Kudos to Governor Shumlin: Vt. gov. passes on inaugural ball for fundraiser

[cali]

we grow good politicians here. And we have a deep bench.

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin said Thursday he'll skip the traditional inaugural ball after he is sworn into his second term next month, opting instead for a combination open house at the Statehouse and fundraiser for people still suffering the effects of Tropical Storm Irene.

"To all the generous donors (who) donated to the inaugural fund last year ... this year we're asking them to give to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund," Shumlin said at his weekly news conference.

The governor said he would greet members of the public in the House chamber beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 10, and that there would be music and light refreshments at the event. He said no admission would be charged, but people would be invited to make a donation to the relief fund, or to buy, for $25, one of the "I am Vermont strong" license plates it has been selling.

The relief fund has set a fundraising goal of $10 million and so far has raised $6.8 million toward that goal, said board member Chris Graff. Graff said it has stepped where the Federal Emergency Management Agency and private insurers won't.

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http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-12-07/vt-dot-gov-dot-passes-on-inaugural-ball-for-fundraiser

[JaneyVee]

1. Great guy. Staunch Liberal. Wish we had hundreds more like him in DC.

Edit to add from another article on Shumlin becoming head of DGA: Shumlin signaled in an interview that his organization will aim to take and hold governors' mansions not by pushing Democrats to the center but with the package of liberal values that won around the country last month, including focuses on marriage equality and on climate change.

[cali]

2. he is a no holds barred, no apologies progressive

I think it's great he's heading up the DGA.