This election cycle is shaping up to have some exciting and impactful contests in our region and beyond. Early voting is already underway ahead of the August 13th primary day, so read this and go vote! Each election cycle, LCC’s Advocacy team reaches out to elected officials in the region we serve to solicit responses on a few questions important to businesses and employers. We hope these responses will help inform our members about the candidates on the ballot on August 13th for the party primaries and November 5th for the general election.
About the survey: LCC’s advocacy team reached out to candidates for seats within Chittenden County with an online questionnaire. Candidates who did not complete the questionnaire are listed here for the purposes of showing all participants in the contests. Their responses are shared here with minimal editing only in instances where it was necessary for clarity. This page will be updated as some candidates participate late and to include material such as other surveys and questionnaires, forums, and other outside resources.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please email [email protected].
House Candidates
Candidate Biography
After graduating from Colorado College, I spent five years working for US Senator Mark Dayton as a legislative aide. I left Washington, D.C. to pursue my master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and have now been teaching social studies at Colchester High School for 18 years. As a teacher and a member of the CVSD school board for many years, I was thrilled to be assigned to the House Education Committee in my first term and am honored to now serve as the Vice Chair.
Why are you running?
While it is challenging to raise a family, teach and serve in the Legislature, I believe it’s important that we have voices from working families in Montpelier. I am committed to transforming our education system (which is really just a funding formula) into a right-sized, strong public education system that supports all students and uses our statewide resources sustainably.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Yes and no – we are small business friendly (or at least have a strong ethos of small business support) but lack many of the structures to support larger businesses and economic growth. I see our largest challenges are the workforce pipeline, the cost of housing and the growing disconnect between Chittenden County and the rest of Vermont.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
I believe we need to invest seriously in our workforce pipeline and better capture our high school graduates to help them bridge to post-secondary opportunities and in demand jobs. We need more statewide vision and cohesion around so many of our systems, especially education. We are a small state and have a lot of “bright spots” but I worry we fail to scale things and lack coordination to be more effecient in so many regards (education, emergency services, social services, parks and recreation, etc.) We also need to ensure that our tax code rewards WORKING Vermonters — too many of our parts of system are more about wealth, land ownership, etc. and put an increasingly large public cost on the Vermonters who did critical work day in and day out.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes. Full stop. We need to build more and we need to build in more areas. Density is an important goal for a host of reasons but our zoning but also be realistic. So long as we live in a society that is dominanted by single family homes, we must build them. I get very frustrated when I hear people lament that Vermont will become like…(insert a number of places like New Jersey or even, Williston!). Many of those places have lower taxes and can offer far superior services and amenities because they have scale and sustained growth. I hope to see Vermont move in that direction.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. We should do anything and everything to tackle our demographic problem but I also think that long range demographic research is quite clear – much of the US is going to face population decline and Vermont (and Maine) happens to be the unlucky tip of the iceberg. We have to plan and invest for demographic resilience and be realistic about the future.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
One of the most pronounced lessons I’ve learned as a public school teacher of 18 years is the cumulative effect of inequitable opportunities and experiences on young people and their families. I know schools alone cannot fix everything, but I firmly believe they are the most important institutions we have to close opportunity gaps and they are fundamental to our democracy. We are at an inflection point in education for a variety of complex reasons. I am working everyday in Montpelier to transform our education system (which is really just a complex funding formula currently) in Vermont into a right-sized, strong public education system that supports all students and uses our precious statewide resources sustainably and efficiently. I am deeply committed to this work and bending the cost curve. Our system is over 200 years in the making so coherent change will take time. This work will take extraordinary political courage, culture acceptance of change and smart investment in our future.
Candidate Biography
After graduating from Colorado College, I spent five years working for US Senator Mark Dayton as a legislative aide. I left Washington, D.C. to pursue my master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and have now been teaching social studies at Colchester High School for 18 years. As a teacher and a member of the CVSD school board for many years, I was thrilled to be assigned to the House Education Committee in my first term and am honored to now serve as the Vice Chair.
Why are you running?
While it is challenging to raise a family, teach and serve in the Legislature, I believe it’s important that we have voices from working families in Montpelier. I am committed to transforming our education system (which is really just a funding formula) into a right-sized, strong public education system that supports all students and uses our statewide resources sustainably.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Yes and no – we are small business friendly (or at least have a strong ethos of small business support) but lack many of the structures to support larger businesses and economic growth. I see our largest challenges are the workforce pipeline, the cost of housing and the growing disconnect between Chittenden County and the rest of Vermont.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
I believe we need to invest seriously in our workforce pipeline and better capture our high school graduates to help them bridge to post-secondary opportunities and in demand jobs. We need more statewide vision and cohesion around so many of our systems, especially education. We are a small state and have a lot of “bright spots” but I worry we fail to scale things and lack coordination to be more effecient in so many regards (education, emergency services, social services, parks and recreation, etc.) We also need to ensure that our tax code rewards WORKING Vermonters — too many of our parts of system are more about wealth, land ownership, etc. and put an increasingly large public cost on the Vermonters who did critical work day in and day out.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes. Full stop. We need to build more and we need to build in more areas. Density is an important goal for a host of reasons but our zoning but also be realistic. So long as we live in a society that is dominanted by single family homes, we must build them. I get very frustrated when I hear people lament that Vermont will become like…(insert a number of places like New Jersey or even, Williston!). Many of those places have lower taxes and can offer far superior services and amenities because they have scale and sustained growth. I hope to see Vermont move in that direction.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. We should do anything and everything to tackle our demographic problem but I also think that long range demographic research is quite clear – much of the US is going to face population decline and Vermont (and Maine) happens to be the unlucky tip of the iceberg. We have to plan and invest for demographic resilience and be realistic about the future.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
One of the most pronounced lessons I’ve learned as a public school teacher of 18 years is the cumulative effect of inequitable opportunities and experiences on young people and their families. I know schools alone cannot fix everything, but I firmly believe they are the most important institutions we have to close opportunity gaps and they are fundamental to our democracy. We are at an inflection point in education for a variety of complex reasons. I am working everyday in Montpelier to transform our education system (which is really just a complex funding formula currently) in Vermont into a right-sized, strong public education system that supports all students and uses our precious statewide resources sustainably and efficiently. I am deeply committed to this work and bending the cost curve. Our system is over 200 years in the making so coherent change will take time. This work will take extraordinary political courage, culture acceptance of change and smart investment in our future.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Biography
Phil Pouech and his family has lived in Hinesburg for over 40 years. All three children attended local public schools. Phil has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science along with and numerous post-graduate certificates. Phil most recently worked for Vermont renewable energy companies. Phil has a long history of public service. Including 12 years as a Selectboard member, 25 years as Hinesburg’s Green Up Coordinator and now as Hinesburg’s state representative.
Why are you running?
I presently have the time (due to retirement) and I believe the skills to effectively represent Hinesburg in the Statehouse. I do this to give back to my community.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
That is a tough question. I believe the workforce in Vermont is high-quality and supportive of local business. I believe the state is working hard to improve the business environment by providing strong childcare support, healthcare programs and quality education.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
We must work on affordable housing, education/property tax modernization, transportation infrastructure and improved education/technical training opportunities.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes, more housing is absolutely necessary. The recent Act 250 changes will improve housing development in our town and cities centers and hopefully lower development costs and permit hurdles. We can provide tax incentives for affordable housing along with updates to our education funding formulas (property tax)
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
I feel strongly that the quality of life in Vermont is the best advertisement for our state. We can encourage more immigrants and young families but must do so as we create more affordable housing.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
I have high hopes for the education commission put forth to look at our states education system and funding mechanisms. It is time to address every portion of our existing system including the present “full local control” by a couple hundred individual school districts and budget. I believe our state education agency must take more control and make more decisions to drive efficiency into the local districts. The commission must also address our present funding mechanisms to break the focus on property tax as the primary source of education revenue.
Candidate Biography
Phil Pouech and his family has lived in Hinesburg for over 40 years. All three children attended local public schools. Phil has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science along with and numerous post-graduate certificates. Phil most recently worked for Vermont renewable energy companies. Phil has a long history of public service. Including 12 years as a Selectboard member, 25 years as Hinesburg’s Green Up Coordinator and now as Hinesburg’s state representative.
Why are you running?
I presently have the time (due to retirement) and I believe the skills to effectively represent Hinesburg in the Statehouse. I do this to give back to my community.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
That is a tough question. I believe the workforce in Vermont is high-quality and supportive of local business. I believe the state is working hard to improve the business environment by providing strong childcare support, healthcare programs and quality education.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
We must work on affordable housing, education/property tax modernization, transportation infrastructure and improved education/technical training opportunities.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes, more housing is absolutely necessary. The recent Act 250 changes will improve housing development in our town and cities centers and hopefully lower development costs and permit hurdles. We can provide tax incentives for affordable housing along with updates to our education funding formulas (property tax)
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
I feel strongly that the quality of life in Vermont is the best advertisement for our state. We can encourage more immigrants and young families but must do so as we create more affordable housing.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
I have high hopes for the education commission put forth to look at our states education system and funding mechanisms. It is time to address every portion of our existing system including the present “full local control” by a couple hundred individual school districts and budget. I believe our state education agency must take more control and make more decisions to drive efficiency into the local districts. The commission must also address our present funding mechanisms to break the focus on property tax as the primary source of education revenue.
