Thursday, May 1, 2014
Their destination? A $500-a-head fundraiser benefiting the Vermont Democratic House Campaign, a political action committee run by House leadership to elect Democratic candidates.
With just days remaining in the legislative session, both lawmakers and lobbyists were taking a break from last-minute legislative negotiations to exchange campaign checks and pleasantries over beer and wine.
"You want to get to know the people that you're working with and try to influence and have them get to know you," explained Downs Rachlin Martin lobbyist Joe Choquette outside the event. "In our business, you trade on knowledge and you trade on relationships."
Of the fundraiser, he said, "It's considered the cost of doing business."
Tags: lobbyists , legislature , Image , Web Only
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Does he really think the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change "has come out with some pretty extreme statements about what's going on?"
Did he really suggest that what we call climate change may simply be the result of a naturally warming and cooling earth?
That's what we wrote in last week's Fair Game, quoting from a 15-minute interview conducted with Hartwell on April 7. But Hartwell, who chairs the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, seems to think his words were distorted. After former lobbyist Bob Stannard linked to the column on his Facebook page and wrote that "Vermonters are very disappointed" with Hartwell's comments, the senator posted a four-paragraph statement clarifying his position and calling into question the column's accuracy.
"Unfortunately, some have taken to characterizing my description of the climate change situation without discussion directly with me," Hartwell wrote. "I have and will continue to express my opinion as to what I believe is best for Vermont, even when the press distorts my interviews on occasion, something that often happens to those in public life."
Tags: global warming , Sen. Bob Hartwell , Image , Web Only
Thursday, April 3, 2014
A little over a month ago, as you may recall, the governor suddenly found religion on the topic of raising Vermont's minimum wage. Though he and legislative leaders had barely breathed a word on the subject in the preceding months, Shumlin found himself standing beside President Obama at a Connecticut rally in March, calling on Vermont and its neighboring states to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2017.
"It's the right thing to do," Shumin said the next week at a press conference in Montpelier.
The Vermont House, apparently, agreed. And now it wants to raise Shumlin's bet.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
That's been the prevailing sentiment around the Statehouse since Vermont Public Radio quoted the Senate president pro tem Tuesday questioning the political viability — and the cost — of Gov. Peter Shumlin's proposed single-payer health care system.
"From what I see right now about the price tag that's associated with ... the financing for a single-payer system, I have my concerns," Campbell told VPR, adding that it "may not be something that would be politically viable in this legislative body, due to the costs involved."
The Senate prez also indicated that he hoped to have a Plan B ready "if this doesn't work out."
Since the story ran, Campbell has been trying to walk it back. Sort of.
Tags: john campbell , vermont legislature , single-payer health care , peter shumlin , Image , Web Only
"You know, I'm always hesitant to comment on any of the 180 legislators," the gov said at the Statehouse during his weekly press conference. "You know, they're all great. They're like kids. You don't want to start talking about one, because you hurt the feelings of the other."
Insisting that he "love[s] going out and talking to Vermonters, asking them whether we're on the right track," Shumlin nevertheless said he wouldn't be hitting the campaign trail anytime soon.
"I put off any discussions about what next, who next or why next until Labor Day, or shortly thereafter," he said. "I'd be happy to talk about it after that time, but what I'm going to do, meanwhile, is focus on my job of creating jobs."
Tags: Gov. Peter Shumlin , Rep. Heidi Scheuermann , Image , Web Only
Monday, March 17, 2014
Since Vermont politicians were last required to disclose their fundraising and spending activities in July 2013, Shumlin has raised nearly $329,000 — the majority of which came in the form of large contributions from out-of-state donors. In that same period, the governor's reelection campaign spent just $20,000.
In a written statement, campaign treasurer Kate O'Connor said that the incumbent's fundraising prowess "demonstrates continued strong support for Gov. Shumlin's efforts to strengthen and protect Vermont's quality of life."
Perhaps just as important for Shumlin, Monday's filings provided no new clues as to whether any formidable candidates will challenge the governor this November. Only perennial candidate Emily Peyton has said she'll run for governor — this year as a Republican.
Tags: campaign fundraising , Shumlin , Image , Web Only
Thursday, March 13, 2014
That could change Saturday, when Democratic activist John Bauer plans to discuss a possible LG bid at a meeting of the Vermont Democratic Party's state committee in Montpelier.
"I'm considering running for lieutenant governor," Bauer said Thursday afternoon.
But that's about all he would say. Bauer said he wanted to address party leaders directly before publicly elaborating on his intentions.
Tags: Phil Scott , John Bauer , Republican , Democrat , Web Only
And unlike Montpelier's other top Ds — Gov. Peter Shumlin and Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell (D-Windsor) — Smith says he supports controversial legislation that would require businesses to provide employees up to seven days of paid sick leave each year.
So why, after months of lobbying by liberal interest groups, is the bill stuck in the House Appropriations Committee and unlikely to get a vote on the House floor? Why won't Smith, who frames it as "a public health issue," use his reputed legislative prowess to push the thing through?
"I don't think the landscape right at the moment is conducive to passing the legislation," the speaker says. "I think it's informed by what happened with regard to Vermont Health Connect and the fact that we required employers with fewer than 50 employees to go into the [federally mandated health insurance exchange] this past fall. And I think that, given all the nervousness around that and other issues— I don't think the landscape is working for passage of it this year."
Tags: sick leave , Shap Smith , Image , Web Only
But as Lisman pulls back from CFV, newly hired executive director Cyrus Patten says he hopes to prepare the group for a post-Lisman existence. Patten's hiring, which was announced Thursday, follows last week's news that former Vermont Public Service Board chairwoman Louise McCarren has replaced Lisman as CFV's chair.
"Bruce is still the on the board, but he's not the chair. He's just kind of an active participant," Patten says. "I think he realizes he's done the heavy lifting in the beginning and it really has been gaining traction. He realizes that this is truly a grassroots-driven campaign, and he wants to give it the legs and freedom to be that."
Tags: Lisman , Campaign for Vermont , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
It has regularly featured Democratic candidates — and only Democratic candidates — on its news pages. It threw a campaign party for then-mayoral candidate Miro Weinberger days before his 2012 election. And it's invited readers to fundraisers for the Burlington Democratic Party and Planned Parenthood.
Now the connection is official.
The VDP announced Tuesday that it's hired Thread's founder and publisher, Ben Sarle, as its new communications director. Sarle, a former freelance photographer for the Burlington Free Press, replaces Ryan Emerson, who stepped down in January to run for a Burlington City Council seat.