DON'T REMOVE TRAINING WHEELS 

The legislative session commenced when Secretary of State Deb Markowitz climbed the riser behind the podium and gaveled the crowd to order at 10:00 AM, this Wednesday. The chamber and our Capitol were sparkling, fresh paint here and there, new security measures in place, every light bulb glowing.

All rose for the benediction, silence fell. All rose except the press gallery who made their devotions seated. All rose to Pledge Allegiance to the Flag, including the press gallery except for Tracy Schmaler and Ross Sneyd, the latter kept working his keyboard.

Markowitz then announced that she would call the roll, apologizing advance if she mispronounced any of the new names, adding "but I have been practicing." It was not the new names which gave her trouble but the old ones: Majority Leader Connie Houston, R-Vergennes, became Connie "House-ton", Steve Larrabee, R-Danville, became Steve "Flattery", Leo Valliere, R-Barre, became Leo "Val-air" and Rich Westman, R-Cambridge, became "Rick" Westman. Not quite finished, she called on "Mister Assistant Sargent of Arms." Kermit Spaulding has been Sargent of Arms since 1997.

Earlier in the day, Markowitz got word from fellow Democrats that the voting for Speaker might be a complicated affair and perhaps she should have more than one set of ballots at the ready. And viola, more ballots were given to Clerk of the House Donald Milne. 

SPEAKER FREED 

It is interesting that everyone who gave Freed his/her word, kept his or her word. Interesting also were the comments of the seconding speaker for Freed, neighboring Representative Judy Livingstone, R-Manchester. In lobbying Democrats to support Freed, she repeated three comments. "Walter never lied or misrepresented." "If Freed changed his mind, he called me in and talked to me about it." "Freed is a straight shooter."

It is also interesting that Freed told DPR just before the 2000 election that he thought that the Republicans would have to win eight seats for him to become speaker, as over his time as VTGOP Chair and his years as minority leader he had irritated some folks. If the GOP majority were only 76 to 79, he would have to think about supporting another Republican candidate. As the GOP won 83 seats, Freed became speaker.

In 2003, the GOP had only 74 seats and Freed won again. There is probably no better statement about his talents as speaker, his innate fairness, his tools, his fearless way of assigning others responsibility and allowing them the space to give it their best, and his growth in office, then the outcome of the speaker's race: 82 for Freed, 68 for Tracy.

When the vote was announced. Freed walked up the aisle to Representative John Tracy’s seat to acknowledge his effort. Freed then went to the podium to thank Tracy, his assistant Louisa Neveau and his wife and family. He went on to say, "The campaign season ends this week. This body is now politically and philosophically almost equally divided." 

KIBITZING 

As the roll was being called in the House, predictions broke out in the press gallery. Bob Kinzel, VPR reporter covering the Capitol since 1981, guessed 78 for Speaker Walter Freed. Ross Sneyd, longtime political AP writer, suggested that Freed would receive between 82 and 85 votes. Both Kinzel and Sneyd have encyclopedic memories for Vermont politics. Freed had suggested that he thought that he had 82 votes. And Freed was right on the mark. 

HEARD IT FROM A FRIEND 

Committee assignments will be posted Friday. Last session there were two Democrat chairs of committees in the House. The assignments might yield clues as to promises Freed may have had to make to earn his victory. Rumor has it though that all chairs this year will go to Republicans but all vice chairs will be Democrats. 

NO FEAR OF FLYING 

We asked Martha Hanson, assistant to the Lieutenant Governor, if newly minted Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie had been taking lessons on how to preside over the senate, a new and unfamiliar task for Brian. Ms. Hanson assured us that, "he can fly this plane." 

A CARTOON CHARACTER 

Zip, whoever we pick to run for president has got to be fresh, someone no one’s thinking of!

I’ve got an idea! I heard about this governor of a tiny state like Hawaii or Vermont or someplace. His name is Howard Dean, and he is a virtual unknown, without a single grad student behind him! He’d be totally ripe for the picking!

Dude, he’s already declared.

See? Who Knew? He’s perfect.

--Doonesbury, by Gary Trudeau, January 8, 2003.  http://images.ucomics.com/comics/db/2003/db030108.gif

EXIT STAGE LEFT 

On Wednesday afternoon, it was Governor Howard Dean’s last address to the joint assembly. Buoyed by three minutes of standing applause, Dean spoke from notes. In the press gallery, only Chris Graff stood.

