Enough, Already, With The Economic Development ...

So says Susan Bartlett, member of the Vermont Senate and candidate for the job of governor, one of five who appeared at a meeting in Burlington last night where:

Two of the candidates, Racine and Bartlett, pointedly talked about the importance of protecting the environment, then about the need for economic development.

"I think it is way past time that the environment be talked about first," Bartlett said.

This is, no doubt, because there hasn't been much to talk about on the economic development front for the last ten years, or so, during which time Ms. Bartlett has served in Montpelier killing off the prospects for economic development by voting for higher taxes and increased regulation at every opportunity.

And there will be even less economic development to talk about should Ms. Bartlett, or any of the four other candidates who appeared with her last night be elected as Vermont's next governor.  She, like the others, supports closing down the Yankee nuclear plant which is – to put it plainly – an action that is not even neutral when it comes to economic development. 

It is hostile and once it is done, it is for sure that we won't be talking about economic development – first, last, or anywhere in-between.

Comments

[DCH1950]

Do any of the candidates (Lt. Gov. Dubie included) oblige the public and business interests by having a constructive dialogue or forum on what higher utility rates will mean to Vermont? Major employers need to chime here now. If higher utility rates will mean present and future jobs lost, it is incumbent upon each of these candidates to take on this issue, wear it, understand it and find solutions. This momentum-building, populist view of closing Vermont Yankee is not what's critical to us right now; frankly the picture is much bigger than that... any argument is just an insult to all Vermonters.

[milton newport]

Hello, I am running for governor and I PLEDGE to:

1. Raise your electric rates!

2. Increase the budget deficit by $$millions!

3. Eliminate 600 really high paying, high-tech jobs!

4. Make Vermont more reliant on electricity produced by burning fossil fuels!

All I have to do to accomplish these WONDERFUL things is shut down Vermont Yankee - and so, my fellow Vermonters, that is what I will do!

[RFC]

Due to their many years in control of the General Assembly, they have already set this well into motion, but should any of the "fabulous five" gain permanent access to the offices on the fifth floor of the Pavilion Building in Montpelier,
the words "economic development" will no longer be accepted in the vocabulary of the state government and the honorific, "Green Mountain State" will be shortened to 'The Waste Land."

[Vermont Woodchuck]

I said it here before; Vermont is like a drunk. The State needs to hit bottom before it will stop and clean itself up.

That means the GOP has to stop enabling the Progs by going along with any of their plans. Let them run it into the ground as painful as it will be.

Take the car keys away by voting no on all harebrained ideas.
Voting no holds up a mirror for the voters to see themselves in the morning. (Ugh!)

What happens then is what is occurring in CA. Citizen emigration and the impossible burden of a unsustainable socialist system.

It either cleans up or commits suicide.

[Dennis Lukas]

These candidates unfortunately represent the vast majority of the voters,teachers,enviro lawyers,state workers,college professors,artists,trust fund babies and environmentalist.The public and pseudo- private sector that do not have to worry about their jobs.They live in a world of their own.I hate to say it but I have to agree with Vermont Woodchuck, the state needs to go bankrupt and it will under Democratic control.I know this site strives to promote business but would any rational business not state or federally funded move here with these completely out of touch fools running the state?

[GreggB]

The VT gop is just as bad as the democrats. There is no fiscal responsibility in VT. There are no conservative politicians in VT. The VT gop new plan is to bring in democrats. haha:
http://vtdigger.org/2009/11/15/vermont-gop-taxes-regulations-hurt-vermont-businesses-economy/

[Wendy Wilton]

Louis Porter's coverage of the Conservation Voters event was quite revealing. If they are all in agreement with each other why are there 5 Democrats running? Could it be they are all salivating over the huge Democratic war chest brought into VT by marriage equality groups, George Soros and VPIRG? Looks like Shumlin might have it sewn up though if Beth Robinson (Freedom to Marry) was at his announcement, right? Money, money...VT might go belly up, but the party won't!

[Bill]

The contrast between Brian Dubie and the five midgets could not be sharper. Regardless of what happens to Vermont Yankee, the cost of power will go up radically in the next few years due to the meddling of Vermont legislators, mostly Democrats. It will go up even more if they succeed in shutting down Vermont Yankee. Once closed, the state will lose the millions in taxes Vermont Yankee currently pays. Can the state afford to lose such a major taxpayer? Vermont AFL-CIO is not on the same page with the five midgets regarding Vermont Yankee. The rank and file will have a choice between Brian Dubie, who wants to keep the primary power producer in Vermont open for business, and a Democrat, pick any one of the five, who does not. If two more Democrats join the herd running for governor, they may belittle themselves further as the Seven Dwarves.

[Vermont Woodchuck]

If you wonder how we got here, ask any kid graduating high school to sum up the why of the decline and fall of Rome. Or for that matter, any epochal history through the Middle Ages. (Well, maybe the "hockey stick" period was heavily studied.)
Any serious stats or economics course given?

Or how about this quote from a student which I posted on my site:

John Jay College sophomore Ahmed Elshafaie, 19, who graduated from Long Island City High School, said he avoids math classes.

“I don’t want to ruin my GPA,” he said. “High school standards were really low.”

Go get'em Chief!

[David Usher]

I'm no lawyer, but voting to close Vermont Yankee will likely trigger a lawsuit under the Interstate Commerce Clause of the Constitution. Attorney General Sorrell will be forced to defend the action and spend bundles of taxpayer money doing so, probably up to the Supreme Court.

The Legislature would serve us far better to drop the whole issue. Other state legislatures have wisely chosen not to follow Vermont's foolishness.

[Chris Campion]

That Bartlett states openly that she thinks environment is a higher priority than a basic infrastructure for the state that supports things like electricity, without which no one will have a job to go to, speaks to the Luddite movement within the state's capitol building. Either they do not know, or do not understand basic economics and what is needed to run a business, or they don't care. I think it's all three, actually, and any one reason is enough to remove them from the wheel of government. They are not fit to make these decisions. It's entirely clear that once the state is a rolling grassland of empty homes and empty businesses Bartlett will feel like her good work has been brought to successful fruition.

What's amazing is that there is no brake on the mouths in Montpelier - they feel entirely secure in avowing their fealty to the economic destruction of the state. As usual, Vermonters will pay the price for the actions in Montpelier, regardless of whether or not the people responsible for the destruction are around to witness it.

[Vermont Woodchuck]

David, it's not their money, they don't care how it's spent.

Chris, I think it is the third choice offered by you they choose. A vast park where only Gaia's anointed may visit.

Greater than it's for the children, "It's for the Planet!"

[GreggB]

Brian Dubie can't save VT. Love it as the moonbat paradise it is or leave.