By Guy Page

The Scott Milne for Lieutenant Governor campaign today released a transcript of an exchange yesterday between WPTZ reporter Stewart Ledbetter and Democrat Lieutenant Gov. Candidate Molly Gray in which she refuses to answer directly his question about working on campaign activities while on the job at the Vermont Attorney General’s office.

At a recent debate, Gray criticized Milne, a Republican, for a Freedom of Information Act request seeking all emails and other communications about campaigning while she was employed by the Attorney General. She called it a waste of taxpayers’ money at a time when state funds are in short supply. Milne countered that use of the FOIA process is an example of much-needed transparency in state government.

The video of Ledbetter’s Oct. 5 interview with Gray appears below, as posted by the Scott Milne for Vermont YouTube channel.

Thursday deadline to apply for seat on climate council, Zuckerman says

Vermonters wishing to serve on the 23-member Vermont Climate Council have until October 8 to apply for appointment, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman said in a letter released by the Vermont Climate Solutions Caucus.

Zuckerman is seeking candidates for the seven appointees the Global Warming Solutions Act says must be selected by the Senate’s Committee on Committees. The lieutenant governor is a member of this select committee.

The introductory letter from the Climate Solutions Caucus appears below; beneath it appears the letter from Lt. Gov. Zuckerman.

Dear Climate Champions,

As you surely know, the Vermont General Assembly voted to override Governor Scott’s veto of H.688 in late September and the Global Warming Solutions Act will now become law. By turning our current greenhouse gas reduction goals into requirements, this landmark legislation puts Vermont on a path to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It also creates a Climate Council that will work across state agencies and economic sectors to create a detailed plan to achieve these important goals.

Lt. Governor David Zuckerman is seeking applicants for the Council with a deadline of 5 p.m. this Thursday, October 8. His official letter is below.

This is a remarkable opportunity to help shape the future of climate action in Vermont as we develop a strategic plan to curb pollution, ensure that our communities and infrastructure are more resilient and prepared for the impacts of climate change, and put people to work in the local, clean energy jobs of the future. If you or someone you know is qualifed, please reach out to Lt. Gov. Zuckerman’s office before Thursday’s deadline.

Thank you for your strong support of this bill and other measures to support climate action across Vermont and in our communities. We’ll be in touch!

Sen. Chris Pearson & Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, Co-Chairs

CPearson@leg.state.vt.us || SCopelandHanzas@leg.state.vt.us

To whom it may concern, 

With the Legislature’s override of Governor Scott’s veto of H.688, on Sept. 21st, the Committee on Committees is tasked with appointing seven members to the Vermont Climate Council.

We are soliciting applicants for the following positions as described in the statutes:

• one member with expertise in the design and implementation of programs to increase resilience to and respond to natural disasters resulting from climate change;

• one member to represent the clean energy sector;

• one member to represent the small business community;

• one member to represent the Vermont Community Action Partnership;

• one member to represent the farm and forest sector;

• one youth member; and

• one member of a Vermont-based organization with expertise in energy and data analysis.

If you are interested in one of these positions, or you know someone who may be interested, please contact my office at Deb.wolf@Vermont.gov with a cover letter expressing your interest and your related experience and why you would like to serve. Please also provide one reference.

If you are interested in knowing more about the full scope of the position and the task of the council, you can visit the legislative website here to read the whole bill including the tasks of the council.

With the important nature of the task at hand, I am hoping to work with the Committee on Committees to appoint the council members as quickly as possible while searching for the most qualified individuals for these positions. With that in mind, if you are interested, please send your information to Deb.wolf@vermont.gov by 5 PM on Thursday Oct. 8th in order that we may review your application.

We all know that the climate crisis is real and needs to be addressed. My office believes there are opportunities to both create jobs and reduce our climate emissions. We are all too aware of the urgency of this matter and the economic and environmental consequences of inaction.

I thank you for your interest,

Lt. Governor David Zuckerman

There is no notification on the Legislative website about the openings, although several full-time positions at the State House are advertised. Zuckerman’s letter first appeared on his office’s Facebook page yesterday. It drew this comment from anti-carbon tax activist and Caledonia County senate candidate JT Dodge:

“Can an applicant disagree with you on climate action and be considered without prejudice?…..Only one member to represent rural communities! That speaks volumes! You do not care in the least for rural individuals. your wealthy * just sits back proposing hurtful expenses on those that can least afford it. Astounding that you would post this in public. But at least you are honest about it.”

Read more of Guy Page’s reports. Vermont Daily is sponsored by True North Media.