Vermont Business Magazine Saying the state should drop Vermont Health Connect and transition to the federal health exchange and at the same time reduce state spending to 2 percent, Bruce M Lisman today kicked off his gubernatorial campaign at the Green Mountain Dairy Farm in Sheldon. Lisman outlined his views of the challenges facing Vermont and the necessary solutions to head Vermont in a new direction. “For those who are 25 looking for their first career job, for those who are 45 and working but can’t afford to stay here, and for those who are 65 and can’t afford to live in their home and for those of any age who are thinking of leaving our state – I ask you to stick with me – I believe I have the answers,” said Lisman. SEE FULL SPEECH BELOW.
The Rowell family hosted the kickoff event at their farm in Sheldon. Bill Rowell on behalf of his family said, "Bruce knows that fixing the problems of Vermont will require diligence, hard work, and common sense solutions. He is a proven leader who brings the fresh perspective and energy that Vermont desperately needs today."
“I’m running for Governor of this great state because our government needs a culture of change. Vermonters deserve a government that will serve them, not the politicians. Vermonters deserve it and we can do it,” said Lisman.
Lisman was joined by his family, friends and supporters who discussed how his compassionate leadership and competent management experience will benefit Vermont.
John Powell, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the UVM Medical Center and a designer/builder and owner of a lumber company in Essex Junction for 20 years, said, "I have known Bruce since kindergarten. He is honest, smart and a hard worker, with a great sense of humor. He is a bit of an anomaly, a great leader who is first a good listener. His solutions for improving Vermont's direction are not limited by the concepts of a single political party. I know that Bruce's leadership as Governor of Vermont will reach across our state to include the best solutions for a healthier Vermont."
Maggie Lisman, daughter of Bruce Lisman, said, “I could not ask for a better Dad. He is down to earth, yet always calls out the best in himself and those around him. He treats all people the same, with respect, honesty, and open-mindedness.”
Tommy A Harmon, Jr, a Vermont business leader and a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable with Lisman, said, “Bruce knows how to lead, manage and work with others to overcome challenges and succeed. I have a great deal of respect for him and am certain that under his leadership Vermont will be a better and more affordable place to work and live."
Bruce Lisman’s speech:
A NEW DIRECTION FOR VERMONT
Good morning and thank you Bill, Megan and your entire family for hosting us today. And thank you John for your kind introduction and long friendship.
Maggie, thank you for speaking from your heart. And to my daughter Kate, who’s flown in from LA, thank you for coming all this way to support your Dad. I’d like to introduce to you my wife Kyla – my best friend and the love of my life.
I especially would like to thank all of you who are here today while I share with you my
vision for a new direction for our state.
For those who are 25 looking for their first career job, for those who are 45 and working but can’t afford to stay here, and for those who are 65 and can’t afford to live in their home and for those of any age who are thinking of leaving our state – I ask you to stick with me – I believe I have the answers.
On this beautiful fall day, on this wonderful farm, we are all reminded of what makes Vermont so special.
We love Vermont and what it stands for. We treasure our spectacular environment; we value our working landscape and families, like the Rowell’s, who are working so hard to preserve Vermont and their businesses for the next generation.
We know what makes Vermont special. We celebrate her unique qualities, and expect our elected officials to do the same.
But over the last several years we are seeing a much different and darker Vermont. Its government has forgotten who it serves. We have witnessed the erosion in many of those Vermont qualities that we hold so dear.
- School costs rise uncontrollably and drive property taxes to unbearably high levels.
- Neighbors and town leaders are powerless to resist large scale wind and solar installations.
- The state budget has grown at 5% a year while Vermont’s economy has grown at less than 3% - and that has bad consequences: more taxes, more fees, more surcharges and greater unpredictability.
- Today Vermonters are paying more for health care but getting less - higher costs, fewer choices, enormous uncertainty, and $150 million of our money has been spent on a mandated health exchange that does not work.
- Families and communities are torn apart by heroin addiction – and - the innocent pay the price.
- An now, the EPA is now in charge of our lakes and streams.
