The Progressive Party State Committee Meeting was held Sunday at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans.  

It was the first PP event I have ever attended; and I approached the meeting expecting to hear a lot of focus on possible candidates and future campaigns.  The pleasant surprise was that the sixty-or-so people assembled there had good policy foremost on their minds, with politics the enabling backdrop.

Others may look forward to a diminished role for Progressives in Vermont following Peter Shumlin’s definitive victory, but this wishful thinking ignores the hard-forged nature of the party’s goals for the state.   Well-accustomed as they are to being the third party in a two-party game, if Progressives are anything, it is patient and perseverant.   These are intelligent, plain-spoken people with working-class roots and a strong sense of social justice.

Martha Abbott, who strategically withdrew from the gubernatorial race in 2010 to allow Shumlin an easier win, opened the meeting with a look back at the Progressive’s drumbeat for universal healthcare that anticipated H-202 by more than ten years!

Following Martha’s opening remarks, Progressive lawmakers reported on the success they could claim in the past legislative session, and what headway they anticipate making in the upcoming one.   Most were modest but solid achievements, maintaining essential conversations about equitable funding sources, empowering labor and closing VY; but the overarching victory was passage of H.202.  Although healthcare still hasn’t been looked at as a “system,” said Rep.Chris Pearson of Burlington, creation of  a “Green Mountain Care Board” would be an important first step. Pearson remarked on how good it felt to be part of a universe in which the Democrats were actually working for passage of H.202.

Anthony Pollina challenged the Shumlin assertion that he “didn’t raise broad based taxes,” pointing out that raising taxes on healthcare providers essentially did just that since those taxes serve to increase the cost of of already unaffordable healthcare for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.  He also challenged the idea that a surcharge on the wealthiest Vermonters who benefit from the Bush tax cuts would drive them out of the state.  As has often been observed right here on GMD, much has been proven to put the lie to that myth.

Holding Peter Shumlin’s feet to the fire is central to the PP agenda, as he is frankly seen to be susceptible to the same kind of pragmatic policy creep that has afflicted the Obama administration.  Most think he will be a better Governor if there is a strong Progressive Party nipping at his heels; and a worse one, if that incentive ever weakens.  

The afternoon was rounded out with a brief discussion of the important role the Progressive Party is playing in tri-party redistricting efforts, and an engaging address by Martha Allen, head of the Vermont NEA.

Frankly, I was impressed.