Candidate Biography
Grew up in Montpelier. Raised a family here in Shelburne. Have run a successful designbuild company since 2006. My goal is to knock on every door in my district by August 13th. Want to be a strong, well-informed voice for the people of St.George and Shelburne.
Why are you running?
I believe my business experience, listening and problem solving skills and a passion for representing my constituents will be successful in Montpelier.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Yes and no. It’s a beautiful place to call home. That’s why we are all here. But we can do much better. We need to build worker housing so businesses can grown their workforce. We need to figure out more creative ways to finance our schools and make them the best in the nation which will attract the best workers. We need to be more supportive in general to our businesses.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Build more workforce housing. Create all the avenues necessary to help make that happen. We need to be more creative with state land, tax incentives and support.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
I believe that housing has become the key to Vermont’s future. We have held back on enough affordable and workforce housing for far too long. I believe if we can correct this issue, many other problems will solve themselves. I for one have tried to hire folks from out of state to grow my business, yet they cannot move here because they simply cannot find an affordable place to live.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Not yet. We need to fix our housing problem first. I feel it’s a waste of money and effort to sell something we can’t deliver on. We need to step back and come up with a long-term, comprehensive approach to build housing for everyone. The approach needs to be focused on first time buyers and smaller units in many different forms. Small houses built by modular home builders like Huntington Homes in East Montpelier. Small one and two bedroom condo’s and townhouses. We need to incentivize building in all town centers throughout the state. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we need a plan. Don’t have it all worked out just yet, but willing to work on it.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
I truly don’t have the answer. However, I have resources that can help me develop an educated response. It seems like many folks in education are leaning towards a switch to income based educational taxes, which I am presently looking into. But wouldn’t it be something if Vermont did spend the most and equal it with the best outcomes in the US. That would be it’s own selling point with bringing more folks to the state.
Candidate Biography
Grew up in Montpelier. Raised a family here in Shelburne. Have run a successful designbuild company since 2006. My goal is to knock on every door in my district by August 13th. Want to be a strong, well-informed voice for the people of St.George and Shelburne.
Why are you running?
I believe my business experience, listening and problem solving skills and a passion for representing my constituents will be successful in Montpelier.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Yes and no. It’s a beautiful place to call home. That’s why we are all here. But we can do much better. We need to build worker housing so businesses can grown their workforce. We need to figure out more creative ways to finance our schools and make them the best in the nation which will attract the best workers. We need to be more supportive in general to our businesses.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Build more workforce housing. Create all the avenues necessary to help make that happen. We need to be more creative with state land, tax incentives and support.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
I believe that housing has become the key to Vermont’s future. We have held back on enough affordable and workforce housing for far too long. I believe if we can correct this issue, many other problems will solve themselves. I for one have tried to hire folks from out of state to grow my business, yet they cannot move here because they simply cannot find an affordable place to live.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Not yet. We need to fix our housing problem first. I feel it’s a waste of money and effort to sell something we can’t deliver on. We need to step back and come up with a long-term, comprehensive approach to build housing for everyone. The approach needs to be focused on first time buyers and smaller units in many different forms. Small houses built by modular home builders like Huntington Homes in East Montpelier. Small one and two bedroom condo’s and townhouses. We need to incentivize building in all town centers throughout the state. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we need a plan. Don’t have it all worked out just yet, but willing to work on it.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
I truly don’t have the answer. However, I have resources that can help me develop an educated response. It seems like many folks in education are leaning towards a switch to income based educational taxes, which I am presently looking into. But wouldn’t it be something if Vermont did spend the most and equal it with the best outcomes in the US. That would be it’s own selling point with bringing more folks to the state.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Biography
Emilie, a native Vermonter from Charlotte and now residing in South Burlington since 2005, brings extensive political experience and leadership. She champions civic engagement through local committee participation and statewide educational initiatives, embodying a deep commitment to community service and advocacy efforts.
Why are you running?
I’m running for reelection because I am committed to continuing the progress we’ve made in South Burlington. Together, we’ve empowered working families and advocated for our most vulnerable neighbors, and there’s more work to be done.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Vermont can be a good place to have a business depending on your priorities and the nature of your business. Our state offers a unique blend of quality of life, environmental stewardship, and a strong sense of community that can be appealing to businesses aligned with these values. However, Vermont’s business landscape has its challenges. The state’s regulatory environment, can be complex and stringent, which may pose obstacles for larger companies or those in highly regulated industries. Operating costs, including taxes and labor expenses, which can impact businesses with tighter profit margins or seeking rapid growth. Workforce housing is crucial for businesses to thrive because it directly impacts employee recruitment, retention, and productivity. In Vermont, the cost of housing has risen faster than wages, making it increasingly difficult for workers to afford living near their workplaces. This challenge not only affects employees’ quality of life but also hinders businesses’ ability to attract and retain. Investing in workforce housing not only benefits individual employees and their families but also plays a critical role in fostering a conducive environment for businesses to grow and prosper.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
The legislature needs to invest in workforce development by enhancing education and training programs to align with the needs of industries. This ensures a skilled workforce that attracts businesses and supports economic diversification.
Investments in infrastructure projects that improve transportation networks, broadband internet access, and utilities. This not only supports current businesses but also attracts new industries and enhances quality of life for our residents.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
I ran for the Legislature because I wanted to help solve the housing crisis in our community and throughout Vermont. I moved to South Burlington in 2005 as a renter. I know first-hand about the difficulties of affordable housing in our city. Housing, and more specifically affordable housing, is critical to the health of our community and state. It’s inextricably linked to our local economy, moving Vermonters out of poverty, the physical health and welfare of families, and addressing climate change. For the past decade plus I have worked with affordable housing groups and currently serve on the House Committee on General and Housing and as Vice Chair of South Burlington’s Housing Trust Committee. Our region desperately needs a wide variety of housing options to accommodate people at every stage of life. Many young families are searching unsuccessfully for homes with yards, where children and pets can play. So many of our senior neighbors want smaller, more manageable living spaces. Unfortunately, these options simply do not exist in our current housing stock. Much more is needed to meet current and future needs. We know the cost of new construction is high for many reasons that are far beyond our control. But without more housing, prices will continue to rise and shut out of the market the very people we need to sustain our communities. Housing in Vermont should be stable, accessible, safe, healthy, energy efficient, and, above all, affordable. No one should have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Therefore, we must take steps to increase the supply of housing, especially affordable housing.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes! Promoting tourism by leveraging Vermont’s natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and cultural attractions to boost tourism. Investments in tourism marketing, event promotion, and infrastructure for outdoor activities can attract visitors year-round. Vermont’s commitment to environmental stewardship can attract eco-conscious businesses and residents. Supporting agriculture and local food systems by strengthening support for Vermont’s agricultural sector, including dairy farming, organic farming, and local food production. This can include funding for research and development, marketing initiatives, and farm-to-table/school programs.
Increased support for affordable housing and address housing affordability issues to attract and retain a talented workforce. This includes incentivizing affordable housing development and rental assistance programs.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The legislature needs to completely rework Vermont’s education system to be modern to what we’re facing today. Our current system, to me, is unacceptable. The 2024-2025 school budgets across the state were unprecedented because the costs to educate students and retain staff have increased significantly in the last few years. The legislature was able to defray that cost in the two previous budget years because of the considerable Covid relief funds that were sent to Vermont. The increases to taxpayers created urgency around establishing a modern vision for public education in Vermont. We need an education system that encourages efficiency with a funding formula that is simpler and better suited to our current education needs. The legislature should consider a wide variety of options including consolidation of school buildings and districts, the delivery of special education services, more centralized supports to districts, the delivery of mental and emotional health services, and the public tuitioning system. It is imperative we have an open and robust public engagement process to ensure that all Vermonters can share their ideas and concerns. Public education is critical to ensure all Vermonters have an opportunity to learn and thrive and is vital if we want to retain and attract families to our beautiful state. As a new legislator, I can only move forward from here and work towards long term sustainable solutions.
Candidate Biography
Emilie, a native Vermonter from Charlotte and now residing in South Burlington since 2005, brings extensive political experience and leadership. She champions civic engagement through local committee participation and statewide educational initiatives, embodying a deep commitment to community service and advocacy efforts.
Why are you running?
I’m running for reelection because I am committed to continuing the progress we’ve made in South Burlington. Together, we’ve empowered working families and advocated for our most vulnerable neighbors, and there’s more work to be done.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Vermont can be a good place to have a business depending on your priorities and the nature of your business. Our state offers a unique blend of quality of life, environmental stewardship, and a strong sense of community that can be appealing to businesses aligned with these values. However, Vermont’s business landscape has its challenges. The state’s regulatory environment, can be complex and stringent, which may pose obstacles for larger companies or those in highly regulated industries. Operating costs, including taxes and labor expenses, which can impact businesses with tighter profit margins or seeking rapid growth. Workforce housing is crucial for businesses to thrive because it directly impacts employee recruitment, retention, and productivity. In Vermont, the cost of housing has risen faster than wages, making it increasingly difficult for workers to afford living near their workplaces. This challenge not only affects employees’ quality of life but also hinders businesses’ ability to attract and retain. Investing in workforce housing not only benefits individual employees and their families but also plays a critical role in fostering a conducive environment for businesses to grow and prosper.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
The legislature needs to invest in workforce development by enhancing education and training programs to align with the needs of industries. This ensures a skilled workforce that attracts businesses and supports economic diversification.
