Vermont’s five state-wide elected officials were sworn in to their two-year terms of office on Thursday afternoon. The ceremonies included incumbent Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin taking his oath and delivering his second State of the State address.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin was sworn in to his second term Thursday afternoon. He then stood at the podium before the Vermont House and Senate to deliver his State of the State address, and diverted from a typical overview of issues.
Governor Shumlin is alarmed at declining high school math scores, particularly when they are needed for hi-tech jobs across the state. The Governor outlined proposals that would increase funding for early childhood education, dual high school-college enrollment programs, covering the federal gap for low income school lunch programs, and the creation of the Vermont Strong Scholars program - which would pay the last year’s tuition from a state college if the student graduates with a science, technology or math degree and takes a job in Vermont.
Vermont School Boards Association Executive Director Steve Dale says they are elated that education was the centerpiece of the Governor’s program, and they favor most of the items that he proposed.
Vermont Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Paul Burns says while unusual to focus on one topic, Governor Shumlin touched on the far reaching implications for the state.
Audio from Governor Shumlin’s speech is courtesy of Vermont Public Radio’s live stream from the Vermont Statehouse.
