GOAL

1. The development of a path of sustainability by nurturing an economic engine and tax base.

2. "By basic principles; enjoying and defending life liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety...(with a) government instituted for the common benefit, protection and security of the people...(with) frequent recurrence to fundamental principles, and firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality."

Seemed to miss in reading Vermont's Constitution anything about the wayward self-esteem boat, the tiny student-teacher ratio, or social engineering. 

THE GAME PLAN

In this issue and the previous one, Ralph Colin has put forth an issue agenda to drive the debate, issues that, when properly framed, will reflect well on those who champion the positions.

The issues being defined, what else might the Grand Old Party of today do? Primary of course are the candidates, lots of them. Usually better candidates win; candidates who will work, are well know in their communities, and are committed. Let’s assume that Douglas and Dubie are well on their way to reelection. Not that they too do not have work to do, they do. But so far they both have exceeded expectations. 

LET’S HEAR IT FOR JIM AND BRIAN

Douglas, who many referred to as a dufus, who wears his pants just under his pocket protector, a lightweight, and an over-the-hill career politician turned out to be none of the above. Steely eyed, passionate, smart, and tireless, Douglas has fired the Fletcher Allen Board, his party’s chair, moved his agenda through the morass of the legislature, and is reorganizing government. Before he did all this, he won the election, organized a government, appointed hundreds, prepared a budget, and helped insure a GOP speaker victory. Not bad for a few months work.

The expectations for Dubie were even lower. Seen to be inexperienced, green, awkward and boyish, he proved none of these. He eagerly engaged senators, issues, lobbyists, press, citizens, and Canadians to move from a perception of having backed into office via a liberal split to an expectation of being able to beat either previous opponent one-on-one in the next election. 

THE LEGISLATURE

County Chairs have had the task of recruiting and financing candidates. No more. Let Speaker Freed and his political director Rick Hube and the Group of Eighteen recruit for the house. They have been now for three cycles, quite successfully.

Let Douglas, Dubie and the new Chair Jim Barnett recruit for the senate. Currently, the GOP has eleven senators, Windham’s two seats are unwinnable. That leaves only seventeen new recruits to find. Not so hard. 

SCHOOL BOARDS

Have the County Chairs insure that no race for school board goes uncontested. A couple of reasons here. As Mr. Colin argues, the GOP needs to build its bench. If someone has served on a school board, they have been elected. They have developed name recognition. Look at Dubie. He jumped from school board to lieutenant governor.

Second, the current crop of school board members have tin ears. Budgets have crashed and still they do not hear. They come back with the same budget. In Northfield they raised the $8,050,981 budget by $900 to pay for the cost of the revote. In neighboring Roxbury on its third try, the school board reduced its $1,049,434 defeated budget by $434 to give it a nice round number.

With such stupid and tone deaf school boards, most anyone who can actually add and subtract would have a good chance to win a seat. Republicans are well known to be better at math. 

HIRE A TRIAL LAWYER

The harder part is to find a defendant, go to federal court, and sue to break up the six-member Chittenden County senate district, the largest in the United States by 300 percent. 

MOTHER’S MILK, MONEY

The mother’s milk of politics is money. The goal is to raise, raise, raise and to save, save, save. GOP has not had a war chest to do what is necessary in a generation, two actually, 1968. Direct mail solicitation provides a base of support. Vermont Republicans have relied on the National Committee but that money is selective, late, unpredictable, and competitive.

The moneyed areas of Vermont are known. Asking for money in these venues goes on all the time. The capital campaigns for lots of good works are well supported. A $5,000,000 campaign in Burlington or Manchester is not uncommon. Set goals, form committees, follow up. For too long the GOP has relied first on Allen Martin and later on Skip Vallee to raise their money. They too have been part of the problem; successful, wealthy, well connected and full of ego. They say, "I do not need a finance committee, I can do it all myself." And they have, but it is not enough, it is not as much as the Democrats raise, it does not build party and commitment, and it evokes the disruptive Golden Rule: he who has the gold makes the rules. 

