John Taylor The SemiProfessional Vermonter

State Employees Held Hostage

2011-12-13T11:37:00.000-05:00

At great cost to you and me, the taxpayers, the Shumlin administration is holding 1,500 state employees (a fifth of the workforce) hostage. The state employees who worked in Waterbury are being denied a return to that work assignment because the Shumlin Administration wants to close the State Hospital.

Here's something you should know right now - the State office complex in Waterbury has been rehabbed and is ready to have employees move back in. Yes, the administration needs to let the telephone people back in and the computer network people but the building itself is ready for occupancy. You may have missed that only the cellar area was flooded and that 75% of the buildings had no water damage.

So why is the administration keeping people in cramped spaces in the Montpelier office complex and in expensive rental space in the Burlington area and elsewhere? Why would they do something like that? Simple, if they get most State employees back into those buildings then the public and many legislators will ask why not move the State Hospital back into its space and the governor and Jeb Spaulding can't have that - they want the hospital closed and are using the flood to do it.

I keep wondering why no one in the press is asking how much putting VSH (Vermont State Hospital) patients in the Brattleboro Retreat and other settings is costing. A hint - a lot! The administration is hoping to hide that cost in post-Irene recovery funding. So far no one is interested in pursuing it so you and I will have to foot that bill also.

Keep in mind this is a lot of money being spent as recovery money that is not really realted to the flood or the recovery. This money is being spent with the idea of getting you to spend even more - to build, contract out or otherwise replace the State Hospital.

Don't Let Good Crisis Go To Waste

Every Governor for the past 40 years has made closing the State Hospital a goal. None have done it because the legislature has not wanted to tackle it. Now, Peter Shumlin has decided to use a real crisis to manufacture a supposed crisis response of replacing the hospital. That only happens if the building is unusable. If Shumlin and Spaulding let the state employees return then the hospital looks to the legislators like it could, or should, also reopen.

The legislature is feeling cash strapped and so doesn't really want to deal with the hospital issue. Plus, they are hearing from their local hospitals that Vermont needs a secure, State-run facility. In the past the response has been to just limp the existing hospital along. The previous administrations have just funded it enough to pass accreditation inspections.

The truth is, running the State Hospital is a losing proposition for the State. They pay out more in sick time, workers comp claims and medical related expenses there than they do at any of the correctional facilities. If you run a hospital or community mental health facility why would you want to take it over from the state? None of them do and so the legislature and the Shumlin Administration will be saddled with continuing to run a State facility - the question is: will it be in a totally rehabbed Waterbury facility or a new building elsewhere.

It's time for the Shumlin Administration to come clean on its motives. It's time for the legislature to become adults and make a decision on the hospital and fund that direction. And it's time for both of them to come out from behind the smoke screen of Tropical Storm Irene and be honest with Vermonters. (Wouldn't that be refreshing?!?) But most of all it's time to stop holding 1,500 employees hostage and let them go back to doing work for Vermonters from their offices in Waterbury.

Hey Google - I'm Sorry

2011-07-20T11:00:00.014-04:00

I have used a lot of the Google tools including this one - Blogger. I have a Gmail account, I use the analytics program for my web sites, reader to get my feeds and Google news. But I never took to Buzz and didn't use it.

Now I'm on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn so I thought that was enough. No one on any of these platforms asked me to join them on Buzz so I went my merry way.

And then Google+ arrived.

I went to the announcement site and was intrigued. It sounds a bit over complicated but, I thought, it might be worth trying out. I like the idea of having circles, just like you do in life. Sometimes you want to tell one circle something that another circle has no interest in - Plus would allow me to do that.

I asked Google to sign me up and they said they'd get back to me. They did the same thing with Analytics and some of the other services. I figured it would be a week or two but so far Google hasn't gotten back to me. I'm beginning to think it's because I dissed Buzz.

Oh sure I could try to get one of my more important friends to give me one of their invites but I think Google should let me in and I shouldn't have to ask a third party.

