Welcome to the Official Website for Vermont Governor Jim Douglas!

---

RECENT NEWS

FEMA Approves Federal Disaster Declaration for Vermont

Declaration will Aid Communities Impacted by December Ice Storm

Montpelier, VT - President George Bush has approved Governor Jim Douglas’ request for a federal disaster declaration to aid communities in Bennington and Windham Counties as they recover from last month’s ice storm. The storm of December 11-12 saw massive power outages due to a heavy coating of ice on trees and power lines throughout southern Vermont.

“The initial assessment identified over $1-million in damages, mostly to small towns and villages,” Governor Douglas said. “This declaration will provide much needed relief to those communities that were hardest hit and allow them to clean-up and rebuild.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency declaration will help towns and cities in Bennington and Windham Counties. Funds will go to communities to remove debris that has littered the area as thousands of trees and power lines were downed in the storm. The declaration will also allow towns to repair roads and other municipal electric utilities. Much of this work has already been done and communities will be able to apply for funds to cover up to 75% of the cost already incurred including overtime paid to municipal employees. Read More

Governor Douglas Announces Vermont Federal Recovery Office

Project team to act as single point of contact, provide coordination and expertise.

Montpelier, VT – Today Governor Jim Douglas announced the creation of the Vermont Federal Recovery Office to act as a single point of contact and coordinate recovery projects within the State of Vermont. The Office will be located within the Agency of Administration.

“My Administration has been working on coordinating projects that could potentially qualify for anticipated federal recovery funds,” said Governor Douglas. “This office is the next step in that process, and will provide high-level coordination and ground-level expertise to expedite projects when federal funds are received,” he said.

The office will be directed by Jim Bush, the current Assistant Director of Program Development at the Agency of Transportation. Bush is a registered professional engineer in and has worked for the State of Vermont since 2004 following 35 years of service at the Federal Highway Administration. Read More

Governor Douglas to Apply for Disaster Declaration from December 11th Ice Storm

Montpelier, VT – Today Governor Douglas announced that the initial damage assessment for the December 11th ice storm in southern Vermont has exceeded the required federal threshold of $1 million, allowing the Governor to apply for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

“Our most recent ice storm was a disaster on many levels, impacting our infrastructure and commerce,” said Governor Douglas. “The professionalism of our first responders and utility workers kept Vermonters safe, but much work remains to return to normalcy. I am pleased that FEMA promptly assessed our situation and determined we met the standard for federal assistance,” he said.

The damage assessment was conducted on December 29-30, 2008, by joint Federal, State, and local officials in Windham and Bennington counties. The estimated cost of damages and debris removal to public infrastructures exceeded $1 million, thus meeting the state. In accordance with the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.36, the Governor will now prepare a request to President George W. Bush for disaster relief. Read More

Governor Unveils New Name for the Food Stamp Program; Kicks Off Implementation of New Eligibility Criteria

30,000 Additional Households May be Eligible for “3Squares VT” Benefits

Berlin, VT— In a kick-off event to mark the roll-out of the Governor’s initiative to expand program eligibility, Governor Jim Douglas, today also unveiled a new name for Vermont’s enahnced Food Stamp Program; beginning today, the program will be known as 3Squares VT.

"3Squares VT is more than just a renamed Food Stamp Program. It is an expanded supplemental nutrition assistance program that can help more hard-working Vermonters than ever put three square meals on their table,” said Governor Douglas. He added, “Calling the program by a more accurate name can help mitigate some of the embarrassment or stigma some applicants might associate with the program. “Food Stamps” no longer correctly describes the program’s current method of operation – actual “food stamps” have not been used to issue benefits since the early 1940s. And in our state, the coupon books that replaced stamps have not been used since 1998 when we began to issue all food benefits through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system or as a direct deposit of cash to the bank account of those aged 65 or receiving SSI.” Read More

GOVERNOR DOUGLAS JOINS VIRGIN HEALTHMILES’ CAPITOL STEPS CHALLENGE TO TACKLE OBESITY

Governors from Across U.S. Lead by Example in Increasing their Daily Physical Activity to Shed Light on Growing Obesity Epidemic

Montpelier, VT - Governor Jim Douglas today announced he and members of the state’s administration will participate in the Capitol Steps Challenge, the first phase of Virgin HealthMiles’ year-long initiative created to draw attention to the growing issue of obesity in America. As the first stage in this commitment, Virgin HealthMiles, a leading provider of employee health programs, has partnered with Governor Rick Perry (Texas) who has invited governors across the U.S. to participate in the Capitol Steps Challenge to raise awareness for the nation’s obesity epidemic.

“We have made great progress in prevention and healthy lifestyles – and it shows with Vermont’s recent designation as the healthiest state in the nation,” said Governor Douglas. “My team will be logging their distances to defend our state’s honor and at the same time raise awareness about the need to stay active,” he said. Read More

Other Recent News