1997
Jeffrey Good, Capitol Bureau Chief
Burlington Free Press

VMD: How would you describe the overall mission at the Burlington Free Press Capitol Bureau?

JG: The Capitol Bureau is the newspaper’s eye on state government and also more broadly on the state, particularly outside of Chittenden County. The newspaper focuses on state issues, but the people in Burlington focus very heavily on our main readership area, which is Chittenden County and the surrounding counties. What we do here is keep an eye on what’s going on in the Statehouse and in the rest of the government. We also try to look out at the rest of the state and write stories about things that are happening that may or may not have to do with government.

VMD: When you look ahead to this coming legislative session, what do you see as the big issues? How do you see these issues taking shape over the next few months?

JG: This legislative session is going to be very interesting because the Democrats have taken control of the Statehouse. Now they’re going to have a chance to either accomplish the agenda they sold to voters or not. Property tax reform is clearly at the top of the list. The issue of school quality is also a big one. This may come out in a debate over school choice, whether to let parents use public money to pay tuition at private schools. Campaign finance reform, whether to lessen the influence of corporations, political action committees and party machines, will be a hot topic; the governor’s behind that. Utility deregulation, whether to introduce more competition into the electric industry, will be an issue. Professional regulation has become an important issue for lawmakers. The Free Press actually did a series of stories about how Vermont’s professional regulation system is slow

VMD: How effectively do you think Governor Dean will work with the Democratic Legislature? Do you think it will be an extremely productive legislative session?

JG: That’s the big question. Dean has traditionally been a very independent minded governor who hasn’t always had the best relationship with Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature. But this year he’s got the Democratic majority. He played a key role in taking back the Senate for the Democrats. He was out there campaigning for Democratic candidates. He has been working behind the scenes to craft some united approaches to legislation, which is a breakthrough, I’m told. So Governor Dean feels, along with others in the party, that the Democrats will be more of a team this session. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. I really can’t predict.

VMD: Is there anything in particular that you look for in a story? What kinds of stories will be appealing to you in 1997?

JG: A good story is one that’s interesting and important. We like to write about things that are new, about fresh angles on familiar issues, about people and ideas that will bring our readers’ understanding to a new level. When it comes to government, I am particularly interested in how government affects the lives of ordinary people.

VMD: What sorts of stories do you cover when the Legislature is not in session?

JG: When the Legislature is not in session, we have more freedom to get around Vermont and tell interesting stories. They may have to do with government, or they may not. The more human, the better.

VMD: How far in advance do you look for stories? What are your editorial deadlines?

JG: Sometimes we decide to do a story a month in advance, sometimes we run out the door the minute we hear. As a general rule, it’s unrealistic to think that we can respond to most story ideas instantly. Call a week or a few days in advance. We generally finish our work day around 6 p.m.

VMD: What’s the best format to get in touch with you — phone, fax, letter or e-mail? When is the best time to get in touch with you?

JG: All of the above work. It helps to have something in writing, and then a phone call to see if we’re interested. The best time to get in touch is early; after 4 p.m. we’re generally under the gun.

VMD: Would you prefer to be told about a photo opportunity or to be sent prints or negatives along with a press release?

JG: It never hurts to send a photo and press release. But if it’s worth a photo on our pages, we will often take one ourselves.