Investments in infrastructure projects that improve transportation networks, broadband internet access, and utilities. This not only supports current businesses but also attracts new industries and enhances quality of life for our residents.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
I ran for the Legislature because I wanted to help solve the housing crisis in our community and throughout Vermont. I moved to South Burlington in 2005 as a renter. I know first-hand about the difficulties of affordable housing in our city. Housing, and more specifically affordable housing, is critical to the health of our community and state. It’s inextricably linked to our local economy, moving Vermonters out of poverty, the physical health and welfare of families, and addressing climate change. For the past decade plus I have worked with affordable housing groups and currently serve on the House Committee on General and Housing and as Vice Chair of South Burlington’s Housing Trust Committee. Our region desperately needs a wide variety of housing options to accommodate people at every stage of life. Many young families are searching unsuccessfully for homes with yards, where children and pets can play. So many of our senior neighbors want smaller, more manageable living spaces. Unfortunately, these options simply do not exist in our current housing stock. Much more is needed to meet current and future needs. We know the cost of new construction is high for many reasons that are far beyond our control. But without more housing, prices will continue to rise and shut out of the market the very people we need to sustain our communities. Housing in Vermont should be stable, accessible, safe, healthy, energy efficient, and, above all, affordable. No one should have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Therefore, we must take steps to increase the supply of housing, especially affordable housing.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes! Promoting tourism by leveraging Vermont’s natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and cultural attractions to boost tourism. Investments in tourism marketing, event promotion, and infrastructure for outdoor activities can attract visitors year-round. Vermont’s commitment to environmental stewardship can attract eco-conscious businesses and residents. Supporting agriculture and local food systems by strengthening support for Vermont’s agricultural sector, including dairy farming, organic farming, and local food production. This can include funding for research and development, marketing initiatives, and farm-to-table/school programs.
Increased support for affordable housing and address housing affordability issues to attract and retain a talented workforce. This includes incentivizing affordable housing development and rental assistance programs.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The legislature needs to completely rework Vermont’s education system to be modern to what we’re facing today. Our current system, to me, is unacceptable. The 2024-2025 school budgets across the state were unprecedented because the costs to educate students and retain staff have increased significantly in the last few years. The legislature was able to defray that cost in the two previous budget years because of the considerable Covid relief funds that were sent to Vermont. The increases to taxpayers created urgency around establishing a modern vision for public education in Vermont. We need an education system that encourages efficiency with a funding formula that is simpler and better suited to our current education needs. The legislature should consider a wide variety of options including consolidation of school buildings and districts, the delivery of special education services, more centralized supports to districts, the delivery of mental and emotional health services, and the public tuitioning system. It is imperative we have an open and robust public engagement process to ensure that all Vermonters can share their ideas and concerns. Public education is critical to ensure all Vermonters have an opportunity to learn and thrive and is vital if we want to retain and attract families to our beautiful state. As a new legislator, I can only move forward from here and work towards long term sustainable solutions.
Candidate Biography
I’m a lawyer and environmental advocate. I worked in private industry as General Counsel for PC Construction for many years, then for the State Department of Housing and Community Development, and now for Conservation Law Foundation. I’ve lived in Burlington for almost 30 years and raised two kids here.
Why are you running?
My experience as a lawyer and public servant makes me uniquely qualified to represent our district at this critical time. I have the skills and experience to tackle the tough issues and build a bright future for Vermont.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
I’ve seen many successful businesses start and thrive in Vermont. While some express concern about regulatory red tape, I know that the state is invested in working with businesses to succeed. One big obstacle to business growth is the cost and availability of housing. One of my goals would be to address that issue.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
See above. Additionally, continued support for our state colleges and universities is essential to developing a workforce that can provide the base for economic development. Our schools effectively import new people and new ideas — a critical pipeline that needs to be sustained.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Absolutely. We need more housing of all types, including market-rate as well as subsidized affordable housing. We need apartment buildings, garden apartments, and free standing houses. Ideally, most or all new housing should be in places that are well-served by existing infrastructure (water, wastewater, roads, etc.). The state should promote development in our existing settlements and should invest in new infrastructure in those existing settlements to allow more people to live there. Mountainsides, forest blocks, critical habitat, and wetlands should be preserved and development should be limited in those locations.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. One effective way to do is through our colleges and universities — and I’m sure there are others. I worked alongside the Department of Tourism as part of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and support their efforts along these lines.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
Our current education funding system is not sustainable — for the taxpayers or for the schools. The current system, has at least two problems. One is the disconnect between budgeting (happening at the local level) and taxing (happening at the state level). The other is the heavy reliance on property taxes, which can often impose unaffordable bills on homeowners and lead to exorbitant rent for tenants. I’m pleased that the legislature created a commission to study this problem and propose solutions that can be addressed in the upcoming legislative session. I hope to be part of that process.
Candidate Biography
I’m a lawyer and environmental advocate. I worked in private industry as General Counsel for PC Construction for many years, then for the State Department of Housing and Community Development, and now for Conservation Law Foundation. I’ve lived in Burlington for almost 30 years and raised two kids here.
Why are you running?
My experience as a lawyer and public servant makes me uniquely qualified to represent our district at this critical time. I have the skills and experience to tackle the tough issues and build a bright future for Vermont.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
I’ve seen many successful businesses start and thrive in Vermont. While some express concern about regulatory red tape, I know that the state is invested in working with businesses to succeed. One big obstacle to business growth is the cost and availability of housing. One of my goals would be to address that issue.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
See above. Additionally, continued support for our state colleges and universities is essential to developing a workforce that can provide the base for economic development. Our schools effectively import new people and new ideas — a critical pipeline that needs to be sustained.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Absolutely. We need more housing of all types, including market-rate as well as subsidized affordable housing. We need apartment buildings, garden apartments, and free standing houses. Ideally, most or all new housing should be in places that are well-served by existing infrastructure (water, wastewater, roads, etc.). The state should promote development in our existing settlements and should invest in new infrastructure in those existing settlements to allow more people to live there. Mountainsides, forest blocks, critical habitat, and wetlands should be preserved and development should be limited in those locations.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. One effective way to do is through our colleges and universities — and I’m sure there are others. I worked alongside the Department of Tourism as part of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and support their efforts along these lines.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
Our current education funding system is not sustainable — for the taxpayers or for the schools. The current system, has at least two problems. One is the disconnect between budgeting (happening at the local level) and taxing (happening at the state level). The other is the heavy reliance on property taxes, which can often impose unaffordable bills on homeowners and lead to exorbitant rent for tenants. I’m pleased that the legislature created a commission to study this problem and propose solutions that can be addressed in the upcoming legislative session. I hope to be part of that process.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Biography
I was CEO of Danforth Pewter for 13 years, following 10 years at Ben & Jerry’s. I serve on the VT Climate Council, and previously served on the VT Tax Structure Commission and the VT Medicaid & Exchange Advisory Board. I’ve lived 32 years in Burlington, all 4 kids are BHS grads.
Why are you running?
I hope my combination of business leadership and policy experience will be helpful in the legislature as we address the big, complicated challenges we face.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Yes. While environmental regulation can make building facilities difficult, they help make Vermont a place people want to live and work. The Vermont business community is friendly and supportive, with organizations like the LCC, the VT Chamber, and VBSR, along with the state Agency of Commerce & Community Development, ready to help new and existing companies with every aspect of the business. There are hurdles, chief among them affordable housing for employees and their families, and the overall cost of living. On other fronts, Vermont is a very family-friendly place, with improved availability and quality of daycare, and the upcoming paid family and medical leave.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Keep working on universal broadband so more remote workers can move here. Keep improving cell coverage so people’s long commutes can be productive. Support more housing development in town centers, as detailed below. Increase support for young people who want to enter the trades.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes. We need to make it cheap and easy to build affordable housing in town centers. The lack of affordable housing drives multiple problems: homelessness; the inability of young people to come here or stay here; the inability of organizations of all sizes to hire, as new employees can’t find a place to live; the inability of empty nesters to downsize, which means couples and singles are stuck in larger homes, which are then unavailable to families…
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. Vermont is a wonderful place to vacation, and for many people, it’s a great place to live. We should be making the people most likely to visit Vermont, and those most likely to move here, aware of all the ways it’s a great place, and make them aware of how easy it is to visit or to move here (which will be more true if we address the housing shortage.)
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
We need to address the underlying drivers of the growth in education spending. Growing health care costs for all the people working in education are one driver, and we have to fix our health care system. We simply cannot, as businesses, as individuals, as a community afford double-digit increases year after year. We need to hold health care spending growth to the inflation rate, which will be hard, but is not impossible. We also have to be willing to acknowledge that we can choose between consolidation, or high taxes. I fully support neighborhood elementary schools, but with declining student numbers, we have to consolidate middle schools, high schools, school districts, and supervisory districts. Vermont has over 50 superintendents; I understand that Hawai’i, with twice our population, has one school superintendent for the entire state. In terms of results, I think we need to work with the school systems to make sure there is support for kids who need it. Kids are able to get a really good education in our schools, and kids are also able to move through the system without doing a great deal of learning.
