Neal P. Goswami The state can afford to construct new projects like the Bennington Bypass and the Circumferential Highway in Chittenden County while maintaining the rest of its transportation infrastructure, Republican Gov. James Douglas said Thursday. But Douglas' gubernatorial challengers — Democrat Gaye Symington and independent Anthony Pollina — said Douglas may be promising voters more than the state is able to provide. Douglas has made the bypass a centerpiece of his campaign for Bennington-area voters. Several campaign mailers have been sent to local residents claiming Douglas supports the bypass, but Symington does not. During a press conference in Bennington Thursday, Douglas said neither of his opponents support the project, while he has "always been committed to this important project." "Both of my opponents have strongly opposed the Bennington Bypass, an important pro-growth, job creation transportation project," he said. "This is the kind of example of no-growth, slow-growth attitude that pervades all of their policies." Both Symington and Pollina said Douglas' assertions about their positions are false. "I'm not opposed to it, and I've never said I'm opposed to it. He's made a habit of distorting my positions," Pollina said. "What I have said is we have to be careful. We're kidding ourselves if we tell citizens that we can do all of this. I think that's he's really promising way too much if he's telling people that we can afford to do all of this now." Symington said she has worked with area legislators to keep the project alive. "I am not opposed to the Bennington Bypass. I fought, in fact, to help the bypass side by side with Rep. Tim Corcoran from Bennington," she said. "The governor should be straightforward with Vermonters about what we can afford and what we cannot afford." Douglas said the state will be able to afford new construction for projects like the Bennington Bypass, as well as maintain the state's aging infrastructure, through a combination of bonding and federal funds. "I agree with the fact that we have to focus on what we have now, but I believe that the commitments we've made to the Bennington Bypass, the Morrisville bypass and the circ highway are part of what we've already agreed to," Douglas said. "We have a substantial amount of additional capacity now (to bond), and we will seek support from Uncle Sam to fill in the rest." Congress may pass a new economic stimulus package in a special session next month, Douglas said, and the package will likely include transportation money for states. "I think we're going to get some more federal money, and I hope that the Congress will give us the flexibility to allocate it as we see fit," Douglas said. "I have very little doubt that we're going to get some more federal money. I can't believe that everybody in the Congress isn't going to work hard to get the stimulus package." Pollina said Douglas has allowed the state's infrastructure to "fall behind on maintenance" over the past six years, and is now hoping federal funds will be enough to maintain the state's roads. "I don't think we should be banking on that. I don't know where he gets that impression in the first place," Pollina said. "It's something we've all heard about, but to make promises based on words from Washington — Washington has let us down many times before." Symington pointed to the state Agency of Transportation's own reports indicating the state was facing serious challenges in keeping up with infrastructure needs. The AOT warned last week that the state is facing at least a $4 billion transportation deficit over the next 20 years, Symington said. It could go as high as $8 billion, depending on inflation. The transportation fund is based on the state's gasoline tax, and is only going to diminish as cars become more fuel efficient and the state encourages conservation. To suggest that the state can afford to pay for all of the state's needs under the current circumstances is disingenuous, Symington said. "The agency's own reports make it very clear that we don't have the money to take care of what we have," she said. "Jim Douglas is simply not being straight with Vermonters. I know that Vermonters in Bennington want to hear that we're going to build the Bennington Bypass, so that's what he's going to tell them. I'm trying to be straight with people."