"We must all help Jim Douglas have a very successful governorship... fiscal discipline, health insurance for kids, placing state buildings in downtowns, and conservation" are my legacy. He than thanked his staff, all state employees, and the folks who protected him. He easily rolled into his presidential speech; "Vermont is the way American ought to be..." He ended reminding the legislators that "you must never forget who sent you here. We are all responsible to each other and for each other. Thank you for the greatest job in Vermont."

He did not mention one of his greatest accomplishments, but they silently made themselves known. Looking in the gallery reserved for key staff members, we counted 28 women and 16 men. There was no glass ceiling in the Dean administration.

As he made his way in he shook the hands of Jim Douglas, members of the Supreme Court, Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine, Speaker Freed. He hugged Deb Markowitz. On the way out he shook hands, hugged Attorney General William Sorrell not once but twice. He passed Auditor Elizabeth Ready, no look, no glance, no hug, no acknowledgment and no handshake. He doesn't forget or forgive her cheap shots. 

GOVERNOR ELECT DOUGLAS 

Jim Douglas was governor elect for only a few hours. In the morning he was elected by the legislature. After months of hand wringing about how the system was broke, the system worked as usual. After weeks of false accusations about how the Republicans were going to steal the election, they won the election and opponents Shumlin, Pollina, Hogan, and Racine all gracefully conceded.

Jim Douglas was elected governor with 159 votes out of 176, sixteen going to Racine. Brian Dubie was elected lieutenant governor with 134 votes out of 177, Shumlin receiving twenty-four and Pollina four. 

GOVERNOR DOUGLAS 

At 2:28 PM on Thursday, January 9, 2003 James H. Douglas became the 83rd Governor of Vermont. He proceeded to swear in other constitutional officers without reference to any notes or any script. Then he spoke to Vermont. A transcript of his inaugural address is posted here:  http://www.DwinellPoliticalReport.com/douglas_inaug.html.

"Governor Dean will be remembered as a competent, compassionate and forthright leader who always sought to do right by the people of Vermont... (Applause)

"The first Vermont government met in March, 1778. At that time, there were no laws, no taxes, no agencies or department, just people determined to live free and by their own values... (Murmurs)

"Making recovery more difficult is the reputation Vermont has earned as a particularly challenging place to do business and create jobs. This is a burden not borne for long by large employers. They can always find someplace else eager to accommodate them. But the burden that large businesses can escape falls hard on small businesses... After all, government does not create jobs, people do...(Applause)

"The choice we face today is not a choice between jobs or the environment. It is a choice between both or neither... (Applause)

"I shall instruct all who serve in my administration that we are at all times accountable to the people as we endeavor toward a government that works with you, not against you; a government that serves as an ally, not an adversary...(Applause)

"Government too must change the way it does business. We must better utilize technology to improve the convenience and accessibility of government services. Across the government, we can do more so Vermonters can save time by being online rather than in line...(Applause)

"We need to work together to find a better solution [than Act 60], a solution that recognizes the importance of money, but also recognizes that our commitment to equal educational opportunity is not fulfilled by funding formulas, sharing pools and block grants...(Slight applause, most Democrats sat on their hands)

"If we are serious about every child having an equal chance, should not every parent have an equal choice??? (One fifth standing ovation, most Democrats silent)

"Let us renew our commitment to the family farmers...(Standing ovation)

"We will aggressively combat those [drug dealers] who would seek to poison our children for profit...

"To the men and women who loyally guard our freedom, we thank you for your courage and sacrifice...(Standing ovation)

"We will keep what has worked, discard what has failed, rein in our excesses and proceed forward with a bold agenda of renewal..."

PARTY ANIMALS 

It will be a packed affair. With a capacity of 1500-1700 guests at Norwich’s Plumley Armory, the Ball committee has already sold nearly 1400 tickets. After years in the willows, it seems the Republicans are ready to party. 

SMALLER EGOS 

Each biennium session of the legislature, the secretary of state publishes a very useful book "Biographical Sketches of State Officers and Members of the General Assembly."

In 2001, the book stretched on for 119 pages. The 2003 book has only 92 pages in what seems like the same size type. Perhaps with fewer egos or at least smaller egos, we can expect more to be accomplished. 

NEW FACE AT VTGOP 

Guy Page of Cambridge has been hired as communications director to assist Executive Director Susan Husdon in navigating the political waters. Page hails from Cambridge. VTGOP tells us that more news and information about Guy and his responsibilities will be forthcoming next week. 

