Press Releases
The following are recent press releases issued by the Office of the Governor.
Vermont Ranks 1st in Overall Health for Third Year in a Row in 20th Anniversary Edition of America’s Health Rankings™
Montpelier, Vt. — United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention today released the 20th Anniversary Edition of America’s Health Rankings™ showing that Vermont ranks 1st when compared to the health of other states. This is the 3rd year in a row that Vermont has been at the top of the rankings.
“I’m so pleased that Vermont continues to receive national recognition for successfully implementing comprehensive health reforms that incorporate aspects of high quality, coordinated public health and health care – particularly the Vermont Blueprint for Health – along with expanding coverage to the uninsured,” said Governor Jim Douglas. “The successes we’ve realized in Vermont have not come easily – they’ve required teamwork, compromise and a willingness to address the tough issues surrounding public health care – but they are vital for the people of our state and for all Americans.” Read More
Vermont Awarded $860K Federal Grant to Track Healthcare-Associated Infections
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas announced today that the Vermont Department of Health was awarded a two-year $860,000 grant by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) that will enable the state to strengthen its healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) prevention activities.
“In 2007, Vermont was the first state in the nation to publicly report hospital-specific healthcare-acquired infection rates using the CDC’s reporting system, and this grant will help keep Vermont at the forefront of patient safety and quality improvement,” said Governor Douglas. “Continuing to improve our overall healthcare system is a key element of Vermont’s health care reform efforts.”
The grant award will be used to hire a State HAI Prevention Coordinator, develop a Vermont HAI Prevention Plan, enhance hospital collection and validation of HAI data, and provide comprehensive infection prevention training for health care workers. Read More
Governor Announces $500,000 Available for Recreation Trails
Grant program expands outdoor opportunities for Vermonters
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today announced $500,000 in funding will be available for the 2010 Recreation Trails Program. Vermont’s Recreational Trails Program is a matching grant program of the federal Highway Administration for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of trails, and trail-related facilities, for non-motorized, motorized, multiple-use or compatible recreational trail use.
"These grants provide opportunities for Vermonters to spend more time outdoors on our trails and they encourage outdoor activity and healthy living,” said Governor Douglas. “By improving access to public lands and waters, these grants also support both local tourism and recreation businesses.”
The deadline for grant applications to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is January 15, 2010. All applications are reviewed and ranked by a five-member citizens’ committee based on established criteria. Read More
Governor Douglas Joins with Governor Lynch and Governor Carcieri to Highlight Student Achievement
Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island were among a small number of states to show improvement in mathematics
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas has joined Governor John Lynch (D-NH) and Governor Donald Carcieri (R-RI) in writing to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to highlight the progress made by the three New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) states on the National Assessment Education Progress (NAEP).
“It’s important that education leaders at the federal level recognize the achievement of our three states,” Governor Douglas said. “These results are a testament to the high standards we expect and the progress we have made. Vermont and our fellow NECAP states can serve as an example as Washington works with the states to transform our system of education for the 21st century.”
In the recently released Mathematics 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress at Grades 4 and 8, Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island were three of the four states, as well as the District of Columbia, to show progress at both the 4th and 8th grade levels. Read More
NEW YORK, VERMONT TO REPLACE LAKE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE
Pier Analysis Completed, Rehabilitation Ruled Out As Viable Option
Montpelier, Vt. – New York Governor David A. Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas have received a report from their states’ respective transportation agencies which finds that it is not feasible to rehabilitate the Lake Champlain Bridge. Engineers have declared that the 80-year-old span is too unstable to be renovated, and recommend demolishing the bridge for the safety of motorists and boaters. The states will accept these recommendations based on the overwhelming safety issues enumerated in the report and will begin planning the construction of a new bridge in its place. We expect the Federal Highway Administration to concur with this recommendation based on their preliminary review of the report.
An underwater inspection of the bridge’s concrete piers and underlying foundations found cracks and significant deterioration in the non-reinforced concrete substructures well below the water level that render these supports so fragile that a sudden collapse could occur.
“Safety was our primary concern when we closed the Lake Champlain Bridge last month and it is our chief interest now,” Governor Paterson said. “We must make a decision that protects those who cross the bridge, as well as workers and engineers, and therefore we have no choice but to tear down the dangerously deteriorated bridge. Both states are committed to moving quickly to reestablish the critical link by building a new bridge in this corridor to serve commuters, farms and businesses.”
“Reports indicate that the bridge is highly unstable and our harsh winter will only aggravate its condition. For everyone’s safety, the bridge must be dismantled in a controlled fashion quickly so that a replacement bridge can be erected in its place,” Governor Douglas said. “In the meantime, both states are working to install temporary ferry service as close to the bridge as possible so that motorists can once again begin crossing Lake Champlain between Addison and Crown Point.” Read More
Governor Douglas Appoints David Tucker Commissioner of DII and State CIO
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Douglas today announced the appointment of David H. Tucker as Commissioner of the Department of Information and Innovation and Chief Information Officer for the State of Vermont. Tucker has, for the last four years, served as Deputy Commissioner of the Department. Tucker replaces Tom Murray who recently resigned to take the position of Executive Director of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority.