So Google - I'm sorry I didn't use Buzz. I promise, if you get me my invite to Google+ I will give it some tough use, give you some feedback and invite in others I think will do the same.

You know the address and I'll be waiting. (Insert smiley face here) JT

Refreshing the View

2011-04-20T10:37:00.002-04:00

The gang at blogger recently announced that there are five new ways to view a blog on their platform. I'll be investigating these and maybe choosing one for any future posts here. So, stay tuned.

Blogger Buzz: Fresh new perspectives for your blog

Welcome - Thanks For Visiting

2010-11-17T14:40:00.003-05:00

John Taylor - Thanks to Orange-1 voters for your support!

Unfortunately I did not get enough votes to gain a seat in the Vermont legislature. However, I'm leaving this site up so you and others can still see my position statements. I will still be interested in the issues facing this state. I am considering several options to stay involved and hopefully make a difference on these important issues.

To the people I met during the campaign as well as those who supported me in many ways and those who voted for me - Thank You!

You can find out more about me on my "About Me" page. You'll find my background as well as my approach to government.

Contacting Me

Feel free to comment on one of my positions - like I said I'm hoping this will become a conversation. Or, if you want to ask a question just send me an email at John@JT4VT.org. If you spot a spelling mistake or such email it to Webmaster@JT4VT.org.

John

Economy Part 2: Housing

2010-10-14T13:28:00.002-04:00

Housing is one of the three essentials of human life. Vermonters are steadily being priced out of the housing market because of stagnant wages and non-resident buyers.

The median price of a home in Vermont was $200,000 in 2008. To afford this price a potential buyer would need at least $63,000 in family income; however, Vermont's median income is $51,566. This means that most Vermonters can't buy this home.

The median income earners are in the market for homes priced at $160,000 or less - assuming they have enough savings for the down payment and closing costs. At this level and below are mobile homes with land and "fixer uppers." Thus, the traditional "starter home" is out of reach for young couples and others wanting to get into their own home.

Housing Alternatives

One answer is to increase owner-occupied rental properties. This type of real estate allows the owners to purchase more building than they could hope to in a single-family home. It allows the building owners to build equity faster and also potentially provides more affordable rentals.

Another is clustered housing with homeowners holding the land in common. The legislature could put into place tax incentives for development of this type. I would rather see this enacted at the local level than at the State. I would rather that communities provide tax incentives to developers and the State would make up the difference in the tax loss, especially for education funding.

This development should be focused in, or adjacent to, village centers. Towns should be working toward more centers within walking distance that limit the need for vehicle trips to get to shopping and services.

Vermonters Helping Vermonters

We can encourage these two housing options using State Employees' and Teachers' retirement funds. Instead of sending this money out of state to invest in Wall Street, let's keep it here to house people. As these people prosper so will the retirement funds.

I suggest taking the next year's worth of payments into the retirement system (both the employee's and State's shares) and investing it through the Vermont Housing Finance Agency and the Vermont Community Loan Fund.

This money would be targeted to the two types of housing I mentioned, either new or existing. The exact rules could be worked out either in the legislature or the agencies but it should have a preference on low or middle income Vermonters.

This is just my opinion, what do you think??

Broadband and the Economy

2010-09-30T15:35:00.002-04:00

Probably the most important thing the legislature can do to improve Vermont's economic picture is act to assure that all areas of the state have access to broadband Internet. Broadband makes it possible to live locally but work globally.

This first priority will be to assure that Fairpoint lives up to its commitments for coverage. The second will be to assure that the Vtel project succeeds.

Fairpoint has asked for an extension on providing broadband coverage. The company has proposed bringing fiber optic connections to all areas of the state. I will push for them to honor all of the 2015 projects they have outlined especially in northern portions of the state.

The Vtel project will provide broadband Internet using state-of-the-art wireless connections: known as 4G. As part of the eState initiative enacted in 2007 the legislature placed review of projects with three or more communications towers to go to the Public Service Board (PSB) for review to expedite approval. The Vtel project involves a network of towers to provide coverage that will need some type of regulatory review.

