Progs Will Work
With Democrats
In response to Gary Hobart's recent letter and some general local grumbling about Vermont Progressives stealing statewide Democrats' thunder, I offer this:

Vt. Progressives are focused on moving positive legislation forward, whether it be in the areas of renewable energy, universal health care, more equitable property taxation, sustainable agriculture or local economic "smart growth" development. To accomplish these goals, Progressives are always open to forging coalitions with Republicans, Independents and Democrats, as is evidenced by recent multi-partisan support of the universal hospitalization and the hemp bills.

If a viable, forward-thinking Democratic candidate had committed to the gubernatorial race, I'm sure that Progressives and Pollina would have given her/him serious consideration. To date, that has not happened.

In my legislative district (Tunbridge/Royalton), this is happening and local Progressives look forward to working with local Democrats in communicating with local voters as to why a can-do positive set of issues from an activist legislator easily trumps an incumbent who appears to rubber stamp an entrenched governor's narrow "affordability" agenda.

Todd Tyson

Orange Co. Progressive Chair