Vermont Democratic Party

The Vermont Democratic Party announced Thursday its plan to ensure that eligible voters will have access to polling stations across the state.

The Democratic Party has organized a team of lawyers to be ready on election night should voters encounter any problems at the polls and established a voter hotline that Vermonters can call should any problems arise.

Vermont's Senate Judiciary Committee convened Thursday for the first of more than half a dozen hearings set to examine the state's dealings with Michael Jacques, who has been charged with kidnapping and murdering his niece, Brooke Bennett, in June.

The committee hearing follows a Wednesday report from Vermont's Attorney General Office in which Attorney General William Sorrell, state attorneys from thirteen of Vermont's counties, and representatives of victims' advocacy groups revealed five proposals for legislative changes to the state's policy regarding sexual offenders.

The Vermont Democratic Party released a video Wednesday attacking Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) for state policies dealing with sex offenders.

The video charges Douglas with avoiding key questions about current policies, including questions about hiring and staffing in Vermont's Corrections Department, and the implementation of a Special Investigative Unit for sex crimes. 

Earlier today Anthony Pollina, the Progressive Party candidate for governor, said that the Democratic State Committee refused to meet with him about "a combined effort" to defeat Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, but the Democratic Party tells PolitickerVT.com that's just not the case.

Pollina told reporters at a press conference this afternoon that he "made a special effort to reach out to friends in the Democratic Party believing grassroots Democrats shared our goal of electing a governor more in touch with the needs of Vermonters. Many were very supportive. But, the Democratic State Committee refused to meet and talk about a combined effort."

Vermont Democratic Party communications director Liz Saxe said afterword that Pollina's accusation was incorrect. She said Pollina had "requested an immediate meeting," and VDP chair Ian Carleton responded in a letter that "the Committee decided not to place you on an upcoming agenda, but rather to revisit the issue at our June meeting."

Vermont state House Speaker Gaye SymingtonMore than 400 excited Vermont Democratic Party activists gathered Friday night to hear U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd speak at the party's Curtis Leadership Awards. While the speech by the Connecticut Democrat and one-time presidential hopeful was the main attraction, more importantly was Gaye Symington. The state House speaker, who is weighing a gubernatorial run, took on a more prominent role at the events.

It is clear the game of musical chairs has begun. As a potential Symington run against Republican Gov. Jim Douglas seems more imminent, change also seems to be in the air for the House leadership.