All five Democrats hoping to be governor will debate the hot topic of education Monday at a University of Vermont forum.
Gov. Jim Douglas, in both his state of the state and budget addresses to the legislature, called on lawmakers, school boards and schoolteachers to make sweeping changes in the state’s education fund — from raising the amount of money households earning $60,000 to $90,000 pay as part of their income, to reducing the number of teachers and forcing existing teachers to pay a greater share of their health care premiums.
But, in his state of the state address, Douglas also proposed an increase in funding to higher education: $5.5 million to be shared by UVM, the Vermont State Colleges, and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, as well as $1.5 million for so-called Next Generation scholarships.
On Monday, all five Democrats will take part in a forum moderated by former Vermont Associated Press bureau chief Chris Graff. The event, to be held at the University of Vermont in the Davis Center, is being sponsored by faculty from Castleton State College, St. Michael’s College and UVM.
Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, who was invited by forum organizers, declined to attend. He wants to wait until after the Democratic primary before debating an opponent.
“The lieutenant governor will not be participating in any gubernatorial forums until we know who our opponent is,” said Corry Bliss, Dubie’s campaign manager.
This article appears in Jan 20-26, 2010.
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“As a candidate for governor, what issues do you identify as most important in order to assure the quality of education for all Vermont students, and how would you address them?” Dubie doesn’t need to know who his future opponent will be to answer this question. It really is unfortunate that he is choosing not to participate.
Dubie has taken the stance that is best for him and not so good for Vermonters. That should tell Vermonters all they need to know.
blah, blah, blah. we should spend trillions on education and go into debt. blah, blah, blah.
“Dubie has taken the stance that is best for him and not so good for Vermonters.”Do you actually think he won’t be asked these questions at some point before the election?
The election is not until November. Why debate 5 potential opponents at once when a press release answering the question “As a candidate for governor, what issues do you identify as most important in order to assure the quality of education for all Vermont students, and how would you address them?” will do the trick?
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