Pollina: Douglas’ ‘Buy Local’ claim ridiculous
Times Argus, June 26, 2008, by Peter Hirschfeld (link to article).
MONTPELIER — Progressive gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina says his incumbent rival’s claim to have founded the “Buy Local movement” is tantamount to Al Gore taking credit for inventing the Internet.
Pollina cited the 2008 “Summer Harvest” publication by the Agency of Agriculture in which Roger Albee, secretary of the agency, says that Gov. James Douglas “initiated” the “Buy Local movement” in 2003.
“This is ridiculous,” Pollina said during a press conference outside the Agency of Agriculture’s State Street headquarters Wednesday morning. “The idea that Jim Douglas founded the buy-local movement ranks right up there with the idea that Al Gore invented the Internet.”
Of more significance to Vermont farmers, according to Pollina, Douglas has resisted policies and legislation that would have expanded the state’s role in promoting the consumption of locally grown food. In 2003, Pollina said, Douglas renewed the state’s membership in the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Government Procurement, a pact designed to level the international playing field by preventing governments from showing undue preference for domestic producers and suppliers.
And Pollina also referenced a 2007 report to the Legislature by the Agency of Agriculture in which state officials recommended against any legislative mandate that would force Vermont government to purchase a portion of its food from in-state growers.
“While he runs radio ads telling Vermonters to ‘buy local, it’s just that simple,’ a visit to state institutions will find hamburgers from the Midwest and milk from Massachusetts,” Pollina said.
Jason Gibbs, spokesperson for Douglas, said Pollina’s “manipulation of facts … is what characterizes desperate campaigns and desperate candidates.” Albee’s assertion that Douglas founded the Buy Local movement, Gibbs said, clearly referenced a specific 2003 initiative that sought to promote Vermont-produced agriculture products via a series of educational and outreach efforts.
“The Secretary probably could have chosen a different noun, but he’s very clearly referring to the new Buy Local program and public awareness campaign that was assembled and launched by the Governor and his administration in 2003,” Gibbs said. “It is the most coordinated and comprehensive buy-local initiative the state has ever had and it’s another good example of the kind of positive change that Gov. Douglas works to provide in Montpelier.”
Gibbs said Pollina’s characterization of the Government Agreement on Procurement as something that’s bad for Vermont farmers reveals a misunderstanding of the World Trade Organization pact.
“Those agreements essentially call for both free and fair trade. And it means all things being equal, it’s perfectly acceptable for the state to give preference to a local vendor, as long as the playing field is level,” Gibbs said. “If there are two vendors, one from Vermont and one from out of state, and they’re offering the same bid on a particular service, then the preference goes to the Vermont company.”
Pollina said the state ought to be willing to pay a premium to have locally grown food in its schools, jails and other state institutions. The move may cost taxpayers more in the short term, he conceded, but the money would stay in the local economy and prove a worthwhile investment over the long run.
Gibbs said the fact that well over one-half of all commodity contracts entered into by the state go to Vermont vendors is a testament to Douglas’ commitment to supporting Vermont businesses.
Items purchased by the state from Vermont vendors are not necessarily Vermont products.
Gibbs said state government, under Douglas’ aegis, has always sought to support its in-state agricultural operations. But the state must balance that effort with a fiscal responsibility to taxpayers, he said said.
“State government has a fiduciary responsibility to make sure we’re making the best use and wisest possible investment of taxpayer resources,” Gibbs said.