01 / Fiscal maturity
Responsibility, not austerity.
We should approach public spending the way we run our own households — with responsibility, not austerity, but with respect for all who are affected, including taxpayers. The state needs to support essential services that citizens depend on, including high-quality schools and universities. There are efficiencies in public education that need to be realized. The Transportation Fund needs greater support. We need to remove barriers and relax needless regulations in the way of responsible development, especially in creating more and better housing. Expedited local control needs to replace the historically slow bureaucracy of state oversight.
02 / Affordability
We cannot afford the status quo.
We can all agree that property taxes are too high in Vermont — among the highest in the nation. So is the cost of health care and health insurance. Access to quality health care has become a much more urgent issue statewide. When schools are redesigned for the modern era there will be greater efficiencies and more opportunities for students and teachers. We cannot afford the status quo. The same is true for health care: better access and cost containment, while maintaining the high quality we generally enjoy in Vermont.
03 / Civic respect
A calm and respectful voice.
In the current political climate, often lacking the common courtesy our parents taught us, politics has become polarized, negative, and uncivil. Less so in Vermont than on the national stage — but we need to turn the corner on bad behavior that serves as such a negative example for our young people. We need better role models for our kids, and better collegiality among our leaders. The state could benefit from an Independent voice, a calm and respectful one, someone who is not beholden to parties or PACs, someone who can help soften the hard edges, and help forge compromises and pathways forward.
