There are many major challenges for businesses and households in Cambridge,
Waterville and Belvidere. But, with the right leadership, there are solutions.
Challenge: With the decay of our agriculture and forestry industry we’ ve seen the erosion
of our rural job base. More and more, we need to travel a long distance to find a job. And
contractors are suffering as well. Solution: This is still a great place to live. We need
broadband in every home, and good roads to get there. We’ ve got a burgeoning creative
economy, which can take off if we get our infrastructure up to date. My magazine
business, which now employees 17 people right here in Jeffersonville, could just as easily
operate in Belvidere given good broadband. And there are many more companies like
mine ready to take root should we invest in our roads, bridges and broadband. To me,
safe reliable infrastructure is a primary function of government.
Challenge: Property taxes are hurting us at home and hammering small business in
Vermont. Solution: We need to control school spending, but not at the expense of losing
our local schools and shipping our kids to who knows where as some have suggested. I’ ll
push to create an education funding system that freezes the percentage of funding that
comes from the property tax at a set level and utilizes other broad base taxes to ensure
our property taxes don’ t continue to rise. In fact, with the Democratic leadership of the
House I introduced a study that will do just this. But we need to do more than just study
the problem though. We need to act.
Challenge: Less than 10% of the Representatives in the Vermont House have business
or job building experience. Solution: I’ ve owned several businesses and know what it’ s
like to claw and scratch to get an idea off the ground, meet a payroll and grow a company
that provides good jobs right here in our community. As a former builder in the area,
I’ ve fought against efforts in the House to make it more difficult to be a subcontractor in
Vermont.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Deb Nevil: What would you do to help our local economy?
I will work to support our current large and small employers with energy efficiency incentives to keep, create and bring new jobs to the area. Renewable energy will not only provide a clean, affordable, safe and reliable product, but jobs with manufacturing comprised of product safety and stewardship. It will help to retain our college graduates and technical workforce to provide a sound future for Vermont. Expanding programs like dual enrollment at VSC, promoting affordable housing and a focus on quality education will help to make Vermont a great state to live, work and play.
Adam Howard: What do you feel "working with the other party" really means, and how would you plan to do that?
Politics in Vermont, when I was growing up, was much more about the place than the
party to which one belonged. It’ s become bitterly partisan and overly emotional. There
is no “ other party” as I see it. We’ re all Vermonters. And as Democratic Chair of Ways
and Means Michael Obuchowski told me when I was working with him on my education
reform study (which he supported), “ A good idea is a good idea.” I’ ve proven, both
here in the community and last winter in Montpelier, that I can work with anyone to get
results.
party to which one belonged. It’ s become bitterly partisan and overly emotional. There
is no “ other party” as I see it. We’ re all Vermonters. And as Democratic Chair of Ways
and Means Michael Obuchowski told me when I was working with him on my education
reform study (which he supported), “ A good idea is a good idea.” I’ ve proven, both
here in the community and last winter in Montpelier, that I can work with anyone to get
results.
Deb Nevil: What do you feel "working with the other party" really means, and how would you plan to do that?
Working with the other party means having the ability to view through another lens. It is based on the idea that compromise and respect are key components in serving our constituents. I would be open- minded and do research around issues of contention to analyze a strategy for a bi-partisan effort in reaching a solution.
Adam Howard: What do you feel is the number one issue facing the towns you would represent; Cambridge, Waterville, and Belvidere?
A lack of well-paying jobs nearby followed very closely by a lack of affordable
healthcare followed by rising property taxes. I think those three each jockey for number
one depending on each household scenario.
healthcare followed by rising property taxes. I think those three each jockey for number
one depending on each household scenario.
Deb Nevil: What do you feel is the number one issue facing the towns you would represent; Cambridge, Waterville, and Belvidere?
There is more than one issue, but property taxes are an extensive burden on our elders and small businesses. I would like to reform education funding to reduce the reliance on residential property tax. Revenues made available for job creation and production will help to create strong and sustainable communities.
Adam Howard: What do you feel will be your strongest tool in helping get things done in Montpelier?
I think I bring the right mix of youthfulness and breadth of experience to the House of
Representatives. At 36, I’ m the third or fourth youngest member of the body and one of
a handful with young children. While I’ ve proven my leadership ability in business and
the community here in Cambridge as a member of many non-profits I’ ve also proven
a keen ability to listen to different perspectives on a wide range of issues affecting the
community and State. I behave the same in Montpelier. I can come on strong when it’ s
appropriate and take a quieter, back seat approach when needed. I think that’ s why in
my first year I was affective on such a wide range of issues featuring the needs of a very
diverse group of lawmakers much older and more experienced than myself. With this
approach I earned their respect. On the home front, I’ ve been available and responsive
to questions and issues raised by residents and have proven that I can get results on their
behalf from state government.
