HEALTH CARE: Affordable, quality health care is one of the top issues for citizens and businesses. It is one of the largest economic factors for businesses and families. The government’s role has been historically high. Government run health care in Medicare, Medicaid and Tri-Care form a successful base on which to continue reforms. I have supported the series of steps to date needed to achieve reform in VERMONT. Successfully building in smaller incremental investments may have relieved challenges within Vermont Health Connect projects. However citizens and businesses are demanding function now, and are not asking for their leaders to slow down.
SCHOOLS: Vermont’s secondary graduation rate is nationally recognized and our education system is a strong reason families consider when moving to VERMONT. Post secondary enrollment is seriously lacking and in response legislative initiatives, I have supported, have been put into place to help bridge students to post secondary life. Dual Enrollment is one initiative example. Leaders are exploring why more of our children are not going beyond, and then additional appropriate measures can be formed. It is important to continue our financial support of our state colleges and increase those supports, in order to make opportunities more affordable for Vermont children.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: First, without a healthy thriving lake, our current economic strengths are at risk and any future economic opportunities for growth gone. The benefits of a cleaner lake make for a case for serious action and the costs of those actions and how to fund them will be a major focus in the coming biennium.
Second, I am looking forward to learning more from the economic marketing plan released this summer that the legislature funded in 2015. The VERMONT Chamber has advocated for and is working with the VERMONT Agency of Commerce and Community Development to help execute this 3-year economic development-marketing plan to attract and retain residents and businesses to Vermont. Their estimated cost is $750,000 to implement, supporting this expense will be up for consideration. Here is a link to the full report:
www.ccrpcvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Vermont-Economic-Development-…
OPIATE ADDICTION: Too many Vermonters are suffering from the horrible disease of addiction. The most recent action to help combat this epidemic can be found in the actions within Act No. 173 (S.243) an act relating to combating opioid abuse in Vermont. This law passed in 2016, gives the Health Commissioner authority to set limits on how many opiate painkiller pills a doctor can prescribe at a time and how to track the distribution of those medications through a statewide database system. The new rules governing the prescribing of opioids for pain was announced last week. Summary: http://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2016/Docs/ACTS/ACT173/AC…
RENEWABLE ENERGY: Vermonters have a long history of desired independence and self-determination, which is why as a state we support the renewable energy goals. Short-term issues of siting can appear in conflict with our collective long-term energy goals, which is why regulating renewable energy whether for siting, generation or distribution requires constant legislative attention to bring about balance. An example of a changing and emerging technology can be found in the auto industry that will require regulation. During a legislative conference, manufacturers of driverless cars highlighted desires to access markets in VERMONT. Our changing future is here; we must balance its impact.
AGRICULTURE: Supporting our agricultural industry has yielded results. Legislative initiatives I have supported show they were good investments, Farm to Plate (2009) and Working Land (2012). In order to continue support of AG and clean water, it will be important to stay engaged with the next steps Vermont must take, given the release in June of the EPA’s allowed phosphorus levels. A Clean Water Fund was established in 2015 to provide additional state funds to help AG and others reduce pollution. The challenge coming will be in establishing a long-term funding solution; the current source of funding expires at the end of the FY2018 budget.
http://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/cwi/cwf
 CANDIDATE’S CHOICE: I am committed to the people living in Addison-3. I am also committed to Vermont, and bring a positive position that balances the desires of the people with responsible financial choices. It is a pleasure to work for you and a privilege to be a part of your closest personal issues. I pledge to continue to show up ready, willing to engage, and listen on your behalf. Together we will construct our future and it will be as bright as we build it.
I am honored to be your Representative and ask for your continued support this election. Thank you. [email protected]
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION: No