For 20 years I've knocked on doors, listened to residents, and addressed their concerns, as an active citizen and an elected official.

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Vermont is quickly becoming an unaffordable place to live due to rising housing and health care costs, double-digit property tax increases, and overall inflation in consumer goods.

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During my first Senate term, I researched and revealed areas in which millions of dollars were being wasted or left uncollected by the state: $11 million here, $139 million there!

 

Before serving in the Senate, I worked creatively and continuously to improve communication, transparency, and fairness in taxation and representation for 22,000 residents of Essex Town from 2005 to 2022.

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My insistence that voters be heard in the halls of power hasn't found favor with entrenched politicians. But the majority of voters continue to show up and back my proposals – 9 victories on public questions thus far – to achieve just outcomes.

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For example, my efforts to resist a Special Taxing District in Essex in 2016 prevented the removal of two recreation departments from their respective municipalities and kept taxation in check. (Nationwide research shows that Special Taxing Districts increase the cost of services by an average of 15%.)

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The 2022 Separation of Essex Junction from Essex Town provided two communities – one mostly urban, one mostly rural – the freedom and fairness that residents were seeking for 64 years: the freedom to speak and right to be heard, and fairness in representation and taxation.

 

My efforts to lead 4 successful campaigns (2007, 2020, 2021[x2]) gave a voice to Essex Town voters, whom officials excluded from the board table during merger negotiations.

 

For 15 years, those Town voters continued to push back at the ballot box, each of the 4 times they were asked to vote for fairness. Finally, Town voices were heard; Village officials and voters decided to move on.

In the meantime, each Town property owner saved $5,500 in total (on average) as my ongoing efforts, backed by voters, kept the Merger Tax at bay.

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I regularly seek out residents of all stripes. I listen to frustrations and fears, distribute information, and tap your ideas. Then, I bring your input and my understanding into the State House.

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My aim is for you to feel represented by me, whatever your background, political leanings, or opinions, as I promote common sense legislation.

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You can count on me to:

- See You,

- Hear You,

- Respect You, and

- Represent You

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Here's what several folks have said about my ongoing public service:

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"You taught me the importance of keeping accurate government records." 
As Dianne, age 66, watched Selectboard meetings, she said she appreciated my persistent efforts to correct meeting minutes, distribute information to residents, and, during COVID, publish a newspaper when our local paper stopped printing.

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"I don't think of you as a politician. I think of you as a care-er. I am a lifelong Republican, but you can count on my vote in the Democratic Primary."Barbara, age 86.

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"You pi** off all the right people."

Rich, age 74, knows that, in order to make a difference in local government, I had to behave differently. I've called out conflicts of interest, and politely corrected officials who provided misinformation or disinformation.

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"You are VERY approachable and real.

You took the time ... to explain our antiquated local government. Which is not exactly straight forward, and doesn't always make sense to us lay people." J. Newman, age 64.

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"You're a true public servant."Paul, age 88, has watched my work and seen my successes in improving government for two decades: "You've always impressed me with your determination to get the job done."

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"Thank you for noticing me."

Doris, age 93, reminded me at a library event how much it meant to her that I look out for and listen to people who aren't loud, flashy or powerful. 

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I work full-time at this "part-time" job. I welcome your feedback and relish the opportunity to connect and to represent you.

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Please let me know which issues are important to you. I have prioritized the following issues thus far:

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• Government Accountability

• Transparency

• Stopping Waste in Government

• Livable Wages

• Affordable Health Care 

• Community Mental Health Supports

• Reasonably-Priced Prescription Drugs

• High-Quality, Affordable Child Care

• Fair Taxation of Corporations and Upper-Income Households

• Housing for Everyone

• Fully-Funded Police

• Bodily Autonomy

• Accessible Voting

• Ending Food Insecurity

• Local Food Production

• Increased Protection for Vermont's Environment