Vermont Dems and gubernatorial candidates take aim at Douglas

State House Speaker Gaye Symington: Campaign photoGov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) encountered heavy criticism Thursday as the Vermont Democratic Party and Douglas' gubernatorial challengers took aim at his past policy initiatives.

The Vermont Democratic Party issued a statement yesterday afternoon slamming Douglas for what it claimed was his inability to keep lucrative jobs in the state in the wake of the announcement that the Vermont Tubbs furniture factory was closing.

Gubernatorial candidates Progressive Anthony Pollina and House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) later held separate press conferences regarding Douglas' heating and energy policies.

Vermont Democratic Coordinated Campaign Director Kristina Althoff launched her attack early in the afternoon after Vermont Tubbs announced the factory would close, costing almost 90 workers their jobs.

"Jim Douglas has had six years in the state's top office to deliver results," Althoff said in a statement Thursday. "Vermont Tubbs is just another example of Douglas' failed leadership and his inability to deliver results. The state has stagnated under Jim Douglas' failed leadership and it is time for a change."

Althoff added that less than three months ago, the governor awarded Vermont Tubbs $500,000 saying that it would allow the company to "continue their turnaround" and that the award was an "investment in a company and jobs that are critical to Rutland County."

Next up was Pollina, who challenged the governor and policy makers to help lower fuel costs for Vermonters.

"My message is simple," said Pollina. "The heating season will soon be here. Vermonters are in danger of going cold. And believe me, some are scared."

Pollina then proposed that the governor commit Rainy Day Funds to provide heating assistance for low-income families as well as allowing local fuel dealers to "access increased lines of credit to acquire more fuel for the winter." The Progressive gubernatorial candidate also asked the state's legislature to formulate a system that would increase funds to help Vermonters cut heating costs.

Rounding out the day was Democratic gubernatorial candidate Symington who knocked the governor's past heating and energy programs then revealed one half of her new "Roadmap to Energy Independence," promising to save Vermonters money, create jobs, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

"Make no mistake: this energy crisis is hitting Vermonters much harder than it should because of Jim Douglas' failure to act," Symington said at a press conference in Burlington. "Over the past six years, he did not lead Vermonters away from our risky dependence on fossil fuels toward better, cheaper more dependable sources of heat because he has no vision for a different approach to energy. We are stuck in neutral, and it is costing us a fortune."

Symington went on to introduce three points in the first half of her "Roadmap to Energy Independence" plan. She proposed an "Efficiency Pays" initiative allowing Green Mountain State homeowners to obtain weatherization tools without paying upfront costs, then making minimal payments later with the money they have saved on their utility bill.

"Efficiency Pays will help Vermonters overcome the obstacles of having cash upfront or taking on debt to pay for money-saving efficiency project," Symington said. Because they only pay back as they save money, this system should be very attractive to a wide range of Vermonters."

The House Speaker added that she would continue to support ongoing biofuels research at the University of Vermont, launching a "Biomass Business Incubator" to increase research and development in biofuel technology, and encouraging the use of biofuel in government buildings.

In the third part of the program, Symington suggested the creation of "Efficiency and Renewables Training University" to train students in the energy and conservation fields.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate concluded her press conference by emphasizing that the "Roadmap to Energy Independence" plan would provide Vermonters with more options to lower heating costs, something she promised to continue if she were elected governor in November.

The governor's campaign is expected to respond Friday.