The Brattleboro Reformer - Economy: Gov. Candidates Unveil Their Plans Chris Garofolo The three major candidates in Vermont's gubernatorial race have focused their campaigns on the state's economy. And all three have portrayed themselves as the battle-tested candidate to deliver the goods during the current economic crisis. Republican Gov. James Douglas, 57, has toured the state highlighting his record of fiscal conservatism, while challengers Gaye Symington and Anthony Pollina have taken measures to present clear distinctions between themselves and the three-term incumbent. Douglas has promoted his "Economic Growth Plan," which he wants to pass within the first 100 days of the next legislative session. It outlines his intentions to grow the economy and create jobs while protecting families and businesses. Douglas also hopes to win points with the voting public through his opportunity zones to reward businesses that revamp vacant industrial facilities in Vermont. The zones would be exempt from income tax on revenue from rent and come with a five-year tax reallocation to the community. "I know what needs to be done when the economy is soft and what we can do to get it moving again," he said. "I think Vermonters know how we can position ourselves to be competitive, and I think that message is indeed resonating." Symington, the 54-year-old Democratic candidate, has outlined her plan to bring new technology and green jobs in the state through her "21st Century Initiative." AdvertisementShe said her plans make sense for the average Vermont family struggling in the current economy. "'Who's on our side' is the sense I hear from Vermonters," she added. The outgoing Speaker of the House, Symington has been a vocal critic of Douglas, pointing to his unwillingness to accept responsibility for a lackluster economy. Since she launched her campaign in May, Symington said that household income in Vermont has dropped more than any other state but Connecticut, and there are fewer jobs now than before the last recession. Symington said Douglas likes to say he is the right person to steer a steady course, but "it's easy to keep a steady hand on the the wheel when the car isn't moving." Under her leadership, Symington said the state could solidify its leadership as a welcoming place for entrepreneurs to build their businesses, strengthen sustainable food networks through appropriate ventures and provide new jobs in quality child care for young Vermonters. "Child care, for me, is an economic development issue," she said. Independent candidate Pollina, a longtime activist and Statehouse outsider, has seen a slight boost in his poll numbers of late. He plans to strengthen the economy by strengthening working families. By closing the capital gains tax loophole, Pollina said the result would be an estimated $20 million to invest in rebuilding the "crumbling" infrastructure and affordable housing. "We offered people real strategies to deal with the economy, we have been positive, we have chosen not to attack other people and we have gotten a lot of grassroots support," Pollina said. Pollina, 56, has put forth his plan -- distinguishing it from his Democratic opponent -- to get Vermont on track with an investment fund, which would be seeded with 2 percent of the endowments to Vermont public institutions (with additional funding by businesses and individuals) to assist in financing renewable energy and broadband access. He has also proposed a Vermont Credit Card network to lower and simplify fees with a local processor to keep money within the state so residents "can have money in their pocket, they can pay their bills and they can have a little money to spend on Main Street." While state Republicans have criticized the credit card idea, calling the proposal "irresponsible" and the "wrong direction for Vermont," Pollina said "it doesn't translate into more debt, it translates to more investment in Vermont." Although Pollina originally campaigned as the Progressive Party candidate, he said he switched to independent status in July to step out of the party label box. "Since the transition, we've had many more Democrats stop by ... We have also had a response from Republicans as well," he said. "I think it has helped in the sense that party labels get in the way for some people." Regardless of the actions taken from his challengers, Douglas remains confident Vermonters will send him back to Montpelier for another term. Douglas said that states that offer a unique brand for businesses will be the most successful once the current economic slump passes, and Vermont has an opportunity to create environmental jobs consistant with the strong green values in the region. "Vermonters want to be more independent in terms of our energy future," he said. *** The campaign has turned increasingly nasty the past three months, with both Democrats and Republicans accusing the other side for the amount of negative advertising. The Symington camp ripped Douglas in an attack ad, saying the governor used taxpayer funds to run his campaign. While Democrats say Douglas has changed his story about using the public money, nothing has come from the claim through the Attorney General's office. The Democratic swipe came just days before the Vermont GOP filed a complaint accusing the Symington campaign of a potentially illegal collaboration with Democracy for America. In an interview with the Reformer this week, Symington said the negative campaigning is disrespectful to Vermonters and based on distorted information. Instead of focusing on the slowest economy in New England or Vermont's growing unemployment rate, Douglas has alienated voters with his slogans, she said. "You would think he could set the bar higher," Symington added. According to Douglas, it is ironic Symington is questioning his integrity after trying to pass off "bogus tax returns." The GOP put pressure on Symington in August after she released documents to make it appear she and her husband filed separate tax returns, when they did not want it publicly known they filed a joint return. Recently, the Douglas camp shifted its focus from Symington to directly going after Pollina, criticizing his tenure with the financially troubled Vermont Milk Co. Ads and press releases by the governor's team say Pollina left farmers and small businesses "holding the bag" after checks were returned due to insufficient funds. The Douglas campaign said Pollina's "smooth talk rings hollow when his record shows that he did not fulfill his obligations to farmers and small businesses." Pollina said the attacks were just another ploy from a desperate incumbent with only slogans and failed policies. "He is depending on negative attacks because he has nothing positive to say," Pollina said. "I think the good news is Vermonters don't fall for this kind of stuff. Vermonters know who to trust." Additionally, Douglas has also outraised and outspent his opponents by sweeping margins. Recently released campaign finance reports indicate Douglas has raised $1.25 million and has spent roughly $967,000. He has spent more than Symington and Pollina have raised -- $493,000 and $233,000, respectively -- combined since the election cycle began. While the gubernatorial race features three front-running candidates, there are four other candidates seeking the position, including Liberty Union candidate Peter Diamondstone and three independents, Cris Ericson, Tony O'Connor and Sam Young. A recent survey conducted by WCAX-TV from Oct. 24-26 gave Douglas 47 percent, with 24 percent for Symington and 23 percent for Pollina. There was a plus or minus 5 percentage points for the margin of error in the poll. According to Vermont's Constitution, if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the popular vote, the election is put in the hands of the heavily Democratic Legislature in January. Mississippi is the only other state in the country that has this measure.