TALENT

Modern campaign skills, strategy, message, and tactics. "Governor Douglas and Lieutenant Governor Dubie" says is all. They and their campaign teams have the proven talent. Give them candidates and money and it will happen.RTICLE 

BUT THERE IS MORE TO DO

Bad news this week. Part of the growth of the fuzzy-headed thinking in Vermont is that they are better grant writers and have more grant-accepting institutions. This week, Windham County’s World Learning received a $20,000,000 anonymous gift and $1,000,000 from George Bush. That's right. His AID office gave World Learning $1,000,000 for a conflict resolution study. Not that we are opposed to conflict resolution but why a $1,000,000 to a group and their new hires, all of whom will vote against you?

The Vermont Law School, a bastion of CLF recruits, received a $340,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation for "a clinic supporting the efforts of environmental attorneys and organizations. The clinic will be headed by Professor Patrick Parenteau, one of the nation’s foremost environmental law litigators." Great, just what we need. So who is going to make the case for the unemployed worker or the under-employed worker?

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The left has hundreds of grant receiving trusts, funds, and organizations. They hire fellow travelers, rarely our own home grown and expensively educated youth. Can the non-fuzzy headed thinkers compete? 

THE GLIMMER OF HOPE

Talk show hostess Laurie Morrow has applied to the United States’s Department of Education for a $1,000,000 grant to establish in Vermont the Justin Morrill Center for the Traditional Teaching of History. She is writing this in response to a request for proposal which excludes "social studies" in the teaching of history.

If folks want to be competitive in the dialogue about Vermont’s future, it requires more than just issues, recruiting candidates, raising money, and talent. People must also look at the non-governmental organization growth in Vermont, recognize that the money, bodies, and votes are all promoting Bernie’s World, and respond by becoming competitive in this fight for the hearts and minds of Vermonters. 

TRUE NORTH GOES SOUTH

Laurie Morrow’s show is now available not just on WDEV-AM and FM but can be heard in the Rutland area on WSYB 1390 AM from 11:05 till noon. She gets the ‘get’ better than most. "I email writers I like and am persistent. Wes Prude of the Washington Times took four tries. I reminded Ms. Cheney that I served as grants consultant under her at the National Endowment for the Humanities. And she is most passionate about history education.

"The show is going wonderfully--and getting better every day. I never thought I'd find something I loved as much as teaching, but hosting this show I love even more than I did being a professor. Frankly, I use a lot more of my brain than I did teaching the same narrowly constricted subject fields, semester after semester."

Laurie has the Second Lady, Lynne Cheney, as her guest next Wednesday, June 18th. Ms. Cheney is also a supporter of helping America’s children learn more about American history. They will be discussing "how American history should be taught in our schools."

To view upcoming schedules go to: http://www.TrueNorthRadio.com 

HILLARY’S NOVEL

Laurie and her husband co-authored a review of the current best seller "Living History" and all the buzz for National Review Online. Here are some excerpts:

"Part historical novel, part comic romance, this work promises much, but fails to live up to its potential. The plot, a thinly disguised reworking of Macbeth from the point of view of Lady Macbeth, concerns an unsympathetic and narcissistic protagonist who settles for an ambitious, deeply flawed husband, and then devotes herself to ensuring his success at any price...

"Her relationship with her absurdly priapic husband — who saves the novel from tedium as a comic-relief character — never feels genuine, but seems mainly a device to enable the author to insert the protagonist into an interesting setting. The author expects the reader to believe, for example, that a woman proclaimed ‘brilliant,’ whose husband has been unfaithful hundreds of times, is shocked to learn that he has been unfaithful once again...

"Consider, for example, the protagonist's words concerning of one of the novel's most intense dramatic moments, her reflection on the protracted public humiliation to which her husband's infidelity has yet again subjected her: ‘I also worried that the armor I had acquired might distance me from my true emotions . . . I had to be open to my feelings so that I could act on them and determine what was right for me.’ These are the trite clichés of a Lifetime Network wronged-chick flick...

"For those not already fans of this author, however, even for summer reading, Living History isn't worth toting to the beach."

