To the editor:
Why should you vote for Sam Douglass for the Vermont Senate Orleans District?
Sam is a true Vermonter who will vote for what is right for Vermont. The Vermont Legislature has been in a Democrat supermajority stranglehold, making Vermont even more unaffordable.
While retiring Senator Robert Starr is a Democrat, if you believe that Representative Katherine Sims (D) is an equivalent replacement for Senator Starr, you are being misled. Look at their votes on three pieces of legislation affecting your pocketbook.
H.715 (2022) would have established the Clean Heat Standard to reduce Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions. Rep. Sims voted in favor of the bill. Sen. Starr voted “no.” The bill passed, but was vetoed by Governor Phil Scott. The veto override failed by one vote, but Rep. Sims voted to override the veto. Sen. Starr, voted “no” on the bill. Sam Douglass would have voted “no.”
S. 5 (Act 18) the Affordable Heat Act, is likely to increase your oil bill by $1.70 per gallon, according to Sen. Christopher Bray. It was vetoed by Governor Scott, but the Legislature voted to override the veto. (https://governor.vermont.gov/governor-scotts-blog/governor-phil-scott-discusses-significant-cost-clean-heat-standard-policy) Sen. Starr voted “no” on the bill and supported the veto. Rep. Sims supported the bill and voted to override the veto. Sam Douglass would have voted “no” on the bill. Is an increase to your oil bill by $1.70 affordable?
S.39 (2023) Legislator Pay, would have raised legislative pay by almost $400 per week. Currently, legislators make roughly $15,000 for four-plus months. (https://vtdigger.org/2024/01/10/final-reading-acts-related-to-compensation/). Compare that to New Hampshire’s $100 per year, with no per diem. Rep. Sims voted “yes” to that pay increase. Sen. Starr voted “no.” Like Sen. Starr, Sam Douglass would have voted “no.”
Sam will prioritize attracting new businesses and support current businesses. Sam will work to lower taxes. Vermont families are being priced out of our state. Some are moving to states that have no income tax long enough that they can claim residency. Then Vermont gets zero income taxes from them. Most Vermonters do not have the luxury of that option and have to pay the high taxes. With lower taxes, maybe fewer Vermonters would have to give up their Vermont residency.
Vote for a more affordable Vermont. Elect Sam and break the Democrat supermajority’s stronghold on Vermonters.
Jeannine A. Young
Joseph E. Young
Craftsbury Common
Editor’s note: The Affordable Heat Act required a study to be delivered in 2024 to inform the program’s design. The study has not yet been made public. The figure mentioned in this letter is questioned by others.
Jeannine A. Young
