Qualification: I currently serve on the Bristol Planning Commission and on the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee. I am a member of the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance and previously served on their legislative committee. I testified both in writing and in person during the drafting of the RAP (Required Agricultural Practices) and subsequent changes. I also believe that my experience on the family farm lends strength in my ability to solve problems and approach issues with innovative and intelligent solutions.

Education funding: First I’d like to point out that an unprecedented number of school budgets did not pass on town meeting day or on their first vote for those districts that hold a separate vote, and many were sent back up to three times before enough voters would vote in favor of the budget. To be clear NO budget passed with a unanimous yes vote and to start a question with that statement is disingenuous.

We need to cut expenses. This obsessive view from the supermajority is not to address the rising costs, declining enrollment and lack luster student performance but rather how they are going to tax you more to pay for a clearly failing system. If elected I will work to find ways to reduce unnecessary spending and place the focus back on the students.

Housing: One of the biggest challenges to affordable housing is Act 250. Year after year it comes up that we need to either remove it or rework it to make building housing easier and attract more businesses to Vermont. However the special interest continually block any measure to make change claiming environmental doom. Vermonters are good people, our citizens, businesses and municipalities strive to maintain our beautiful and healthy state. It’s time we put people above special interest. We can both open doors for more affordable housing and protect our environment.

Climate crisis: I would not vote to implement the Clean Heat Standard. Vermont is the lowest emitter nationwide of CO2 and our forest (CO2 is plant food) absorbs more carbon than we emit. The study which taxpayers already paid for says the plan as suggested will cost millions of dollars above the original estimated cost just to implement, is cumbersome and leaves room for fraud. Even the PUC (Public Utilities Commission) agrees with that assessment. Climate crisis? I don’t believe there is one. The climate is changing as it always has and always will. Act 153 should be rewritten to be goals and not requirements and the clause that allows anyone in the world to sue us if we don’t meet those requirements should be removed.

Other priorities: Our infrastructure needs repair and upgrading. Funding for this should be a priority.