For the full review of Ms. Clinton’s ‘novel’, go to: http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-morrow061203.asp 

WHERE’S WALDO?

Go left young man. At least according to this week’s Economist:

"Mrs. Clinton's credibility with the left has also allowed her to move further to the center. She has dropped her pro-Palestinian stance, spoken out in favor of tough welfare policies and decked herself in hawk's plumage. When Donald Rumsfeld testified behind closed doors before the Senate Armed Services Committee during the darkest moment in the Iraq war, he supposedly got some of his strongest support from the former first lady. Unlike, say, Howard Dean, she does not have to buy the left's support by pandering to its silliest prejudices." 

I CARE ABOUT PEOPLE

Freshman Democrat Representative Patsy French of Randolph said that she supported the minimum wage because, "I care about people." We care about people too. Don’t you? Which people does she care about? Certainly not the mom and pop in the general store. Certainly not the teenager looking for a summer job. Certainly not the part time student. Certainly not the business person or the unskilled and inexperienced applicant. Certainly not the financially stressed farmer. 

NIMBY LIFE

Folks along the proposed Route 7 reconstruction in South Burlington want to appeal the state’s right to fix the road and widen it. Ironically self described as the Friends of Route 7, they are afraid that if a safety median is installed as planned, their skiing and sailing hours could be diminished as they might have to work a little harder.

To hoist them on their own petard, perhaps the state should close Exit 13 and I-189 as in keeping with their opposition to highway improvement. They could also detour the northbound Route 7 traffic onto Route 116 to keep things quiet and peaceful, just like they used to be, for the Friends of Route 7. 

STILL VOTING AFTER ALL THE YEARS

Many school budgets are on their third try. Take Tunbridge for example. At town meeting the school budget was defeated 57-56. A second ballot months later approved the budget 75-74. A petition asking for a third vote was signed by 126 townspeople. The School Board Chair "is not optimistic about the outcome. The lower tax feeling is quite strong," according to the Herald. 

DISGRACEFUL

Heathcote Russell sent a letter to the Valley News labeling citizens’ behavior as "disgraceful, bringing shame on us all." The folks he/she criticized were passionately upset by the school board. Reading of so many defeats and so little understanding and compassion and complete deafness on the part of school boards, it would seem that there was enough "disgraceful behavior" to go around. 

BLACKLISTED

First it was the UVM Republicans who removed DPR from the list serve. Then SPARC, Student Political Awareness and Responsibility Coalition, took us off their list. Professor Will Miller explained, "Only SPARC members as well as students and community members with whom SPARC is working on various projects may subscribe." Are they worried that we might steal away in the dark of night the mind of a brainwashed student? Maybe they do not want to be truly "politically aware." Or "responsible." 

JEFFORDS ATTACK STIRS MEMORIES

Several Vermont papers last Friday carried the story of Senator Jim Jeffords' condemnation of the Department of Education's $500K budget for providing states with up-to-date and accurate information about the No Child Left Behind Act. Jeffords, who joins his NEA union supporters in abhorring this historic law, charged that the money is being spent to "make a bad plan look good."

That's pretty funny coming from a Vermonter. Readers may recall (though it didn't make the papers) that shortly after passage of Act 60 the State of Vermont paid the public relations firm Marketing Partners $300K to "inform" Vermonters about Act 60. The "key message triangle" developed for the campaign had three components: "better education, lower property taxes and fairness..."

More here: http://www.act60.org/devlyn.htm and here: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/minutes/act60/Oct21.htm 

THE MOST AMBITIOUS REVIEW IN A DECADE

»» Mike Bertrand, Commissioner, Department of Labor and Industry: In last week's issue Claude Dern of Dorset voiced concerns regarding the high cost of workers' compensation insurance and the state's efforts at ensuring that all employers carry coverage for their employees. These issues and more are on our radar screen as we gear up for a major study and report on Vermont's workers' comp system - the most ambitious review in a decade.

The workers' comp division at the Department of Labor & Industry checks for workers' comp coverage based upon employment listings obtained from the Department of Employment and Training. The division also investigates reports or complaints of uninsured employers. These investigations look not only into whether an employer has coverage, but also looks into whether that employer has been properly categorized.

