Editor’s note: This op-ed is by state Sen. Anthony Pollina, P/D-Washington County. He is seeking to keep his seat on Election Day.
Like most Vermonters, I am outraged at, the role of super PACs in Vermont elections. Because whether right or left, liberal or conservative, they are bad for democracy.
But, while much of the focus has been on the $700,000 or more the right-wing Vermonters First is spending on statewide races, it is even more important to realize they are reaching into local campaigns that have so far been free of this kind of deceptive politics.
In attacking two of our Washington County senators, one of whom was me, the “evidence” of the coming tax increase is actually three unexplained roll call votes that took place in the Vermont House not the Senate.
Under current law, they can spend whatever they want to influence voters. But, perhaps even more damaging is that they can say whatever they want, whether true or not. Like others, I have gotten mailings that are clearly expensive, quite glossy and very misleading. The most blatant postcard screams that the Legislature is about to raise our taxes. It is simply not true. But the deception doesn’t end there.
In attacking two of our Washington County senators, one of whom was me, the “evidence” of the coming tax increase is actually three unexplained roll call votes that took place in the Vermont House not the Senate. So, we should reject senators because of some phantom votes that did not even take place in the Senate?
You would think $700,000 would have bought Vermonters First some basic research. But, facts don’t matter to them.
It is true that a bi-partisan, nonpolitical Blue Ribbon Tax Commission recommended, among other things, that the Legislature “consider” expanding and “lowering” the Vermont sales tax. They also suggested considering ways to “lower” income tax rates.
I think most Vermonters would expect legislators to at least consider the recommendations. That means looking at the pros and cons. But, this kind of thinking is clearly beyond Vermonters First.
The bottom line: if you ask legislators you will not find much, if any, support for raising taxes and even less for raising sales taxes, which fall harder on lower income, working, middle class people.
But, Vermonters First did not ask. If they did, I would say we should instead raise taxes on the income of Lenore Broughton, who funds Vermonters First and other multi-millionaires who clearly have a lot of extra money to throw around.
But, maybe that’s why I have no wealthy super PAC or anonymous donors funding my campaign.
But, I do have the support of real people. The Professional Firefighters of Vermont, the Vermont State Troopers Association; Vermont’s teachers and state workers, the working families of the Green Mountain Central Labor Council, the Sierra Club and others including Sen. Bernie Sanders.
And, I believe most Vermonters will not be fooled. They will just say no to super PACs and join with their neighbors supporting candidates they know and trust. And, that’s a real win for democracy.
