Candidates answers to the Vermont Daily Chronicle's Questionnaire and comments are posted here in the order they are received in the County their campaign is in. We hope this helps voters be informed about the Constitutional stances of the candidates.
This appeared in Vermont Daily Chronicle on 9/27/24
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I am running for the Vermont Senate. Why?
Vermont property taxes are rising from 13 to 20%. I pledge to demand that the legislature enact property tax relief immediately. In January 2025, the legislature will also vote on rules implementing a “carbon credit” system on all kinds of home heating fuels. Best estimates show this program adding from 70¢ to over $3.00 per gallon to those fuels. If elected, I pledge to be a “NO” vote on the “Clean Heat” carbon tax and any bill raising costs to heat our homes. Both incumbent senators twice voted for this home heat carbon tax system and voted twice to override Governor Scott’s veto.
The legislature has imposed higher DMV fees, the new payroll tax, new energy regulations driving up electric bills, and an internet-based services tax. From the overall cost of living to climate related flooding, to crime and substance abuse, Vermont needs to get real about finding affordable solutions to all these issues.
Also, the legislature has voted for a bill more than doubling legislative salaries. I will be a “NO” vote for raising lawmakers salaries, especially when Vermonters are struggling to get by under the policies passed by these lawmakers.
Wrong Track:
The average of almost 400 separate polls indicates that 63% of Americans think the United State is on the wrong track (The Hill as of Sept 22nd, 2024). Nationally the three main issues affecting voter sentiment are the economy, immigration, and crime. There are many secondary issues affecting voter sentiment as well. All three of these national issues also affect Vermonters.
But in Vermont, our politicians are more rational than DC politicians, right? Well, not so fast.
Tax Bill:
Did you get your tax bill for 2025 yet? Are you excited about the average property tax increase of 13.8%. Check your town’s average tax bill change at vermontpublic.org. It appears our elected representatives listened more to bureaucrats, lobbyists, and activists rather than the voters who put them into office. Population outflows and the greying of Vermont are likely to continue as a result.
Carbon tax:
The legislature we elect on November 5th will meet in January 2025 to vote on final rules for the Clean Heat Standard (Act 18). What amounts to a carbon tax of $3.00 to $4.00/gallon or more will be added to the base price of heating oil and kerosene (VT Daily Chronicle 8/26/24). Can you afford $4.00/gal tax on your fuel purchases?
Responsibility:
Who did this? Vermont’s super majority legislature put us in this place. Governor Scott vetoed the Clean Heat Standard (Act 18), but the legislature overrode that veto. Both Windham County Senators joined in the veto override. Rational legislative discourse from diverse points of view will give us better legislative outcomes. Without more balance in the legislature more foolish, unwise and fiscally irresponsible actions will be taken. If our legislators are not held accountable for what they have already done then what is to make them change course going forward? Vermont voters need to send a message to the legislature.
Balance:
Windham County voters cannot rely on other counties to do the work of restoring balance to the State legislature. We must do our part from all parties: Democrats, Independent and Republicans. We must choose Senators and Representatives who will help the legislature chance course.
Consider a vote for alternatives Senators from Windham County. Change the party balance in Montpelier. Vote for Richard “Rick” Morton and for Dale Gassett. We both pledge to vote NO on Act 18 when it comes up in the next legislative session.
We offer Windham voters a heart of compassion. Rick Morton is an ordained chaplain at a nearby assisted living facility, has 24+ years’ experience in banking, and has an “outside the echo chamber” point of view. Dale Gassett has worked extensively managing and supervising within the construction industry. Both of us have long and strong involvement in community affairs and organizations.
Philosophically, we will resist the rush to legislate a mandated top-down solution for every perceived societal flaw. We would hope our children would be free to fulfill their God given potential with the least possible government interference or hindrance. Therefore, we will work to see that Vermont is fiscally responsible and does not infringe upon the individual freedoms guaranteed in the Vermont and US Constitutions.
Vermont property taxes are rising from 13 to 20%. I pledge to demand that the legislature enact property tax relief immediately. In January 2025, the legislature will also vote on rules implementing a “carbon credit” system on all kinds of home heating fuels. Best estimates show this program adding from 70¢ to over $3.00 per gallon to those fuels. If elected, I pledge to be a “NO” vote on the “Clean Heat” carbon tax and any bill raising costs to heat our homes. Both incumbent senators twice voted for this home heat carbon tax system and voted twice to override Governor Scott’s veto.
The legislature has imposed higher DMV fees, the new payroll tax, new energy regulations driving up electric bills, and an internet-based services tax. From the overall cost of living to climate related flooding, to crime and substance abuse, Vermont needs to get real about finding affordable solutions to all these issues.
Also, the legislature has voted for a bill more than doubling legislative salaries. I will be a “NO” vote for raising lawmakers salaries, especially when Vermonters are struggling to get by under the policies passed by these lawmakers.
Wrong Track:
The average of almost 400 separate polls indicates that 63% of Americans think the United State is on the wrong track (The Hill as of Sept 22nd, 2024). Nationally the three main issues affecting voter sentiment are the economy, immigration, and crime. There are many secondary issues affecting voter sentiment as well. All three of these national issues also affect Vermonters.
But in Vermont, our politicians are more rational than DC politicians, right? Well, not so fast.
Tax Bill:
Did you get your tax bill for 2025 yet? Are you excited about the average property tax increase of 13.8%. Check your town’s average tax bill change at vermontpublic.org. It appears our elected representatives listened more to bureaucrats, lobbyists, and activists rather than the voters who put them into office. Population outflows and the greying of Vermont are likely to continue as a result.
Carbon tax:
The legislature we elect on November 5th will meet in January 2025 to vote on final rules for the Clean Heat Standard (Act 18). What amounts to a carbon tax of $3.00 to $4.00/gallon or more will be added to the base price of heating oil and kerosene (VT Daily Chronicle 8/26/24). Can you afford $4.00/gal tax on your fuel purchases?
Responsibility:
Who did this? Vermont’s super majority legislature put us in this place. Governor Scott vetoed the Clean Heat Standard (Act 18), but the legislature overrode that veto. Both Windham County Senators joined in the veto override. Rational legislative discourse from diverse points of view will give us better legislative outcomes. Without more balance in the legislature more foolish, unwise and fiscally irresponsible actions will be taken. If our legislators are not held accountable for what they have already done then what is to make them change course going forward? Vermont voters need to send a message to the legislature.
Balance:
Windham County voters cannot rely on other counties to do the work of restoring balance to the State legislature. We must do our part from all parties: Democrats, Independent and Republicans. We must choose Senators and Representatives who will help the legislature chance course.
Consider a vote for alternatives Senators from Windham County. Change the party balance in Montpelier. Vote for Richard “Rick” Morton and for Dale Gassett. We both pledge to vote NO on Act 18 when it comes up in the next legislative session.
We offer Windham voters a heart of compassion. Rick Morton is an ordained chaplain at a nearby assisted living facility, has 24+ years’ experience in banking, and has an “outside the echo chamber” point of view. Dale Gassett has worked extensively managing and supervising within the construction industry. Both of us have long and strong involvement in community affairs and organizations.
Philosophically, we will resist the rush to legislate a mandated top-down solution for every perceived societal flaw. We would hope our children would be free to fulfill their God given potential with the least possible government interference or hindrance. Therefore, we will work to see that Vermont is fiscally responsible and does not infringe upon the individual freedoms guaranteed in the Vermont and US Constitutions.