One issue raised in the letter deserves to be expanded upon. Many employers, especially when rates are on the rise, make an unfortunate decision to categorize someone as an "independent contractor" when they should really be categorized as an employee. While this may save the employer some money on insurance premiums in the short term, such an arrangement is not conclusive for workers' comp purposes and the employer may still end up on the hook for a workplace injury.

A recent hearing decision is an excellent example. A business owner hired an individual to drive a truck. Both the business owner and the driver agreed that the driver was not an employee, but an independent contractor. The business owner instructed the worker on maintaining, parking and loading the truck and providing him with routes. The owner paid the maintenance and fuel costs and handled all the third-party contracts. When the driver was injured, he filed a workers' comp claim against the business owner. Under Vermont law (as it has been interpreted by our courts) it was found that there was indeed an employer-employee relationship.

Employers should carefully consider their worker's compensation obligations when considering, designating and hiring independent contractors. The Vermont courts take a broad view of the definition of "employer" and narrowly interpret the exceptions to workers' compensation coverage requirements. Accordingly, if an employer has any doubt as to the proper classification of a worker, the Department recommends that workers' compensation insurance be purchased. This coverage will minimize the risk to an employer. It can be an expensive mistake for both parties if handled incorrectly. The Department does have information on this topic (and many other workers' comp topics) posted on our website at: http://www.state.vt.us/labind/wcomp/wcfactJune03.htm.

Workers' compensation reform is a priority for Governor Douglas, and we are hopeful that this summer's study (being done in conjunction with a six-person advisory council) will provide us with guidance on how to make our system meet its goals. The rights of injured workers must be protected, but we must also ensure that our workers' comp system is fair and affordable to Vermont employers. 

EDUCATION COST CONTAINMENT!

»» G. Lester Corwin II, South Royalton: Because teachers' negotiations are just beginning and because cost containment hasn't seriously happened I think we need to keep up-to-date with what each of our local school boards are doing. I think in Royalton they sneakily held an early Saturday AM meeting, possibly failing legally to warn the public. The elected legislative representative was there, as "public" and she instructed the Board on cost containment, but whatever information she imparted was withheld from the public that met the following Tuesday night to reconsider their school budget, which passed.

We need to have a designated and trusted reporter in each school board meeting to keep tabs on what they do and say and the direction they are headed. To me at least it seems when a school board member is elected, they are almost immediately trained or oriented or somehow otherwise become an advocate for the education establishment. Why is that?

In Royalton they promoted their vote (ultimately confirming the $4,400,237.21 budget for 498 pupils) with informational flyers, which a teacher (third grade teacher who has 11 pupils in her classroom this year) admitted to me she "sends home information only when it's handed me." Somehow it doesn't seem fair to me they use our money to get more money out of us. Another seeming unfairness is the open meeting law exemption (No. 17 of 30) for school boards in discussing budget matters. See Title 1 VSA section 317(c)(17). Isn't that secrecy in government?

»» Stephen Farrington, Stockbridge: Cost containment! Cost containment! Ignoring for awhile Act 60's still-intact shell game of wealth redistribution, it seems most everyone agrees on the next step toward property tax relief. The surest way to reduce education cost is to allow competition.

Why, then, is no one talking about expanding school choice? If the house and senate are so gung-ho and non-partisan on Act 60 reform, then why did school choice bills introduced last session remain "on the wall" in committee for the entire session? There will be no cost containment until there is a return to more local control. Since the Brigham decision effectively eliminated forever community-scale control, the only possibility left is family-scale control. Unrestricted school choice with the money following the student is our only realistic hope for cost containment. It's Economics 101.

»» Robert Maynard, Williston: [Responding to Rob Towle on Cost Containment] Rob, the problem is that "we" did not win at the ballot box. A lot of firebrand legislators who got elected on the coattails of Ruth Dwyer's 1998 and 2000 campaigns for Governor lost their seats. Those who remain seem to have little stomach for real budget cutting.

