Vermont Report: June 21st

FreedomWorks-Vermont and Vermonters for Better Education join forces.

In an exciting development for our organization, the board of Vermonters for Better Education has decided to award responsibility for producing the e-newsletter, Vermont Education Report, and managing the website, schoolreport.com, to FreedomWorks-Vermont.

With long-time VBE director Libby Sternberg stepping down, the future of that organization was in some doubt. This decision means that the good work of VBE and its readership can continue, and by combing the resources of VBE with the growing activist network of FreedomWorks-Vermont, we will be able to have an even more significant impact on Vermont education policy decisions moving forward.

VBE and FreedomWorks-Vermont enjoyed a great relationship over the past year as both of our organizations were heavily involved in the debate over expanding Universal Public Pre-K. Libby Sternberg’s knowledge, energy and insights will be greatly missed, but we at FreedomWorks look forward to building on our mutual successes.

Don’t let Congress “veto” the Line Item Veto.

On Thursday June 22^nd the US House is expected to vote on legislation that would give the president a line item veto (H.R. 4890) over spending. This is a critical tool, and the best chance we have to put Washington on a pork-free diet.

The line item veto is a bipartisan idea that has enjoyed support even from the likes of John Kerry. It is important enough to rise above politics: It was a Republican Congress that empowered Bill Clinton with a line item veto in 1996, and he used it 84 times before the Supreme Court declared that version of the legislation Unconstitutional. H.R. 4890 has been retooled to pass constitutional muster.

Here in Vermont, I have seen letters to the editor calling this a “gimmick,” and a distraction from the real issue of overspending. Nothing could be further from the truth. Think of the psychology at work today. Now, Senator A, over drinks with Senator B, says “I won’t object to funding a Lawrence Welk museum in your state if you don’t object to building a tenth “national” atomic clock in my state. Then we’ll both tell our constituents how awful all the pork in the budget is, but we had to vote ‘yes’ or children on food-stamps would starve. Ha, ha, ha! Oops, it’s almost midnight! Time to go vote ourselves a pay raise.” Since the line item veto was struck down the number of earmarks in the budget has skyrocketed to 15,877.

However, enter the line item veto. Same deal as above, but now the president threatens to veto the atomic clock. Will Senator B support a budget that has Senator A’s pork in it, but not his own? Will anyone vote in favor of just the atomic clock with no starving children to hide behind? Will anyone put forward flagrant pork projects knowing they could be singled out and embarrassed by a line-item spotlight? With the line item veto in place, the back room handshake deals made by the legislators will become meaningless. As such, “honor among thieves” can no longer exist inside the Capitol.

This does not cut just one way, because now the voter can also ask the president, “Hey, why didn’t you veto Senator A’s Lawrence Welk museum, too? What kind of BS is that?” Today, the president gets to hide behind those starving kids, too. With the line item veto in place, no more.

On its face, the line item veto empowers the President. But its real value comes through empoering the taxpayer with the ability to hold members of Congress and the President personally and directly accountable for every item in the budget. And, yes, it scares the big spenders to death.

Please contact Vermont’s federal delegation and tell them to support the Line Item Veto (H.R. 4890).
Rep. Bernie Sanders: Call in Vermont 1-800-339-9834, or in DC – 202-225-4115.
Sen. Patrick Leahy: 1-800-642-3193, or in DC – (202) 224-4242
Sen. Jim Jeffords: In Vermont – 1-800-835-5500, or in DC (202) 224-4242

House Education Committee Chair Isn’t Teaching the Truth.

Ultra-liberal commentator and recent visitor to Vermont, Al Franken, wrote a book titled Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them. I wonder if Franken had a chance to meet Rep. George Cross (D-Winooski), Chair of the House Education Committee while he was here.

A letter written by Cross that is currently making the rounds in Vermont’s op-ed pages attacks Governor Douglas for not signing S.314, the U-Pre-K study bill. Cross writes, “By allowing the bill to become law without his signature, the governor hides from the public his reasoning. What are his objections to the bill, and why won’t he explain them?”

George Cross, Chairman of the House Education Committee, knows perfectly well that Governor Douglas immediately issued a lengthy press release publicly explaining his objections to S.314 (Official Statement Regarding H. 880, An Act Relating to Education Finance Simplification and S. 314, An Act Relating to Early Childhood Education, Thursday, May 25, 2006). The governor has since spoken in public and in the media on this subject (“Douglas: Public early ed not the way to go,” Brattleboro Reformer/AP, June 8, 2006, for example). For Cross to imply that the governor is being anything less than straightforward and open on this issue is… well, what would Al Franken say?  

Rep. Cross also writes, “Given recent controversy about such programs, one would think the governor would welcome a careful analysis [of U-Pre-K, as provided for in S.314].” Again, Cross know perfectly well the governor’s publicized position: “At a time when property taxes and the cost of education are increasing at unsustainable rates, but school enrolment is declining, Vermont should not be adding grades to the public school system.” And, “I am pleased that in S.314 the legislature has taken my advice to reconsider expanding the scope of the public school system to include all 3 & 4 year olds….The study called for in S.314 will help us to determine if Vermonters can afford implementation of these programs.” So, contrary to the false impression Cross is trying to manufacture, it is obvious the governor does welcome a careful analysis of what’s going on with millions of dollars of our money, as should all Vermonters – and Cross knows it.

Rep. George Cross’ cheap attempt to smear the governor — on such obviously false premises — is yet another example of the deceitful and partisan tactics to which promoters of taxpayer-funded preschool will stoop. Vermonters owe Governor Douglas a debt of gratitude for his stand on this issue. Thanks to George Cross (and 77 of his colleagues) Vermonters just owe a debt.

George Cross, gcross@leg.state.vt.us, 655-4611

The Following papers have so far printed George Cross deceptive letter. If you have a moment, please take a moment to respond.

If you see Cross’ letter in your hometown paper, please let me know! rroper@freedomworks.org

Don’t Forget to Register for FreedomFest!

The day’s keynote speaker will be Becky Norton Dunlop, Vice President of the Heritage Foundation, who is a nationally known expert on land, forestry and wilderness issues. At FreedomFest, she will speak on “Advancing Liberty in America”, but you can get a preview by listening to True North Radio with Paul Beaudry (WDEV 550AM, WSYB 1380AM, or 96.1FM, 11:00 am – noon) on Thursday, June 29 when Becky will be a guest. 

You can register for FreedomFest by emailing the Ethan Allen Institute (eai@ethanllen.org) or phoning (695-1448).       You can pay the $25 ticket at the door, but please register in advance. Bring a friend or two for a day of fun in July that can make a serious difference in November.

To get involved with the fight for lower taxes, smaller government and more economic freedom in Vermont – or if your organization is looking for a speaker — contact Rob Roper, State Director, at rroper@freedomworks.org or 802-999-8145, or go to www.freedomworks.org/vermont/.

Please forward this on to your friends and neighbors, and, as always, your feedback is welcome!