| Addison County |
| claire ayer ayer@gmavt.net | state senate | dem | | All Vermonters deserve access to high quality health care at an affordable price. To keep health cost increases at a minimum, we need to look to data automation, preventative care, and free care for chronic diseases. | | Vermont needs to invest in energy conservation, demand side management,and local generation of power while reducing greenhouse emmissions. | | All Vermont children deserve equal access to high quality public education. Taxes to pay for education should be paid on an equitable basis. We must look for ways to minimze increases in education spending. |
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| Dave Sharpe davesharpe@gmavt.net | State Representative | Democratic | | We must bring health care to all Vermonters that is affordable, portable and universal. | | We need to act for the energy future of Vermont. In recent years we have declined to purchase hydroelectric dams, consequently we must start now to renegotiate our contract with Hydro Quebec, build some wind power facilities, expand net metering, and increase Efficiency Vermont to include home heating fuels | | We need to curb the education cost drivers including; health care costs, and special education costs. In addition we need to decrease the administrative burden on schools and teachers so the numbers of personnel needed to run our schools is reduced. We also need to expand income sensitivity of the education property tax. |
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| Franklin County |
| Gary Gilbert gary.gilbert@together.net | Vermont House | Democratic | |
| Grand Isle County |
Hardy Machia hardy@hardyforhouse.com
http://www.hardyforhouse.com | Grand Isle-Chittenden-1-1 | Libertarian/ Republican | | Vermonters can't afford health insurance. Vermont has some of the highest rates in the country. A family of four in Vermont is paying about $1200 through Blue Cross and Blue Shield each month. The same family of four in New Hampshire would only be paying $300 per month. Our health care policy in Vermont is broken. The easiest fix is to allow Vermonters to buy health insurance from other states and to repeal the mandates that have lead to the monopolist health care insurance industry in Vermont. | | To encourage alternative energy like wind, we need to fix our permitting process in Vermont. It took the East Haven Wind Farm project 3 years and a million dollars to be denied their permit. In NY the whole process takes under a year and doesn't cost nearly as much. We ought to allow consumers to choose the type of energy they wish to buy. If they are environment conscientious then they might pay more for the more costly cleaner energies sources. | | We've been tinkering with Act 60 for 9 years now. It is time to admit it is a failure, and work on a financing plan based on what works in other states, countries, and history. For starters we need to cap the property taxes to the rate of inflation so that seniors living on fixed incomes can plan for their retirement and don't have to sell just to pay property taxes. |
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| Chittenden County |
| Senator JIM Condos jcondos@leg.state.vt.us | Vermont Senate - Chittenden | Democrat | | The Legislature must insure: 1) Full implementation of Catamount Health including chronic care initiatives. 2) Insure funding is maintained 3) Continue to work to full universal healthcare for ALL Vermonters. | | Vermont must become more energy independent, by investing in a clean, diversified energy portfolio. This includes wind, solar and hydro. We must continue our nationally-acclaimed energy efficiency and conservation programs. We must act now to head off a future crisis as teh VY contract expires in 2012 and HQ in 2016. | | Reducing property taxes is the top issue we face this year -- cost containment, efficiencies, and quality must be considered. Legislature should provide the resources and incentives for our local communities to make informed decisions that will control costs while maintaining a quality education system. Vermont's property tax burden has skyrocketed; we need a system that is fair, based on the ability to pay while providing the opportunities for our kids to prosper. |
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| Doug Racine dougracine7@aol.com | state senate | Democratic | |
| dennis mcmahon dennismcmahon110@yahoo.com | state senator | democratic | | I have had considerable experience in this field generally particularly in substance abuse prevention and mental health issues. I serve as a member of the program quality committee of the department of psychiatry of Fletcher Allen Health Care.I have considerable familiarity with health service delivery from prior electd and appointive public service. I support the efforts of the Senate Democrats via the Health Care Affordability Act which assists those with chronic illnesses and making health care coverage available and affordable to the uninsured and bases premiums on ability to pay and lessens provider administrative costs. I believe that the state has superior health education resources and I look to greater community and public involvement in research, delivery, and health education for professionals , future professionals, and the public. | | (emailed separately) | | We need relief from rising education property taxes which are based not on income but on property valuation. School taxes should be based on ability to pay not location of residence or assessed valuation alone. At the same time costs must be curtailed and reviewed based on the primary goal of classroom services; where economies can be achieved through administrative cost reductions same should be achieved with the goal of preserving classroom instruction. It is not an easy task but I have had considerable experience as a former elected school official for over 16 years in dealing with both budgetary reality and accomodation to desired goals and service deliver. There must be an active program of funding supplementation through vigorous pursuit of private and inter-government funding sources. Creative and ongoing pursuit of supplemental funding can assist classroom quality as well as other aspects of education management and service delivery. |