THE TROOPERS 

We may want to re-visit Dean’s expensive trooper detail. There had been complaints for almost a year when it became clear the Dean was running for president, that his out-of-state and out-of-the-country travels were going to cost Vermont in its time of need. Dean basically said, look I do not really care if they come or not, and I do not make that decision. If the state believes that it should protect the governor, then that is their decision. The campaign should not be responsible for that.

We agreed. But it turns out that perhaps Dean was not as forthcoming as he makes himself out to be. Recently, campaign staff have publicly said that life will be different if they have to organize Dean’s rental cars and travels. Then Dean said at his post goodbye speech press conference that on many occasions when he did not inform the troopers, he drove himself to hockey games, to shopping, or to take his child to college.

Now, it seems that he had a choice all along and chose the convenience of having a trooper arrange part of his campaign travel. 

REALITY BITES 

In Time Magazine a few years ago, novelist John Irving characterized Act 60 this way: "It's that vindictive 'We've suffered, and now we're going to take money from your kid and watch you squirm.'"

According to the New York Times, Allan Gilbert of Worcester said, "For years, Stowe kids have had advantages that kids in Worcester haven't had. You have to take some of those advantages away to level the playing field."

Tom Peters of Pawlet said, "The opponents [of Act 60] are almost all rich people without kids who are upset because they face tax increases on seven-zillion-dollar houses."

Leah Felis, a 14-year-old member of the girls' varsity basketball team in Stowe, remembers a late-afternoon game in Fairfax, a receiving town at the time. "...A new round of cheers erupted from Fairfax parents and students in the stands. 'Act 60 Rules,' they chanted. 'We Love Act 60.' 'What's going on in this state?' I wanted to shout out. 'What did we ever do to you?'...'Why are you punishing me?'"

Now the residents of South Burlington, home to one of the best school systems in the state, the municipality that contributes more to the shark pool than any other, the city looking at a 9 percent property tax increase this year just because real estate values increased, can no longer afford the demands of some of the highest paid teachers in Vermont. At the outset these demands had included elimination of the their 5 percent co-payment for medical insurance, and a 28 percent increase in base pay.

The school board stood its ground through many months of talks and mediation. The teachers planned to strike on Friday. Thursday morning, following a more than 17-hour marathon negotiation session that ended at 6:30 am, the teachers settled for a 12 percent raise over three years, well above the expected increase in the cost of living, and a 10 percent co-pay on health insurance. 

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION? 

The Associated Press reports, "A group of Marin County women plan to march naked through San Francisco on January 18th to protest the possibility of war with Iraq." Why?

If they insist, why not do it here on January 18th. That commitment would impress, but still we do not get it. 

GLOBALIZATION 

A recent trip showed once again the that Vermont is different. We were astonished by the number of advertisements for jobs offering a starting wage of $5.25 an hour. Is this the Third World we are competing with. Nope, just Florida. Ours is not just a buck higher, but it is hard to find anyone to work for that, and even harder to figure out how anyone lives on $6.25 an hour. 

RUTLAND HERALD AGAIN 

The Rutland Herald Editorial "Representative Freed again?" goes "there will be 73 Republicans when the House opens for business and 70 Democrats." Wrong. There are 74 Republicans and 69 Democrats. Read it for yourself: http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/Archive/Articles/Article/58457

WHY NOT JUST PRINT HIS TALKING POINTS? 

Vermont's AP covered former Governor Howard Dean's appearance on "Face the Nation" Sunday, but the story read more like Dean's talking points than what really happened. Hosts Bob Schieffer and Gloria Borger pressed Dean on inconsistencies such as his complaints about the deficit while at the same time proposing a health care spending fiesta. You would never know this from the story by AP reporter Wilson Ring. Maybe it is follow-the-leader, as AP chief Christopher Graff after all likened Dean to Harry Truman in a 2001 column recently reprinted.

Dean did not comment about the malpractice insurance crisis on the show because we do not have that problem in Vermont, he said. Huh? The Sunday Rutland Herald/Times Argus carried a story that very day headlined "Malpractice costs may mean fewer Vermont doctors." And Burlington Free Press writer Stephen Kiernan received a Vermont Press Award for his coverage on the subject, which Dean acknowledged helped create new legislation last year on medical malpractice information.

