Newcomer leads Progressive House caucusBy Nancy Remsen
Published January 2nd 2007 in The Burlington Free Press
In the expected debate this winter on school funding, Pearson said Progressives will push for shifting more of the cost of schools from property taxes to the income tax.
The six House Progressives selected Rep. Christopher Pearson of
Burlington as their chief spokesman even though he has just five weeks
of experience as a state legislator. He was appointed last spring to
replace Rep. Bob Kiss, who resigned after winning the Burlington
mayoral race.
"Chris is great. He has a lot of energy and he is a thoughtful, careful person," said Rep. Sarah Edwards, P-Brattleboro, who begins her third term in January. She decided against seeking the leadership post so she could focus on developing energy policy.
Rep. Sandy Haas, P-Rochester, who begins her second term, will be assistant leader.
Pearson, 33, comes to his leadership position with plenty of behind-the-scenes political experience. He began his political career working on Bernie Sanders' 1998 congressional campaign, managed Anthony Pollina's 2000 gubernatorial campaign and his 2002 run for lieutenant governor. In 2001, Pearson became the first full-time executive director of the Progressive Party, a post he held until 2004.
"I consider myself a political organizer," Pearson said. He works for National Popular Vote, an organization pushing for elimination of the Electoral College and election of U.S. presidents by popular vote.
Born in Canada, Pearson said he grew up in Montreal and Maine, came to Burlington to attend the University of Vermont -- and stayed.
He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2001 and joins at least three other current lawmakers who are naturalized citizens.
During his short time in the Legislature last spring, Pearson said, "I saw my ability to raise questions that shifted the discussion in my committee. That is one of the reasons the Progressives are important -- to express a different point of view that may well go unmentioned if we aren't around."
"I thought he was a pretty impressive kid," said Rep. Ernest Shand, D-Windsor, Pearson's seatmate on the House Commerce Committee. "He knew he was new, but he was very much into asking questions."
In the expected debate this winter on school funding, Pearson said Progressives will push for shifting more of the cost of schools from property taxes to the income tax.
With such a tiny caucus, Pearson said, "I'm curious about the challenge of trying to be effective. We aren't here to be a nuisance. We are here to get things done."
[Source]
"Chris is great. He has a lot of energy and he is a thoughtful, careful person," said Rep. Sarah Edwards, P-Brattleboro, who begins her third term in January. She decided against seeking the leadership post so she could focus on developing energy policy.
Rep. Sandy Haas, P-Rochester, who begins her second term, will be assistant leader.
Pearson, 33, comes to his leadership position with plenty of behind-the-scenes political experience. He began his political career working on Bernie Sanders' 1998 congressional campaign, managed Anthony Pollina's 2000 gubernatorial campaign and his 2002 run for lieutenant governor. In 2001, Pearson became the first full-time executive director of the Progressive Party, a post he held until 2004.
"I consider myself a political organizer," Pearson said. He works for National Popular Vote, an organization pushing for elimination of the Electoral College and election of U.S. presidents by popular vote.
Born in Canada, Pearson said he grew up in Montreal and Maine, came to Burlington to attend the University of Vermont -- and stayed.
He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2001 and joins at least three other current lawmakers who are naturalized citizens.
During his short time in the Legislature last spring, Pearson said, "I saw my ability to raise questions that shifted the discussion in my committee. That is one of the reasons the Progressives are important -- to express a different point of view that may well go unmentioned if we aren't around."
"I thought he was a pretty impressive kid," said Rep. Ernest Shand, D-Windsor, Pearson's seatmate on the House Commerce Committee. "He knew he was new, but he was very much into asking questions."
In the expected debate this winter on school funding, Pearson said Progressives will push for shifting more of the cost of schools from property taxes to the income tax.
With such a tiny caucus, Pearson said, "I'm curious about the challenge of trying to be effective. We aren't here to be a nuisance. We are here to get things done."
[Source]
