In a debate sponsored by the
Burlington Free Press, Vermont’s gubernatorial candidates were asked if they had seen any evidence
of the highly partisan, negative style of Washington, D.C., politics in the state’s elections this year.
The most competitive political
contest in Vermont this year is for a position that normally attracts
little attention. The race for state treasurer
has drawn charged political attacks and an unprecedented level of spending.
As Vermont cities and towns continue to borrow money at a swift
pace in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, the state treasurer is defending the increase in
municipal bonds.
A look into Vermont’s $3 billion unfunded liability for its pension fund expenses
for retired state employees and teachers and an update on the investigation into a death of a patient at Brattleboro Retreat.