Representatives. At 36, I’ m the third or fourth youngest member of the body and one of
a handful with young children. While I’ ve proven my leadership ability in business and
the community here in Cambridge as a member of many non-profits I’ ve also proven
a keen ability to listen to different perspectives on a wide range of issues affecting the
community and State. I behave the same in Montpelier. I can come on strong when it’ s
appropriate and take a quieter, back seat approach when needed. I think that’ s why in
my first year I was affective on such a wide range of issues featuring the needs of a very
diverse group of lawmakers much older and more experienced than myself. With this
approach I earned their respect. On the home front, I’ ve been available and responsive
to questions and issues raised by residents and have proven that I can get results on their
behalf from state government.
Deb Nevil: What do you feel will be your strongest tool in helping get things done in Montpelier?
My strongest tool is my ability to view both sides of an issue. I have experience in turning around failing businesses. I understand sometimes we need short-term fixes, but the state of our economy needs a sustainable long-term vision. I believe the people experiencing the problems know what they need. They just need a voice willing to work hard to represent them. I will work hard to produce a balanced budget plan that is cognizant of the most vulnerable in our community.
Adam Howard: Do you feel the biggest budget concern should be too much spending, or not enough money?
Interesting question. First, let’ s be clear: We all want the same things. We want good
health, good education, and good jobs sustained by reasonable taxes. To me, it’ s not
about spending but efficiency. It’ s about outcomes. If we can provide our current level of
services at the state and local level but for 10, 20 or 30 percent less money wouldn’ t we
choose to do that? Yes. From my very limited experience with state government I’ d argue
that we don’ t provide services very efficiently. This has nothing to do with the quality
of our state employees; this has to do with the infrastructures and red tape by which they
are so often bound. I commonly use Lamoille County Court Diversion and the Lamoille
Family Center as two examples of non-profits, which, through state and federal funds
and local fundraising achieve outstanding results for a fraction of what it would cost a
state agency to deliver the same. These NPO’ s are a great example of how public/private
sector partnerships can deliver. And, they create local, well-paying jobs to boot. Not bad.
We must learn from these groups. We must support their missions.
health, good education, and good jobs sustained by reasonable taxes. To me, it’ s not
about spending but efficiency. It’ s about outcomes. If we can provide our current level of
services at the state and local level but for 10, 20 or 30 percent less money wouldn’ t we
choose to do that? Yes. From my very limited experience with state government I’ d argue
that we don’ t provide services very efficiently. This has nothing to do with the quality
of our state employees; this has to do with the infrastructures and red tape by which they
are so often bound. I commonly use Lamoille County Court Diversion and the Lamoille
Family Center as two examples of non-profits, which, through state and federal funds
and local fundraising achieve outstanding results for a fraction of what it would cost a
state agency to deliver the same. These NPO’ s are a great example of how public/private
sector partnerships can deliver. And, they create local, well-paying jobs to boot. Not bad.
We must learn from these groups. We must support their missions.
Deb Nevil: Do you feel the biggest budget concern should be too much spending, or not enough money?
Emergency spending, temporary tax hikes, and budget cuts which cost-shift to the local level
are the biggest budget concern. Spending, taxes and budget cuts are short-term fixes. We need to view
this crisis through another lens: Investing. This takes long-term thinking and planning. However,
we must carefully reduce expenditures, so to not have a disproportionate impact on those who need
services more than ever during this economic downturn. In this economy we cannot rely on broad-
based taxes, like income, property or sales to fix this crisis. We need to decide what we value as
Vermonters and put those values first when working on long-term goals.
are the biggest budget concern. Spending, taxes and budget cuts are short-term fixes. We need to view
this crisis through another lens: Investing. This takes long-term thinking and planning. However,
we must carefully reduce expenditures, so to not have a disproportionate impact on those who need
services more than ever during this economic downturn. In this economy we cannot rely on broad-
based taxes, like income, property or sales to fix this crisis. We need to decide what we value as
Vermonters and put those values first when working on long-term goals.
Adam Howard: What are your thoughts around funding education?