With the session over, Republican leaders are telling us that, if cost are not brought under control, we will be back at this again next year. HELLO!? That is what many of us were saying as our leadership was in the process of spearheading the Act 60 "Pseudo" reform bill. The bill is no reform at all, merely a shell game in which the tax burden is shifted from one tax to others. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the current bill is worse than having done nothing at all. How so?

Presenting the illusion of reform makes it likely that the current tax revolt will fizzle. It will be harder to regain the momentum, so less pressure will be there for spending restraints. (Sales taxes and Telecommunication taxes are less likely to ignite a broad based citizens tax revolt, though they are as harmful, or worse, to our economy.)

If the Republican leadership had any vision, or nerve, they would have proposed a bill that cut spending on schooling to at least the national average. This could have been done with a PR campaign informing Vermonters that we have the highest per pupil spending in the country and there is no measurable co-relation between more spending and better educational results. Even without such a campaign, the Burlington Free Press is starting to catch on. Whitness a few weeks ago. The Sunday edition ran an editorial pointing out the fact that we spend way above the national average on schooling and that any meaningful reform would require spending cuts.

It is unlikely that the Democrats would have gone along, but what harm would that have done? At least we would of had an issue to run against them in 2004. As it stands, we have a "reform" bill that is no better than what it replaced and we have GOP fingerprints all over it. Tell me how the GOP is going to make out-of-control spending on schooling an issue in 2004? 

PROS AND CONS OF THE INCOME TAX

»» Jens Jensen, Hartland: Ralph Colin wrote in his commentary the following: "Since only about 15% of Vermonters pay any significant state income tax, it would affect a relatively small number of people who would be happy to pay the surcharge if it meant ridding everyone of the loathsome property tax."

In the same issue, Claude G. Dern, Pres., Paul Bunion Logging, Inc. describes the hiding of income by loggers. As a person who pays income taxes, I find the property tax the only way the income tax cheaters and trust fund children will ever pay any fair part of the tax burden. Mr. Colin is way off base saying we would gladly pay more in surtaxes.

I would like to see the state go after all the people working "under the table" and also to tighten up the very abused "current land use" property tax shelter. We could have lower tax rates overall if these two items were accomplished.

»» Ralph Colin, Manchester Center: [In response to Mr. Jensen] Mr. Jensen certainly has a right to express his opinion and to disagree with mine. We begin from different starting points. His approach to taxation is to use it as a means of retribution against and punishment of what is, in all probability, a relative minority of the total tax-paying public, an approach, which was shared by the original architects of Act 60. Mine is to completely eliminate, if possible, a very poorly administered and very confusing and burdensome tax for everybody.

Judge Cohen in his decision in the Killington case agreed that the Tax Department was deficient in many ways in the manner in which the state-wide property tax was being managed with respect to the determination of rates for sharing towns. The General Assembly in its 2003 session did nothing to address the judge's concerns. Had a very small income tax surcharge been imposed affecting what seems to be a comparatively limited segment of the population (because most Vermont residents pay a small percentage of the total state income tax revenue), in addition to the other changes made in the overall tax structure by the legislature, it might have been possible to remove the need for a property tax altogether.

That would have been a major accomplishment! Mr. Jensen characterizes me as "way off base" with my comment; I suggest that the possible elimination of the state-wide property tax would result in a bases-loaded home run. 

SPELLING BEE OFFER

»» J.B. McKinley, Morrisville: As editor of the News & Citizen in Morrisville, I had a conversation with the man in charge of the National Spelling Bee beginning almost two years ago. I think he's with Knight-Ridder. It seems there is a significant cost to sponsoring the spellers, which a small weekly could not shoulder. Consequently, I suggested that the Vermont Press Association look at this as a cooperative project, but the idea has not gone farther.

If you can push this idea a bit, perhaps a coalition of papers can make up the fee and send the spellers? Here's one paper that is interested! 

APPLES TO APPLES

»» Stephen Farrington, Stockbridge: Claudine Martin of Essex writes, "All of the teachers I know work at least 8 hours a day, not including time spent after school..." Gee, Claudine, none of the 60-plus tax-paying employees where I work get away with fewer than 8 hours a day, either. But none of us gets health benefits or a retirement plan even approaching a public school teacher's, and none of us gets the entire summer off. Yes, good teachers deserve our respect, but let's start considering their total compensation, not just salary, and let's think of their time per year, not per day. Not doing so is to delude oneself. 

