Author Archives: wattsnew4u

Link to Essex Reporter article.

Possibilities with regard to the State budget will depend on who is in the Governor’s office and/or whether both chambers can garner enough override votes. Given the current economic outlook, Vermont will likely need to either reduce spending or find new revenue sources. I have mentioned in other forums the need to audit the longContinue reading “Budget”

There are a number of regional organizations that are arms of the Vermont State government that pass their costs along to the Towns they serve. Locally these are the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Chittenden Solid Waste District, Green Mountain Transit, Champlain Water District and Chittenden County itself and likely others. While not all ofContinue reading “Regional Entities”

One of the big impacts of COVID-19 that I see is the change in what is normal. Though many are anxious to see things re-open, there are just as many who have changed their habits and may not go back. This will shift the economy in ways that are not well understood.  Commercial real estateContinue reading “A Better Normal”

Several years ago, as part of IBM’s Corporate Service Corps, I spent a month in Brazil working for a non-profit that helped keep kids in school. In the airport, on my way home, there was a commercial on the TV monitors intended to entertain passengers waiting to get through international security. The words were inContinue reading “Learned bias”

For Essex residents, I will push for approval of the citizen led charter change for equal representation and I will push to have charter changes become law upon approval by the voters. I will push for increased local control and self-rule. The House Government Operations Committee failed to act on a Senate approved bill whichContinue reading “Specific Actions”

The education funding formula is very complicated and should be simplified. The Legislature also has a tendency to move money around too freely. Why does the gasoline tax support education? Why do 70% of Vermonters get their education property taxes subsidized? The gas tax should be used for transportation needs and income tax should beContinue reading “Education Funding”

The Climate Change bill that was passed this year puts the State in a position where rapid progress is needed to avoid legal action against the State. The fact that the responsibility for progress has been given to another entity does not excuse the Legislature from taking action.  With transportation being one of the majorContinue reading “Climate Change Action”

As an Independent, I will represent my constituents and not the interests of the major parties. I have seen a number of State Reps post weekly on Front Porch Forum, but they all focus on what has happened in the past week and none of them talk about what is ahead. It is my intentContinue reading “Impact”

My wife and I moved back to Essex when our oldest turned five to take advantage of the Essex schools. For the next many years, we both volunteered heavily in our three sons’ classrooms and I coached every soccer team that our boys played on. We were also involved with Essex Boy Scouts where allContinue reading “Opening Statement”