This expedited review will sunset in 2011, as the project is getting rolling. I will propose or support a bill amending 30 V.S.A. § 248a(i) to extend the sunset through 2015. I agree with Tom Evslin, former Chief Technology Officer for the State of Vermont, that this should happen early in the session to signal the Legislature's commitment to the project.

How these two projects will coexist even I'm not sure. The lack of coordination within State government and lack of candor with you and me, much less these two companies, leaves much in doubt.

I was dubious of using cellular technology as the solution but I was reminded that China and other developing countries are opting for cellular phone service rather that stringing wires. Given Vermont's rural nature, using cellular technology to get to the "final mile" is probably the most feasible solution.

That's just my opinion, what's yours?

Endorsed!

2010-09-22T12:10:00.002-04:00

I recently got word that I have been endorsed by the Vermont NEA (the teachers union). As a former teacher and consultant with the Vermont Department of Education I have a deep interest in education. I welcome this endorsement.

I thank VNEA for this, especially since I highlighted where we diverge as well as where we agree when they asked my views. I will be posting a couple of my education ideas in the next week.

This post will become a page as I get more endorsements.

Vermont Yankee and Energy Policy

2010-09-22T08:46:00.002-04:00

Let me say it right up front - I think Yankee should close in 2012 but I do believe that nuclear power needs to play a role in America's energy future.

The Vermont Yankee plant was not the state of the art when it was built. It was an older design that was used for its cost savings. The plant has seen several updates including the complete rebuilding of the control area in the wake of Three Mile Island. That said, it is still an older design that is well past the "use by" date in its specs. The collapse of the cooling tower should be a warning to all.

I do feel for Vernon and the 600 workers at the plant. All of these 600 jobs will not be lost immediately in 2012. There will be a phase out of the jobs as the plant is decommissioned. It's not as though it's a surprise, the end date was out there when they all took their jobs.

I also think Vermont needs to help out the taxpayers in Vernon with a property tax subsidy over a period years to replace the VY tax income. The lost of that income could have a detrimental impact on the community.

Future Energy Sources
In Orange County we are served by one of the most progressive utilities in Vermont and probably the country, Washington Electic Co-op (WEC). Thanks to the actions of the WEC board we are a "No Nuke Zone." the board was the first one out of both VY and the Seabrook generator.

WEC has actively sought out a diverse set of power sources to replace that nuclear generation. They have local hydro through the Wrightsville Dam and bio generation through the Coventry Landfill. Another major utility stresses the green in its name but it is WEC that is truly green and is showing the way to meeting the power needs of its customers.

I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention WEC's pioneering energy conservation programs. Critics thought they were nuts by saying they planned to grow while encouraging their customers use less power. What management and the board knew was that demand would grow from new hook-up at the same time the were getting customers to use less. It's been good business and good environmental policy on the part of WEC. Once again little old Vermont is showing the way for the rest of the country.

Even if all of America's utilities followed our lead and developed wind, solar, water and biomass sources we will probably have to keep nuclear in the mix. Europe has developed new designs that generate less waste and are safer and more efficient. The federal government has to step up to the plate, develop some courage and finalize a long-term storage solution.

Strengthening Local Economies

2010-07-30T09:30:00.003-04:00

In the last 50 years of the 20th century, Vermont changed from a very rural state to a kind of hybrid state. Most of it "just happened." We are likely to see more such changes in the next 50 years. The question is: will we let it just happen or will we try to be the masters of our own destiny?

For too long, Vermont's economic development strategy has been focused on attracting outside businesses to this state. The true economic future of Vermont lies in helping local businesses to thrive and expand.

Vermont businesses have shown that they can compete on a national and even a world stage. Furthermore, Vermont businesses have a vested interest in their communities and are less likely to head out of state the first time they are offered a better deal.