Candidate Biography
I currently work as a municipal planner in Charlotte. I’ve worked as a nonprofit senior manager and consultant, and provided direct services to Vermonters with disabilities. I bring extensive experience as a citizen advocate at the Vermont State House, where I helped advance property tax reform, civil rights and services for individuals with mental illness, and expansion of passenger rail service in Vermont.
Why are you running?
I have built coalitions across the aisle, & successfully lobbied for legislation that was adopted and signed into law. I will be ready from day one to advance Burlington’s interests throughout state government.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
The question is too general to provide a meaningful answer. Best case: the state does provide incentives to some kinds of business, but does too little to nurture, fund and grow small businesses, that provide the majority of jobs in Vermont. Too many state incentives are frittered away on wooing large companies who don’t need our help to grow here.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Subsidize the construction of more workforce/missing middle housing, and boost technical education and trade apprenticeships tied to specific emerging labor market needs.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes, of course there’s a shortage of affordable & workforce housing. Social housing for elders, apartments for young singles, cottage homes for young families & workforce housing for the ‘missing middle’ are all needed. More investment in manufactured housing solutions would be a good start.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
We do that already. The real question is whether we’re getting a good return on that investment, and critically examine the results of who is responding to those campaigns. Attracting more entrepreneurs to grow their business here would be helpful, if we can do a better job of meeting housing demand for new workers.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
Expand state’s Obamacare program & offer it to school districts to replace their higher-cost plans with a more affordable option for teachers. Further consolidate school districts & close small rural schools; they can be repurposed into early education & health centers.
Candidate Biography
Born in Omaha, raised in Pittsburgh, moved to South Burlington fourteen years ago.Younger child at SBHS, older child at UVM, where my wife and I both work. Running for my second term in the legislature.
Why are you running?
As a form of voluntarism – to serve my community. Primary focus is education.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
No. We need to build housing that people can afford. We need to upstaff our judicial system to greatly shorten the time between being charged and having a hearing. We as a state have done a fairly good job creating a safety net for the most vulnerable (health, shelter, childcare), but we need to take a harder look at affordability.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
The basic answer is housing, housing, and more housing.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes! I believe housing is the single biggest issue facing our state. We need more at every level. I believe the last session’s tweaks to Act 250 did a decent job of balancing development and conservation. But cutting red tape only gets you so far – we need to put money in the budget to encourage affordable housing, and thus far the governor has been unwilling to countenance the level of investment necessary.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
In my opinion Vermont already has a terrific brand, but no amount of marketing will draw people here if they can’t afford a place to live.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The results, while clearly not as good as we would like, have to be considered in light of the continuing fallout of the pandemic – by this I mean primarily mental health considerations. The recently-passed literacy bill should help with academic results, and incentives for teachers and mental health workers should help increase staffing in desperately needed areas. We need to complete the process of resuscitating the state-level school construction aid program, which has been moribund since 2007. We should change the way teachers’ healthcare is negotiated, moving from past precedent to last, best offer. We should consolidate smaller schools where appropriate, and encourage districts to share resources. I would like for ed funding to come from income rather than property taxes in order to avoid effectively punishing people for the quickly increasing value of their home. The funding formula needs to be simplified so that people know where their money is going. Lastly, we may have to consider moving at least some portion of the annual budgeting process from the local to the state level.
Candidate Biography
Born in Omaha, raised in Pittsburgh, moved to South Burlington fourteen years ago.Younger child at SBHS, older child at UVM, where my wife and I both work. Running for my second term in the legislature.
Why are you running?
As a form of voluntarism – to serve my community. Primary focus is education.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
No. We need to build housing that people can afford. We need to upstaff our judicial system to greatly shorten the time between being charged and having a hearing. We as a state have done a fairly good job creating a safety net for the most vulnerable (health, shelter, childcare), but we need to take a harder look at affordability.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
The basic answer is housing, housing, and more housing.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes! I believe housing is the single biggest issue facing our state. We need more at every level. I believe the last session’s tweaks to Act 250 did a decent job of balancing development and conservation. But cutting red tape only gets you so far – we need to put money in the budget to encourage affordable housing, and thus far the governor has been unwilling to countenance the level of investment necessary.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
In my opinion Vermont already has a terrific brand, but no amount of marketing will draw people here if they can’t afford a place to live.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The results, while clearly not as good as we would like, have to be considered in light of the continuing fallout of the pandemic – by this I mean primarily mental health considerations. The recently-passed literacy bill should help with academic results, and incentives for teachers and mental health workers should help increase staffing in desperately needed areas. We need to complete the process of resuscitating the state-level school construction aid program, which has been moribund since 2007. We should change the way teachers’ healthcare is negotiated, moving from past precedent to last, best offer. We should consolidate smaller schools where appropriate, and encourage districts to share resources. I would like for ed funding to come from income rather than property taxes in order to avoid effectively punishing people for the quickly increasing value of their home. The funding formula needs to be simplified so that people know where their money is going. Lastly, we may have to consider moving at least some portion of the annual budgeting process from the local to the state level.
Candidate Biography
Mary-Katherine Stone received her BA in Human Services and Special Populations at the University of Alabama, MS in occupational therapy at UAB, and postgraduate coursework in integrative medicine at George Washington University. She works as an OT at the UVMMC, a coordinator at Hope Lodge, a substitute teacher in the Burlington School District, and at the COTS Family Shelter. She is on the board of Leadership Champlain.
Why are you running?
I am running for office to create meaningful positive change to ensure that our community is equitable, safe, accessible and welcoming to all.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Yes, I do believe that Vermont is business friendly. A lot of that has to do with the can- do spirit of the people and the will of our communities to be accessible and welcoming to all. Despite the challenges that our communities face, our business community is close knit, solution focused, and resilient. Vermonters do not shy away from innovation and creativity, making our state an excellent place to grow roots and try new endeavors.
That being said, there is still more work to do in order to support our business community. I have worked hard to help pass legislation to make our communities safer and our workforce more robust. That work must and will continue.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
We must take a holistic approach and recognize that a thriving workforce requires more than just a dollar sign on a check. I am proud to have helped pass bills to support access to childcare, expansion of our healthcare workforce, creation of housing and support of our public school system. We must recognize that if we want to positively impact workforce recruitment and retention, we must keep working on such issues in order to make Vermont an easier place to work and thrive.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes, we definitely need more housing. Period. Housing expansion and reform has been a top issue voiced my constituents since day one and an issue that I continue to work on as housing should be accessible to all. Much like workforce recruitment and retention, housing needs and solutions require a holistic approach. As a frontline healthcare worker, I know that we need more housing for our seniors to age safely in place. We also need affordable housing for our workforce that is in close proximity to our city centers and major places of work. We also must address the houselessness crisis head on using a housing first model but one that must include robust access to wraparound supports. Obviously, because of the multifaceted needs, it will require a multifaceted approach. We should continue to look at zoning and regulations to make sure that we are balancing environmental protections with the needs of our communities. We should also continue to listen to and partner with our communities, taking into account the specific needs of our various cities and towns since housing legislation in Vermont is not a one size fits all approach.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Absolutely. I am proud to consider myself a Vermonter by choice. Believe it or not, it was actually a Ben & Jerry’s documentary on Netflix that inspired me to move to Burlington almost a decade ago. Sure, the intent of the documentary film was not to recruit people to move to Vermont, but the lovely scenery and the stories of ingenuity, community, and creativity are what inspired me to move here from Washington, DC. We have a lot to be proud of here and should be happy to share this place we call home with others. Plus, as someone who has worked in healthcare in Vermont since 2016, I can tell you that we need more people to staff our hospitals and healthcare facilities. Our state is aging, whether we want to admit that or not, and we must be realistic about workforce recruitment to keep our state and its critical facilities and resources viable.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
Access to a high-quality, equitable, and robust public education system is something that we should not only strive for but something that is we are entitled to per our state’s constitution. In order to provide such, we must take a hard look at the cost drivers of education. Rising healthcare costs, a moratorium on state funded school construction since the mid 2000s, increasing need for student’s mental health services, and a long standing town tuitioning system that lacks equitable oversight and transparency just to name a few. When this question was posed to me and a few colleagues earlier in this year’s session, my colleague nailed it when he said “The solution is this: political fortitude.” He’s right, we know what we need to do. All of those things need to be addressed and some hard decisions need to be made. Addressing tuitioning and taking a hard look at consolidation won’t be the most savory of topics to address, but we are at a crossroads. Therefore, I’m ready to continue to address those topics head on because until we do, tweaking a formula here and there won’t cause the impactful change that our students and Vermonters writ large deserve.
Candidate Biography
Mary-Katherine Stone received her BA in Human Services and Special Populations at the University of Alabama, MS in occupational therapy at UAB, and postgraduate coursework in integrative medicine at George Washington University. She works as an OT at the UVMMC, a coordinator at Hope Lodge, a substitute teacher in the Burlington School District, and at the COTS Family Shelter. She is on the board of Leadership Champlain.