CALL ME OLD FASHIONED, BUT...

»» Chris Wener, West Rutland: Glad to see you back and engaged. Your efforts to keep us informed are most appreciated as we sure can't count on the state's printed media for straight info.

I found interesting the report that teachers appear to count on unions to "protect" them from inside or outside actions that might threaten job security. Where does a tax-paying fella working in the private sector sign up for such an umbrella plan? I go to work every day knowing that my deeds and actions must answer the question "What have I done to benefit my employer today?". Boy, am I an old fashioned numbskull.....to think that what I really needed all along was union representation. Sorry, but I guess I'm just stuck on the idea that pay and job security should be tied to performance. This is not to say that there aren't some very talented and dedicated teachers in Vermont, but clearly something is out of whack. Simply put, Vermont cannot afford to continue along the present path.

On another point, it would be interesting to see the "Maine $400 child tax credit to non-tax paying citizens" question asked in Vermont. I'll wager that outside of Chittenden county the Vermont results would be similar to Maine's. 

CUT THE BULL

»» Allan R. Wylie, South Strafford: Regarding Claudine Martin's comments in the 6 June issue on the professionalism of teachers. The definition I provided for professionalism from the American Heritage Dictionary said nothing about hard work. If hard work were the entree to a profession, we should view garbage collectors (who perform a vital and important function) as professionals.

In fact, I taught mathematics in an academic setting (for six years, so I did not get fired) at a somewhat earlier age and did so without a certificate or having ever taken a single course in education. I do, however, have a masters degree in mathematics, which seemed of more relevance to my employer.

I do not impugn teachers in general. They perform a very important, and I would say, even central, function in our society. However, that it is important does not imply that it is a profession or difficult.

They work hard, but I refer again to the garbage collector. We should not confuse hard work with accomplishment. In fact, some management consultants would say, "If it takes you more than forty hours a week to get it done, you're not doing it right!" The fact is that most anyone can teach if he knows the subject matter. That's the way education was done in this country prior to 1850 (probably even 1950).

Note also, that we had a homeschooled child in this state who scored a perfect score in the SATs. Do we have a government schooled child who has done the same?

This country has fallen to the bottom of the industrialized world in academic accomplishment. The educational community needs to address that situation before it asks for more money. In fact, 50 years ago we got a better education at a relatively lower per capita student cost. It is the responsibility of the educational community to justify what we are getting now from our tax dollars in light of our diminished academic performance. The present strategy is somewhat like going to your boss and asking for a pay raise *before* you have demonstrated that you are worth it. 

ANTI-CIRC BULL

»» Jim Daley: Glad you're back in action and not riding Funnycide tomorrow.

You might be interested in checking out a "new" anti-Circ Highway site... "Vermonters For Sensible Transportation". It spouts the usual BS about the Circ which, as you know, has been approved by voters in several affected towns repeatedly (Colchester....3 times). I checked the "who we are" link and ...lo and behold...there is Marilyn Sowles listed as a "former member of the Colchester Select Board". It didn't note that she lasted just one term and got tossed out on her anti-Circ rear.

And there is Michael Oman, who used to be a CCRPC transportation staffer until he decided the voters who approved the Circ didn't know what they were doing.

It would be interesting to find out who is funding this latest anti-Circ, anti-voters wishes bull.

Editor's note: The Domain Name was registered by Wayne Senville, a former 9-year member of the Burlington Planning Commission. He started "StopTheCirc.com" in October 2001 -- that web address now forwards to this new one. 

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

»» Rob Towle, Rutland City: Finally, a week without the leftist legislators pushing through feel-good bills. With the upcoming season about to happen, look at the town you live in. Could the School Board be helped by you running for a seat? Can you help to change minds as a Selectman or Town Supervisor? Can your town meeting be enhanced with some extra push behind Permit Reform or could you help your town with the game plan for dealing with Act 60?

