Pollina calls for VermontCard
Times Argus, July 15, 2008 (link to article).
MIDDLESEX — Progressive gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina on Monday called for the creation of a VermontCard, which he said would create a new way to invest in Vermont and to lower credit card processing fees to save money for Vermont businesses.
Pollina said in a news release the card will be a credit card that invests a percentage of every purchase in a fund used to support local agricultural and renewable energy projects.
A portion of VermontCard funds will also pay to educate Vermonters about responsible credit management, he said.
“Many cards offer so-called rewards, but the VermontCard will reward Vermont and Vermonters — our farmers and our energy future — by investing in Vermont with every purchase,” the campaign said. “We will partner with a local financial institution to gain the best terms, conditions and rewards. People in Vermont and around the country will be proud to carry the VermontCard.”
Pollina said he would bring Vermont merchants together to lower their credit card processing fees, which are a growing cost for businesses. In addition, he would organize Vermont merchants into a network to work directly with a local Vermont credit card processor to reduce processing fees by up to 20 percent for many Vermont businesses.