We have a broken education-funding model. Our tax dollars go to the state. Our school
boards budget locally. Then the money is sent back to the town from the state. We talk
about local control, but there’ s a serious disconnect when the Secretary of Education
says, “ Keep your budget at such a level.” Then the Legislature tries to mandate school
district mergers. Something’ s got to give. When you vote at town meeting the outcome
should be reflected in your property tax bill. Under the current system it’ s not. Since
Act 60 passed in the late 90s more and more of the burden has fallen on the property tax
raising your property taxes. Legislation I introduced and passed will explore establishing
a ratio between the property tax and other funds that go toward education. If, for instance,
we freeze the percentage of overall funding that comes from the property tax at 33% we
would know that if spending on education increased, that burden would be picked up
fairly between the property tax and all other sources. This wouldn’ t freeze spending, nor
should it, but it would say, look, if we raise our budgets we’ re not going to pick up all of
that growth by growing the property tax portion to 50% and stick it to property owners. It
will force us to find other means by which we fund education, control costs, or both.
boards budget locally. Then the money is sent back to the town from the state. We talk
about local control, but there’ s a serious disconnect when the Secretary of Education
says, “ Keep your budget at such a level.” Then the Legislature tries to mandate school
district mergers. Something’ s got to give. When you vote at town meeting the outcome
should be reflected in your property tax bill. Under the current system it’ s not. Since
Act 60 passed in the late 90s more and more of the burden has fallen on the property tax
raising your property taxes. Legislation I introduced and passed will explore establishing
a ratio between the property tax and other funds that go toward education. If, for instance,
we freeze the percentage of overall funding that comes from the property tax at 33% we
would know that if spending on education increased, that burden would be picked up
fairly between the property tax and all other sources. This wouldn’ t freeze spending, nor
should it, but it would say, look, if we raise our budgets we’ re not going to pick up all of
that growth by growing the property tax portion to 50% and stick it to property owners. It
will force us to find other means by which we fund education, control costs, or both.
Deb Nevil: What are your thoughts around funding education?
We need long-term vision to solve education funding problems. Locally, we get great results and our schools are the hub of our community. School boards and voters have been keeping cost increases to a minimum and actually reduced spending in 2009. The $19Million in stimulus funds should be used for its intended purpose of avoiding teacher layoffs. I support the recommendations of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) to create a new funding system which moves away from reliance on the property tax and increases cost containment. However, I will not support changes which weaken local control further and don't involve the community in spending decisions.
Adam Howard: What are your thoughts about improving education?
First, I went to Cambridge Elementary School and Lamoille Union High School. And
I got a great education at both schools. I believe very strongly in public education. But
I also believe that a voucher system for home schoolers and those who would choose
to send their children to another school should be a viable option. My goal, as a parent,
Representative and dedicated community member is to work hard to make our schools
the best around so that others are interested in tuitioning their kids here. Not the other
way around. We can’ t do this without each of us getting involved in educating not just
our own kids, but everyone’ s kids. That’ s why Holly and I both volunteer at Cambridge
Elementary School by teaching about local history, through science-based Four Winds,
or raising money through Rotary for Winter Wellness Days which gets Cambridge
fourth, fifth and sixth graders three full days of skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing at
Smuggs’ free of charge.
I got a great education at both schools. I believe very strongly in public education. But
I also believe that a voucher system for home schoolers and those who would choose
to send their children to another school should be a viable option. My goal, as a parent,
Representative and dedicated community member is to work hard to make our schools
the best around so that others are interested in tuitioning their kids here. Not the other
way around. We can’ t do this without each of us getting involved in educating not just
our own kids, but everyone’ s kids. That’ s why Holly and I both volunteer at Cambridge
Elementary School by teaching about local history, through science-based Four Winds,
or raising money through Rotary for Winter Wellness Days which gets Cambridge
fourth, fifth and sixth graders three full days of skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing at
Smuggs’ free of charge.
Deb Nevil: What are your thoughts about improving education?
Improving education is important for Vermont's economic future. An educated society alleviates the cost burdens from incarceration, welfare and alcohol and drug abuse. Education is the foundation from which to build a strong community. Investments in quality education, highly effective teachers and strategies to reach those goals is the path to a strong educational system. Supports for our educators, students, parents and administration will ensure a highly qualified and effective education delivery. Co-teaching and a dual license for general and special education teachers should be a consideration as a characteristic of 21st century education. A collaborative effort to create new models of teaching, learning and leading will help us to reach these goals.
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