Why are you running?
I am running for office to create meaningful positive change to ensure that our community is equitable, safe, accessible and welcoming to all.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Yes, I do believe that Vermont is business friendly. A lot of that has to do with the can- do spirit of the people and the will of our communities to be accessible and welcoming to all. Despite the challenges that our communities face, our business community is close knit, solution focused, and resilient. Vermonters do not shy away from innovation and creativity, making our state an excellent place to grow roots and try new endeavors.
That being said, there is still more work to do in order to support our business community. I have worked hard to help pass legislation to make our communities safer and our workforce more robust. That work must and will continue.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
We must take a holistic approach and recognize that a thriving workforce requires more than just a dollar sign on a check. I am proud to have helped pass bills to support access to childcare, expansion of our healthcare workforce, creation of housing and support of our public school system. We must recognize that if we want to positively impact workforce recruitment and retention, we must keep working on such issues in order to make Vermont an easier place to work and thrive.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes, we definitely need more housing. Period. Housing expansion and reform has been a top issue voiced my constituents since day one and an issue that I continue to work on as housing should be accessible to all. Much like workforce recruitment and retention, housing needs and solutions require a holistic approach. As a frontline healthcare worker, I know that we need more housing for our seniors to age safely in place. We also need affordable housing for our workforce that is in close proximity to our city centers and major places of work. We also must address the houselessness crisis head on using a housing first model but one that must include robust access to wraparound supports. Obviously, because of the multifaceted needs, it will require a multifaceted approach. We should continue to look at zoning and regulations to make sure that we are balancing environmental protections with the needs of our communities. We should also continue to listen to and partner with our communities, taking into account the specific needs of our various cities and towns since housing legislation in Vermont is not a one size fits all approach.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Absolutely. I am proud to consider myself a Vermonter by choice. Believe it or not, it was actually a Ben & Jerry’s documentary on Netflix that inspired me to move to Burlington almost a decade ago. Sure, the intent of the documentary film was not to recruit people to move to Vermont, but the lovely scenery and the stories of ingenuity, community, and creativity are what inspired me to move here from Washington, DC. We have a lot to be proud of here and should be happy to share this place we call home with others. Plus, as someone who has worked in healthcare in Vermont since 2016, I can tell you that we need more people to staff our hospitals and healthcare facilities. Our state is aging, whether we want to admit that or not, and we must be realistic about workforce recruitment to keep our state and its critical facilities and resources viable.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
Access to a high-quality, equitable, and robust public education system is something that we should not only strive for but something that we are entitled to per our state’s constitution. In order to provide such, we must take a hard look at the cost drivers of education. Rising healthcare costs, a moratorium on state funded school construction since the mid 2000s, increasing need for student’s mental health services, and a long standing town tuitioning system that lacks equitable oversight and transparency just to name a few. When this question was posed to me and a few colleagues earlier in this year’s session, my colleague nailed it when he said “The solution is this: political fortitude.” He’s right, we know what we need to do. All of those things need to be addressed and some hard decisions need to be made. Addressing tuitioning and taking a hard look at consolidation won’t be the most savory of topics to address, but we are at a crossroads. Therefore, I’m ready to continue to address those topics head on because until we do, tweaking a formula here and there won’t cause the impactful change that our students and Vermonters writ large deserve.
Candidate Biography
Abbey grew up in Iowa, went to college in MInnesota and moved to Vermont 30 years ago. She started her business, Sugarsnap Catering, in 2003 and has spent the past 20 years adapting and growing her business. She was the Chair of the Burlington Parks Commission and is on the Board of VBSR. She lives in Burlington with her wife and two teenage daughters.
Why are you running?
I believe my small business experience, listening skills and ability to understand multiple perspectives will serve my district well.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
It is both. Vermont has been a wonderful place to start and grow a business. I have found great staff and wonderful, loyal customers. In addition, a number of organizations have helped me to build the business. This includes the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, SBDC, The Intervale Center and more. The human scale of the state means that you can find information and help.
However, Vermont is not business-friendly, primarily because it is unaffordable for workers and becoming more-so. Between the costs of housing, health care and more, it is becoming increasingly dificult for workers to get by. The health and vitality of business depends upon a trained, able and willing workforce.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
If life is good for workers, I believe businesses will grow and thrive. That is why focussing on housing, healthcare and education are crucial. I also think we can use economic development incentives and infrastructure investments in help build the economy and make it easier for business to grow or relocate here.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
We need a lot more housing and it needs to be throughout the state and of many different types. We need rental units, single family homes, condomimiums, manufactured homes and more. I’d like to see the us focus on how to help decrease the cost of construction, incentives for building affordable houseing, and review (and decrease when it makes sense) regulation.
I’d also like to see us look at how to enable new manufactured home parks to be created. Traditionally manufactured homes have been an important source of affordable homes.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. We need people to visit and to move here.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The education property tax system is broken and needs to be rebuilt. Restructuring the education tax system must be a top priority for the coming session.
Candidate Biography
Abbey grew up in Iowa, went to college in MInnesota and moved to Vermont 30 years ago. She started her business, Sugarsnap Catering, in 2003 and has spent the past 20 years adapting and growing her business. She was the Chair of the Burlington Parks Commission and is on the Board of VBSR. She lives in Burlington with her wife and two teenage daughters.
Why are you running?
I believe my small business experience, listening skills and ability to understand multiple perspectives will serve my district well.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
It is both. Vermont has been a wonderful place to start and grow a business. I have found great staff and wonderful, loyal customers. In addition, a number of organizations have helped me to build the business. This includes the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, SBDC, The Intervale Center and more. The human scale of the state means that you can find information and help.
However, Vermont is not business-friendly, primarily because it is unaffordable for workers and becoming more-so. Between the costs of housing, health care and more, it is becoming increasingly dificult for workers to get by. The health and vitality of business depends upon a trained, able and willing workforce.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
If life is good for workers, I believe businesses will grow and thrive. That is why focussing on housing, healthcare and education are crucial. I also think we can use economic development incentives and infrastructure investments in help build the economy and make it easier for business to grow or relocate here.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
We need a lot more housing and it needs to be throughout the state and of many different types. We need rental units, single family homes, condomimiums, manufactured homes and more. I’d like to see the us focus on how to help decrease the cost of construction, incentives for building affordable houseing, and review (and decrease when it makes sense) regulation.
I’d also like to see us look at how to enable new manufactured home parks to be created. Traditionally manufactured homes have been an important source of affordable homes.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. We need people to visit and to move here.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The education property tax system is broken and needs to be rebuilt. Restructuring the education tax system must be a top priority for the coming session.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Biography
I was born and raised in Colchester, into a hardworking family with deep roots in the community. I pursued my education at Saint Michael’s College and the University of Vermont, where I also contributed as a student athlete. Presently, I am a part owner of my family’s roofing company.
Why are you running?
I am deeply concerned about the current direction our state is taking. Rising costs of living, increased tax rates, and declining safety levels have motivated me to launch my campaign.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
As a business owner in Vermont, I feel that there are significant challenges that make our state less business friendly. High tax rates, burdensome regulations, and affordability issues not only affect our bottom line but also hinder our ability to attract and retain a qualified workforce. To improve Vermont’s business environment, several key actions could be considered:
Retaining Educated Vermonters: Encouraging graduates of Vermont’s educational institutions to stay in the state.
Tax Reform: Lowering overall tax rates, particularly corporate income taxes and property taxes, to reduce the financial burden on businesses and stimulate investment in the state.
Regulatory Streamlining: Simplifying and streamlining regulations to make it easier for businesses to navigate compliance requirements.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
The pathway to increasing well-paying jobs lies in fostering greater competition among businesses. Supporting business growth is crucial, as it leads directly to the creation of higher-paying jobs. However, persistent political obstacles at both the state and local levels stifle business expansion, limiting opportunities to employ and retain Vermonters in high-paying positions.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
We definitely require more housing options. An optimal solution would involve a blend of medium-density apartments and single-family homes. The current revisions to Act 250 lack sufficient deregulation to spur development. Moreover, building codes and regulations significantly inflate construction costs, making new housing construction generally unaffordable. I advocate for a substantial overhaul of Act 250 and a reevaluation of building codes to facilitate more cost-effective construction.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Promoting Vermont to out-of-state visitors is important. Tourism is among our largest industries, and enhancing our brand awareness is crucial. Personally, I aim to concentrate on retaining graduates from local high schools within the state. Vermont invests approximately $24,000 per student annually, and I envision a scenario where these Vermonters remain in-state, contributing to business growth and generating a positive financial return for our state.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
While funding education is undoubtedly essential, it’s clear that our current approach lacks efficiency. I believe there are several things we can do to improve that cost impacts of the education system.
School Choice and Voucher Programs: Promoting school choice initiatives and voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to send their children to private or charter schools. This would increase competition among schools and potentially lower costs while providing more options for families.
Efficiency and Cost Management: Emphasizing efficiency and cost management within public schools to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively. This might involve auditing and streamlining administrative costs, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, and promoting accountability for educational outcomes.
