Dems, GOPers exchange barbs on Douglas economic plan

With Gov. Jim Douglas releasing his economic stimulus plan late last week, Vermont Republicans and Democrats exchanged attacks over the weekend on the plan.

“Working Vermonters need a proactive governor with a real vision for this state's future and, unfortunately, Jim Douglas has failed time and again to provide the proactive leadership we need to make progress,” said Vermont Democratic Party executive director Jill Krowinski. “Rather than providing the leadership Vermont needs, the governor has once again hastily thrown together a plan today that is little more than a repackaging of tired old ideas. Had this governor had a little more foresight and shown a little more leadership earlier in the session, or earlier in his six-year administration, we could today be moving forward toward building a better Vermont for our families.”

“What's morally (and fiscally) bankrupt is watching this budget cutting process and economic downturn proceed with no positive plan, idea or even inclination to do anything to fix it,” responded Vermont Republican Party chair Rob Roper. “All Symington, Sumilin and their supermajorities in the legislature were prepared to do in the face of this crisis was cut the budget and run. Now all they seem prepared to do is play "outrage politics" to distract, divide, do nothing... and again, run.”