burlingtonfreepress.com

Sponsored by:

vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


10.30.2008

 

That mileage controversy

In today's story about the campaign travel expense squabble in the governor's race, I reported that I found $9,867.39 in reimbursements Howard Dean made to the state over five elections. That comes about just under $2,000 an election.

Not all of what Dean repaid was for mileage traveled in a car to campaign events. I found $7,566.92 in mileage/travel reimbursements. Some of the travel was to Democratic Governors Association meetings, not just miles on Vermont roads.

Assuming about $1,500 went for travel each election and all of it was in a car (no flights to DC or wherever.), and using 33 cents per mile which is kind of in the middle of the mileage payment figures I found for 1992-2002, Howard was paying for 4,545 miles per election. Does that sound like a lot or a little?

Gaye Symington, the Democratic candidate making a stink about Jim Douglas failure to keep track of travel that is strictly campaign related and pay for the mileage with some of his $1.25 million campaign contributions would say paying for 4,500 miles is better than nothing.

Dennise Casey, Douglas' campaign manager, argues that every trip is the governor being the governor.

If one believed in separating campaign expenses, it is complicated. Symington admitted that and Kate O'Connor, Dean's former aide and campaign manager, confirmed it was a bit of a hassle. Still, a look at Douglas' schedule today suggests it might not be that hard to separate out some mileage. Today (Thursday) he was doing a radio interview, then going to Brandon for campaign stops with Rep. Joe Acinapura and visits to a couple of businesses. He was holding a press conference at one. Then he was heading to Bennington for another campaign related press conference, followed by touring and sign waving with Rep. Joe Krawczyk all afternoon. The only official business of the day was listed as 6:30 p.m.

So the mileage from downtown Middlebury to Bennington is 96 miles (thank you, Mapquest). Allowing that he had official business as well as campaigning scheduled, one could charge half the trip to the taxpayers and half to the campaign. The bill for traveling 96 miles would be $55.68 using the current state mileage reimbursement of 58.5 cents per mile.

So should that money be repaid?

-- Nancy Remsen

Comments:
Yea, my hard earned taxes should go to the Jim Douglas re-election effort.
 
Okay, fine, while you focus on this, the rest of us with brain waves will focus on Douglas' miserable jobs record, his unwavering support of Bush (and his wars), his complete failure to lead, and his disgusting Rove-like campaigns.

In other words: Mileage? Who cares about stinkin' mileage?

I want change.
 
Douglas should pay for mileage when Gaye serves up her actual filed tax returns.
 
You can't be serious. With all the issues facing the State from the spiraling cost of living in VT, to the State's budget problems to partisan bikering and gridlock becoming the accepted norm for the legislature's behavior, we want to discuss a couple thousand dollars travel costs. Get real.

The real discussion should be about the inability of any of the candidates to clearly propose and communicate an agenda for the State that is measurable, executable and affordable.

We are about to vote for a Governor and at this point no one has brought forth a plan that you can believe will make the State a better place in 2 years. Compound the lack of an agenda with all the demonstrated pitfalls of the outdated citizen legislature and you have a recipe for 2 more years of failure.

Vote for None of the Above.

Captain America
 
Can we have our tax dollars go to paying the mortgage on Douglas's house on Martha's Vineyard too?

Mismanaging money is a big issue.

Steeling money from the state is a big issue.
 
2 more years of wasted time, gridlock and inaction is a bigger theft of our tax dollars. Get focused. No wonder the State is a mess.
 
I also think Gaye Symington needs to be transparent if she expects to call Douglas out - stop being a hypocrite.
 
Gaye isn't campaigning with taxpayer dollars. Douglas is.
 
The state doesn't have enough money to fully fund law enforcement and state police ... but there is plenty to spend on Douglas's re-election.

This is sick. There isn't a single person in the GOP who will admit that this is wrong? Ugly. Very ugly.
 
More Douglas entitlement. This pig has been gorging at the public trough for far too long now. He probably doesn't know how to stop because it's all he's ever known. If he wins again, it will be with a huge magnifying glass on him, watching his every move and making sure Vermonters know all about it.
 
Maybe Douglas is using the money to pay the illegals working on family member's farm.
 
I think Chuck Lacy is not running for governor, so that information does not need to be public. Gaye Symington did release her tax return, including everything that is filed jointly under her and her husband.

Meanwhile, Jim Douglas expects VT-ers to pay for his travel around the state! In fact Dennise Casey, Douglas' campaign manager said, "I believe she owes the people of Vermont an apology for deceiving them." Deceiving is using tax payer dollars to travel around the state for his re-election campaign.

Heck, I travel around the state for my job...I should make Jim Douglas pay for my travel.

This is just so upsetting! I once was a Douglas supporter, but after this...Symington all the way! I respect her for not dragging her family into this horrible public spot light. I finally agree, VT does need a change!
 