STEM Education and Vocational Training: Promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education and vocational training programs to prepare students for high-demand careers and aligning educational curricula with workforce needs in Vermont.
Merit-Based Pay for Teachers: Advocating for merit-based pay and performance incentives for teachers, linking compensation to student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
Candidate Biography
I was born and raised in Colchester, into a hardworking family with deep roots in the community. I pursued my education at Saint Michael’s College and the University of Vermont, where I also contributed as a student athlete. Presently, I am a part owner of my family’s roofing company.
Why are you running?
I am deeply concerned about the current direction our state is taking. Rising costs of living, increased tax rates, and declining safety levels have motivated me to launch my campaign.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
As a business owner in Vermont, I feel that there are significant challenges that make our state less business friendly. High tax rates, burdensome regulations, and affordability issues not only affect our bottom line but also hinder our ability to attract and retain a qualified workforce. To improve Vermont’s business environment, several key actions could be considered:
Retaining Educated Vermonters: Encouraging graduates of Vermont’s educational institutions to stay in the state.
Tax Reform: Lowering overall tax rates, particularly corporate income taxes and property taxes, to reduce the financial burden on businesses and stimulate investment in the state.
Regulatory Streamlining: Simplifying and streamlining regulations to make it easier for businesses to navigate compliance requirements.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
The pathway to increasing well-paying jobs lies in fostering greater competition among businesses. Supporting business growth is crucial, as it leads directly to the creation of higher-paying jobs. However, persistent political obstacles at both the state and local levels stifle business expansion, limiting opportunities to employ and retain Vermonters in high-paying positions.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
We definitely require more housing options. An optimal solution would involve a blend of medium-density apartments and single-family homes. The current revisions to Act 250 lack sufficient deregulation to spur development. Moreover, building codes and regulations significantly inflate construction costs, making new housing construction generally unaffordable. I advocate for a substantial overhaul of Act 250 and a reevaluation of building codes to facilitate more cost-effective construction.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Promoting Vermont to out-of-state visitors is important. Tourism is among our largest industries, and enhancing our brand awareness is crucial. Personally, I aim to concentrate on retaining graduates from local high schools within the state. Vermont invests approximately $24,000 per student annually, and I envision a scenario where these Vermonters remain in-state, contributing to business growth and generating a positive financial return for our state.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
While funding education is undoubtedly essential, it’s clear that our current approach lacks efficiency. I believe there are several things we can do to improve that cost impacts of the education system.
School Choice and Voucher Programs: Promoting school choice initiatives and voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to send their children to private or charter schools. This would increase competition among schools and potentially lower costs while providing more options for families.
Efficiency and Cost Management: Emphasizing efficiency and cost management within public schools to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively. This might involve auditing and streamlining administrative costs, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, and promoting accountability for educational outcomes.
STEM Education and Vocational Training: Promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education and vocational training programs to prepare students for high-demand careers and aligning educational curricula with workforce needs in Vermont.
Merit-Based Pay for Teachers: Advocating for merit-based pay and performance incentives for teachers, linking compensation to student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Biography
I am a retired Mental Health/Substance abuse clinical direct and counselor who did my work in LI NY for over 25 years. I have a daughter and grandson that are VT residents which is what brought be to Vermont. I have fallen in love with VT especially Colchester. I was a small business owner of specialty pet store and my passion is exotic parrots which I currently own 10 that I consider to be a part of my family.
Why are you running?
I am a strong advocate of democracy, inclusion, equality and equity. I think that all members of our society have the right to have a voice. Use it. Without hesitation or thoughts that there voice does not matter or will not be heard
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Prior to Covid I would have said yes however it appears that there are more vacant stores and ample staff with the businesses that are open which create poor service and prompts folks to shop online even more so than they had previously. The rents are high and the parking in small mom and pop stores especially in Burlington is a challenge.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Undecided. It’s a complex issue in a free market. Corporate greed appears to have become a huge problem with salary’s that have increased and the product prices raised to compensate for those increases. How does it equate as a livable wage if prices for produce or services go up. Childcare expense needs to be a high priority and a solution to construct a model to make it worthwhile for the main childcare giver to work. We need more trade training that begins at the general education level to incentives the youth to be excited about well paid trade positions.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
YES. More affordable housing complexes, modular home communities, development on land that would in no way effect the rural aesthetics of the state.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. Our state is a beautiful state with a lot to offer both Summer and Winter. With that being said it will produce more tourist income however short term rentals such as Airbnb’s, camps & house rentals create housing that is not used during the off seasons which may add to the housing shortage dilemma that currently exists. With all the vacant land available possible short term rental development for the tourist population and restrictions that encourage use of hotels, specific vacations sites.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The entire system needs to be reset. This too is a complicated issue and needs intense exploration. What are other states doing that are successful and managing the education budget more efficiently as well as producing high student achievement goals.
Candidate Biography
I am a retired Mental Health/Substance abuse clinical direct and counselor who did my work in LI NY for over 25 years. I have a daughter and grandson that are VT residents which is what brought be to Vermont. I have fallen in love with VT especially Colchester. I was a small business owner of specialty pet store and my passion is exotic parrots which I currently own 10 that I consider to be a part of my family.
Why are you running?
I am a strong advocate of democracy, inclusion, equality and equity. I think that all members of our society have the right to have a voice. Use it. Without hesitation or thoughts that there voice does not matter or will not be heard
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Prior to Covid I would have said yes however it appears that there are more vacant stores and ample staff with the businesses that are open which create poor service and prompts folks to shop online even more so than they had previously. The rents are high and the parking in small mom and pop stores especially in Burlington is a challenge.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Undecided. It’s a complex issue in a free market. Corporate greed appears to have become a huge problem with salary’s that have increased and the product prices raised to compensate for those increases. How does it equate as a livable wage if prices for produce or services go up. Childcare expense needs to be a high priority and a solution to construct a model to make it worthwhile for the main childcare giver to work. We need more trade training that begins at the general education level to incentives the youth to be excited about well paid trade positions.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
YES. More affordable housing complexes, modular home communities, development on land that would in no way effect the rural aesthetics of the state.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. Our state is a beautiful state with a lot to offer both Summer and Winter. With that being said it will produce more tourist income however short term rentals such as Airbnb’s, camps & house rentals create housing that is not used during the off seasons which may add to the housing shortage dilemma that currently exists. With all the vacant land available possible short term rental development for the tourist population and restrictions that encourage use of hotels, specific vacations sites.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The entire system needs to be reset. This too is a complicated issue and needs intense exploration. What are other states doing that are successful and managing the education budget more efficiently as well as producing high student achievement goals.
Candidate Biography
I am a 22-year resident of Colchester and have made a career of helping Vermonters. I have worked on Senator Leahy’s staff, practiced law for 12 years, and for the past 15 years served in leadership roles at the American Red Cross and the YMCA. Simply put, I love Vermont.
Why are you running?
As with my past work experiences, what attracts me to public office is the ability to help create opportunities, support neighbors, and build stronger communities.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
We are not as business friendly as we need to be to create a thriving economy that can support all Vermonters.
While we can look to more traditional answers such as regulatory reform, the larger obstacle is the macro issue of affordability.
At this spring’s Chamber legislative breakfast, Lisa Groeneveld, Co-Founder of South Burlington’s OnLogic, said that what keeps her up at night is housing. A lack of available housing impacted their ability to hire and, in turn, their business goals.
The problem of housing ripples out well beyond recruiting valuable out-of-state talent and impacts every part of our workforce. It impedes business growth and the ability for individual Vermonters to thrive. Housing, the increased cost of health care, and other issues of affordability are where we need our greatest focus.
Additionally, we need to close the gap between the needs of Vermont businesses and the workforce. Creating educational opportunities and an increased emphasis on workforce development are additional ways to make a more business-friendly Vermont.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Among other areas, we need to focus on workforce development, support and growth of the tech hub model, and creating opportunities for small businesses.
First, Vermont requires a skilled workforce to meet current and future needs in of our economy. The current gap between needs and skills can be filled through support for training and education. Developing a stronger workforce will have positive impacts on every sector of the economy and our tax base.
Second, we must ensure that the Vermont GaN Tech Hub – created to support and spread the innovative work being done at GlobalFoundries with gallium nitride and semi-conductors – receives the necessary attention from Montpelier. It has the potential to create jobs well beyond GlobalFoundries and can serve as a model for other collaborative efforts for our business community.
Third, we need to identify and support efforts that will help our small business community to flourish in Vermont. Vermont is incredibly fortunate to have GlobalFoundries, Beta Technologies, and other larger employers, but small businesses still employ approximately 60% of our workforce. We must look at regulatory constraints and investment opportunities.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Emphatically, yes. We need housing of every kind and every community needs to be a part of the solution. Growth will not look the same in every community, but all towns must play a role.
The rule of thumb is that a household shouldn’t spend more than 30% of income on housing. In Vermont, nearly 1 in 3 of us spend more than that recommended amount. That number jumps to 1 in 2 in the case of renters. This is crippling households and hampering Vermont’s economy.
We need more innovative solutions. Last year, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced we would use some of the State’s cash on hand to invest in housing initiatives. This will spur hundreds of millions in private investment, with a goal of increasing housing stock by 1,100 units. The legislature and the administration must work together to identify more ways that generate available, practical answers to this issue.
