Education is fundamental to any state's economic development. Vermont does a decent job of educating its children in grades K-12, yet CONSISTENTLY UNDERFUNDS ITS STATE COLLEGES. How can we expect businesses to come to Vermont if the state lacks a skilled an educated workforce?

As governor, what would you do to increase access to and affordability of higher education in Vermont?

Jon in Underhill Center

If the voters (re-) elect you as governor in the general election, when it comes to addressing homelessness and affordable housing across the state, please answer the following five-part question:

What priority would both of these matters hold within your administration?

What concrete steps would your administration take to address these matters?

What timelines would your administration set for addressing such?

What are the expected outcomes by which your administration would measure the effectiveness of such proposals?

How would your administration fund such proposals?

Thank you in advance.

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier
Blogger of the Vermont Watch blog: http://vermontwatch.blogspot.com

No matter how much education and training you give any particular worker, employers will always need someone to clean hotel rooms, be cashiers, and be employed in other low-paid jobs. Other than education and training, what will you do as Governor to ensure that all working Vermonters can provide for our basic necessities: shelter, food, heat, health care, and transportation?

Can each of you, please, outline your strategy to begin making the necessary bold changes in the state's approach to energy as we face the loss of two-thirds of the present energy system with the phasing out of Vermont Yankee and the contract expiration with Hydro Quebec?

Secondly, can you please share specifics on your present or future administration's approach to solid waste disposal and the issue of sustainability? Specifically can you speak to how you plan to address the current issues at the Intervale in Burlington and how you would lead Vermont in responsible and meaningful practices to keep the compostable and recyclable materials out of our landfills?

We thank you for your thoughtful responses.

With respect,

Jennifer and Kara in Essex Junction

Why are the roads and bridges so bad? I live in Barre, we just finished repaving our main street, right out to near the town line where the state is supposed to take over the paving work. But the state has never come through on it's half of the deal.

Now we hear about bridges closing down all over the state - which is death to local businesses. Why isn't the state living up to it's responsibility to keep our local infrastructure functioning? I'd gladly pay a few extra bucks a year in gas tax if I could USE the roads I drive on.

With the contracts of Vermont Yankee and Hydro Quebec about to expire in the next 5 years we will need to and can replace this energy supply with renewable energy from Vermont. One source of energy will be wind.

My question is how will each candidate deal with NIMBYism (not in my backyard) that has hindered wind energy development in this state?

John Hanley
Burlington

Questions to Symington and Polina.
BACKGROUND
As Democratic party email letter recipient, I am familiar with their polemics, but I have not observed these polemics displayed aggressively in public to steer public opinion, and I have not observed the same distortion of the facts, as I have seen in Gov. Douglas. By contrast, Gov. Douglas has aggressively and publicly engaged in harsh polemics that distort the positions of the opposition, at the expense of an honest public debate, in the mold of George Bush. I therefore feel that Vermont must elect a new governor.
QUESTION
As a voter, I look for politicians who avoid polemics and seek to understand the views of supporters of the other political parties, and can propose ways to address those concerns in meaningful ways. What do you understand the Republican electorate's concern's to be, and how will you accommodate those interests, so they can vote for you?

BACKGROUND
Both Symington and Polina are qualified and would serve the interests of the people of Vermont. I worry that they will split the electorate, and put Gov. Douglas back in office.
QUESTION
Would either of you, Symington or Polina, In the interest of the people of the state of Vermont, be willing to endorse the other, in the name of defeating Governor Douglas, on the day before the election, if the polls showed that you had a low chance of winning the election, to push your supporters toward your opponent, so that the Republican candidate can be defeated?

I recently saw a ranking of the average amount of income paid in state and local taxes and was not surprised to see Vermont ranks number one. (The data was from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bueau in the U.S. Department of Commerce) I would like to know what the gubernatorial candidates plan to do about the ever increasing income and property taxes in our state. It is nearly impossible for a young working couple to afford a home in Vermont because of the considerable tax burden. It is great the present Governor is very focused on environmental issues, but it won't be long before none of us can afford to live in this "Green State".

Also, what do they plan to do about educating and providing jobs for the next generation? Our population in the state is declining and all of our college graduates are forced to find jobs in another state. I support the idea of helping these students through college in the form of State grants, but there has to be a requirement for them to work in our state for a certain period of time if they receive these grants. How can we do this if there are no good paying jobs available?

Chuck from Peacham Vermont: Many regions of the country, and now parts of Vermont, lament the loss of the character of their landscape, towns and centers to sprawling growth. Regulations seem to dictate how to build, not whether to build or where. Regional planning with teeth seems alway to be the missing link. Recently, increased fuel costs have reminded us that living near where we work might not be so bad. But accomplishing truly smart growth, on the scale required and keeping housing affordable may require a plan.

As governor, would you recognize a connection between land use planning and issues such as living affordability, climate change, job growth and economic and environmental sustainability? And, what would be the key elements of your plan?