Gee, jim equals joblessness pulls his version of the ol' rudy g - "The State Police forced me to let them guard my girlfriend and Chauffeur me back and forth to the Hamptons. I had no say in the matter." defense.

What are the odds.

Damned straight he should pay it back - plus interests and penalties.

Of course, if doogie gave a damn about anything but doogie, he'd resign and slither away in disgrace after what he's done to Vermont after six years of him at the helm.
 
1) other news reports make it clear that symington isn't making an issue of paying for the troopers. so the douglas response is a typical, cynical dodge

2) why won't casey and douglas explain why they aren't paying all the other expenses (aside from the troopers) that howard paid for - phones, meals, etc.

3) it's outrageous that this guy is trying to get away with this. anybody who has worked in government and politics for ten minutes is told about keeping this stuff separate.

come clean jim and pay us back!
 
At a time when the state revenues are down, the Goernor proposes cutting jobs of the people who serve Vermont businesses and citizens, Jim Douglas thinks it is ok for the state to pay for his campaign expenses and his army of PR people to insure his re-election.

Jim Douglas and his cronies he has appointed to state positions are becoming as corrupt as the GOP in DC.
 
I would think all you campaign workers for Pollina and Symington would have more pressing things to do to assist your candidates- do you think all this blogging will get your candidate from 24% to 47%?
Just feel fortunate the gas prices are falling!
 
maybe gaye should ask barack obama to pay for his secret service detail
 
Anonymous...

"maybe gaye should ask barack obama to pay for his secret service detail"

And is doogie gonna pick up the tab for mcsame's mob, little fella?

Gee, I'm shocked.

In a year-long blizzard of brain-dead, bigoted-trash bupkis with no supporting facts, evidence or coherent rationale to support your ignorant anonymous ass's psychotic spew, that just may might crack the top ten in the dumbest delusional dreck ever uttered by a citizen of nameless nitwit nation.

If it's not bubbakis's Anti-Semitic slop about "Yids" or some clueless-cretin, nameless nitwit putz poppin' off about "kikes" while postin' my name and address over and over again
cause it's the only thing he's got better than a 50/50 chance of postin' without misspellin' it or just generally fookin' it up six ways to Sunday, there's another nameless nitwit spewin racist rubbish about Blacks, Yids and foreigners bein' racists because they won't vote for klansmen and nazis, there's some nameless-nitwit spewin' the likes of this clueless cretin's pathetic attempt to take the focus off what a clueless, corrupt, incompetent fraud doogie has been over the past six years he's been runnin' Vermont into the ground the way his boy, shrub has been runnin' the Country into the ground.

Nice try, little nameless-nitwit fella. No sale.

The Secret Service is a Federal Detail. The Vermont State Police aren't.

We get stuck with the tab for that.

One, unfortunately, is a necessary expense in a world where JFK, MLK and RFK were shot and killed by clueless cretins adverse to "change", the other isn't and is the responsibility of the doogie campaign.

Take it where the climate suits your sheet, schmuck.

Always a pleasure.
 
Don't worry that Douglas is ripping off taxpayers.

Just be thankfull that gas prices aren't as high as they were.
 
Anonymous...

"Don't worry that Douglas is ripping off taxpayers.

Just be thankfull that gas prices aren't as high as they were."

Yeah, but ya gotta admit that doogie's role in making those gas prices fall is clear, unmistakable and inarguable.

Well, it would be if he had one.
 
jw sounds like the campaign manager for Cris Ericson.
 
JWCOOP10 barfs: "Yeah, but ya gotta admit that doogie's role in making those gas prices fall is clear, unmistakable and inarguable.

Well, it would be if he had one."

Oh yeah that's right... Pelosi and Reid really lowered gas prices like they said they would when they took power.
 
Not to mention the great oversight on the Banking system.

Let's see... Chris Dodd got a killer rate on his Countrywide mortgage and Barney Frank found an office romance at Fannie Mae.

Thanks Barney for endorsing Fannie as an okay investment just 4 months ago.
 
Hey, I'm an independent and a reluctant supporter of Jim Douglas the last 3 elections - but now Jim Douglas shows his true colors and he is no different than George Bush and the rest his cronies in DC.

Jim, I'm off the wagon and voting for Symington.
 
Anonymous said...

"Oh yeah that's right... Pelosi and Reid really lowered gas prices like they said they would when they took power."

So, what you're sayin' is that doogie is responsible for lower gas prices because he ignores the will of the majority of Vermonters and vetoes everything Shumlin and Symington send him but Pelosi and Reid are responsible for higher gas and oil prices because the gop-slime minority in the Senate filibusters everything the House passes and Bush vetoes everything they don't.

Sure thing, schmuck.

Ya gotta love that ignorant anonymous trash, gopologist, nameless-nitwit nonsense, "thought process", little factually-challenged fella.

Always a pleasure.
 
Oh yeah, that Shumlin has got it all together!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I guess you worry more about gin prices. Eh coop?
 
Coopy said: "So, what you're sayin' is that doogie is responsible for lower gas prices ..."