We should continue to examine Act 250 reforms. I believe the legislature is on the right track with the passage of H. 687. It demonstrates that there can be a balance between protecting the environment and allowing for growth that will increase our housing stock. This is just a first step. We must continue to find ways to support Vermont’s rural traditions and today’s need for economic vibrancy, which takes root with affordable and available housing.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. It was 40 years ago that I came to Vermont to go to UVM. I was drawn to the beauty, opportunity, and people of the state. Marketing Vermont beyond our borders as a place to receive an education, to start a career, raise a family, or to retire is essential if we want to give ourselves the opportunity to grow our economy and to maintain and support what we love most about Vermont.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
First, our current education funding model is broken. It is too complicated. This is evidenced by this latest legislative session’s quick reversal of the funding changes put into place by Act 127 just two years ago. We cannot get surprised by double digit increases in our property taxes.
• As it is with virtually every employer, salaries are the greatest expense. Inflationary pressures have, understandably, driven up salaries. Simultaneously, Vermont faces a shortage of qualified new teachers. Workforce development is part of the answer.
• Double digit increases in health care costs put additional pressure on school budgets. We need to identify ways to get these rate increases under control for all sectors, not just schools.
• School consolidation cannot be taken off the table as we discuss the cost of education in the state.
• School budgets increasingly carry the burden for costs that have not historically been part of building school budgets, such as caring for the mental health of youth. We must evaluate whether the property tax is really the best method for paying for such needs.
Declining youth mental health, food insecurity, and other issues significantly impact learning. While schools may help address these issues, these are growing societal issues and they must be addressed more vigorously outside of schools.
Finally, the affordability crisis, whether we talk about it in the context of housing, health insurance, and most every part of our family budgets, has a ripple effect that impacts students. School financing is just one part of a complicated puzzle that will help create better outcomes.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Biography
I am the Community Division Director at Front Porch Forum, where I lead the team of Online Community Managers to produce FPF’s 200+ local Forums. I have a 10+ year background in the nonprofit sector, focused on community development with a lens on increasing civic engagement and social capital.
Why are you running?
We need more representatives in Montpelier who have personally experienced the difficulties of finding housing in the current conditions, and who will inherit the impacts of climate change.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
As someone who works on the executive team at a small business founded in Vermont and owned by Vermonters, I’m familiar with the benefits and challenges of operating a local business here. I am proud to live in a state with such a robust ecosystem of local businesses. I do think that Vermont is business-friendly, but there is always more we can do to support local businesses and I am keen to listen to the priorities and needs of Winooski local businesses and advocate for them at the state level.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
I believe we have an opportunity to create more jobs and revenue in Vermont by investing in efforts to build climate resilient infrastructure, expanding affordable housing, and building renewable energy infrastructure in-state.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes, I believe we need to build more affordable housing that is suitable for families, and I support developing denser, walkable downtowns and villages that will allow us to use water and sewer infrastructure that already exists. This will allow us to create more connected communities, with vibrant centers including local businesses, rather than sprawling developments.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
The best form of marketing is supporting Vermont to continue to be a vibrant place to visit, with opportunities for outdoor recreation and thriving local businesses to patronize, work for and invest in.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
I support efforts to move towards a more progressive taxation model for the Education Fund. We need to ensure the wealthiest 1% of Vermonters are paying their fair share by exploring wealth and income taxes, rather than relying so heavily on property taxes to support the Education Fund.
There are many factors that have been driving the substantial increases in school costs and performance challenges in recent years, but there’s no denying schools are now expected to provide many services far beyond education, including mental health support and other social services. Better resourcing of other state agencies and building out their ability to support students and families could help alleviate these issues.
Candidate Biography
I served on the House Committee on Health Care from 2022-24. Prior to my election I led a federal program in DC working to improve business sustainability for more than 3,200 health centers, and served as the Senior Advisor for Mental Health Policy for Vermont. See my full bio at www.daisyforwinooski.com
Why are you running?
I want to continue addressing inefficiencies in our health system to improve affordability and access to care in our state.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
I hear from business owners that it gets harder every year to be successful in Vermont. We are challenged to find qualified workers, and to cover the costs of employing them. We have significant and rapid increases in rent, and new businesses often can’t afford the Act 250 review process. Residents have less money to spend due to increasing taxes and low wages. Retail theft is an issue in our area that has driven businesses to relocate or close.
The legislature made changes last session that start to get at some of these very untenable situations business owners are in. I look forward to continuing to work directly on issues like reducing the cost of healthcare (which lowers our taxes), addressing workforce issues like housing, and making it more equitable for all residents to start and maintain a business here.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
We need to make it feasible for businesses to pay people more, first of all. And we have to address the housing shortage if we want to create new jobs. Our employment rate and vacancy rate are low, so we must create space for a new workforce. We also have to do more to support the pipeline between educational institutions and local businesses.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes. We need more housing that will allow us to recruit the workforce we need—multi unit dwellings that are accessible to transit lines and jobs. We need to support young people staying in Vermont by having affordable units for young people starting a career here, as well as affordable shared equity housing to support their growth.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
The first thing we can do is restructure the education funding formula to be more streamlined and transparent. Healthcare costs for school staff are a significant driver of costs and we must continue our work with insurance companies to address it.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Biography
I am the Community Division Director at Front Porch Forum, where I lead the team of Online Community Managers to produce FPF’s 200+ local Forums. I have a 10+ year background in the nonprofit sector, focused on community development with a lens on increasing civic engagement and social capital.
Why are you running?
We need more representatives in Montpelier who have personally experienced the difficulties of finding housing in the current conditions, and who will inherit the impacts of climate change.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
As someone who works on the executive team at a small business founded in Vermont and owned by Vermonters, I’m familiar with the benefits and challenges of operating a local business here. I am proud to live in a state with such a robust ecosystem of local businesses. I do think that Vermont is business-friendly, but there is always more we can do to support local businesses and I am keen to listen to the priorities and needs of Winooski local businesses and advocate for them at the state level.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
I believe we have an opportunity to create more jobs and revenue in Vermont by investing in efforts to build climate resilient infrastructure, expanding affordable housing, and building renewable energy infrastructure in-state.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes, I believe we need to build more affordable housing that is suitable for families, and I support developing denser, walkable downtowns and villages that will allow us to use water and sewer infrastructure that already exists. This will allow us to create more connected communities, with vibrant centers including local businesses, rather than sprawling developments.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
The best form of marketing is supporting Vermont to continue to be a vibrant place to visit, with opportunities for outdoor recreation and thriving local businesses to patronize, work for and invest in.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
I support efforts to move towards a more progressive taxation model for the Education Fund. We need to ensure the wealthiest 1% of Vermonters are paying their fair share by exploring wealth and income taxes, rather than relying so heavily on property taxes to support the Education Fund.
There are many factors that have been driving the substantial increases in school costs and performance challenges in recent years, but there’s no denying schools are now expected to provide many services far beyond education, including mental health support and other social services. Better resourcing of other state agencies and building out their ability to support students and families could help alleviate these issues.
Candidate Biography
I am lifelong Vermonter, and entrepreneur. In 2004 I started a computer consulting firm which serves customers throughout Vermont. In addition, I am a Realtor at BHHS VT Realty group where I work in the foreclosure division. I am also partner in an industrial rubber products distribution business. I am Chair of the Milton Planning Commission, and I am a business member of the Milton Economic Development Commission.
Why are you running?
Vermonters are increasingly more burdened with taxes. I am hoping to bring and support some new ideas to make Vermont more affordable.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
No! Over regulation and high taxes are the reason. Reducing the amount of bureaucratic red tape and reducing taxes on the businesses would go a long way toward that.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Our state’s regulatory environment over the past several decades has not been conducive to nurturing businesses. A prime example is Act 250. which has become a significant barrier for small business growth. The extensive bureaucracy and high costs associated with complying with this law have stifled many local entrepreneurs who are deeply invested in our community and its welfare.
I will push for continued reforms in Act 250 (and other areas) that reduce red tape and make it easier for small businesses to thrive, enhancing our economy while maintaining our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes! The key to resolving this issue is increasing the housing supply, which will, in turn, help stabilize or potentially reduce housing costs.
I will advocate for a strategy based on positive reinforcement rather than mandates. Instead of requiring developers to set aside a fixed percentage of new units as low-income housing, a more effective policy would be to allow developers to build a base number of units with the option to increase this number if the additional units are designated for low-income residents.
One final thing I would say is that we need make it less difficult to evict problem tenants.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes! Our state has a lot to offer. The first step is the understanding that the state and the businesses should be working together. I would like to see the state sponsor more programs to help small business advertise to the outside world. With this model I see it as an investment not an expense.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
It is very clear to me that our current system is broken. We need to build a new funding model that is sustainable. We should review the education funding mechanisms in other states to see what works. I also think consolidation of educational resources would help as well.
Candidate Biography
I am lifelong Vermonter, and entrepreneur. In 2004 I started a computer consulting firm which serves customers throughout Vermont. In addition, I am a Realtor at BHHS VT Realty group where I work in the foreclosure division. I am also partner in an industrial rubber products distribution business. I am Chair of the Milton Planning Commission, and I am a business member of the Milton Economic Development Commission.
