Democrat Gaye Symington has a tough fight ahead in the campaign for
governor. Voters are concerned about gas and fuel prices and the Vermont
economy; and state leaders are worried about more budget cuts this Fall.
We talk with Gaye Symington about these issues, and why she’s the right
person to address them from the governor’s office.
(Listen)
Also in the program, political analyst Eric Davis analyzes how voters
look at presidential politics and statewide races differently, and
whether the national campaigns will have an impact on Vermont’s major
party candidates. (Listen)
And commentator and convention-goer Philip Baruth
shares his observations of how the mainstream media covered the
Democratic National Convention. (Listen)
Listener comments and questions:
Jeremy from Danville:
I am a huge supporter of the "Green Valley Initiative" and the current governor’s pursuit to give Vermont 100 percent cell coverage and 100 percent broadband access. I feel that the current administration has fallen extremely short in making this happen. The current market theory for making this happen will not work in Vermont. Having these 100 percent coverage’s will allow us to be competitive in the nation and more importantly with the world. They will also give our youth reason to stay, live and work in Vermont because it gives them access to the information and technology driven economy. What will you do to fast track these already initiated projects? I am an independent voter.
Paul from Bridport:
Smart Growth Vermont tells us that sprawl is primarily the result of infrastructure expansion (the extension of power lines and roads.) Some forms of commercial renewable energy development require significant infrastructure expansion with its attendant negative environmental impact. How can we encourage renewable energy generation while minimizing the expansion of roads and power lines, especially into Vermont’s wild and wilderness lands?
Rob in East Corinth:
I want to know how Mrs. Symington is going to take the truly long view and figure out how to encourage small business in the state. It sounds like a Republican question, but I am not a republican, I am a small business owner and it just kills me that you hear more and more mid-size businesses leaving the state. As an example, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is going to open a large manufacturing facility in North or South Carolina – why didn’t they stay here? Did the state work with them and try to encourage them to say? How do we make the state friendly to business – since it is business that brings in revenue, jobs and money? The long view is to figure out a way of balancing business growth and environmental issues. That should be on the top of the list for the long view and it is not just about Act 250.
Laurie from Colchester:
I think that the democrats should focus on establishing clear plans for including information about child lures as well as state laws around the subject of child abuse, physical, sexual and phsycological in our school health class curriculum. Education is the greatest weapon against these crimes. While we can only react to the past crimes, we can prevent future ones with education.