Week in review
Toolbox
Published: November 29, 2008
Our thoughts on the news of the week:
A23- year-old man who threw a pie in Gov. James Douglas' face as the governor marched in Montpelier's Independence Day Parade this summer admitted his guilt in court this week, apologized for his actions, and was sentenced. Judge Brian Grearson sentenced Matthew Manning to five days on a supervised work crew and an agreement that Manning donate $21.35 – the amount of Douglas' dry cleaning bill – to the Vermont FoodBank. It would have been wrong to treat this incident as a harmless prank with no serious consequence because Manning's stunt had long-term repercussions that include changes in how security details protect Douglas (and presumably future governors, as well) and more than likely an erosion of public access to public officials. Vermont's tradition of open government paid a price for Manning's pie-throwing stunt, and appropriately, so did Manning.
Thumbs down to:
A new report by the nonpartisan Snelling Center for Government found that many Vermonters are willing to pay more in gas taxes as part of a comprehensive plan to repair failing bridges and crumbling roads, and are also willing to use more state money for transportation purposes. While not scientific, the year-long survey does set the stage for what will hopefully be a thoughtful discussion about fixing the state's deteriorating roads and bridges, and prompt quick action to get the work started by spring. Not only would bridges be safer, but more Vermonters would go back to work, giving a lift to the sagging economy. Lawmakers and Gov. James Douglas should be careful not to rule out any options at this point; every proposed funding source is worth considering. However, whatever funding solution they choose to pay for these projects must be earmarked for bridge and road repair — protected from raids for General Fund uses.
Just how safe is our personal and financial information? Once again, the information of thousands of state employees was found to be at risk in a computer hacking incident – the latest example of the vulnerability of computerized records to theft and neglect. In the most recent case, Express Scripts Inc., which is the pharmacy benefit company for state workers, was threatened by unidentified people who demanded money in exchange for hacked personnel information. It's still unclear the full extent of the case, but the situation provides a not-so-subtle reminder to the keepers of the information to take extreme security measurers, and to all Vermonters to be cautious about disclosing personal and financial information because nothing is safe in this day and age.
More struggling Vermonters became eligible for heating assistance this week, following congressional approval of an expansion of LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). That news couldn't come at a better time, with state officials reporting a sharp increase in the number of households applying for the heating aid. The program covers oil, kerosene and gas, and will also help with utility bills for people who heat with electricity. Times are still tough for many Vermont families, as rising unemployment statistics prove. But lower gasoline prices and little extra help with heating bills might provide some breathing room for those living on the edge.
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