Why are you running?
Vermonters are increasingly more burdened with taxes. I am hoping to bring and support some new ideas to make Vermont more affordable.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
No! Over regulation and high taxes are the reason. Reducing the amount of bureaucratic red tape and reducing taxes on the businesses would go a long way toward that.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Our state’s regulatory environment over the past several decades has not been conducive to nurturing businesses. A prime example is Act 250. which has become a significant barrier for small business growth. The extensive bureaucracy and high costs associated with complying with this law have stifled many local entrepreneurs who are deeply invested in our community and its welfare.
I will push for continued reforms in Act 250 (and other areas) that reduce red tape and make it easier for small businesses to thrive, enhancing our economy while maintaining our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Yes! The key to resolving this issue is increasing the housing supply, which will, in turn, help stabilize or potentially reduce housing costs.
I will advocate for a strategy based on positive reinforcement rather than mandates. Instead of requiring developers to set aside a fixed percentage of new units as low-income housing, a more effective policy would be to allow developers to build a base number of units with the option to increase this number if the additional units are designated for low-income residents.
One final thing I would say is that we need make it less difficult to evict problem tenants.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes! Our state has a lot to offer. The first step is the understanding that the state and the businesses should be working together. I would like to see the state sponsor more programs to help small business advertise to the outside world. With this model I see it as an investment not an expense.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
It is very clear to me that our current system is broken. We need to build a new funding model that is sustainable. We should review the education funding mechanisms in other states to see what works. I also think consolidation of educational resources would help as well.
Candidate Biography
From Ill, BSEE UofI 1981, moved to VT, built house 84. MSEE UVM 1986, MBA UVM 1990, M.Theology St. Mikes 2007, ALM Sustainability Harvard 2015. IBM, 16 patents. Teaching experience, been on numerous boards etc, many volunteering locations (over a dozen) for 40 years.
Why are you running?
Too many candidates are not qualified. If you were “hiring” for the House, a persons platform was “their sexuality”, “I’ve always lived in town X”, “Montpelier needs to spend less money”, that job app straight to the trash bin. Each can have merit, but not as the platform.
Also my rather broad background in work, people I’ve dealt with and traveled, college, community engagement well qualifies me.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
This is not a yes or no Q, but more appropriately should be asked as “in what ways if Vermont business-friendly, and not?”.
The two biggest impacts are first climate change, for which Vermont is well suited and needs to continue preparing / planning for. The second is AI. Any work that does not fully take these into account is already in the dust bin.
Next, unfortunately in the near term the Atlantic coast cities are not going to fare well. We will soon be wanting to turn people away from Vermont. We need to prepare for the long game.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
Internet, resilient energy, roads. Infrastructure is #1. Focus more on blue collar training / education.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
Clearly HIGH QUALITY multi family housing. I’ve been on the DRB/PC for quite a few years and tried to strengthen the building codes for multi-family. MF is where things are going, period, it needs to be affordable and higher quality.
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Already have a brand, love it.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
School should stop “teaching to the test”, focus on more blue collar rather than college prep. The college loan forgiveness was/is a travesty. Kids “hang out:” for 4 years in college, with a useless degree. Note – college has it’s place, I am sort of a professional student, but especially with AI these useless college degrees need to stop.
Note – ALL of IBM’s new hiring is India. And IBM is hiring less as AI, just in its infancy, is already eliminating jobs.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
At this time, this candidate has not provided a response to LCC’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Biography
I am a former director of Human Resources for a social services agency and a corporate trainer. I was elected in 2022 and served the last two years on the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee.
Why are you running?
I believe that Vermont should be a place where folks can succeed in all stages of life. I would like to continue the work of building an inclusive economy that works for all of us.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Vermont is business friendly for many types of businesses and we are working to solve some of the challenges that businesses are currently facing. We have many supports, including VTSBDC and area RDCs, for Vermont businesses and for folks interested in beginning a community business. I have spoken with many who have started and grown successful local shops using these supports. The difficulty that I hear about the most is that it is difficult to find skilled dedicated employees. One root cause of this is our lack of affordable workforce housing near our job centers. This session we passed legislation that eases some regulations around housing and includes a plan to simplify permitting in the future. In addition, we can already see some results of the investments into high quality child care centers that the legislature has made. These new or expanded child care facilities allow parents greater flexibility to take jobs that they otherwise would not have been able to accept.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
This session we passed Act 146 which created the Executive Director of Workforce Strategy and Development , which is a new cabinet level position. Understanding the need for a workforce strategist that reports directly to the governor is a clear indication of the high value that the legislature places on having well-paying jobs in Vermont. House Commerce Committee also had many discussions with ACCD about modernizing the VEGI program to develop a robust business incentive program that fits current conditions better than it does in its current form. I believe that working with the business community, we can do this and I welcome those discussions.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
I believe that we need to build more housing that is affordable and near the places that people are working. I believe that the legislation that we passed last session begins this work in easing permitting and encouraging growth. We also have a labor shortage in the trades, which slows construction. Our technical education centers are having trouble getting educators for many of the trade courses, and that will only contribute to the shortage. We need to look at this problem holistically, from the building sites and permitting to the builders and trades people to the construction material availability if we truly want to meet the current need. We are beginning this process and moving toward housing availability, but it will take time and focus to change our
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. Tourism is one of the main engines of the Vermont economy.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
This is a bit of a leading question and an incredibly complex issue that truly cannot be addressed in a paragraph or two. What I will say is that our policies need to focus on efficient delivery of a high quality education to all public school students in Vermont. We need an Agency of Education that is able to provide leadership to our schools in how to train teachers for 21st century learning, that keeps up on educational best practices and shares them with school districts and shares outcome data in a timely manner. In Chittenden County we have consolidated our schools and we deliver high quality education more efficiently than in some other parts of the state. We, in the legislature, are waiting for the Commission on the Future of Public Education to share insights into statewide changes that can be made in the next legislative session. I am optimistic that this will begin our move toward a better, more cost effective, system for Vermont’s students.
Candidate Biography
I am a former director of Human Resources for a social services agency and a corporate trainer. I was elected in 2022 and served the last two years on the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee.
Why are you running?
I believe that Vermont should be a place where folks can succeed in all stages of life. I would like to continue the work of building an inclusive economy that works for all of us.
Is Vermont Business Friendly?
Vermont is business friendly for many types of businesses and we are working to solve some of the challenges that businesses are currently facing. We have many supports, including VTSBDC and area RDCs, for Vermont businesses and for folks interested in beginning a community business. I have spoken with many who have started and grown successful local shops using these supports. The difficulty that I hear about the most is that it is difficult to find skilled dedicated employees. One root cause of this is our lack of affordable workforce housing near our job centers. This session we passed legislation that eases some regulations around housing and includes a plan to simplify permitting in the future. In addition, we can already see some results of the investments into high quality child care centers that the legislature has made. These new or expanded child care facilities allow parents greater flexibility to take jobs that they otherwise would not have been able to accept.
What could the Legislature do to support the creation of more well-paying jobs in Vermont?
This session we passed Act 146 which created the Executive Director of Workforce Strategy and Development , which is a new cabinet level position. Understanding the need for a workforce strategist that reports directly to the governor is a clear indication of the high value that the legislature places on having well-paying jobs in Vermont. House Commerce Committee also had many discussions with ACCD about modernizing the VEGI program to develop a robust business incentive program that fits current conditions better than it does in its current form. I believe that working with the business community, we can do this and I welcome those discussions.
Do you believe we need to build more housing? If yes, what kind of housing, where, and what could spur this to happen in your opinion? If not, why not? What is your solution?
I believe that we need to build more housing that is affordable and near the places that people are working. I believe that the legislation that we passed last session begins this work in easing permitting and encouraging growth. We also have a labor shortage in the trades, which slows construction. Our technical education centers are having trouble getting educators for many of the trade courses, and that will only contribute to the shortage. We need to look at this problem holistically, from the building sites and permitting to the builders and trades people to the construction material availability if we truly want to meet the current need. We are beginning this process and moving toward housing availability, but it will take time and focus to change our
Do you think we should be marketing our state to outsiders for the purposes of building a brand people relate to as the right place to visit, invest, or live?
Yes. Tourism is one of the main engines of the Vermont economy.
With the high increases in property taxes this past legislative session, Vermont has more than likely become the state with the highest per-pupil spending in the country, yet our schools are not producing results commensurate with that investment. What do you think needs to be done to address the issues around both the cost and results of our education system?
This is a bit of a leading question and an incredibly complex issue that truly cannot be addressed in a paragraph or two. What I will say is that our policies need to focus on efficient delivery of a high quality education to all public school students in Vermont. We need an Agency of Education that is able to provide leadership to our schools in how to train teachers for 21st century learning, that keeps up on educational best practices and shares them with school districts and shares outcome data in a timely manner. In Chittenden County we have consolidated our schools and we deliver high quality education more efficiently than in some other parts of the state. We, in the legislature, are waiting for the Commission on the Future of Public Education to share insights into statewide changes that can be made in the next legislative session. I am optimistic that this will begin our move toward a better, more cost effective, system for Vermont’s students.
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