Scheuermann starts economy PAC

Scheuermann has co-founded a new political action committee to promote legislative candidates who share her goals for economic development. The name of the new PAC is Vision to Action Vermont (V2AVT).

“Economic issues hit everybody,” Scheuermann said, frustrated that talk about the state economy often occurs after the fact, keeping lawmakers “in crisis management mode.” She wants to somehow make economic development as interesting and engaging to Vermonters as the more popular social initiatives the Legislature tackles each session.

Scheuermann, a Republican, has joined up with House colleague Paul Ralston, a Democrat from Middlebury, in forming Vision to Action. The two lawmakers sat next to each other in the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. Ralston is not running for re-election. While Scheuermann is running for another two-year term, she has no opposition, so she doesn’t need help from her own PAC.

“Fortunately for me, I don’t have a race this year, so I’m going to concentrate on other people’s races,” she said.

For now, Vision to Action will concentrate on races for the Vermont House and Senate, and both Ralston and Scheuermann promise to cast a blind eye on party politics and look for candidates who are committed to “forming balanced, common-sense public policies.”

Scheuermann said she and Ralston managed to agree on economic issues working together in committee, even if they voted differently on other issues in the General Assembly.

“While our votes in the House differ in many cases, we found real common ground on how to grow our economy and how to invest in economic growth and how to be champions of small businesses,” she said.

Social issues? Those perennial news-grabbers are already well covered in Vermont. But Scheuermann hopes Vision to Vermont will be able to highlight the newsworthy aspects of growing the state’s economic base. Already, new food and drink businesses regularly land the state on “best-of” lists all over the country.

Ralston and Scheuermann have collaborated before to find ways to boost Vermont’s economy. This year, they introduced a bill aimed at encouraging more innovation in the state’s economy; it would have helped would-be business owners already based in Vermont get started or ramp up. Their plan, which they called “Unlocking Vermont’s Economic Potential,” reached deep, proposing changes in more than 20 sections of state law and numerous state agencies.

Parts of their bill did make it into law, including establishment of a $500,000 loan loss reserve fund for start-ups.

Scheuermann said she is not sure how much money the PAC will be able to raise, but said she’s heard from various people and organizations that might be interested in donating. Vision to Action will arrange meetings with candidates, conduct electronic mailings, and hold events to raise money and raise awareness of its existence.

An event in the Stowe area is in the works, Scheuermann said.

Ralston, in a press release, said the economy is “still fragile” from the recession.

“And during the next legislative session, we will face significant decisions on health care reform, property taxes, and taxes in general, and their impact on our state’s small businesses and families,” Ralston said. “We must be sure that those in elected positions address those issues thoughtfully and independently, and with an eye toward the benefits and consequences to our economy.”