Jim Douglas

Progressive gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina attacked today Republican Gov. Jim Douglas' plan to cut 150 positions within the state government while giving some administration officials "merit" bonuses.

Pollina branded Douglas' "Jim Equals Jobs" program as a failure, citing drops in employment in construction, manufacturing, and retail sectors amidst a dwindling economy and poor economic growth.

House Speaker Gaye Symington: Symington for GovernorGubernatorial candidate and House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) challenged Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) this morning to a series of at least fourteen debates that would take place in the fall.

Symington called for the governor to meet with her in each of Vermont's fourteen counties to discuss issues that are most pressing for Green Mountain State residents to provide the most information to the most people while allowing constituents to directly access candidates.

Six hours into her candidacy to represent her city in the state legislature; Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper says she is optimistic about her bid. "I feel terrific," Hooper told PolitickerVT.com.

She estimates that 50 supporters, friends and family members turned out to Pocket Park on Saturday afternoon to watch her official announcement.

Hooper, a Democrat, is setting her sights on one of the city's two state representative seats, which are currently held by fellow Democrats, state Reps. Warren Kitzmiller and Jon Anderson.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington: Symington for GovernorHouse Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) criticized Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) and his Lake Champlain environmental policy, Clean and Clear, this afternoon after the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) issued a report scoring the wellbeing of the lake and the progress taken to reverse the effects of pollutants.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate assailed the legislation because of its lack of benchmarks to track progress, despite its $85 million price tag. Symington noted that this year, she tried to pass a bill that would introduce benchmarks into the Clean and Clear program.

The House Speaker said, "As Governor, I am not going to spend $85 million on a program without knowing what we're getting for the money."

Taxes have once again fueled the political mudslinging between Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) and gubernatorial challenger House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho), with both candidates issuing dueling remarks Thursday about their tax policy.

At a press conference, Douglas attacked the state legislature, Symington and state Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin (D-Putney) for failing to respond to rising property taxes.

Gubernatorial candidates are vying to occupy The Pavilion's fifth floor: Politicker PhotoWith the kick-off tours for the top gubernatorial candidates finished, and the race to be the state's top executive officer currently underway, Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury), House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) and Progressive Party candidate Anthony Pollina have hunkered down for a long run until Election Day on Nov. 4.

Earlier in the week, leaders from all three candidates' campaigns spoke with PolitickerVT.com about their plans along the campaign trail. Today, political experts give their take on the race and how it's shaping up for the fall.

Progressive Party candidate Anthony Pollina: Politicker PhotoAt a press conference Wednesday, Progressive Party gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina of Middlesex highlighted concerns that Republican Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) has been "inflating his own record" regarding agricultural issues.

Standing in front of the Agency of Agriculture in Montpeilier, Pollina accused Douglas of "taking credit for work done by citizens and others and staking out positions that serve short-term political goals but are not in keeping with his record."

Throughout his remarks, Pollina made reference to "the Northeast Organic Farmers Association," a Richmond-based non-profit group that he once served as a board member. NOFA, which changed its name five years ago to the Northeast Organic Farming Association, is dedicated to promoting access of local organic food to all Vermonters.

State Auditor Tom SalmonVermont Republican Party Chairman Rob Roper's remarks regarding the military deployment of State Auditor Tom Salmon to the Middle East have sparked wide controversy among politicians across the state.

An Associated Press article cited the state GOP leader as saying that "the voters in Vermont should have the option of having someone in the office who will be on the job on day one. Salmon won't even be here when the Legislature gets back."

Gubernatorial candidates Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) and Anthony Pollina (Prog-Middlesex) both released statements this afternoon blaming Gov. Jim Douglas' (R-Middlebury) policies for IBM laying off 180 jobs today at its Essex Junction plant.

Symington's statement accused the governor of being unaware of the state's economic problems. The House speaker made note of the state's current economic situation, having lost 2,800 jobs during the governor’s term, at a 14-year high in unemployment and possessing the slowest rate of job creation in New England.

“Despite the facts, Jim Douglas says we’re ‘heading in the right direction’ and he spoke last week of Vermont’s ‘growing prosperity,’” Symington wrote. “It shows a lack of awareness and sensitivity to say things are going well when Vermonters are losing their jobs, and those still employed are very worried about the weak economy.”