[B]URLINGTON — Republican Bruce Lisman and Democrat Sue Minter offered differing approaches to cutting energy costs while discussing how they would make aging in the state easier as governor.
The two answered questions on that theme Thursday evening in the second night of gubernatorial forums held by AARP. The three other leading candidates appeared together Wednesday evening.
Moderator Jim Leddy, a former state senator, noted that 138,000 Vermonters receive Social Security benefits. He quizzed the candidates on whether they felt the public was adequately represented in utility cases and what should be done to improve transportation options.
The candidates spoke one after the other. Both Lisman and Minter pledged to represent elders if elected to Vermont’s top executive post.
Lisman promised to repeal state taxes on Social Security benefits within five years, calling them counterintuitive.
Lisman also came out against capital gains taxes and called on the state to immediately repeal the tax on retirement benefits for veterans.
“We don’t need that tax. It’s $5 million or less (a year),” Lisman said. “Let’s actually say, ‘Thank you’ to veterans.”
Minter was less specific on tax benefits, instead looking to a more comprehensive tax overhaul to make the state more affordable.
“Vermont women are vulnerable,” Minter said, “because, in their senior years, the median Social Security income for women is half that of men.”
Minter said that as governor she would work to reduce peak energy demand on the Vermont power grid, which she said could lower electricity rates for Vermonters. She added that rates have been going down and said, “We have the second lowest rates in the northern New England states.”
Lisman said the best way to reduce electricity rates is to slow the state’s ambitious clean energy goals.
“I don’t like the plan to get to 90 percent clean renewables in just a handful of years,” Lisman said in reference to the state’s goal of hitting that target by 2050. “The cost of doing that is going to be high, and you are going to pay for it.”
Lisman and Minter also talked about the best route to allow greater mobility for elders.
While Minter touted her work as transportation secretary in repaving sidewalks and investing in bus service, Lisman said work needed to be done to “extend the driving career” of elders.
He said road signs with larger type and highway markings in brighter colors would allow drivers to remain on the road in their later years.
Lisman also said many of the state’s sidewalks need to be repaired. “In Montpelier, sometimes the sidewalks are not perfectly flat,” he said. “Trees can push them up, or frost, so if you are not able to lift your foot up, you are likely to trip.”
Minter promised to introduce more bike paths and sidewalks, also saying she would work hard to reinstate Amtrak train service between Vermont and Canada, a goal she began work on in the Transportation Agency.
“Trust me, if you get me elected we are going to get those trains done, because I know how to do it. I’ve been doing it for six years,” she said.
