Vermont Business Magazine Ending months of speculation, the man who founded Campaign for Vermont said today that he will not run for governor in 2014. Despite strong urgings by a broad cross section of Vermonters over the past few months and numerous persistent inquiries, Bruce Lisman, a native Vermonter and successful business executive, said he wants to focus on grassroots engagement and non-partisan advocacy.
No Republican has yet to step forward to challenge Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin.
“I love Vermont and believe that she faces serious challenges as seldom before in her history,” said Lisman. “At this time, however, I believe I can best contribute to improving Vermont’s future by publicly and vigorously advocating for a focused, core set of moderate, nonpartisan and common sense government reforms. Indeed, this coalition building effort is the best approach to policy change and consistent with my focus since 2011.”
Lisman, who has spent considerable time traveling the state and listening to Vermonters, said that people are deeply concerned about the future of Vermont.
“The vast majority of Vermonters, from all different parts of the state and all different backgrounds, want to see expanded job opportunities and economic growth which stem from a stronger business environment, a return to responsible budget management, ethics standards in government, enhanced transparency, particularly on health care, and a better and more effective education system,” Lisman said.
“I know this because I have heard from Vermonters who are facing significant challenges. To create the political landscape to systematically address these issues involves a good deal more than electing any one politician or enacting a piece of legislation,” Lisman said.
“I will focus on showcasing the public’s growing frustration about these issues and the need to implement tangible solutions for true change, change that Vermonters are demanding” said Lisman. “Vermonters have made it clear they are not satisfied with the direction of the state and I will make it my mission to influence citizen-led forward progress.”
The issues include:
- Need for Increased Job Growth and Economic Development. The number of employed Vermonters has dropped in the past five years, wage growth has remained dormant and the trend toward low-paying jobs continue with many jobs created being at or near minimum wage.
- Need for a Comprehensive Ethics Standards to Govern the Conduct of Public Officials. Vermont is one of just three states without comprehensive ethics standards and ranks 43rd in government integrity laws according to the Better Government Association.
- Need for Transparency with the Development of the Single-Payer Health Care System. With a projected cost of more than $2 billion annually for Vermonters, it is imperative that all financing aspects of Governor Shumlin’s health care plan be immediately disclosed to Vermonters and continue to be disclosed as they are developed. Lisman supports affordable, accessible universal health care for all Vermonters.
· Better Use of Education Dollars, Supporting an Exceptional Education System and Reducing Property Taxes. We're at risk of breaking the intergenerational partnership. We spend a lot for only above average results. We can retain local control, reconnect local citizens with local budgets, streamline and refocus the educational infrastructure, and eliminate most of our supervisory unions, replacing them with 15 local education districts and realigning them with Career and Technical Education Centers.
Bruce Lisman of Shelburne is a native Vermonter who founded Campaign for Vermont following a successful 40-year career in the financial services industry. Campaign for Vermont is an independent grassroots advocacy organization offering moderate policy solutions to the challenges facing Vermonters today in such pivotal areas as the economy, education, health care, transparency and government accountability.