VT Edition Interview: Paul Burns & Rob Roper on campaign finance reform

Friday January 25, 2008
Bob Kinzel
Colchester, VT

New campaign finance reform legislation is passing quickly through the Legislature. Is it too late for lawmakers to pass this bill and let it apply to this year election? VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with Paul Burns, the Executive Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group and Rob Roper, Chairman of the Vermont Republican Party about the bill's chances.

Listen to the interview here
http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/79088/

Campaign finance reform bill moving quickly through Legislature

Friday January 25, 2008
Montpelier, Vt.

(Host) Supporters of a new campaign finance reform bill say their measure is needed to eliminate "the appearance" of corruption in Vermont politics.

The Vermont Public Interest Research Group is a strong supporter of the new campaign finance reform bill. VPIRG's executive director is Paul Burns:

(Burns)"There is an appearance of corruption that the court has also recognized as being a legitimate reason for putting some rational limits what individuals corporations PACS and others can give to candidates the limits contained in this bill are not the lowest in the nation and we are not trying to limit what candidates can spend in a race."

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Vt. Senate rushes to OK campaign finance bill

January 21, 2008

MONTPELIER — The bill establishing new contribution limits for Vermont political campaigns was hurried through the Senate last week with just enough time for a nearly party-line vote. It gained final Senate approval Friday and has now moved on to the House.

Paul Burns, the head of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, gave members of the Senate advice in how to write the campaign finance law. It is legally defensible, he said.

"The bill has been changed in a number of ways that make it comport with all of the guidance given to us by the Supreme Court," Burns said. "The Legislature has listened and responded to all of the guidance the Supreme Court gave. It is as defensible as it can be and still have some meaning."

"They sought our advice and counsel on this," Burns said. The legislators also heard from the Vermont Republican Party and Bopp as well. "That is part of our process here," Burns said, pointing out that Vermont's citizen Legislature has a limited staff.

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Crombie pushes repeal of new law

January 20, 2008

MONTPELIER – It's unusual for a state agency to ask legislators to repeal part of a brand-new law, but the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and Gov. James Douglas are doing just that.
They want to repeal a section of Act 43 passed last year that is part of the effort to clean up Lake Champlain. Douglas and the agency say that the $59 million Vermonters could be compelled to spend under the law on sewage plant upgrades across two-thirds of Vermont would be better spent on reducing "non-point" pollution like farm runoff.

A national report on wastewater treatment plants that exceed their pollution limits put out by the Vermont Public Interest Group and its partners says that Vermont has the lowest percentage in New England of wastewater plants exceeding their permits.

That fact has been heralded by the agency heads as a sign that even VPIRG – a frequent critic – acknowledges Vermont plants are the "best in New England."

But Iarrapino and Paul Burns, the head of VPIRG, both worked on the study, and they question Crombie's assertions. Iarrapino said the agency's characterization of the report is "a pretty flagrant distortion." Burns called it "serious mischaracterization" by the agency.

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Power suppliers hope to have contracts by end of year

Wednesday January 9, 2008

MONTPELIER, Vt.

(Host) As the Vermont Legislature sets an ambitious agenda on energy issues, many of the ultimate decisions on where our power comes from in the future will be made by Vermont's utilities. The state's two major power companies are negotiating new contracts with Hydro Quebec and Vermont Yankee. They hope to have both contracts signed by the end of the year.

(Dillon) A leading environmental group says it's irresponsible for Douglas not to plan ahead for Yankee's shutdown in 2012. James Moore is an energy specialist with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

(Moore) ``We've known for a long time that Vermont Yankee's license to operate ends in 2012. It's an old facility. It's 40 years old at that point.So the fact that the governor hasn't been planning for any kind of alternatives is disappointing, to say the least. And we're going to be looking to the legislature, and the governor, to step up, and start planning for the future that we know is around the corner.''

(Dillon) Moore and other environmentalists say the state can replace Vermont Yankee through investments in renewable energy, and energy efficiency. He says any short term gap can be filled by buying power in the market.

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Friction eases on energy legislation, but will it last?

January 7, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Rep. Robert Dostis sat down with Gov. Jim Douglas last month and talked about energy efficiency. Down the street, energy consultants hired by legislative leaders huddled with Douglas administration staff.

The significance? No such meetings of the mind were happening last legislative session as debate over creating an energy-efficiency program erupted into political warfare, reaching a crescendo in June with a gubernatorial veto. The Democratic-controlled Legislature and Republican governor could not agree on the scope of a program to make Vermont homes and businesses more energy efficient or how to pay for it.

Since the Legislature last met in July, the price of heating fuel has climbed. Meanwhile, in October, the Governor's Climate Change Commission listed expanding the state's electric efficiency program to all fuels as one of its top recommendations.

Some say those factors leave Douglas no choice but to accept the energy legislation. "His position has shifted," said Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. "He's willing to embrace the fundamental concept of an energy-efficiency utility."

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Another crack at closing 'loophole'

January 6, 2008

MONTPELIER — Gov. James Douglas' veto of a campaign finance reform bill last year went largely unnoticed.

Now, as a new election year ensues, legislators are determined to push through a slightly modified version of last year's bill as soon as possible.

"I think people are sick and tired of the way wealthy interests affect elections and influence the legislative process. Vermont is better than that," said Paul Burns, head of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

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