Once again Coopy, I understand your comprehension skills are limited but that's not what I said.

I think where you heard the interpretation you repeated was from those tiny voices in your head. Remember when that happens, it is time for more medicine.

I can understand your need to repeat talking points given your limited skills for original thought but you have to be more careful to repeat exactly what I say.

As always, I forgive your ineptness but really I am starting to believe your learning disability is much larger than I thought.
 
Symington for Governor
 
Anonymous...

"I think..."

And, once again, that's where your story falls completely apart, little nameless-nitwit fella, 'cause clearly, ya didn't, ya don't and ya can't.

Nevertheless, you are forgiven and I will spare you.

This time.

Don't press your luck, schmuck.

Always a pleasure.
 
Ah yes....jwcoop..the face of today's Vermont dimocrat party.

The inmates have finally taken over the asylum.
 
Anonymous....

Oh yeah, that Shumlin has got it all together!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's Senate President pro tempore in the Vermont State Legislature with a 23-7 Democratic Majority, little nameless-nitwit fella.

You're ignorant anonymous trash with bupkis.

I like his cards better than yours.

Always a pleasure.
 
bubba...

"...The inmates have finally taken over the asylum."

Yeah, but we've got your ignorant anonymous asses surrounded, the utilities will be cut off come Tuesday night, we don't negotiate with Anti-American Terrorists - be they foreign or domestic and we'll have starved ya out no later than New Years Day.

You're not goin' anywhere.

Dems your choices, little fella.

We can do this the easy way and have a nice, traditional Holiday motif at the State House like we always do or we can ring in the New Year with a bang and an extra special fireworks display and take it from there.

It's your move, bubbakis, but the meter's runnin' and this is a limited-time offer.

Choose wisely.

Always a pleasure.
 
You racist.
 
Coop is the biggest bigot on the board
 
bubba

"I guess..."

And I know you've got bupkis, bubbakis. Ya always do.

Always a pleasure.
 
Anonymous said...

"Coop is the biggest bigot on the board"

What did I do now, kick dirt on your new Saturday night sheet, little fella.

Ya afraid nobody will dance with ya at the cross burnin' tonight now, schmuck.

Nah, unless ya get cocky, drop your left and let bubbakis land a lucky one, your ignorant anonymous ass's title is safe and you'll have job security well into the next life, little fella.

Gai tren zich.

Always a pleasure.
 
Moron. You really have gotten into the Wild Irish Rose today. You must be on your 3rd bottle by now.

Nothing worse than a bigoted drunk.
 
Anonymous

"Moron. You really have gotten into the Wild Irish Rose today. You must be on your 3rd bottle by now."

Christ, little nameless-nitwit fella, your ignorant anonymous ass don't know if it's coming or goin'. Again.

You're talkin' to yourself. Again. Ya still don't know where ya are, what day it is or which end is up.

Ya see that guy in the corner who just threw in your towel and is tellin' ya to stay down?

Yeah, that's right. The one in the middle.

Listen to him, little fella. You're already an omelet as it it.

"Nothing worse than a bigoted drunk."

Yeah, but as long as you're here gettin' pummeled from pillar to post, ya can't gettin' yourself killed somewhere else.

I'll bust ya up, but I'm not gonna kill ya. Not tonight anyhow.

I'm savin' that for Tuesday. President Obama will be dealin' the death blow.

Leave you and the scum vote to linger in a coma until Inauguration Day, bring ya out of it just in time to see Barack sworn in, honor and dignity restored to the White House.

Seein' the Obama girls and their Black Barbies movin' into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue should do the trick and put ya outta your misery.

Look on the bright side, little fella. Odds are bubbakis and nekkie boy won't even last that long.

Hey, somebody's gotta look out for ya, little nameless-nitwit fella.

Always a pleasure.
 
Cripes. Coop get a life. Your obession with having to give a cut and paste reply to any and everything is pitiful. Exactly how do you get that ego of yours through the front door?
 
"I'll bust ya up, but I'm not gonna kill ya. Not tonight anyhow.

I'm savin' that for Tuesday. President Obama will be dealin' the death blow."

Mr. Cooper, if you want to help me the very best thing you can do is DON'T HELP ME.
 
There is an online provided by http://www.MileageLogger.com that can help you log the business mileage automatically.
 
Post a Comment



<< Home

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

June 2006   July 2006   August 2006   September 2006   October 2006   November 2006   December 2006   January 2007   February 2007   March 2007   April 2007   May 2007   June 2007   July 2007   August 2007   September 2007   October 2007   November 2007   December 2007   January 2008   February 2008   March 2008   April 2008   May 2008   June 2008   July 2008   August 2008   September 2008   October 2008   November 2008   December 2008   January 2009   February 2009   March 2009   April 2009   May 2009   June 2009   July 2009   August 2009   September 2009   October 2009   November 2009   December 2009   January 2010   February 2010   March 2010   April 2010