Supreme Court: Wal-Mart Now!

Last week, the Vermont Supreme Court put an end to what has been a very difficult struggle between the majority in Franklin County who understand the need for access to affordable goods and those who have used our flawed permit process to further their own personal anti-growth agendas.

While it is a relief and a positive economic step forward for our region that the high court gave the green light to this important project, the eighteen year battle should serve as an ongoing reminder for those of us who are committed to significant reforms to make it easier for Vermont to grow business, create jobs and compete in the 21st century economy.

One important focus for me in the Legislature during my the first session of this biennium as been to fight for pro-jobs legislation, even in the face a super majority that is more concerned with passing laws that ignore our state's most critical needs and will send us down a path of economic uncertainty.

The democratic super-majority last spring allocated tax dollars for more land conservation while hospitals and mental health care facilities were forced to do more with less. They implemented a state wide, socialized healthcare program with no funding mechanism or standards for care while businesses, doctors and patients plead for answers, to no avail. And as Vermonters suffer through yet another year of economic uncertainty, they raised revenue and increased government spending.

While Vermonters struggle, those in power in Montpelier continue to look for ways to increase revenue, to take a little more from each of us to pay for their misplaced priorities.

We should however, find comfort in the Supreme Court’s decision on Wal-Mart. It is a testament to our community’s will and proof that there is a spirit to fight for what is right, what makes sense and what will most certainly enhance our way of life, here in Franklin county.

In time, we will say goodbye to those long trips down I-89 to purchase the most essential products at a time when gas prices are the only thing growing in our economy. We will bid adieu to the Williston 1% local tax keeping those extra pennies in our pockets when each and every cent counts. And we will begin to see more the benefits of being a community that exists only miles from the Canadian border as our neighbors to the north learn that, they too, have a major retailer much closer to home.

And contrary to what the anti-growth organizations preach, having a large retailer here in St. Albans will attract more consumers to Franklin County and that mean more dollars spent Downtown, which is vitally important to its growth and sustainability.

Last week’s decision gave us much to celebrate. However, we must renew our commitment to a common sense political process. While the battle for bargains in our own back yard has ended in victory, the fight for a prosperous future for Vermont wages on. The special interest groups which opposed Wal-Mart and other projects that will allow our economy to compete with other states will not rest and therefore, neither can we.

Rep. Dustin A. Degree

St. Albans City