Adjournment Address 2004

Progress Over Partisanship

GOVERNOR JAMES H. DOUGLAS
May 20, 2004

Vermonters are a people of strength and dignity; of resolve and inspiration. It is for them, and their struggle, that we have endured the many forces of this process so that we might make this state a better place to live, work and raise a family.

As I said in the State of the State address, I am often reminded that the wellspring of Vermont liberty flows from Main Street, not State Street.

Over the last 16 months, I have advocated an agenda founded on my many conversations with the people across this state. You—their elected representatives— recognizing that this administration wants only to put Vermonters first, have responded favorably and with the goodwill of a distinguished body.

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In addition to passing two balanced and compassionate budgets that maintain our historic commitment to fiscal restraint, we have taken actions to strengthen our economy, and they are working.

In 2003, we passed the $105 million Jobs Bill, the largest single investment in job creation in our state’s history. We created an angel investor tax credit, and a computer sales tax holiday, invested millions more in economic development and workforce training programs, strengthened the captive insurance industry, increased the minimum wage, and invested in the creation of over 2,000 new jobs.

We took steps to improve our transportation infrastructure by increasing funding to repair scarred roads and bridges by 56 percent, and kept our promise to kick-start critical infrastructure projects like the Bennington Bypass, the Missisquoi Bay Bridge, and yes—the Circ Highway.

We passed permit reform and in so doing removed one of the chief obstacles to job creation and made the system more predictable and fairer for those who seek to grow the economy and create more and better paying jobs.

We reached an agreement on workers’ compensation reforms—reforms that are only the beginning, but a step in the right direction nonetheless.

We passed a telecommunications initiative that will help us meet the goals of 100 percent wireless phone coverage on our major roadways and 90 percent residential broadband access by 2007; and we lowered our corporate income tax rate and leveled the playing field for Vermont’s homegrown companies by closing a loophole that allows large multi-state or multi-national corporations to avoid paying their fair share.

We also ended years of gridlock and reformed Act 60, helping to alleviate the stifling burden of property taxes. This year, we further reduced the statewide property tax rate by an additional 5 cents.

Taken together these efforts—among others—have helped strengthen our economy, begin to reduce Vermont’s competitive disadvantages, and create jobs.

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In keeping with our commitment to the Vermont Way—we have resisted the impulses of inflexible ideology and recognized that in Vermont our economy and environment are codependent.

Last year, we passed a long-awaited renewable energy bill to promote the use of alternatives and offer consumers more options, and established the Vermont Renewable Energy Acquisition Authority to pursue the hydroelectric dams on the Connecticut and Deerfield rivers; and this year we established a body to facilitate the purchase of these dams. We opposed several efforts of the federal government to weaken environmental regulations; and we began to discuss the need to build a restorative economy and revitalize underutilized industrial sites known as brownfields where redevelopment is difficult because of the presence of pollutants.

This year, we’ve successfully concluded our work on the brownfields legislation, a package that will help us to both improve the environment and aid in our continuing economic development efforts; you authorized and funded my Clean and Clear Water Action Plan; and, as I had requested in January, reached a bipartisan consensus on stormwater legislation that addresses in a responsible way the need to improve and protect our waterways while allowing for economic growth. And you have adopted legislation to clean up spills from above ground storage tanks.

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In 2003, we renewed our commitment to the family farm. We began by providing farmers with emergency relief and seed money, establishing the farm viability program, supporting agri-tourism initiatives, giving those who put food on our table a seat at the cabinet table, and eliminating the property tax on farm buildings in the Current Use program. This year, we followed up by reaching agreement on the seed labeling law, strengthening Vermont’s right to farm law, and establishing our own water quality improvement standards.

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You’ve been partners in one of the most ambitious government reorganizations in more than two decades, a plan that will dramatically increase the quality of human services rendered to the families and children of Vermont; a reorganization that streamlined state government’s IT capabilities by creating the new Department of Information and Innovation.

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Over the last two years, we have taken bold action to address Vermont’s substance abuse problem by embracing my DETER program, a compassionate effort that places a premium on prevention and targets our resources where they are needed most; and you have supported my effort to put more troopers on the beat so we can get more drug dealers off the street.

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I am disappointed by the failure to enact even the modest health insurance reforms that the House passed. These reforms are necessary and would increase access to affordable health insurance, empower individuals with more direct control over their care, and help us save Medicaid for the most vulnerable.

You can be certain that I will not stop advocating for meaningful health insurance reforms until health care is an affordable option for every Vermonter.

That said, you’ve authorized resources for my Chronic Care Initiative, the initial steps toward real reform of Vermont’s health care system, improved quality and lower costs for those with chronic illnesses.

For the first time in years we looked closely at long-term care for elderly and disabled Vermonters and passed legislation that will protect low and middle-income seniors with long-term care insurance from having to spend all of their hard earned resources before becoming eligible for Medicaid.

You have supported my Fit and Healthy Kids Initiative, which is helping us teach our children the value of good nutrition and regular exercise so they might live healthy lives, perform better in school, and avoid costly and debilitating chronic diseases as adults.

Again this year, you have shown your commitment to pharmaceutical reform by requiring transparency in drug pricing and increasing coverage for over-the counter alternatives. And you have supported my administration’s efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Vermonters and pool with other states to negotiate deeper discounts for our pharmacy programs.

For all of your support in these health care reform areas—and others—I am grateful.

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I am disappointed this General Assembly has not yet come to implement a public school choice program that gives every child, regardless of race, residence, or economic background, a truly equal opportunity for a first class education that meets his or her needs. But I will not give up; I believe now more than ever that school choice should not be a privilege reserved only for the wealthy—it is the right of all Vermonters.

We have made significant strides in protecting our children by enacting a true “Megan’s Law” that provides community notification through an Internet-based sex offender registry and by strengthening our systems of public education. You passed racial harassment and bullying prevention bills that recognize when these assaults become pervasive, persistent and designed to humiliate or ridicule our children, it is more than just ‘kids being kids’ and requires some response from not only parents but also our schools.

We offered higher education an enhanced level of financial support, passed a higher education investment tax credit for low and middle-income families saving for college; and built the foundation for a stronger early care and education system by embracing the Building Bright Futures plan.

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There are many more accomplishments, big and small, but in the interest of brevity I have chosen only to address some of the most significant.

I believe when we look back on this biennium, we will remember the extraordinary cooperation and unyielding progress that has consistently prevailed over the temptations and contentions of partisanship.

As we depart these hallowed chambers, I would like to again thank you for your services, and for making this one of our state’s most successful legislative sessions—thank you all very much indeed.