by John McCormick
I am a Vermont Democrat working with Republican Candidate Steven Heffernan to defeat Senator Chris Bray. Steven is one-quarter of the help I need to see the Clean Heat Standard (CHS) stored on a floppy disk when Governor Scott vetoes it next May.
The math is this clear to me: Last year seven Republican and three Democratic Senators voted to sustain Governor Scott’s veto of the CHS. I need four Republican Senate Candidates to win the election. Steven sees that as a primary goal as well.
With eleven Republican Senators, the Party takes on a new power. It becomes a broker of bi-partisan legislation.
Lets say, the Democratic Chairman of the Education Committee wants to bring his bill to the floor. Governor Scott is familiar with it and has problems that he shares with.Senator Brock. Brock can go to the Chairman and open a discussion to resolve their differences with the bill. If the Democrats fail to accept that request and refuse to negotiate, Senator Brock can then say the Governor will veto it and we 11 Senators will vote to sustain. So, Mr. Chairman, either meet our request to have a bi-partisan discussion; or your bill is dead today — unless you reconsider.
Isn’t that an obvious achievable solution to blocking enactment of terrible legislation; as long as Governor Scott, or his Republican successor are present to provide that minority wall. Senate Republicans can put the brakes on any new legislation that will bring more economic pain to Vermonters.
Republican Chairs must use this opportunity to mobilize all voters to see the necessity to shift the Senate with 11 or more Republican Senators. You and they can right this ship of State.
Businesses, you should speak out and support this Checkmate Campaign. The CHS is going to increase your and my fuel 70 cents/gal. and more.
John McCormick is Director of the Bristol Chapter of the Louise Diamond Committee to Protect Next Generations.