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John StewartJStew54561@aol.com
http://www.johnstewartforvermont.com | State Representative | Republican |
Virginia Lyons vvlyons@cs.com
http://SenatorGinnyLyons.com | Senator | Democratic | |
| Dennis McMahon dennismcmahon110@yahoo.com | State Senator | Democratic | | (to be supplied) | | While wind power is just one part of our energy program, we must take a regional and indeed international approach to meeting our energy needs as well as guaranteeing safety, security, and making energy not only afforable for people of middle and low income but also to utilize energy entities to encourage small business and economic development. I would establish regional economic development incentives with Quebec, New York, and the political subdivisions therein. | | I have had considerable experience in obtaining additional funding for creative and dynamic educational programs from various government and non-government sources including but not limited to encouraging replication grants and teacher initiative grants. Administrators and teachers should be trained and encourage to seek out, know how to apply for, and follow-through with the myriad of funding that is available from corporations, non-for-profit groups, and, indeed governments in other countries such as Quebec and other parts of Canada. Federal grant applications both by individual districts and by educators should be encouraged. This answer will be supplemented under separate cover. |
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J. Dennis Delaney dennis@madriver.com
http://www.delaneyforvtsenate.com | state senate | Vermont Republican | | It is crucial to make certain that the funding sources created for Catamount Healthare secure and to find others if they are not. The tobacco tax, for example, might be vulnerable if there was a major cessation in smoking. (Most of us would think that that is a great problem!) | | All forms of alternate and renewable energy should be on the table for study and discussion. We must realize at the same time that power from Vermont Yankee and Hydro Quebec, our major sources of power, give us the lowest rates in New England. Reasonable and predictable power rates are critical to the affordability of our state, for young people especially. | | The more we have tried to fix the financing of education with a heavy reliance on the property tax, the worse it gets. Citizens are up in arms over their skyrocketing tax bills. Capping the tax at the rate of inflation and adding a means test are good short term band aids, but a more comprehensive solution must be found. |
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Heather Riemer hriemer@gmail.com
http://www.HeatherforHouse.org | State Representative | Progressive | | Healthcare must be a right. Our current system wastes time and money on paperwork and profit while denying people access to the care they need. | | Vermont should have a comprehensive energy policy that invests in efficiency and renewable energy sources while ensuring that Vermonters can afford to heat their homes. | | Our cities and schools should be funded based on income and wealth, not the vagaries of the market value of one's home. We need to invest in public preschools and smaller class sizes. |
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| Kenneth W. Atkins KWA138@aol.com | State Representative, Chittenden 3-6 | Democratic | | I am concerned that the two leading authors of our Catamount Health Care bill will not be in the legislature this next session. I feel that this topic is the MOST important issue that we need to address. It is, in my opinion, the primary cause of the teacher strikes that we have had to live through in the past few years. We need to insure that everyone has an opportunity and a method for securing adequate health care for themselves and their families. | | Our energy solutions seem to face road blocks at every turn. The "not in my back yard" rebuttal needs to stop. We must explore any and all possible solutions to our energy problems. We must work together and stop worrying about who will take credit for a solution if and when we find one. | | I was an educator for 34 years. I worked under the Miller Formula and the Foundation Formula. As a legislator, I voted on modifying Act 60 and I voted on Act 68. The greatest reason for the failure of the first three formulas was underfunding. I think we need to continue Act 68, but we need to use Act 68 in conjunction with other revenue sources, the most logical of which is the one endorsed by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns which recommends the use of the addition of a personal income tax. |
