Are you satisfied with the state's Health Care Affordability Act (H.861)?
If not, what additional steps should the state take to expand health care coverage?
The Vermont Health Care Affordability Act became law after years of intense legislative effort to address the issue that is very important to many Vermonters – Health Care. I am proud that our lawmakers did not avoid this complicated issue, even after being met with a veto in 2005.
I believe H.861 focuses its effort on the two areas of health care that can bring substantial change to the Vermont health care system and to the health of all Vermonters. First, the act makes health care coverage available and affordable to uninsured Vermonters through Catamount Health. Second, it makes significant changes to the system of care that addresses chronic diseases in the Blueprint for Health. This Blueprint for Health affects the chronic disease care of all Vermonters and not just those insured through Catamount.
The 2007 legislative session will be full of opportunities to refine and assist this historical action. I look forward to bringing conversation to the table that looks at another cost saving area, that of health care billing practices.
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Vermont 's contracts with Hydro-Quebec and Vermont Yankee expire during the next decade. What should Vermont do to meet its energy needs?
Vermont will be facing an energy crisis and we need a comprehensive plan. I would like to be your voice and work with leadership on strong energy policy. Action has been taking in this direction with the VT Energy Security and Reliability Act signed in May 2006. This act shall conduct a comprehensive statewide public engagement process on energy planning, focused on energy supply choices facing the state beginning in 2012.
I support legislation that promotes conservation, renewable energy, and financial incentives to farmers for alternative energy production from such products as manure.
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What are you willing to do at the state level to support farms? Please specify what supports and policies you would promote as a legislator.
Events recently have combined to create an overwhelming disastrous impact on our farm industry. It is on the front page news almost daily. All fourteen counties in Vermont are designated disaster areas.
The industry may need more and immediate relief to survive the short term. It is at times like these that I do not want to wait until January to analyze and begin to form a plan.
Long term policies are also needed. I would support legislation that promotes and makes available strong education opportunities for current and future farmers. Farming is a business and efforts to advance the workforce through education are the keys to its future. I would also support when and where available, financial incentives to assist with advancements. For example look at the good work of the Cow Power efforts. In Vermont , farming means much more than just business, we see it as vitally important to our identity.
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The idea of a property tax cap to limit the rise in school spending has been suggested, but such reductions in funds could diminish the quality of education in our schools over time. How do you solve that dilemma?
Property taxes and education funding are a very serious issue for many of the citizens I have spoken with. I believe Vermonters would like to provide an equal educational opportunity to children and afford to live in their homes.
Property tax caps have only been suggested, along with many other ideas. I believe property taxes need to be contained and funds allocated for education not be transferred or used to fund other projects. I would be cautious of any strategy that presented a simple budget cut without giving significant consideration to the ultimate impact on our children.
would support legislation that promotes containing costs, limiting diversion, and bases school taxes on Vermonters ability to pay and not on just their property values.
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What can be done to keep young Vermonters (post high school) from leaving the state, and how specifically can the state attract jobs that pay a livable wage?
It is often a positive opportunity for young people to go out and see the world. Vermont attracts many students from other states because Vermont offers them a different opportunity than their home state may. I would like to see our young come back home with a deeper understanding of why Vermont is the best place to live.
I can speak to this personally. All my children have had out of state experiences as apart of their college education. I am very fortunate that all but one child lives and work within the community
We must address the issues that prevent them from staying. Look at the previous questions and I see opportunity for our youth's future in the health care industry, the exploration of alternative energy, the agricultural industry and in education and training.
I would support legislation that promotes affordable housing, loan forgiveness for education to advance the workforce in Vermont .
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Discuss an issue of importance to you that you would work to address if elected.
I have walked the district and visited 2400+ homes and the issues the citizens of this community want their next legislator to work on is first, Health Care and second, Property taxes.
I bring proven legislative experience as I worked from within the VT Health Dept. on a bill written to bring protection to Vermont by limiting Methamphetamine labs. This bill was signed into law in May 2006.
I will also be pro active with legislation on the following issues: energy, education, housing, environment, and safety. A common sense preventive approach to problems and issues is always less costly than to be forced to react to a crisis.
