Vermont Business Magazine Several individuals and organizations weighed in on Governor Peter Shumlin's sixth and final State of the State Address Thursday afternoon. Among them was Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott, who is a leading Republican running to fill the seat Shumlin is leaving one-year from now. Scott was also Tweeting during the speech. He issued the following statement.
"Vermonters are a proud, hardworking people filled with creativity, ingenuity and a willingness to help each other through tough times," Scott said. "I've witnessed these qualities every day of my life, and have been especially fortunate in my time as Lieutenant Governor to experience this hard work in vivid detail through my “Everyday Jobs Tour.” Whether making snow at Sugarbush, baking bread before dawn at a bakery in Bennington, or training with our selfless servicemen and women in the National Guard in Colchester, I know first-hand these Vermonters want their taxpayer dollars to be well managed and they want government to help, not hinder their daily lives. Growing our economy is my number one priority and has been the focus of my public service since I was first elected to the Vermont Senate. I firmly believe responsible growth is the path to success for our State, our businesses, and our people.
Governor Shumlin promotes the Vermont ethos in final State of the State |
"Last year, and again last month, I suggested that we don't have to wait for a new governor to redirect our focus; we have this session to work on prioritizing the economy and restoring the fiscal fundamentals of state government. At forums over the last several months I specifically suggested, among other proposals: Prioritizing funding for higher education; restoring funding to the Vermont Training Program and the Workforce Education & Training Fund; encouraging and growing the use of the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) Program; and replenishing the Enterprise Fund so it can be used for its original purpose of providing added incentives to recruit and retain businesses who will add jobs in Vermont.
"I am pleased that the Governor, in his final year in office, is choosing to put some focus on economic growth. In today’s State of the State address, he builds upon suggestions I have made over the years. But, we can’t afford any more empty political promises. Vermont needs leadership that is focused, listens and can build consensus. Working together, we can strengthen our economy, make our state more affordable and invest in our future without sacrificing the values that are so important to us as Vermonters."
Statement from Scott Giles, President & CEO, Vermont Student Assistance Corp
”Governor Shumlin is casting a much-needed spotlight on higher education in Vermont. Vermont, like most other states, struggles to narrow the economic opportunity gap. Education and training after high school provide one of the most powerful means to narrow this gap.
“Vermont’s future depends on a well-educated workforce and our ability to attract, grow and retain businesses here. Education will be key to Vermonters’ careers and prosperity.
“In creating the Universal Children’s Savings Account law, the Legislature embraced equal access and affordability in education and training after high school. Governor Shumlin’s call for state funding can help create a vision for the future of Vermont where every Vermont child can pursue higher education or training after high school.
“We at VSAC, which administers Vermont’s only 529 college savings plan, believe this is a powerful opportunity to ultimately see many, many more young Vermonters aspire to further their education and complete their degrees. We commend the Legislature and the Governor for their commitment to Vermont’s students.
Kris Jolin, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Vermont representative
"Judging by Governor Shumlin’s remarks today, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) sees the state of Vermont very differently. He began by praising a broken healthcare system, cited a pitiful and inaccurate job creation record and discussed climate change and renewable energy, and then encouraged the passage of a paid sick leave bill. What he failed to do was discuss our economy and acknowledge our troubling economic climate that has left small businesses fighting to survive.
"Governor Shumlin reminisced that when he first took office, he sought out to make Vermonters feel more economically secure and claimed that Vermont is now a better place to work than when he was first elected. Small business begs to differ.
"The Governor is either unable to see or refuses to recognize the underlying issues Vermont’s small business community faces on a day to day basis. He seems completely tone deaf to the fact that the policies he set in motion while in office have inhibited the growth of small businesses and their ability to provide good paying jobs for our state.
"Vermont’s economy continues to struggle to recover. The cost of doing business increases consistently. Each year small businesses are given more regulations to abide by; higher taxes and fees, mandated wages and benefits that make it harder if not impossible for small business to survive, let alone grow.
"The economy has consistently grown at less than 3 percent, yet spending has increased more than 5 percent annually – making Vermont businesses pick up the extra tab with increased taxes and fees. A new paid sick leave bill would only add to this.
"Until the Governor and the legislature recognize the issues small businesses face, Vermont will continue to be a hard place to do business."
350.org co-founder Bill McKibben responded by congratulating the Governor for his leadership on the environment, “It's great that Vermont may join states like California in divesting from coal -- and even better that Governor Shumlin has taken the lead by saying no government should be invested in Exxon, as perhaps the greatest scandal in corporate history begins to unfold. Today is a great win for the thousands of Vermonters who have joined this fight, and it will give us new vigor to keep pushing on many fronts!”
"The Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club is glad to hear Governor Peter Shumlin acknowledge the need to divest from fossil fuels. In light of the Paris Climate talks it is quite evident that fossil fuel investments are volatile and there are real questions about the fiduciary responsibility of continuing to invest in them,” said Robb Kidd, VT Chapter of the Sierra Club Conservation Program Manager. “Vermont can lead by refocusing investments that align with the Vermont's clean energy goals while protecting public pensions.”
Campaigners believe that today’s announcement will provide significant momentum for Vermont’s pension funds to divest from all fossil fuels, as well as set a precedent for other states, such as New York, to follow suit.
“It is gratifying to hear Governor Shumlin’s support for fossil fuel divestment. Fossil fuel investments in the state pension funds have substantially hurt returns over the past couple of years and continue to constitute a real risk for pension beneficiaries and Vermont taxpayers,” said Eric Becker, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Clean Yield Asset Management. “Getting on a path to full divestment in the coming years will be a great step forward for Vermont and for the climate.”
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Lisman
"Peter Shumlin did his best to paint a glowing picture of the Vermont economy, and put a positive spin on his disruptive overhauls of our healthcare and education systems.
“But Vermonters know the reality is different, because they see it in their own lives.
“They know how challenging it is to build a career in Vermont. The Governor tells us that the unemployment rate is down, but he doesn’t mention that in significant part, that is due to 14,300 people leaving Vermont’s labor force since he took office. He tells us that personal incomes are soaring, but the fact is that workplace earnings in Vermont are below the national average.
“Vermonters see their local school boards struggle to comply with the punitive penalties of Act 46 while the Governor expresses his pride that Act 46 is working better than any of us had anticipated.
“We need to head in a new direction. We need a Governor that tells people the truth. We need a leader that hears the people and works diligently to deliver results rather than empty promises.
“I have talked to thousands of Vermonters over the past 5 years and have heard loud and clear that they want a prosperous economy and a bright future for their kids. Vermonters are hard-working, resourceful people. Let’s give them a government that lives up to their expectations and creates an environment in which all of us can succeed.”