VT Press Bureau is MOVING!

Hello everyone -

After five years on the Typepad platform, we've made the switch to WordPress, and moved on to our new site at: www.vermontpressbureau.com

Go there to find updated video, posts, links and more - we think you'll find it a much better experience! We've even got a brand new social commenting system in place.

If you're a site administrator with our current address on one of your blog rolls - update the link. We will do the same for you.

Thanks, from the Vermont Press Bureau - Pete, Thatcher, Jenna and Rob

The Rundown - Week 6

The Rundown - Week 6 from 802 Live on Vimeo.

This week on The Rundown Thatcher Moats gives some insight into the reason behind Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell's opposition to legislation that would allow child care workers to unionize.

Jill Krowinski to fill Burlington House seat vacated by Rachel Weston

Gov. Peter Shumlin today appointed a former chairwoman of the Vermont Democratic Party to fill the Burlington House seat vacated last month by Democrat Rachel Weston.

Jill Krowinski, a 2002 UVM grad, currently serves as the Vermont director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.

Krowinski, fills the Ward 3 seat, is no stranger to the Statehouse – she used to work as an assistant to former House Speaker Gaye Symington.

Shumlin had this to say of Krowinski, by way of press release:

“Jill has worked hard to get young people involved in the political process and registered to vote. She also knows how the House and Senate operate from her time working as assistant to former House Speaker Gaye Symington, so she’ll hit the ground running.”

In the same release, Krowinski thanked the governor for the honor: 

“I want to thank Gov. Shumlin for giving me this incredible opportunity to represent Burlington in the House of Representatives. I’m ready to get to work with a great group of legislators from Burlington and excited to work for a great community.”

Also from the release:

"Among (Krowinski’s) priority issues are health care reform, education, and empowering young people to get involved in their communities. Krowinski graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Urban Studies and Political Science in 2002. In addition to her work for Symington, she has served as Executive Director of the Vermont Democratic Party and founded a non-profit dedicated to registering young people to vote. She is currently the Vermont Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.  Krowinski serves on the Board of Directors of the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra, Begin Blue, Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom, and is a Commissioner for the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington."

Montpelier lobbying firm wants to help YOU become governor

Last month, we told everyone to keep their eyes peeled for an intriguing venture at one of Montpelier’s marquis lobbying firms.

This week, KSE Partners officially unveiled its latest division, and it should add a fascinating new dynamic to Vermont’s electoral-politics landscape.

“KSE Campaigns” is being described as a “top to bottom campaign arm” that will develop, design and implement specialized political strategies for state and federal candidates and political action committees.”

The new division, according to Kevin Ellis – the “E” in KSE – transforms the 25-year-old operation into a “full-service political communications firm.”

“'We have political operatives with decades of campaign experience, communications specialists with new media expertise and fund raising professionals on staff,” Ellis said in a written statement. “We have exclusive relationships with pollsters and grassroots organizers. Or plan is to take our expertise and past success for clients and apply it to this emerging new political arena.”

KSE will shop its services to state and federal candidates for office, as well as PACs, SuperPACs and organizations engaged in more issue-oriented campaigns.

KSE executives see particularly high growth potential in the proliferation of SuperPACs, to which corporations and wealthy individuals this election cycle will invest heavily to influence the outcome of political campaigns.

“We saw that there was a need for a new breed of campaign consultant both in Vermont and nationally,” KSE staffer Nick Sherman said in a statement. “We spent the summer and fall developing strategies that will work in 21^st century political campaigns. The Internet has changed the way messages are developed and delivered; the way money is raised and the way grassroots and get-out-the-vote campaigns are developed. For now, SuperPACs have altered the way messages are delivered. We will help candidates and clients use all these tools to be successful.”

KSE is already providing consulting services to a SuperPAC called “Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Today.” “Vermont Priorities,” a soon-to-be-unveiled Montpelier-based advocacy organization, will also be among the early clientele.

The move isn’t without risk. Though KSE officials are promoting their services to all comers, their first two clients have a decidedly progressive bent. Advancing the partisan political interests of some clients, it stands to reason, might make it a less attractive business partner to others.

The Rundown: Tri-partisan harmony under the Dome?

This week's Rundown talks about reapportionment, harmony among parties, and brewing controversies coming in the weeks ahead.

The Rundown - Week 5 from 802 Live on Vimeo.