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| Hinda Miller hinda@deforestconcepts.com | Senator | Democratic | | We make considerable progress in delivering our goal of providing health care for all with Catamount Health Care. We need to make sure that this reform is carried out efficiently and understand the unintended consequences of this legislation. My goal is to have quality health care available to all Vermonters. I am particularly interested in the execution of our chronic care initiative. | | It is clear we need a long-term energy plan as our contracts with Hydro Quebec and Yankee Nuclear end by 2010 and 2012. It is very important to have sustainable energy sources included in our plan such as hydro, biomass and wind power. It is my intention to increase the especially the state's budget allocation to Efficiency Vermont as they are doing a terrific job. | | We all know property taxes are out of control and putting a lot of pressure on our homeowners. During this session, we will be looking at ways to finance education that does not depend totally on the property tax. However, the key here is to contain costs and make the delivery of administering education more efficient. We need to keep the resources in the classroom and consolidate the back end of administration and purchasing. |
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Katherine Valloch
http://www.kathyforhouse.org | Vermont State Representative Chittenden 3-3 | Vermont Progressive | | Accessible and affordable heath care is a right of every individual. | | Renewable energy generation and conservation need to be the centerpiece of a comprehensive state-wide energy plan. | | We need a renewed commitment to excellent public schools and education for all children from pre-K through college. We must reduce our reliance on property taxes and other regressive taxes and focus on a fair progressive tax system that is income based. |
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| Rep. Stephen Dates sdates@adelphia.net | Chittenden 5-2 House Seat | Republican | | Passage of H.861 (Health Care for Vermonters)was a major step in improving the affordability of health care in Vermont. The Chronic Care provisions and Blueprint efficiencies will benefit us all. Catamount Health will greatly reduce the number of uninsured Vermonter's further reducing the cost shift, however, it still lacks a sustainable source of funding. While this program is solvent for the first 4-5 years, there is a $250M deficit in the next ten years. This is where I would like the 2007 legislature to focus its attentiion. | | In six short years two thirds of Vermont's energy supply contracts/licenses begin to expire. Clearly conservation, solar and wind power will be a part of the solution, however, it will not be enough. I foresee difficulties in obtaining a replacement long-term contract with Hydro Quebec, and the 20 year extension to Vt. Yankee's license is not a guarantee. The 2007 legislature must develop a long term strategy for generation that will likely include a replacement nuclear plant. Work must start on this very soon. | | Each year minor fixes are put in place on Act 60/68, yet, property taxes continue to climb well above the rate of inflation. During this year's campaign this is the #1 issue raised. Short term actions include capping the prebate at $4,000 (note: in FY06 the largest prebate check was for $26,000...this is absurd!)and consolidating school districts. The 2007 legislature must begin to face the fact that Act 60/68 is broken and begin the process of a total redesign based more on the ability to pay. |
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Michael Quaid michaelquaid@yahoo.com
http://www.QuaidforVTHouse.org< | Vt House | Republican | | I believe in limited government, as did our country's founders. Therefore, it follows that government has no business becoming involved in health care. The purpose of government is protecting life, liberty, and property. | | The free market has been the best system ever discovered to serve our wants and needs. There will never be a shortage of energy as long as the human mind is free to pursue the best means of providing our energy needs. Based on price alone, oil is more abundant now than ever. No subsidies should be provided for any particular type of energy. | | Revolt and Repeal the current system of education finance. School choice, with money following the student, must be the basis of a new system. The stranglehold of the NEA must be broken. |
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Rep Jim McCullough jim@jimforwilliston.com
http://www.jimforwilliston.com | State Representative, Chittenden 3-6 | Democratic | | I think we made good progress toward "quality, affordable, accessable healthcare for all Vermonters" this last biennium. I feel we have a way to go in order to reach that goal. A goal that honors healthcare as a right not a right to purchase. A goal that honors businesses' needs and our schools' needs to balance broken budgets and care for their workers. I also support a "women's right to choose" and a minor female's right to privacy regarding "parental notification". | | We must have, and Vermonters deserve, a comprehensive statewide energy plan that describes our direction and preferences and gives clear direction to developers of our energy infrastructure. I prefer all manner of renewable energy resources, including hydro, in concert with planned and directed energy efficiency and conservation. | | The number one issue I hear and ascribe to is our taxes are too high. I think the main driver for this concern is our statewide education tax. We must honor the need for all Vermont towns to have an opportunity for education equallity. We must change the basic flaws that base substantial emphasis on property v. ones ability to pay. |