Building on the Vermont Brand
How can we do this? By encouraging, as part of a comprehensive economic development strategy, the growth of environmental goods and services -- the so-called EGS sector of the economy. By building on the well-established image of Vermont as a clean and environmentally conscious state, and by capitalizing on the state's existing talent pool, we have a golden opportunity to attract real investment in the state in technologies like renewable energy, waste management and water quality improvement.

High-Speed Internet is Vital
The Internet has made it possible for us to live locally but work globally. It also means that more people can work in town and reduce the number of commuting miles. More people are available to man fire departments and rescue squads and to help the economic and social life of their communities.

The legislature needs to do more to prod the expansion of high-speed internet to all corners of the state. This is not something we can keep putting off nor can we continue to let Fairpoint off the hook on their promises to extend high-speed connectivity to "the last mile." The Waitsfield and Champlain Telecom service area has this service. It is possible - if a company wants to do it. They need to keep the pressure on both the private sector, regulators and others to make this happen.

Encouraging Home-Grown Business
Instead of chasing around the world to get businesses to relocate here, we need to nurture home-grown businesses that provide good jobs at all levels of the company. We also need more organization making "micro investments" into Vermont-based businesses. These types of investments have proven successful in other parts of the world and I think they would work here.

We need to encourage more funds like Community Capital Fund of Vermont that is investing in the dreams of Vermonters. Between guidance through the Small Business Development Corp., Vermont-based investing and incubator spaces, we could spur a new era of locally owned and operated business meeting the needs of not only Vermonters but the world.

At the same time, we would also be helping to preserve all that is special about Vermont. Regional planning calls for compact villages separated by a country landscape. What fueled that open landscape was farmland.

We still need open land and can keep it through diverse agriculture and recreational uses. We need to really start planning for the next 50 years in a regional way, not merely giving it lip service. If we start now, commit to these things and do it right, we can have our jobs and the Vermont way of life that makes it all so rewarding.

Vital Communities

2010-07-24T07:54:00.002-04:00

The heart of Vermont is our communities. We live on a small scale here where being someone's neighbor really means something. We share our joy in good times and support each other during bad times.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to live in a way that many people can only imagine. The scale in Vermont is small and personal. Even our biggest city, Burlington, is small by the standards of other states.

Sadly, I share the growing concern that our communities are in jeopardy. Increasingly, we read that boards are feuding, local politicians are resigning and seats on boards and commissions go unfilled. Some think the answer is in hiring professionals to do jobs that we have always elected our neighbors to do.

Selectboards across the state have contracted out the auditing of the town's books and now some have talked about hiring full-time treasurers rather than having an elective officer. There is talk about having county superintendents of schools. These are just a few of the initiatives that are trying to remove government a crucial step away from voters.

State requirements on communities continue to be one of the biggest problems. The Legislature has repeatedly added burdens on to local officials, through Act 60 and countless other measures, but have provided little training or support in carrying out these mandates. I think the League of Cities and Town's (VLCT) should share some of the responsibility for the decline in support for town officials. In the Legislature, I'll work to correct this and to see that local officials are asked to comment on any further proposals that will impact them.

Unfortunately, the Legislature relies too heavily on pressure groups, like VLCT, to hear how the actions it takes will impact local communities. Rather than hearing from individual communities, legislators often hear a one-size-fits-all recommendation that, in the end, fits very few communities properly. That needs to change.

As part of this, I will work to get funding for local road, bridge, and culvert maintenance restored to the local level where it rightfully belongs. The Legislature must stop the practice of underwriting the General Fund budget with highways fund money. Communities, and their local economy, run on good, well-maintained roads.

In Strengthening Local Economies I'll talk about encouraging local entrepreneurs and expanding job opportunities. Helping to grow local economies will have more than just economic benefits. Strong local economies will help us strengthen our communities.

