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


9.25.2009

 

Democrats fire at former member Salmon over unemployment proposal

Judy Bevans shot some sharp criticism at Tom Salmon, a former Democrat who just switched to the Republican Party, after he suggested the state should signficantly lower the maximum benefit paid to unemployed Vermonters.

Bevans, Democratic Party chairwoman, wrote, "Just two weeks after switching parties, our state's Auditor, Turn-Back-Time Tom Salmon, testified this week that he supports turning back the clock to 2000 and reducing the state's maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $425 to $300!"

Technically, Salmon didn't testify before the Unemployment Trust Fund Reform Study Committee, but he shared his idea publically and followed it up with a letter to the committee. The Democratic Party has corrected its description of his comments.

Bevans paired Salmon's comments with the news that the Douglas administration and the Vermont State Employees failed to agree over how to save $7.4 million without layoffs. She argued Gov. Jim Douglas refused "to meet the state employees union halfway in their negotiations, a move that could result in as many as 300 pink slips for state employees."

Her double-pronged jab: "Seems that the Republican version of economic stimulus calls for fewer jobs and a weaker safety net. A little backwards, if you ask me."

No surprise that Democrats are bitter, but what did Salmon gain from airing this idea?

Salmon's letter to Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington,and Rep. Michael Obuchowski, D-Rockingham, explains, "I hope to be a voice that adds productive material to the process."

The unemployment trust fund has a problem -- too little money coming in and a whole lot going out, thanks to the recession. It will become insolvent in January.

Salmon argues against significantly increasing employer contributions because that would slow the state's economic recovery.

Instead he suggests giving Vermont workers fair warning that the maximum benefit would shrink from $425 a week to $300 a week beginning at some date in the future -- such as next July 1. "We should forewarn Vermonters that the UI is not a strong or sustainable solution in assisting them in their household revenue/workforce planning."

Provocative stuff. Does it have appeal, I wonder? Lots of Vermonters can probably imagine themselves out of work these day, so how do they feel about signficantly reducing the maximum benefit -- since that would impact all the benefit levels? Not even the business groups that testified at the study committee's meeting Tuesday suggested such a dramatic change in benefits.

-- Nancy Remsen

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Comments:
I read Bevans' attack on Salmon. Note that she does NOT propose a solution to the unemployment fund's insolvency problem, she just attacks Salmon. We know why she doesn't offer a solution -- because the only solution is higher taxes and she's AFRAID to mention that.

Guess what? Salmon's right.
 
"Flop. Flop flop flop. Flop. Huh? Flop. Flop flop. Flop flop, flop." said Tom Salmon.
 
Actually, the best solution to the unemployment problem would be replacing this clown with a competent governor.
 
Salmon is now appealing to the GOP right wing conservative base.

Even the VT (GOP) Chamber opposed cutting below last years $409 weekly.

Seems as though Salmon has not reviewed his Auditor's job description recently.

Oh wait, Salmon is an opportunist and is actually running for Gov or Lt Gov!!!
 
Tom Salmon will be living on $300 per week when he is NOT elected next year
 
No way. Daddy or Sugar Daddy will hook him up.
 
"Actually, the best solution to the unemployment problem would be replacing this clown with a competent governor."

Actually, the best solution would be replacing the legislature with a bunch of competent people who graduated from college and have heard of the term "economics."
 
I do not agree with the substantial cuts to unemployment benefits. Especially when so many are out of work and there are very little jobs available. Although no one else is bringing up other alternatives. At least Salmon is starting the conversation and throwing out some ideas. If you are going to disagree with his ideas then at least do it by offering other options.
 
I totally agree - at least he brave enough to start a conversation. The rest just want to win.
 
"very little jobs available"

Very "little" jobs available?

You mean, very "few" jobs available.

English a second language?
 
Pollina for Governor.
 
The next Governor is going to have to say some things voters don't want to hear. Tom Salmon seems to have the courage to do that.
 
Yeah, but will Vermont voters -- any Amrican voters, for that matter -- ever vote for someone who tells them the truth, rather than merely what they want to hear?

I'm not optimisitc.
 
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