"Why Vermont Works" - The Speaker Is Paying Attention

 
I'd like to think that any thoughtful attention on the part of our elected officials to the state of business in Vermont would be welcomed by the business community.  Speaker of the Vermont House, Gaye Symington, recently launched her own initiative to feature Vermont business success stories and understand why business works in Vermont.   More information can be found at the web site of the Speaker's Office, www.leg.state.vt.us/speaker/, including her outline of challenges and opportunities faced by businesses in Vermont.  I applaud the Speaker for raising the profile of this issue.  I have heard cynical rumblings to the effect that her interest in this subject is politically motivated and that she will highlight her hand-picked business success stories.  Who cares?  If we disdain the actions of elected officials because they may be politially motivated, government paralysis would ensue.  Of course political figures act for political reasons.  I happen to believe that most politicians form their policy decisions around what they think is right, and that is what they are supposed to do even if not everyone agrees with them.  I hope the business community and those interested in the success of the business community, on both sides of the political aisle, will welcome Speaker Symington's attention to this subject and perhaps even engage with the Speaker in an exploration of why business can work in Vermont and where challenges may exist, and whether the state government should do anything about it or simply stay out of the way.