The Rutland Herald - Douglas Turns His Attention to Challenger Pollina Louis Porter In the final week of the campaign for governor, incumbent James Douglas is going directly after independent Anthony Pollina, an opponent the Republican has been largely ignoring until now. "I want Vermonters to understand the clear contrast that voters are facing in this election," Douglas said Tuesday. "Anyone who seeks the confidence of the voters, especially to serve as chief executive of the state, must be accountable." Pollina has his own reason for why Douglas has, really for the first time in this campaign, turned his attention to the Progressive-turned independent. "I think the governor is getting very nervous," Pollina said. "We have built a lot of momentum." Until recently Douglas has been answering Pollina's charges only during debates or when asked directly about them. But the governor has reserved advertising time and statements from his campaign largely to trade blows with Democrat Gaye Symington, the speaker of the House. In recent days, however, Douglas has put out a television ad that criticizes Pollina — as well as Symington — and issued at least two press releases challenging Pollina. Douglas leads his two opponents both in fundraising and in the few polls that have been released publicly. But the Vermont Constitution creates an unusual situation in races with more than two candidates. If the incumbent does not win 50 percent of the vote, the state's Legislature will decide who will be the next governor. A new poll by CBS affiliate WCAX Television released Tuesday evening showed Pollina gaining ground and Douglas with less than 50 percent of the vote. A previous poll by the television station showed Pollina lagging behind Symington, but the new survey of 400 likely voters by the Maryland firm Research 2000 has Douglas at roughly 47 percent, Symington with 24 percent and Pollina with 23 percent. Douglas this week has gone after Pollina's experience helping to found the Vermont Milk Co., the Hardwick dairy company that did not immediately pay farmers or other vendors as much as promised. The farmers have since received their money. Douglas said as he has toured the state he has met "not only farmers but other vendors" who were owed money from the company — a problem he holds Pollina responsible for. "I think that is a record that is important for Vermonters to know," Douglas said. "As founder and director of the Vermont Milk Company, Pollina left Vermont farmers waiting for their milk checks and vendors unpaid — walking away from the company to pursue a run for statewide office at a time when the company's debt mounted," according to a Douglas campaign statement entitled Got Paid? He was responding, in part, to Pollina's criticism of his record on agricultural issues, said Douglas, who has worked on his wife's family farm. "Dorothy grew up on a dairy farm. My in-laws run that farm still," he said. "There is no better friend of the farmer in government than I have been." But Pollina did not shrink from Douglas' newly combative approach to his campaign. "The governor in the last days of the campaign is trying to hide from his record," Pollina said. "He is hiding behind his attack ads." That record is a poor one when it comes to farmers, Pollina said this week. For instance, a state study that indicated a large share of state government food purchases were made locally counted local distribution company purchases, Pollina said. "Clearly a local distributor does not mean you are buying local goods," he said. Instead the state should be buying food grown in Vermont for its schools, prisons and other facilities and putting more money into in-state processing of agricultural goods, Pollina said. And the state should create and market a "Vermont Fair Trade" milk label, for which consumers in Boston and other New England markets would be willing to pay more, Pollina said. As for the Vermont Milk Co., although he helped farmers get it started, he did not run it, Pollina said. It is no surprise that the start-up — like other companies — has had a rocky start, he added. "The Vermont Milk Co. is there, it is making products and it is treating Vermont farmers well," he said. Douglas has also criticized an idea Pollina has suggested of creating a Vermont credit card that would return money to a Vermont development fund, instead of airline miles or cash back. "Vermonters have a very high level of credit card debt, which is troubling," Douglas said. "It is bad enough to get all of these solicitations flooding our mailboxes from banks around the country. Imagine getting them from the state of Vermont. It is unseemly." But Pollina said Douglas has been intentionally misstating that his proposal is to add to credit card debt when it is, in fact, to replace credit cards now being used by Vermonters with a different one that would benefit Vermont businesses. "People are going to continue to use credit cards," he said. The Douglas administration has been low on substance, Pollina added. "It is all about slogans," he said.