The current crisis in the financial markets points to a 30-year history of hands-off, minimal regulation, combined jarringly with breathtaking government interference in those markets in recent weeks. Why wouldn't the average middle-income working person conclude that the party most closely identified with that minimal regulation, the Republicans, has been promoting an ideology that has led us to the brink of calamity, and how can s/he support any continuation of that ideology?
--Scott Campbell
St Johnsbury

There is a huge disconnect between the cost of living in Vermont and wages. A recent report from VHFA noted that in order for a household to afford the "fair market rent' for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chittenden County -- which means paying no more than 30% of their income for housing -- they would need to earn nearly $19.40 an hour. What IMMEDIATE steps would you take to address this problem?

August budget cuts hit hard at programs for seniors and people with disabilities, including Choices for Care, Attendant Care Services and Developmental Service Agencies. For every 40 cents "saved" Vermont lost 60 cents in federal funds -- a really high price to pay by those least able to afford it. What will you do to prevent further cuts to vulnerable populations, and to stem the loss of needed federal dollars?

Thank you.
Karen in Montpelier

How would you as governor address the issue of mass-transit as it relates to trains. We saw this week the accident that occurred in LA due to the growing use of commuter rails and already high use for industry transport? The foundations are already there why not exploit this once ubiquitous for of travel? It uses 17% less fuel then cars and apprx. 35% less then plains, but yet we continue to erode it's infrastructure.

More generally, what will you do to make it easier and cheaper for rural Vermonters to get from their town to the next Village or to the nearest City. What investment will you make in a cost-effective rural public transportation system?

My question for the candidates for governor is, since 75% to 80% of our health care dollars are spent on chronic illnesses caused by poor diet and exercise habits, when are we going to risk being "not PC" and directly, aggressively address this problem...possibly, if I may make a suggestion...by a public exercise for health information program and an expansion of recreation areas, especially insuring that our wild places are not industrialized but dedicated to recreation use such as hiking, birding, hunting and back country skiing?
Thanks

Now that Vermonters are either driving less or have purchased more fuel efficient vehicles, revenues have decreased in the transportation fund. Would you favor shifting to a percentage tax in order to provide the needed revenues to keep our roads and bridges safe for drivers?

(This was a question I posed to the Lt Gov. Candidates two weeks ago. Neither really answered it).

I am wondering what the candidates will do for young people in this state, specifically those who are in their 20's and 30's and are struggling to live in this state? People my age can barely afford to buy housing, but can't afford the taxes. I am a Democrat, but to be honest I hear our party focusing on extraneous matters besides affordable housing, economic development, and other issues that impact the cost of living in this state. I am getting tired of hearing our party in the legislature talking about Global Warming and the War in Iraq while us 20 somethings are forced to leave this state.

Recently I was talking to a 32 year old and a 28 year old who both want to buy a home in this state...their first home. They can scrape together the money to get a mortgage and make a downpayment, but they can't move forward because the taxes are in excess of $5,000. Both of these guys have college degrees and good paying jobs, but can't afford to buy a starter home, let alone pay the taxes in this state. What are you going to do to refocus the Legislature on affordability and economic issues rather than on issues that should be discussed in DC?

Thanks. Michael in Middlebury.

Vermont's path to econmic recovery will require the entire financial and business community working together and finding innovative solutions. A key part of this community are Vermont's community development financial
institutions (CDFIs) who are often the first step for community development loans to individuals and small businesses. These CDFI's need to attract investments such as Equity Equivalent (EQ2) investments which increase their risk tolerance and lending flexibility, lower the costof capital, and protect them by providing
a cushion against losses in excess
of loan loss reserves. EQ2 and similar investments allow
CDFIs to better meet the needs of their
markets by allowing them to engage
in longer-term and riskier lending which is not served by the traditional financial community . A
larger permanent capital base also provides
more incentive for potential investors
to lend money to the CDFI. All
of these results help CDFIs grow their
operations and solidify their positions
as permanent institutions. Unlike for profit
corporations, which can raise
equity by issuing stock, nonprofits
must generally rely on grants to build
this base. Traditionally, nonprofit
CDFIs have raised the equity capital
they need to support their lending and
investing activities through capital
grants from philanthropic sources, or
in some instances, through retained
earnings. However, building a permanent
capitalthrough grants is a
time-consuming process and one that is constrained by
the limited availability of grant dollars. Given the need to create jobs and stimulate community development, would you commit to establishing an Equity Equivalent program with incentives to investors as part of your platform?

Why are my tax dollars bailing out Bear Stearns and building bridges and roads in Iraq when Vermonters will be freezing this winter and there is no bridge in Richmond? What will you do as Governor to use my tax dollars on fuel, shelter, food, bridges, and roads for Vermonters instead of bailouts for the rich who made bad investment decisions or misguided stabilization efforts for the benefit of oil company executives?

Rachel in Huntington

Cindy McCain gets addicted to drugs and ends up on TV talk shows. Millions of other Americans get addicted to drugs and end up with a probation officer. Why is that fair?
Robert Sand
Woodstock, VT