Meanwhile, Dean and the local press might like to spin the former guv as a "fiscal conservative" or even a "moderate," but the national guys and gals are not buying. Talk show host Chris Matthews referred to Dean as "very liberal" (he may have even said "very, very liberal") and thus unlikely to garner much mainstream support. Other political reporters on the national scene have similarly characterized Dean. How come the locals who should know him best do not get it, or at least do not report it? 

BEWARE: THE TAX MAN COMETH 

The Burlington Free Press, in "Doctor Governor", 01/05/03 (read it here: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/bfpnews/editorial/sunday/1000h.htm until 1/12/03) characterized presidential aspirant Howard Dean as a "fiscally conservative Democrat." Some may recall the facts instead of the spin. As Ronald Reagan said, facts are funny things. Here are the facts.

Dean orchestrated a massive expansion of Medicaid without sufficient revenue to pay for it. The plan woefully underpays providers, causing them to shift costs onto those with private insurance and driving up premium costs. This is a huge hidden tax on those with insurance. When the insurance coverage is paid by taxpayers, such as for teachers or state and town employees, it is additional tax on the citizens.

Dean signed legislation decoupling Vermont's income tax from the Federal tax. This was supposed to be "revenue neutral" but it increases in the marginal tax rate for households earning more than $50K per year. Another hidden tax.

Dean signed Act 60, which includes the Common Level of Appraisal mechanism that automatically ups our education property taxes every year when property values rise. Yes, some receive rebates. But the rebates come out of the education fund and therefore increase our property taxes even more. Tax hikes camouflaged in complexity.

Dean openly signed increases in the corporate income tax rate, the bank franchise tax, the telecommunications services tax, a huge jump in the cigarette tax, another twenty-five percent in the rooms and meals tax, and more. Fees went up too, twice for motor vehicles and other agencies. Fees are not called taxes even though the money comes from you and goes to the state.

Clearly, the record shows that Dean is an avid tax-and-spender. He is also a self-avowed believer in message: Select the right message and repeat it over and over as he said at the James Carville lovefest at UVM two years ago. Many, in the absence of the truth, begin to believe the spin as truth. 

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE PROBLEM 

»» John Barrows, Burlington: Under your column regarding CLA in Burlington, the statement you made is not quite accurate. The CLA factor is course a serious problem. In Burlington, the superintendent is using the CLA as cover to deflect the other real problem created by the school board - over a 5% increase in the budget which stems from a long term and expensive compensation package for the unions.

Please be care not to fall into the new excuse by school boards and superintendents that Act 60 and the CLA is all the problem not us. 

ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD OVERSTEPS CONSTITUTION 

»» William Brueckner Sr., Waterbury Ctr: Property owners have constitutional rights to do anything they wish with their property. Vermont's Constitution places the burden of proving injury on those injured. In other words the property owner does what he wants, an offended neighbor must prove injury in court. If property owners need to get the approval of government prior to using their property for their own personal enjoyment, the property rights belong to government, not the property owner. 

EVERYONE'S A COMEDIAN 

»» Roy Berkeley: I think the world of your letter, and of your smarts. But you seem to have no understanding at all of our esteemed Senator Leahy. He is absolutely right when he calls for an end to partisanship. What you do not understand is that what the Democrats do when they are in the majority is NOT partisanship, it is just ordinary statecraft. When Republicans are in the majority and do exactly the same thing, then THAT is partisanship. I do not see what is so hard to understand about that and I am sure that you could comprehend it if you really applied yourself. 

NOT VERY PC 

»» George Kuusela, Rockingham: Where are all the feminists? I would think that they would all be after Time Magazine for insinuating that it takes three women to make man of the year. 

THEY LIKE US 

»» Ed Malila: Keep up the good work!! Thank God there are still a enough sane Vermonters left that voted in Jim Douglas. If this did not happen I think the State would have gone Socialist or Communist over the next few years. Which still may happen, just look at Burlington, is already there.

»» Paul McGoldrick, Littleton, NH: Sure wish we could find someone in New Hampshire to emulate your insights, humor, and knowledge.

»» Michael Quaid, Williston: Keep up the good work.

»» Mark Lafayette: Thanks for the great column. 

IN GOD WE TRUST 

"The best predictor of Republicanism among whites is not income, but church attendance. In 2000, Bush lost nearly half the voters of people who earned more than $100,000 a year" --The Economist, December 21, 2002 

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