The President's State of the Union
address is a tradition of our democracy that allows the head of the
executive branch of the government to express his vision for America.
It usually addresses a broad range of issues at a high level and is
short on detail. Whether or not you agree with what is said, at
least you get a pretty good idea of where the speaker is coming from.
This got me thinking about my own communications, so I thought I'd
try to deliver my own vision of what I try to accomplish as I serve
as your Representative in Montpelier.
Let me start by saying that, as
wonderful as Vermont is, we all want to help make our state a better
place to live, work and play. We want Vermont to be affordable, not
just for those at the top of the income bracket, but for everyone.
Every family should have the opportunity to thrive, to be able to
earn a living wage. While our minimum wage is above average, I
believe that it should continue to rise gradually over time until it
becomes a livable wage. Likewise, no employee should have to worry
about losing their pay or even their job if they have to take time
off to care for a sick child or elderly parent. That is why I voted
for paid family leave last year, a bill that is awaiting action in
the Senate. For those who are stuck in low wage jobs, we need to
continue to increase access to training, career and technical
education so that every Vermonter has a fair shot at success.
We have a great education system, but
the cost of education continues to place a heavy burden on property
taxes. With
the additional demands placed on our schools from addiction, mental
illness, and poverty, great public schools in all our communities are
more important than ever in giving all children a bright future.
During this session we are proposing a system of education funding
that is simpler, still progressive, still subject to local control,
and that will significantly reduce property tax burdens. Nor can we
forget about the need to support pre-K and post high school
educational opportunities.
Another
core value is healthy families in healthy communities. The cost of
health insurance and housing are the biggest challenges faced by many
Vermonters. While Republicans in Washington are dismantling the
Affordable Care Act and cutting funding for Medicare and Medicaid we
need to make health insurance more affordable and ensure that
Vermonters have access to treatment without barriers for drug
addiction and mental health. A key to maintaining individual health
is affordable housing, We need to support affordable housing
development in downtowns and in village centers that also provides
access to jobs, shopping and public transportation.
Finally,
we need a healthy environment. We can't put off efforts to clean our
lakes and streams. We have to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels
which has become a major contributor to climate change. Extreme
weather events as well as adverse health effects. Lyme disease, algae
blooms, heat waves, and extreme cold are the result. We can't afford
to do nothing,
These
are some of the values that frame my work in the legislature. I hope
that my work will lead to a better Vermont for us and for our
children and grandchildren.
I'll end by reminding you that I will
be hosting an informational forum on the topic of Pricing Carbon
Pollution at the Charlotte Senior Center on Monday. February 12, at
7:00 p.m. I hope to see you there.
