Vermont: Vermont

Governor has little reason to compromise Vermont’s legislative leadership has, for the past week, boasted that it had enough support to prevail should the governor veto the budget. The implication was crystal clear; an override would be a political repeat...

Below is an email from Barb McLaughlin that I received this morning. It's about a conference going on today and tomorrow. I'm speaking on one of the panels at this thing later today.

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Several hundred community media and public access TV makers convene for northeast regional conference of the Alliance for Community Media on Thursday, May 21st and Friday, May 22nd at Champlain College in Burlington Vermont.

ACM Executive Director Helen Soule will welcome media makers to two days of workshops that discuss the new Public Access Protection Act soon to be considered by Congress, the transition to web 2.0 and the future of free speech.

Gov. Jim Douglas will not hold his previously scheduled Statehouse news conference today, but instead will go to Williston and unveil his new economic stimulus plan at MicroStrain Inc.

The money will be used to support existing companies and invest in new companies looking to grow or locate here in Vermont, according to the governor's office.

- Terri Hallenbeck

Wow. The hot race in 2010 may be for secretary of state?

Democrat Charles Merriman, 50, of Middlesex, threw his hat in the ring today. Chris Roy, a Republican from Williston announced his interest a few weeks ago and has formed an exploratory committee.

Why all this activity? Because Deb Markowitz, current Democratic officeholder, is exploring a run for governor.

So who is Merriman? Here's what his press release says: He's a municipal attorney and partner in the law firm of Tarrant,Marks & Gillies. He's a former assistant attorney general who specialized in property tax issues.

"Vermont should have a Secretary of State who understands the needs of Vermont municipal officials in serving our fellow citizens," Merriman said.