- And we all know that Vermont’s economy is fragile, our commercial centers are in decline, and a significant number of our counties are losing population. And we know, the very heartbeat of our economy, Chittenden County, is only growing at 70% of the national average.
People know that the Shumlin Administration, and those who aided them, and those who have stood by in silence, are the ones at fault for this mess.
We know if we continue to elect the usual people, we’ll be lucky to get the usual results.
I’m not the usual guy. So I won’t do or say the usual things.
But I can fix what’s wrong.
I’m running to become our next Governor because our government needs a change of culture.
Vermonters deserve a government that will serve them, not the politicians.
Vermont needs a new direction.
Economy
I have a vision for Vermont that favors personal freedom and supports the rewards of shared prosperity.
I understand that economic growth matters.
Only a vibrant, diversified, dynamic economy will restore the Vermont that is not in Chittenden County and protect what’s there.
A strong economy will rescue families from poverty, protect our children, build our roads and infrastructure, and give dignity to those who believe that all is lost.
I know we can reform the property tax system and I know we can make our state affordable. I know we can protect our environment and clean our water-ways. And I know we can fix the health care mess.
But there is NO single solution that would rebuild our economy.
It will take an unwavering commitment to restore the elements for growth. But we can do it.
We must do it. And we better get at it soon.
That is why as governor, I will take personal responsibility, roll up my sleeves and help create the conditions for the economy Vermonters deserve.
We’re going to know the employers in this state.
AND we must NEVER again be surprised by a business leaving our state. 96 percent of our employers are small businesses. We’re going to make it easier for them to thrive here.
And we will search for those that are well positioned to grow BUT before they leave our state.
Education
Our schools are among the best funded in the world! But our results are just okay.
Now, get this! We already know how to make our schools not simply okay, but actually great! No new studies required!
Great teachers and great principals correlate with great results. Let’s make sure we get them here. It won’t be easy, but if the people want it, we will get it done.
That’s why, we’re going to repeal Act 46 – the mandatory consolidation of our schools. It’s a terrible law that will raise property taxes, take away local control, eliminate school choice.
Budget
Our state budget is the enemy of the people. Crazy spending gets us a crazy search for taxes and fees! And no one in state government can prove to you that this increased spending benefits Vermont!
We need a whole new approach to budgeting – we need a strategic budget. We need a capital budget. But, today we need to get our state budget in a stable position.
Uncertainty is killing our economy.
So, let’s grow the budget by no more than 2% a year for the next 3 years, let’s put gifted leaders in government who will find efficiencies and let’s honestly measure outcomes. And then tell people how we are doing.
Renewables
The Rowell family farm delivers 2 million kilowatts a year to the grid by converting manure to electricity. It’s good for them, it’s great for us and it’s good for our environment.
The invasion of large wind and solar projects into our communities has raised important issues.
- We need to balance the value of renewables with the right of local people to control the future of their own towns.
- We need to tell Vermonters what the cost will be to meet well-intended long-term goals.
- And, we need to be honest about what impact large projects will have on climate change and also on our environment.
That’s why we need a 2 year moratorium on new industrial renewable projects now before it is too late.
Health Care
We should repeal the state’s extreme health exchange mandate. And Vermont should transition to the federal exchange.
But we have a lot more to say on the topic of health care and we look forward to discussing plans in the coming months.
Ethics Standards
And it should come as no surprise that I believe it’s time for the enactment of sensible ethics standards and an independent ethics commission – so that those in government would say to the people that they care more about the people than they do about themselves.
A New Direction
In closing, I like to say that our state does not need political ideologies or radical public policy experiments to meet our challenges.
But we do need common sense solutions that respect the wallets and decision making of hardworking Vermonters in EVERY corner of our state.
I will continue to travel the state listening to and speaking with more Vermonters – because good ideas always come from listening.
Vermonters are ready for change. Vermont needs in a new direction.
I am ready to lead Vermont to a better future. Thank you very much!
For additional information please see: www.lismanforvermont.com