Campaign 2008: Questions and Answers for VT Governor

League of Women Voters^®
of the Upper Valley

Campaign 2008: Questions and Answers for VT Governor

Biography. Top 3 Challenges. Global Warming. Infrastructure. Budget cuts.

Brief Biography [50 words or less]

Peter Diamondstone (Liberty Union): No response
Campaign website: http://www.libertyunionparty.org/?cat=7
James Douglas (Republican): No response
Campaign website: http://www.jimdouglas.com
Anthony Pollina (Independent/Progressive): Anthony Pollina is a leader and policy advocate on issues of rural development, the environment, health care and economic justice. Anthony is the founder of Rural Vermont, co-founder of the Vermont Milk Co., served as Senior Policy Advisor to Bernie Sanders, and hosted the Equal Time Radio Show.
Campaign website: http://www.anthonypollina.com
Gaye Symington (Democrat): No response
Campaign website: http://www.symingtonforgovernor.com

1. List the top three challenges facing Vermont. Choose one of these, and state how you would help to address this challenge. [100 words or less]

Diamondstone: no response
Douglas: no response
Symington: no response
Pollina: Challenges facing Vermont
a. The single biggest issue is the economy; loss of good jobs, significant drop in household income, and that the average Vermonter can't afford a home or college education. We'll raise revenue to put people to work rebuilding bridges and roads, building affordable homes and renewable energy projects by closing the capital gains tax loophole. We'll establish the 2% for Vermont Investment Fund, and a Vermont Credit Card that invest in agriculture, renewable energy and broadband projects.
b. We need instant-runoff voting, real campaign finance reform.
c. The major party candidates to agree to debates so voters can hear the differences.

2. Now that RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) is implemented, what other measures would most efficiently reduce Vermont's contribution to global warming? Which one would you work to accomplish first? [100 words or less]

Diamondstone: no response
Douglas: no response
Symington: no response
Pollina: As most of our emissions come from automobiles, we need a comprehensive public transportation policy that will reduce our reliance on them. I would immediately appoint a Public Transportation working group to look for solutions. I would bring together public and private bus companies to improve bus service and provide more public support for public transportation. I would move towards whatever investment is possible in rail. Creating jobs in smaller towns would also decrease our dependence on commuting. We need to transition to Vermont-owned, Vermont-controlled, renewable, emissions-free energy sources and I've proposed specific ways to finance renewable energy infrastructure.

3. The state is having trouble with the costs of maintenance for infrastructure. How would you provide for the increase needed for proper maintenance? [100 words or less]

Diamondstone: no response
Douglas: no response
Symington: no response
Pollina: I suggest setting aside $5 million of the more than $20 million in expected annual revenue from fixing the capital gains tax for debt service on bonding for $75 million to repair bridges and roads. This will help fix a serious problem, create jobs, and save money by making repairs before problems get even worse and avoid higher costs and tax increases.

4. The August budget cuts hit hard at programs for seniors and people with disabilities (and caused the loss of some Federal funding for these programs). What will you do to prevent further cuts to vulnerable populations, and to stem the loss of needed federal dollars? [100 words or less]

Diamondstone: no response
Douglas: no response
Symington: no response
Pollina: I am committed to not cutting programs for the most vulnerable Vermonters. I believe that when the economy is weak we should focus on creating good jobs. I have proposed immediate investment in infrastructure to do so. I would also support state government policy that weights job bids toward firms that use in-state talent to employ more Vermonters. When Vermonters have good paying jobs they will generate tax revenue eliminating the need to cut programs for vulnerable populations. In the short term, I'm willing to release some rainy day funds to protect the most vulnerable, unlike the other candidates.

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