State of Our State

Here in sunny Burlap this Thursday afternoon, we turn to Comcast Cable CH. 17, and Under the Dome where the Internet - not the local commercial stations - is making live viewing, not only of Gov. James Scissorhands' magnificent, warm and briefly interrupted State of the State Address possible, but the "Democratic Response" in Room 11.

Thanks.

I confess. I avoid the great, ceremonial days under the Golden Dome when everyone's hair is perfect and clothes pressed and shiny [even though we had learned that several antiwar protesters had something planned.] Can't read the Anti-Iraq War sheet hoisted in the back of the House.  Just before this one was raised and antiwar slogans shouted, another was carried through the floor of the House of Representatives - about seven minutes into Gov. Jimbo's 30-minute pep talk.

Bet you forgot, eh?

All this presidential primary saturation media coverage, and it's hard to remember America's men and women who continue to get killed and maimed for the Big Bush-Cheney Lie.

"The state of our state stands strong," said Gov. Jim Douglas. "We have the healthiest deer and moose herds in decades!" He called for "investments in job creation and our natural environment."

AND, would you believe, Gov. Douglas wants to "reduce healthcare costs," AND he wants "to reduce obesity," too!

Damn fat people! This Bud's for you!

Vermont's governor also has the radical view that "Drug pushers have no place in our communities...no place anywhere in our state!"

AND he wants to cut the capital gains tax-break for coupon clippers, while leasing the Vermont Lottery to Wall Street!

What a guy!

Afterward, live on VPR with Bob Kinzel, Senate Democrat Bossman Peter Shumlin said the Guv was "not being honest with Vermonters." Everyone acknowledges "we need more money," said Shummy. The question is "How should we get it?"

[Hemp? A few blog posters think so.]

Sen. Shumlin said he does "not think you’ll see Vermont give away this asset [the Vermont Lottery] to Wall Street and let them gin up the games."

It's a good bet Putney Pete ought to know, right?

Comments

[where's the beef?]

"We have the healthiest moose and deer herds in decades!""

He didn't really?

Shumlin is right on gaming.

[sandy ward]

I agree that drug dealers have no place in Vermont. So, Govenor Douglas, 'introduce' legislation that makes hard drug dealing a federal offense and send these street addicts, er, criminals out of state to federal prison. We'll see how fed up the feds become with having to house 'non-profit', (no civil property seizure monies from addicts). And, continue to do nothing about the online rx drug dealers. Yup, the federal prison industrial complex, good idea for out of state job creation and job security, eh? Unless, the Governor is proposing bringing a federal prison to Vermont ground?

By the way, passing the hemp legislation is much more important that legalizing marijuana, although should be passed as well.

[Peggy Noonan]

Mr. Douglas' speech contained the following:

"The state of our State stands strong"

Any speechwriter worth his/her salt knows not to include a tongue twister like that one. Mr. Douglas could not even get it out right. Shame, shame.

[Nate Freeman]

Capital gains tax rates dropped to an incredibly low level in 2001 as a result of the Bush tax cuts. Currently, capital gains earnings are taxed at 5% for assets held over 13 months and 15% for assets held under 13 months.

Compare those figures to your own income tax rate or even corporate tax rates, and there should be no surprise that a fair, progressive tax system would return capital gains to it's pre-Bush level.

As far as capital gains recipients being described as "coupon-clippers" -- C'mon, Peter. A reasonable capital gains tax affects high asset holders, not grannies living on Social Security.

Advocating for an increase in the capital gains tax is a classic example of progressive reform. Frankly, my jaw dropped when Douglas raised this issue. Republicans are usually the first to want to lower capital gains, estate taxes, etc.

What's up with the guv? Is his strategy to put the tax squeeze on Gaye "I don't want to disclose my personal assets" Symington?

