vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

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

12.29.2009

The year's stories

Here's Vermont This Week's top 10 stories for the year, as voted by those who appear on the show and then another list as voted by 40 viewers. You can catch the Free Press top 10 HERE.

The VTW viewers, oddly enough, ranked Capt. Phillips the top story. I don't think he made my list at all, which I don't mean as any snub to him. I tend to think of the long-term impact on Vermont when ranking the stories, but I confess to having a hard time ranking things. Anyway, here you are for mulling purposes:

VTW Panelists
1. Gay Marriage Becomes Law in Vermont
2. Douglas Announces He Won’t Seek Re-election
3. National Guard Sees Largest Deployment Since WWII
4. ‘Great Recession’ sends unemployment to 15-year High
5. Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto
6. Champlain Bridge Shuts Down, Stranding Thousands
7. Sex Offender Bill Becomes Law
8. Captain Richard Phillips Held Hostage on High Seas
9. FairPoint Troubles Leads to Bankruptcy Filing
10. H1N1 Virus Prompts Historic Response

And as a comparison, 40 VTW viewers got online and voted.

VTW Viewers
1. Captain Richard Phillips Hostage on High Seas
2. National Guard Sees Largest Deployment Since WWII
3. Gay Marriage Becomes Law in Vermont
4. Champlain Bridge Shuts Down, Stranding Thousands
5. Douglas Announces He Won’t Seek Re-election
6. Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto
7. Vermont Yankee Re-licensing Comes to a Heade
8. ‘Great Recession’ Sends Unemployment to 15-year High
9. Dairy Farms Fight For Survival
10. FairPoint Troubles Leads to Bankruptcy Filing

- Terri Hallenbeck

Labels: vermont politics

posted by vt.Buzz | 12:35 PM |

Comments:

Curiously ignored by the press has been any serious coverage of the impending financial/budget crisis the State will be facing in the next several years as it tries to wrestle with the consequences of its irresponsible overspending over the last years. As is typical, there is a lot of rhetoric and empty talk with no solutions.

We dodged a bullet when we got Federal money this year. What happens when the free lunch ends? The lack of any fiscal restraint in Montpelier has been epic. In 2010, the chickens will come home to roost.... and no one is really talking about it.

Captain America

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:46 AM, December 30, 2009

it's because the cause of our troubles isn't our spending it's the world financial crisis. Every state in the union is in the same boat. Wanna blame Vermont for that?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:21 PM, December 31, 2009

Could it be that reporters are out of touch with what people really think.........

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:38 PM, December 31, 2009

Zuckerman for State Senate

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:39 PM, December 31, 2009

Thank you Mrs. Zuckerman

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:22 AM, January 01, 2010

"it's because the cause of our troubles isn't our spending it's the world financial crisis. Every state in the union is in the same boat. Wanna blame Vermont for that?"

That's totally ridiculous and a cop-out. Yes, every state in the union is having budget problems. That doesn't mean VT can't and shouldn't live within its own means. That doesn't mean our legislature didn't wuss out last term by refusing to make tough cuts, instead of fiddling away 2/3 of the session on gay marriage while Rome was burning.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:51 AM, January 01, 2010

To Anonymous 11:51AM, Jan 1...

Get your facts right... you say "instead of fiddling away 2/3 of the session on gay marriage" -- unfortunately that is not a true statement.

The legislature actually spent very little time on the Gay Marraige issue - I'll bet it was less than 1% of the actual time they were in Montpelier.

However, before you jump all over me - Yes, Vermont should live within its means. We have to find ways to deliver services more eficiently. BUT we can't just cut people loose and let them fend for themselves - that would end up costing ALL of us more in the long run and actually hurt people.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:30 AM, January 04, 2010

Despite the big bailout last year, Vermont raised taxes and underfunded the Education Fund, pushing up property taxes.

This year, with less federal money available, our leaders are saying that they won't raise taxes. Wanna bet?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:41 PM, January 04, 2010

"The legislature actually spent very little time on the Gay Marraige issue ..."

Just so you can be clear, the legislature has been studying this for over two years.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:16 PM, January 04, 2010

"This year, with less federal money available, our leaders are saying that they won't raise taxes. Wanna bet?"

Take an active role. Write them, call them, e-mail them...let them know what you think.

If they go back on their word, vote them out. In VT too many times voters just vote for the incumbent for all the wrong reasons...they are 'experienced', they must be good to have been elected once before, blah, blah, blah.

If they don't get the job done, send them a pink slip. Vote them out.

Captain America

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:22 PM, January 04, 2010

Captain,

Here's your pink slip!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:27 PM, January 04, 2010

"The legislature actually spent very little time on the Gay Marraige issue - I'll bet it was less than 1% of the actual time they were in Montpelier."

That's nonsense. You just made that ridiculous number up because it made you feel good. They clearly spent 2/3 of last year's session on gay marriage. It started with the beginning of the session in January and was approved in April. With May left for ALL other business, including minor things like, oh, say, THE BUDGET.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:40 PM, January 05, 2010