Catamount Tavern News Service, Middlesex, VT- The Douglas Administration is one of missed opportunity and misguided priorities. The Administration is responding to lost jobs and a downturn in the economy by eliminating state jobs while giving “merit” bonuses to administration officials and funding more than a dozen tax-payer funded public relations positions.

Vermonters will soon begin to feel the impact of the elimination of 150 positions across state government. It is the wrong strategy at the wrong time. These cuts come when more Vermonters will need state services. They are being made with no planning as to the impact on Vermonters. This is not the time to eliminate jobs.

In terms of jobs and the economy, 2007 was the worst year since Douglas became Governor in 2002.  And while we can blame the Bush administration for many things, we cannot blame Bush for the do-nothing attitude of the Douglas Administration and its failure to adjust to a changing economy or invest in jobs for Vermonters.

In 2007 the Vermont economy weakened more than the national economy and more than most of our region. This is a time to put people to work, not throw people out of work.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston says: “Vermont was one of New England’s poorest performing economies in 2007…the state’s economic index grew a meager 0.9% …the slowest growth among New England states and the Green Mountain State’s own worse performance since 2002.”

Everyday Vermonters see the effects of the Douglas Administration’s failures. Just take a look at our roads and bridges. That’s why I have offered a plan to put Vermonters to work, fixing roads and bridges, building affordable homes, and retrofitting buildings to make them energy efficient - good jobs with good pay in the construction trades. The Administration ignored that opportunity and the bridges are crumbling while Vermonters are out of work.

In 2007, under “Jim Equals Jobs” Vermont lost 800 construction jobs and 600 manufacturing jobs (after losing 800 in 2006). And Vermont was the only New England state to see a drop in exports. We even lost 400 retail jobs, which speaks to the cost of doing business but also the drop in Vermonter’s income. People out of work or struggling to pay for necessities have less to spend on Main Street.

At least one small group got a raise in 2007. While pondering the elimination of state jobs and freezing pay for all exempt employees earning over $60,000 Douglas gave “merit” bonuses to key members of his administration. Kevin Dorn, Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, responsible for economic development, got a merit bonus while the state was shedding jobs under his watch. George Crombie, Secretary of Natural Resources, received a merit bonus while Lake Champlain clean up efforts slid backwards and according to a recent report our environmental laws went un-enforced. Jason Gibbs, the person responsible for defending these failed policies and attacking those who question them appears to have received two “merit” bonuses - totaling over $10,000.

Like a hedge fund or Wall Street firm the Douglas Administration has given those at the top a bonus while those at the bottom lost their shirts. The “merit” bonuses are a way to avoid actual “raises” while wages were being frozen for many state workers.

The full cost of merit bonuses in 2007 was $285,000. Some of them no doubt went to hard-working and deserving public servants.  But it is reasonable to ask why those responsible for faltering economic and environmental programs deserve “merit” bonuses while so many workers are losing their jobs. It is also reasonable to ask why the Administration needs and continues to employ so many public relations positions.

Many Vermonters are tightening their belts and deciding between food and fuel. I ask the administration to reconsider “merit” bonuses at a time when so many Vermonters are struggling.

I ask the administration to cut the tax-payer funded public relations staff before eliminating the jobs of state workers who are on the front lines helping Vermonters get the services they need. I suggest the Governor take a hard look at middle management when considering state job cuts. Keep the folks who are working directly with Vermonters and reconsider those who are managing managers. The bottom line is that at a time when Vermonters will need more from their state government, Douglas is providing less.

Given the economic crisis we find ourselves in, rescinding merit bonuses to key players in the administration and cutting public relations jobs seems like the least the administration could do.CT

*Anthony Pollina is the 2008 VT Progressive Party Candidate For Governor.