[Doug Hoffer]

The Gov. knows the Dems were zeroing in on the 40% cap. gains exemption and wanted to pre-empt / steal their thunder. But wait! He also said he wants to make the change revenue neutral by reducing the top marginal rate for the highest earners (it only applies to dollars earned over $349,700). See the slight of hand: good PR for talking about the (absurd) 40% cap gains exemption but giving the money back to the same people with a rate cut.

This is not "progressive reform". The joke's on us.

[jpc]

Doug

The Gov. knows the Dems were zeroing in on the 40% cap. gains exemption and wanted to pre-empt / steal their thunder.

But wait, both the speaker and SHumlin gave their addresses before the gov. How could he have prempted their thunder?

[Doug Hoffer]

People have been talking about the 40% cap gains exemption for several years.

[vermonter]

"People have been talking about the 40% cap gains exemption for several years."

This doesn't really support the "steal their thunder" theory. Yes, it's been on the back burner for years, but there was no emphasis by the Dems to put it on the front burner this year. And, when interviewed, Gaye didn't say that this was the Democrats' idea or that they planned to work on it this year. Instead, she said, "Interesting, we'll consider it." That's not stealing the Dems thunder.

Whatever the reason Douglas chose to bring it up, it wasn't because there was an imminent movement on his left flank to make this a reality.

Why don't you give him credit for a positive step.

"What's up with the guv? Is his strategy to put the tax squeeze on Gaye "I don't want to disclose my personal assets" Symington?"

If the Gov. has to disclose his financial picture, shouldn't the Speaker of the House?

Whatever the Gov's motivation for this initiative was, as a wage earner I think it's a no-brainer that this is a good idea.

[Doug Hoffer]

Just because you haven't heard any Dems talking about it doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I can say for a fact that several prominent Dems have been talking about this. Sometimes things happen that you (or I) don't know about. Imagine that.

And no, I won't give him credit because his proposal is not a "positive step". Eliminating the exemption would be positive, but giving it right back to the same people is just sleight of hand and typical of this Governor. Indeed, he tried to do the same thing three years ago.

And finally, if the Gov. has his way, there will be virtually no benefit to wage earners. And that's exactly the point.

[sandy ward]

In an attempt to widen the Governor's view on drug crime, I'd like to suggest he take time to read and implement findings and recommendations from the White Elephant in the Living Room commission listed on the legislative page, 2001.

And, since he was so moved over Robert Sand's marijuana first time offender 'discrimination' plea, I'd like to know why he hasn't jumped in other areas? For example, 'Cop makes plea deal in domestic assualt case' Rutland Herald 1-10-08. The cop received 2 6 month suspended sentences and another Springfield officer, SGT William Frank, refused to provide a report to the Vermont State Police investigating officer.... Compared with 'Vermonter convicted in sheep cruelty case' Times Argus 1-12-08. He received an 18 month sentence. How come the Governor refuses to give Vermont women protection equal to Vermont sheep?

[vermonter]

"Just because you haven't heard any Dems talking about it doesn't mean it hasn't happened."

I have no doubt that the subject of eliminating the exemption has come up before. But claiming that it's really a Democratic initiative is unconvincing.

Since the State of the State address, Speaker Symington is acting like this is the first she's ever heard of it. And the not-shy Pro Tem hasn't said, "Hey, this was our idea."

Saying that this is "stealing the Dems thunder," when it was not currently on the radar screen, is unfair.

So are you saying that the Gov. shouldn't have brought it up? No one should bring up an idea that isn't exclusively his or hers? C'mon.

[Peter Joes]

If the Dems had made a big deal of raising the capital gains tax, lets say to pay for the all fuels utility, Douglas would have said its the same tax and spend democrat stuff etc. and would have vetoed it.

Of course Douglas didn't say that he was raising taxes. Just that he was shifting it slightly. I guess there are some folks that don't make that much money that were benefiting from the low cap gains tax. He wants to make sure only rich people get the benefits of his tax plan by cutting the tax on the wealthiest instead.

Governor Bush Lite/Douglas

PJ