“David’s experiences at DII and in state government broadly make him specially qualified to act as the State’s CIO during this critical time,” said Governor Douglas. “David’s leadership skills are essential as we look to IT for ways to deliver government services more effectively and affordably.”
“I want to thank Governor Douglas for this new opportunity to serve Vermont,” said Tucker. “I’m looking forward to continuing the good work that DII is doing to make state government more efficient.” Read More
Governor Douglas Lauds Smart Grid Stimulus Grant of Almost $69 Million to Vermont Utilities
Statewide Project Will Create Both Short and Long Term Jobs
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas welcomed the news today that Vermont’s electric utilities will receive $68,928,650 in competitive federal stimulus funds to deploy Smart Grid technology including advanced metering and grid automation technologies statewide.
“This grant is exciting not only for the jobs created in the short term by transition to Smart Grid technologies, but also because of the jobs and economic benefits it provides in the long term by making our energy costs more competitive,” Governor Douglas said. “And it will help position Vermont to take advantage of technologies such as electric and plug in hybrid vehicles, enabling us to reduce the fossil fuel we use for transportation as well as heating and other uses.”
Four-hundred applications totaling $17 billion were submitted nationally. Vermont’s coordinated statewide application was one of 100 that were funded and constitutes roughly 2% of the total $3.4 billion awarded. The grant from the Department of Energy, announced today, will cover half the costs of almost $138 million in planned improvements by utilities across Vermont.
“I want to thank our Congressional Delegation, Chief Technology Officer Tom Evslin, Commissioner Dave O’Brien and Vermont utilities for working tirelessly to put forward the best possible application,” the Governor said. Read More
Douglas Taps Transportation and Planning Expert to Lead State Efforts to Manage Champlain Bridge Closure
Montpelier, Vt. –Governor Jim Douglas today announced that he has tapped 34 year New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) Veteran and current Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) employee, Jim Harris to lead the state’s multi-faceted approach to managing the Champlain Bridge closure.
“Jim’s leadership skills and his ability to manage challenges that extend beyond transportation make him more than qualified for this vital role,” said Governor Douglas. “He has more than 40 years of experience in transportation and project management. His expertise, on the ground in Addison County dealing with the wide-range of challenges, from economic and jobs loss to agriculture, caused by this transportation crisis will be essential.
“Jim has the tools needed to be the State’s eyes and ears at this critical time,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “We want the public to have the best and latest information as we work day and night to find a solution to this terrible situation.” Read More
NEW YORK GOVERNOR PATERSON AND VERMONT GOVERNOR DOUGLAS ANNOUNCE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES TO ASSIST RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY THE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE CLOSURE
New York and Vermont Transportation Agencies Continue Work to Assess Bridge Deterioration and Develop a Repair Plan
In response to the recent Champlain Bridge closure, New York Governor David A. Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced transportation alternatives so that residents can cross Lake Champlain. New York and Vermont have reached an agreement with the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry operator to offer free ferry service between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont and with Lake Champlain Transportation to offer free ferry service at the Essex/Charlotte crossing. Also, starting tomorrow, free express bus service will bring commuters to three major employers in Vermont. In addition, pedestrian ferry service has been established north of the Lake Champlain Bridge between Westport, New York and Basin Harbor, Vermont.
“Governor Douglas and I continue to work diligently on both sides of the Lake to offer transportation alternatives to New York and Vermont residents who have been impacted by the closure of the Champlain Bridge,” Governor Paterson said. “We will continue to work with Vermont to find temporary solutions for crossing Lake Champlain and longer-term solutions for reopening the bridge to traffic.”
Governor Douglas said: “Governor Paterson shares my commitment to easing the burden on commuters, reestablishing truck and agricultural vehicle traffic, and allowing businesses and families to get across Lake Champlain in a safe affordable and timely manner. These alternatives are an important step in that direction. We are going to continue to make this our top transportation priority.” Read More
Douglas Administration Addresses Wide-Range of Champlain Bridge Challenges
Officials focused on all areas of concern: transportation, agriculture, small businesses, jobs and beyond
Montpelier, Vt. – In the week since New York Department of Transportation officials deemed the Champlain Bridge connecting Chimney Point, Vermont to Crown Point, New York unsafe for vehicle or pedestrian traffic, federal, state and local officials have been hard at work pinpointing and addressing the wide-range of challenges created by the bridge closure. Governor Jim Douglas today spoke with his staff via conference call from Seoul, South Korea to hear the latest update on the situation. At Governor Douglas’ direction, members of his cabinet have been coordinating efforts to ensure the needs of Vermonters, beyond the immediate transportation crisis, are being adequately addressed.
“This is certainly our top transportation priority but I want to ensure the people of Vermont that we are doing all we can across state government to assist those affected by this terrible situation,” said Governor Douglas. “That is why I have asked members of my administration from the Agency of Commerce, Agency of Agriculture, Vermont Emergency Management and others to determine what programs and services are needed and available in the short, medium and long terms to help those affected at this difficult time. It’s also why we’re working so closely with the members of our Congressional delegation to ensure we’re exploring all options available, at every level of government.”