Remember that you don't necessarily have to win your election to move certain issues. Giving rubber stamp to people that have lost their way and (in some cases, their minds) is part of the problem. Help foster the political environment that will continue the job that our current Governor has started. Get involved somehow and somewhere. The results can be exciting and real. Don't wait for another special interest group to cross the border and take over another part of your life. Now is the time to act and respond. Good Luck!!!!

If you don't know how, write that you are interested to this newsletter and enough people will see it and things will get started. 

THEY LIKE US

»» Chris Wener, West Rultand: Please find enclosed my contribution to the cause. I figured that I would share some of the money that my representatives saved me over the last few sessions. I hope that your recovery continues unabated.

»» Kelly Colby Gray, Braintree: I look forward to receiving your report. What a pleasant change from all the media! 

ELECTING VERMONT REPUBLICANS IN 2004
Commentary by Ralph Colin

 [Continued from last week]

Reviewing the accomplishments of the recently adjourned 2003 legislative session of the biennium, they bring to mind the prospects for the elections of next year and the possibilities for lining up more Republican candidates who can win in Vermont. This is not a simple task. Recruit the best folks you can, raise money, and then focus on issues.

The permitting process MUST be reformed and key to that - a crucial element - is a limitation on party status, as it was when the law was first enacted. Without that, permit reform means NOTHING. We can not and should not permit misanthropic, unstable or merely selfish individuals and out-of-state organizations with no direct interest in the outcome, to abuse the process and appeal permits for the sole purpose of successfully preventing or delaying worthy projects.

This is one of the, if not THE, greatest inhibiting factor(s) to both businesses which and individuals who may be considering locating in Vermont from ultimately doing so. It is a principal reason for the narrow tax base which exists in this state. If our state government intends to broaden that tax base so that it can provide more services to our citizens, it absolutely must address this exceptionally important problem.

The governor and the Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development Kevin Dorn need to give the General Assembly a wish list of statute changes to enable smart economic development. Leading the list of issues which require attention are: (a) an improvement in the entire telecommunications system, particularly cellular and digital transmissions, including prohibiting local governments from arbitrarily blocking the construction of transmission towers solely on the basis of aesthetic objections; (b) 21st Century transportation systems brought up to standards in terms of both accessibility and maintenance, (c) an immediate push for affordable housing so that workers may be located reasonably near their jobs; (d) development of early education/day care facilities, important in recruiting and retaining a sustainable workforce to and in Vermont; (e) bring energy costs into line with those existing in competing and bordering states; (f) the tightening of workers' compensation so that insurance rates can be substantially reduced; (g) to stop imposing arbitrary and costly irritants such as "prime agricultural" land mitigation fees when land is neither fit for farming or will NEVER be farmed; and (h), the Division of Historic Preservation must stop the harassment of developers by coming in at the 11th hour and challenging Act 250 permits for dubious reasons. The entire permitting process at both local and state levels has to be expedited, must be more transparent and less expensive, and must have predictability.

State and local government must stop being adversarial. Instead of assuming a negative attitude and placing barriers in the way of progress, they must adopt a more productive and friendly stance along the lines of "HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN?" Those who sit on boards and commissions which determine the vagaries of the permitting process must learn to be positive and creative. They need to find ways to make good and necessary projects move forward without imposing unnecessary expenditures and uncertain time frames

For Republicans to achieve control of state government (including filling more elected administrative offices), they must be solidly behind these key initiatives. They must forget most of the other warm and cuddly issues for the time being and focus on those described above without becoming distracted. If Republicans do that, progress will be made. Let the Democrats talk about welfare entitlements and all the other money-gobbling, give-away programs which they have habitually supported and force them to explain how we can afford all such schemes.

Ask them: HOW DO YOU PROPOSE THAT WE PAY FOR THEM? They pay lip service to the importance of economic development, they inevitably introduce legislation which limits any realization of it, they mandate additional taxing strategies while simultaneously continuing to shrink the tax base. Put their noses in their own mess and make them explain.

