Affordability & Accessibility
LOCAL ISSUES
Our company, Golden Ruler Construction, revitalizing an abandoned structure for affordable housing
Housing
Vermonters are getting priced out of their own state. Twenty years ago the Orwell Bank took a chance and helped us buy a house for our growing family. After years of renting, finally we had a place of our own where our children could grow and flourish, our business could expand and our ability to build equity increased. Every working Vermonter needs the same opportunity. Many things are working against home ownership and reasonable rent, including a shortage of housing,
Ideas:
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1. Revisit how the state subsidizes property owners through the Vermont Land use Program. Large areas of Vermont are owned by out-of -state investors. Why are we subsidizing them, allowing them to tie up land in Vermont with small carrying costs?
2. Town zoning requirements are creating barriers for development. It should not take minor subdivisions that meet the town plan, require no variances and have a state approved waste water permit 6 months or more with countless meetings and paperwork to get approval. The process varies greatly between towns and discourages growth.
3. We need to move away from relying heavily on property taxes for state and town funding and instead base taxes on a person's total wealth and income.
4. Expanding the TIF program promotes organizations such as Neighbor Works and Addison Housing Works. Support many of the solutions put forth by the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont.
Me and my Costa Rican dentist, where affordable healthcare is a reality
Health Care, Insurance and Dental
Our insurance and health care costs are out of control and only getting worse. While raising our children, Governor Dean raised the eligibility requirements for Dr. Dynosaur allowing us to enroll. The timing was critical as our oldest son spent nearly a month in the hospital. Without Dr. Dynosaur our future lives would have been seriously altered with huge medical debt. With current insurance premiums drastically increasing as insurance subsidies expire,many are faced with either dropping their insurance or having a huge increase in insurance premiums.
Ideas:
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A single payer health care system is the obvious long term answer. Why can we not look at all the great health care systems so many other countries have and build an even better system here? Eliminating health care as a business and more as a right is the answer.
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In the short term - Even people with insurance coverage fear the day when they actually need health care. Dealing with endless medical bills and aggressive insurance companies is difficult on our best days but having to deal with all of this when one is ill, or injured can be overwhelming. I support increasing and expanding the role of our Vermont Health connect navigators in dealing with medical costs and insurance payouts.
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Support and expansion of the medical debt buyback program, Vermont Premium Assistance program, State-based premium assistance,
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Examine the Certificate of Need program and how it may prevent competition.
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Make the required pricing of hospital and doctor services more accessible.
Orwell Village
Taxation
Lower property taxes for Vermont residence by increasing property taxes on out-of-state land owners
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Eliminate the current loop holes in the property transfer tax on out-of-state purchases
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Eliminate state land use subsidies on non agricultural land owned by out-of-state investors
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Vermont's hunting tradition, a right that all should be able to enjoy
I'm dedicated to protecting Vermont's farms and our agricultural landscapes
Environment, Climate Change and Our Natural Resources
Value a clean and safe environment and accept the science on climate change. Looking for creative ways we can take action while recognizing we are a small state with limited resources.
Vermont's strength lies in its small towns and communities
Equality and a Vermont for All
Support measures that protect the rights, prevent discrimination and hate towards any Vermont citizen including immigrants, migrant workers, LGBTQ individuals, women’s rights including the right and access to terminate a pregnancy and homelessness.
Educational reforms need to protect the vibrancy of Vermont's small towns
Education
Closing a school in a community can be a real blow for the life of the community, create greater transportation and logistical challenges for families and students and affect property values.
However, given the costs of education and a declining student population I support much of Act 73. New and creative initiatives need to be considered to strengthen community life.
National Issues
Addison-Rutland District's unique place in America's fight for independence
(May 2025 Reenactment, Shoreham Green)
General
Overturn citizens united decision which allows corporations and outside groups to spend unlimited money on elections
Eliminate gerrymandering
Universal healthcare for all
Much higher taxes on billionaires
Stricter gun laws and outlaw all automatic assault rifles
Increase public funding of higher education and eliminate the privatization of college costs
Protect Social Security, Postal Service and other government agencies from privatization
Democracy
Supporting and defending Democracy
Free speech and dissent
Encourage political discourse and civility
Protect the democratic process our voting rights and fair elections
Limit how our national guard can be used
Promote strong ethical standards and working within our legal structures
Protect marginalized groups from prejudice, demeaning and dehumanizing behavior
Support a robust independent news media and non partisan government information agencies
Maintain a part-time citizen legislature and prevent excessive government consolidation
Greater control over corporate greed and corruption and the consolidation of wealth, increasing the capital gains tax and estate tax rates at the higher ends