The Governor’s Ideological Rampage

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When Secretary of Administration Neale Lunderville presented his rescission plan to the Joint Fiscal Committee on Wednesday, it was clear the Governor wasn’t content with cutting the state workforce by 8% over the course of 3 years. His latest proposal calls for putting an additional 200-300 workers on the unemployment line, bringing the total body count up to 10%:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress…

Absent from the Administration’s plan to chop $7.4 million from the workforce is any mention of which positions are targeted or what services they provide to Vermonters. If the Joint Fiscal Committee votes to approve this plan on August 18th, they will be doing so without knowing how it will impact the state programs – most of which are already struggling from previous rescissions.  

While other states have successfully negotiated furlough days with state worker unions, the Administration promptly rejected this offer when it was made by VSEA last legislative session, claiming it didn’t achieve “structural change.” VSEA’s offer would have saved $8.4 million in the general fund – only $100,000 less than the $8.5 million that was saved by laying off 123 workers. While Lunderville testified that he’ll “aggressively pursue” discussions with the union to find alternatives, the Administration has been an unwilling partner in negotiations with both VSEA and the Legislature in the past.

Like most conservatives, Governor Douglas has used the recession as an opportunity to shrink government to the size where he can drown it in his bathtub. Understaffing programs sets them up for failure, which in turn opens the door for privatization. It’s no accident that Vermont’s private contract line item has grown by 190% since he took office.

In times of economic downturn, people need services more than ever. Laying off 200-300 more hard working Vermonters and gutting programs will only prolong this economic crisis and deprive people of the help they need. The Joint Fiscal Committee should oppose any further downsizing of state government and put a stop to the Governor’s ideological rampage.

Conor Casey

VSEA Legislative Coordinator  

13 thoughts on “The Governor’s Ideological Rampage”

  2. is only required when the fundamentals have changed

    we are in a deep recession – not the first or the last; it is intellectually dishonest to suggest that structural change is necessary at the trough of a recession

    of course Jim (= His Job) Douglas has been saying we need to “live within our means” since the day he was elected; the real goal all along has been to reduce revenues so that our “means” will never be sufficient for a robust and helpful state government; thus, cut taxes on the wealthy (check); cut business taxes (check); shift state obligations to towns (still trying); lavish money on business subsidies and “incentives” which further reduce revenues; and so on

    unless I’ve missed it, the VT MSM has NEVER called him on any of this; they just print whatever BS he spews with no critical analysis

    I’m really tired of this crap

  3. Why can’t these legislators see it? They’ve got to take the blinders off and start realizing that following Douglas down this road is very, very dangerous and plays right into his hands. Vermont services are being shredded and thank God the union is trying to sound the alarm. The question is, is anyone listening, or do they even care?  

  4. I’m glad Conor called attention to the privatization issue.  So many Republican “initiatives” are not necessarily aimed at cutting.  Rather, they are designed to put tax dollars into the hands of already wealthy and powerful businesses.  I am not anti-business, but I do not believe this is how it should be.  “Competition” is not always the best way to go.  Healthcare for instance: Do you want powerful profit-driven corporations putting their shareholder’s “needs” before those of your health?

    Another great example is “No Child Left Behind.”  The endgame of this law is the privatization of public schools.  NOT a good idea on so many levels.  I can’t even start…

    Douglas must be stopped.

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