In the meantime, concentrate on a productive Republican agenda which would create more revenues within the state. Vermont simply must attract new business. It is an imperative if we intend to remove the tax burden from the shoulders of the small businessman and the individual who may be land rich (farmers), but cash poor. If we grow the economy, we can afford some of the cuddly programs.

Republicans must develop strong potential office holders. They need a farm team or teams; their bench is very thin. That is the job, the responsibility, of EVERY major Republican incumbent. As the governor improves the quality of the state Republican organization, major steps in the right direction are being taken.

A concerted effort must be made to raise the necessary funds to support Republican candidates. The Democrats have been very successful in attracting money from liberal "do-gooders" from out of state. While that is certainly not the most desirable way of building the party's election treasury, perhaps Republicans need to follow their lead. Second-home owners in Vermont who could benefit mightily from having a Republican-run state government must be cultivated. Republicans are far more sympathetic to their needs and far more cognizant of the enormous contributions they make to the cultural, educational and economic well being of our state than has been the case under Democrat controlled administrations and legislatures which strive to punish them.

It is important to impress on all residents and non-residents alike that supporting sound government is surely as important as supporting all the other not-for-profit institutions to which their generosity has been and continues to be of enormous importance. Not-for-profit organizations have a far more difficult row to hoe if government is inefficient and uncooperative.

Some real "in the trenches" work must be done and a goal needs to be set. How about this: "We'll return the most liberal, left-wing state in the nation back to its roots of moderate conservatism, but we need lots of help to turn the trick. How would you like to see Vermont back in the Republican column in your lifetime? Work with us and together we'll make it happen!"

Mr. Colin is a board member of Northshire Civic Center, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Nature Conservancy, Vermont Chapter, and the Bennington Museum. Before becoming a member of the District 8 Environmental Commission, he was a member of the Bennington County Regional Commission. Mr. Colin is a Republican. 

DON'T SUGAR-COAT IT 

"I am on a fixed income. The rest of us have to live too, rather than just the damn kids." --Larry Johnson, Charlotte, in The Burlington Free Press 

SEEN ENOUGH NAMBY, PAMBY & WELCH TV COMMERCIALS? 

"Around the world we've seen how government can be perverted into an instrument of kleptocracy. ... 'Kleptocracy' is not too strong a word if you believe our tort system should be a means of compensating the truly wronged and not a means of transferring large amounts of wealth to those who are adept at manipulating the levers. ... We've reached the point where the Democrat Party's captivity [to the trial lawyers] has become an embarrassment and threat to the nation." --Wall Street Journal

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=65000425 

OUR "FISCAL CONSERVATIVE" 

"[Here's] why Dean and his fellow Democrats really oppose the Bush tax cuts. Not because they are so concerned that they will increase the deficit. Not because they are so outraged that the rich supposedly will benefit most. But because they fear that the tax cuts truly will produce the strong economic growth President Bush promises." --Joseph Perkins, San Diego Union-Tribune

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/op-ed/perkins/20030606-9999_mz1e7perkins.html 

PARTING WORDS 

"Thanks to President Reagan, we know a lot more today, although it seems that many in Congress didn't get the memo. We know that tax cuts spur economic growth... The Bush tax program is ideally suited to address this new economy. Whereas Mr. Reagan saw generalized economic growth as essential, the Bush plan has both a stimulative component to start the engine and a long-term component to advance the process of moving our economy into the new areas of future growth." --Donald T. Regan, President Ronald Reagan's Treasury secretary, who died Monday.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003609 

Do you enjoy the Dwinell Political Report? Think of a voluntary subscription. For $25, you can receive the newsletter for a year and help offset the costs of production. Make checks payable to JDLS Publishing, LLC and mail to 610 Mason Road, Randolph, VT 05060.

The Dwinell Political Report is published weekly by JDLS Publishing, LLC.
Portions of the Dwinell Political Report may be reprinted with attribution.

Contact the Editor with news & comments at: Dwinell@adelphia.net or 802.728.4793

The mission of the Dwinell Political Report is to give readers another view of the news that is refreshing, provocative and sometimes irreverent. 

Subscribe here!