sue Minter was easy to write. The work that she has done since then — in much more difficult fiscal and emotional times — further proves the point. Minter is the queen of constituent service (many of us have received e-mails from her, written at midnight to catch us up on goings-on in the Legislature) and her commitment to the concerns of people in her district is unassailable.

Her experience on the transportation committee was invaluable as Vermont faced a crisis with aging bridges. As a member of the appropriations committee, she had a significant role in addressing the state’s $154 million budget shortfall. In addition, Minter is an active member of her community, participating in and organizing all kinds of events.

Before being elected to the Legislature, Democrat Tom Stevens had an impressive record of serving Waterbury on local elected boards. While his first committee assignment might not seem sexy, he took his service on the General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee seriously and was a leader in efforts to support veterans and to promote affordable housing.

We look forward to returning Stevens to the Statehouse for another two years and seeing what progress he can make as he rises through the ranks.