Vermonters for Economic Health

The following was written by Tom Licata of Vermonters for Economic Health. It has also been published in he Burlington Free press on September 5, 2010.

“What is critical to keep in mind is that this situation is part of a broad, multiyear process driven by national and global realignments. It's a secular phenomenon that needs to be better understood and navigated -- by recognizing its structural dimensions…. Unfortunately, the approach in too many industrial countries [and states such as Vermont] has been to kick the can down the road, seemingly hoping for a series of immaculate economic recoveries.”

The anouncemnet this week that Vermont utilities and HydroQuebec have clinched a long term deal for Vermont to purchase electricity is an enormous benefit for Vermont.

For purposes of encouraging the development of small scale renewable electricity projects, large scale hydro power was not not considered 'renewable' energy. That position is impractical for Vermont which has purchased electricity from our neighbor to the north for decades. The Legislature changed the definition and now this electricity, ~25% of Vermont's needs can be included in our 'renewables' portfolio.

That this electricity was not previosly considered 'renewable' was political nonsense, but now that's behind us and Vermont can be assured of a long term supplier with whom Vermont has excellent relations.

The following was written by Tom Licata, founder of Vermonters for Economic Health.

Are any of Vermont’s Gubernatorial candidates – or for that matter, any Vermont candidate running for this coming November’s election - really listening? Do they really understand?
In response to a blistering attack on his own Republican Party, “Four Deformations of the Apocalypse” (NYT op-ed, August 1), David Stockman, former director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan, said this in an August 2 interview with CNBC host Larry Kudlow:

The Rutland County Pro-Business Coalition has been an active voice in support of a healthy Vermont economy for several years. They have tried heartily to influence their local legislators to support and enact policies and policy changes that will encourage rather than diminish the capacity of the business community to have a decent chance of success.

Because of their disagreement and frustration with the views and voting records of some local legislators, they are attempting even stronger action by recruiting candidates to run for the Legislature in November.

Specifically, Jim Eckhardt, president of the Coalition and a small business owner in Rutland has announced his candidacy for Rutland-Windsor-1 representative seat which includes the towns of Bridgewater, Killington, Chittenden and Mendon.