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| John Zenie johnzenie@adelphia.net | State Rep - Chittenden 7-1 | Democrat | | The biggest problem facing Vermont is the cost and availability of Health Care. These costs have an effect on many other problems facing Vermont such as high property taxes and income taxes which pay for health care for state, county, town, teachers, and administrative employees. There are several viable ideas on how to reduce costs such as going to a single payer system and providing incentives for good health behaviors. Today as part of standard community services we have police and fire protection and we have education as services that everyone receives. I believe that health care coverage should be included in this group of standard community services that everyone receives. That all of these community services should be paid for by all citizens based on their ability to pay. There are many other countries who have successfully implemented such a system for their citizens. Community services are implemented to cover the basic needs for the vast majority of citizens. For those who believe that their coverage would not include everything that they want could get a 2nd tier of coverage. This is what happens today for other community services where if you don't like what is being provided by the government then you go get more police and fire protection (alarm systems and fire extinguishers) or send your children to other schools. | | Wind power is greatly discussed but is only one source of supplying the state's future energy needs. We must investigate all alternatives to build a complete portfolio of energy solutions to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and for securing our future needs that will be environmentally friendly. | | Schools are struggling because of health care costs and they need to consolidate to help reduce other costs. Taxes to pay for community services such as education, police and fire protection, and other town administration should be based on a person's ability to pay. Property taxes are not based on ability to pay and we should look to find another way that would be fairer - such as income tax. |
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| Ed Stone stones138@gmavt.net | State House | Independent | | There is growing consensus that everybody needs some access to health car. The question at the state level remains how to pay for it. We should look somewhere else for health car.Private sector. The State is going broke as we speak. Who is going to fund health care | | We need to be looking to our energy future, and that's why I have agreed to chair the Charlotte Energy Task Force, which is under the care of the Conservation Commission and Charlotte Sustainable Living Network. I believe wind energy can meet part of our energy needs, but where to locate turbines is a sensitive issue. | | We need to convert Act 60 to a formula everyone can understand, this law is disrespectful of V Vermont citizens because it is unintelligible. When we understand act 60 we will see that is a good way to fund Education. Explain how it works and everyone well most everyone will get on board. |
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Jean Szilva, MD Jean4House@gmail.com
http://www.jeanszilva.org | State Representative | Progressive | | We need universal health care. Other countries do this at less cost and have better outcomes. Healthcare is a basic human right and should be paid for in the same fashion as other things we consider important, by a progressive income tax. The trick will be to have employers pay their employees health premiums to the employee in wages. Then the employee will have the money (and more for those with low and modest incomes)to pay the taxes. | | Renewable energy and clean water are the top national security issues. We cannot continue to rely on fossil fuels, a strategy we knew would eventually fail since the Carter years. We need to move forward swiftly and boldly. The technology exists. We also need to make conservation more attractive and, in some areas, mandated. I am convinced that supply has peaked while demand has increased tremendously and will continue to do so. We must have new, clean renwable energy sources. | | Act 68 was fair for the kids, but not so fair for the taxpayer. After 4 years on the Winooski School board, I know that the education property tax is regressive. Lower income Vermonters pay a larger percentage of their incomes in education tax than higher income Vermonters. We need to eliminate the education property tax and replace it with an income based tax. |
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Rep. Jim Condon jim@condonforcolchester.com
http://www.condonforcolchester.com | State Represenative | Democrat | | I supported Catamount Health and I am anxious to see how the details get ironed out. | | While I support wind power, I'm concerned that the opportunity to site a worthwhile number of turbines will be impossible. Renewables are great, but will only provide a fraction of our future needs. I believe we should start negotiations with Hydro-Quebec on a new long-term contract for Vermont. | | Last year, I proposed a cap on statewide property tax receipts. It would have resulted in an average 20 percent reduction in statewide property tax bills, with the remainder needed coming from the income tax, primarily. The ability to pay has to be a primary consideration when we finance education. I would support giving taxpayers a choice between the property tax and the income tax. We have to address ways to rein in the escalating costs of education. I support school consolidation and would like to see an independent commission make recommendations. |
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