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Governor's Calendar
6:30 p.m. Vermont Symphony Orchestra Independence Day Celebration, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
5:45 p.m. Chandler Centennial Campaign Kickoff Reception, Chandler Center for the Arts, North Main Street, Randolph
6:30 p.m. Vermont Symphony Orchestra Music and Fireworks Under the Stars, Three Stallion Inn, Randolph
12:00 noon Vietnam and Korean Memorial Dedication, Town of Lincoln Burnham Hall, East River Road, Bristol
RECENT NEWS
Governor Urges Vermonters to Buy Local for July 4th Celebrations and Other Summer Events
Montpelier, Vt. -- Governor Jim Douglas is urging Vermonters to take advantage of Vermont’s many locally grown and produced agricultural products over the summer months.
Governor Douglas said he hopes that as Vermonters prepare for Independence Day gatherings, and other summer events, they will look for and buy locally grown and produced agricultural products.
To further encourage Vermonters to buy local, Douglas released a public service announcement that he hopes radio stations will air throughout the season.
“If Vermonters shifted just 10 percent of their food spending to buying local we could add about $130 million to the Vermont economy,” the Governor said. “The best way for each of us to participate is to look for and buy locally grown agricultural products at stores, farmer's markets, farm stands, and restaurants.”
Official Statement of the Governor on IBM’s Announcement
My primary concern today is for the Vermonters who have lost their jobs, and the impact this will have upon their families. I have instructed my staff to work closely with the Vermont Department of Labor (DOL). DOL is fully prepared to offer all of its services to those who seek assistance. From employment searches, counseling, re-training and unemployment coverage, we are going to help in every way we can.
Layoffs punctuate the importance of doing all we can in Montpelier to make Vermont a welcoming and supportive place to do business. My administration respects the role that every employer plays in ensuring the economic security and prosperity of our families. I will continue to do everything I can to help them prosper in Vermont, to fight for innovative policies that promote economic growth and job creation and to resist proposals that erect barriers to job creation.
Layoffs also underscore the need to continue to further diversify our economy, encourage innovation and empower employers to create more and better paying jobs. It should be a wake up call to other state officials in Montpelier who think it’s in anyway acceptable to advance policies without regard for the point of view of the employers propelling our economy forward.
To those at IBM who have lost jobs, and other Vermonters who have experienced the same challenge, we will continue to help you with all the tools we have available.
These are difficult times, and Vermonters are struggling, yet I am optimistic that our vision of positive change—our commitment to building a stronger, more innovative and more prosperous economy—and our voice of reason will keep us on the path to prosperity.
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Governor Urges Congress to Plug Hole in Nation’s Highway Trust Fund
MONTPELIER – Governor Jim Douglas today asked Congress to act as soon as possible to address an impending funding shortfall in the nation’s Highway Trust Fund. If the shortfall is not addressed, Vermont likely would have to cancel numerous transportation projects that employ more than 1,600 Vermonters.
In a letter written on behalf of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG), Governor Douglas, who is the coalition’s chairman, said if Congress does not act soon to fill the more than $3 billion trust fund shortfall that is predicted in Fiscal Year 2009, states risk losing about one third of their promised federal aid.
According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Vermont stands to lose more than $47 million should Congress not act to restore the Highway Trust Fund.
“If not addressed in a timely manner by the Congress, this shortfall will have a significant impact upon the investment not only Vermont, but all other states can make to help rebuild the nation’s already stressed highways, roads and bridges,” Douglas said.
Gov’s e-State Initiative Advances -- Governor and Comcast Announce Additional High-Speed Service
MONTPELIER, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas and Comcast today announced a plan to extend the company’s network by another 300 miles in 2009 in communities previously not served by wire line providers offering high-speed cable internet, television and phone service.
The proposal, which has to be approved by the Public Service Board, will extend service to all of North Hero, Grand Isle, South Hero, Woodford, and Brookline, in addition to making important expansions of service to unserved portions of Westford and West Rutland.
Governor Douglas said this project is another step toward the goals of his e-State Initiative—a cornerstone of Douglas’ efforts to build a stronger, more innovative economy. “The e-state initiative is about achieving truly universal access to affordable broadband internet and cell phone technology and building a telecommunications infrastructure where no one is left behind,” the Governor said.
To spearhead this effort, Douglas proposed—and the Legislature approved—creation of a Vermont Telecommunications Authority that is working with private-sector partners like Comcast to build a “next generation infrastructure” that supports universal broadband and cellular coverage. The State is backing $40 million of bonding by the Authority, which could leverage hundreds of million of dollars more in private investment. “We’re building new infrastructure that is encouraging growth across every sector of our economy,” Douglas said. “Vermonters know the innovation enabled by our e-state initiative will ensure that our economy grows stronger and our communities closer.” Read More
Official Remarks of the Governor -- Announcing the Vermont Fuel and Food Partnership
Thank you President Handy for your hospitality—I’m delighted to be at Vermont Technical College to announce an important, wide-ranging, collaborative effort to help Vermont’s families address the rising cost of fuel.
Today, we are taking meaningful, additional steps to help Vermont respond to the national recession that has caused our state such marked economic anxiety. Every Vermont family is facing the realities of soaring gas prices, rising food costs and the threat of home heating oil reaching unaffordable levels in the coming winter.
Solving these problems will require an effort that goes beyond government alone.
We're fortunate to live in a state where there is a strong network of community-based organizations and programs to help Vermonters when times get tough. Our partners like the Area Agencies on Aging, Community Action Agencies, Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, Vermont Economic Development Authority, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, and the Vermont Foodbank, among many others, are very important and very valuable allies in our efforts to protect the most vulnerable and build a stronger, more innovative economy.
Vermonters care about each other. In communities across our state, organizations and individuals are stepping up to help Vermonters in need, in creative and effective ways. The state Seasonal Fuel Assistance Office is working with the Vermont Sustainable Heating Initiative (VSHI) – led by students at Mt. Abraham and Montpelier High Schools – to help low-income individuals convert from fuel oil to wood pellet furnaces.
The Fuel Assistance Office recently received a call from the Union Bank requesting information for a fuel awareness day they will be holding, to help educate Vermonters about how to prepare for the upcoming fuel season.
And right here at Vermont Technical College—the home of innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy programs—there is a community garden where employee volunteers sow, plant, weed and harvest. Once a week community members are able to purchase fresh organic produce from the garden at very affordable prices. The local food shelf receives regular donations of fresh vegetables from the project as well.
Great things are happening, but not all Vermonters know about these efforts.
We need to bring together all of this creative energy, compassion and information – we need to marshal all of our resources – to ensure that we make the most of every dollar, help reaches those who need it most and, most importantly, that no Vermonter is left in the cold.
To bring everyone together—and to harness all available resources--I have established a cabinet-level task force chaired by Lt. Governor Brian Dubie and Secretary Neale Lunderville. And I have directed them to focus every effort and every resource Vermont can bring to bear to help manage the effects of higher energy costs on Vermont families.