As one example, with people traveling long distances to get to better paying jobs, many local fire departments and rescue squads suffer from manpower shortages between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. By creating better paying jobs closer to home, we can shorten commuting distances which helps the environment, strengthens families, aids vital volunteer emergency services and which would also help re-engage people in their communities.

How important is keeping your local community vital and active? What role should the legislature and State government play in this? Leave a comment below.

Health Care: It's about Affordability

2010-07-01T18:12:00.002-04:00

There has been all sorts of talk about making Vermont more affordable and about what to do about health care. For me they are intertwined, you can't talk about one without the other.

When I went to my first health care rally ten years ago (I hate writing that) someone had a sign that said, "Make it better - not just different." I've remembered that sign as the various strategies have come up. Up to now all we've done, by focusing on insurance companies, is make it different.

When did the discussion become about health insurance - it should be about affordable, quality health care for all.

Did you know that many people are just one accident or health care emergency away from bankruptcy? That's probably you or someone you know such as a brother, sister or neighbor. It's true, a large number of bankruptcies in this country are brought on by either large health care debt or the loss of one income in the household. Yes, I said one income. Frequently, the family still has money coming in, but just not enough. Combine the two situations, health debt plus loss of income, and you've got real problems.

I'll talk about Vermont incomes, debt and making Vermont more affordable in another posting. Right now I'll focus on health care.

As I said, for me it's about equal access to needed health care - not about providing "universal coverage." Words matter - thinking in terms of "coverage" makes this an insurance issue. When you think about it in terms of "access," it becomes a health care issue.

I think you and I both want access to the care we need - when we need it. But, we don't want to lose the house or our lifestyle getting it. We don't want adequate health care to be something only the rich can afford. If this involves insurance then let's make it better - not just different.

One approach that, I think, makes sense is declaring Vermonters one big insurance pool - excluding the Medicare and Medicaid recipients. The State then sets the rules for covering that pool - what's covered (yearly exams, preventative testing, etc.) and standardizes the reimbursements and codes . We then invite companies to put together insurance plans to cover us all.

You save a lot of money by standardizing the codes and reimbursements and the claims forms. Hospitals and medical practices spend a lot of money and time on trying to figure out which insurance companies pay what for which procedures. Simplify it and you save a lot of money.

The proposals from the insurance companies are then reviewed and the most appropriate and affordable would become Vermont preferred providers. You would be able to choose which plan and which insurer you want to go with.

Funding This
Companies, including the State of Vermont and local governments, would pool what they now pay for health care as a base for funding this.

We, the insured, would each pay a modest premium, deductible and a co-pay on visits, all of which would cap at somewhere around $1,500 per year for individuals and $3,500 for families. With the employer contributions, this represents a multi-billion dollar market.

Other Solutions
This is just one idea; another is to learn from our neighbor to the north (Canada), take what works, improve what doesn't, discard what we don't like and have universal care. That's what I would prefer and it took one sentence to tell you about it.

What do you think? Add a comment or write me a note.

Bringing the Citizen's Voice to Montpelier

2010-05-25T15:09:00.000-04:00

I will take the title of "Representative" very seriously. In Montpelier my job will be to give voice to the concerns of the residents of Orange County and to keep their interest foremost in my mind as new proposals come forward. I'm concerned that real Vermonters aren't found very often in the halls of the Statehouse. Too often legislators are only hearing from the various lobbyists and the Vermonters they bring in to testify on bills. I want to get real people and their perspective back into the legislative process.

Orange County has a lot of smart people with some great ideas. I've heard them as I travel around and I want to be sure that I continue to hear from you - that's what this blog is all about.

So many times you only hear from legislators during a campaign - and maybe that's the way you like it. But I want to keep in touch after the campaign. Before and during the legislative session I will provide town "cracker barrel" discussions to talk about the bills, big issues and how to make things right.

But, it's more than staying in touch. If you want to speak up on an issue I'll be your guide to meeting the right people, getting to a hearing and even presenting or writing in with some testimony on a bill or issue. I'm here to be sure you're heard in Montpelier.