News

That Bear in the Woods is Dangerous.

by vtg0p on May 3, 2012

Governor Shumlin doesn’t see what cash-strapped Vermonters do.

The Vermont Tax Department wants to institute the 6% sales tax on “cloud computing services.” That means Vermonters will have to pay a 6% sales tax if they use the Internet to make plane reservations for a business trip, vacation or to book a hotel room. Only in Vermont.

The Governor is trying to implement a massive government driven single-payer health care scheme that makes Obamacare look tame. But he can’t say what it will cost or how he is going to pay for it. Little wonder a leading newspaper in New Hampshire has praised the Governor… for driving Vermont businesses into New Hampshire.

Then there is the Governor’s ‘Tax the Ratepayers’ plan. Ten years ago Vermont ratepayers were forced to spend $21,000,000 to bail out Central Vermont Public Service Corporation (CVPS). Ratepayers were told that if CVPS was ever sold or merged with another utility, the money (more than $150 per household) would be returned to the ratepayers who bailed them out.

That was then. This is now. Instead of returning the money to the ratepayers, the Governor says the utility companies should be allowed to keep it. Even worse, the Governor says a double digit hike in our utility bills is no big deal.

Little wonder that our children are fleeing Vermont. Little wonder so many are giving up on hope. Little wonder that Vermont’s chief export these days are our best and brightest young people who are chasing the jobs that used to be in Vermont.

They see the bear. Why doesn’t Governor Shumlin?

Please help us pay for this ad. Please help us get it on the air, and keep it on the air until the Governor sees the bear. 

Please donate today. $500, $250, $100, $50, $25, $10 or whatever you can afford.

Sincerely,

Jack Lindley, Chairman

P.S. Please share this email with like minded friends who would like to stop Governor Shumlin’s tax and spending spree. It may be the only way to stop the mass migration of our young people to other states.

Your contribution to this cause can also be mailed to the Vermont Republican Party, PO Box 70, 141 Main Street, Suite 3, Montpelier, VT 05601. Your donation should be made payable to the Vermont Republican Party.

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HOUSE GOP PROPOSES CHANGE TO SENATE MAP

by vtg0p on April 26, 2012



HOUSE REPUBLICANS PROPOSE CHANGE TO SENATE MAP  




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2012


CONTACT:    Rep. Don Turner




After two days of negotiating on a new House Map a straw poll of conference committee members was taken to modify Bennington County after strong opposition was raised to the House approved plan from Senator Richard Sears (D-Bennington).  As a result, the House conferees proposed a change to the Senate Map which would break up the current configuration of six Senators representing Chittenden County into two three-member districts.  One new three-member district would be comprised of Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski.  The remaining towns in Chittenden County would make up the other district, excluding Huntington (which would be moved into Addison County) and Bolton (which would be located in Washington County).


Rep Ron Hubert R-Milton explained the proposal as follows: “The main reason I brought this proposal forward was an attempt to repair the longstanding problem of having the largest single Senate district in the country. While at the same time this will give more equal and fair representation to all residents of Chittenden County.   Further, I feel that it is essential that we deal with this issue at this time because Senator Hinda Miller (D- Burlington)  – a ten year incumbent – has recently announced that she will not be seeking re election and therefore this action will not displace an incumbent Senator.”


House Republican leader Don Turner R-Milton, reacted to this news by stating the following: “I firmly believe that the Senate should accept the map as passed by the House.  However, since it has become apparent that the Senate is determined to make changes I feel that we are obligated to put forth a plan that ensures that all Vermonters receive fair representation in both the House and Senate for the next decade.  The maps that we have proposed will accomplish this goal.”     


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Why won’t Shumlin give your money back?

					
by vtg0p on April 23, 2012

				

				


Why won’t Shumlin give your money back?  


It’s a predictable stunt. Promise one thing. Do another.


It’s typical of the way liberals think, and govern. It may be your money. But they know how to spend it better than you do.


Ten years ago Vermont ratepayers were forced to bail out Central Vermont Public Service Corporation (CVPS). Ratepayers were told that if CVPS was ever sold or merged with another utility, the money ($21 Million. Yes, $21,000,000 – more than $150 per household) would be returned to the ratepayers who bailed them out.


That was then.


This is now.


Governor Shumlin’s Public Service Commission has negotiated a deal that would allow CVPS to merge with Green Mountain Power. And what about that promise to return the money to the ratepayers?


Call it Governor Shumlin’s ‘Tax the Ratepayers’ plan.  And don’t take my word for it… see for yourself.


Instead of returning the money to the ratepayers, the Governor will allow the utility to “invest” the ratepayer’s money in “efficiency programs.” Even worse, the utility will be allowed to incorporate the $21 million into their “rate base.” Under Vermont law, the higher the rate base, the more a utility is allowed to charge its customers. That means higher energy prices for you.


The ratepayers (you) will be taking it on the chin twice. (In his own words, watch to Governor say that “we can handle” (meaning you) a 10% rate increase)


And what was Governor Shumlin’s response when he got caught rigging this little sweetheart deal? First he called it a “great value for the ratepayers.” Then, in an attempt to distance himself from the deal his Public Service Commission brokered, he said, “I’m managing all kind of issues. I don’t get into the weeds about every detail.”


We’re fighting back, and we’d like you to join the cause.


Our candidate for Governor, Randy Brock, is leading the charge against Governor Shumlin’s ‘Tax the Ratepayers’ scheme.


But he can’t do it alone. In order to win this battle, and win the election in November, Randy needs the help of theVermont Republican Party. And to help elect Randy and others who will side with cash-strapped, overtaxed Vermonters, we need your help.


It comes down to this.


We believe you are the best judge of how to spend your money.


We believe a promise made is a promise that should be kept.


Please donate today and help us turn up the heat on Governor Shumlin and expose his ‘Tax the Ratepayers’ scheme.


It’s your money. Make them give it back.


Please donate today.


Sincerely,


Jack Lindley, Chairman


P.S. It’s your money. Make them give it back.


Your contribution to this cause can also be mailed to the Vermont Republican Party, PO Box 70, 141 Main Street, Suite 3, Montpelier, VT 05601. Your donation should be made payable to the Vermont Republican Party.


 


 


paid for by the Vermont Republican Party, 


and not authorized by any candidate or any candidate’s committee.


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Town Caucuses and Nominating Petition for Candidates to Republican National Convention

					
by vtg0p on April 19, 2012

				

				


TOWN CAUCUSES:


In accordance with Rule 11 of the Vermont Republican State Committee, Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012 was the date set for Town Committees to hold a Caucus to elect Delegates and Alternates to attend the Presidential Nominating Convention (Republican State Convention). The Republican State Convention will be held on May 19, 2012 at Montpelier High School. Please note the VTGOP Executive Committee determined that the last date on which caucuses may be held would be April 16th so as to allow enough time to prepare for and properly warn the Vermont State Convention on May 19, 2012.






HOW TO BECOME A DELEGATE:


(click to download . . . for information on becoming a delegate, click here).


Vermont Republican Delegate Petition 2012


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Why Are VT Taxpayers Subsidizing Obama’s Campaign?

					
by vtg0p on March 28, 2012

				

				


Press Release – March 28, 2012


 


Republican Party Chair Lindley to Obama:


Why Are Vermont Taxpayers Subsidizing Your Campaign? 









Will Shumlin ask the President to Reimburse Vermont for the Cost of his Fundraising Trip?


(Montpelier) “It’s a huge deal,” Vermont Democratic Party Chairman Jake Perkinson, said of the president’s visit.




“Yes, it’s a huge deal,” said Vermont GOP Chair Jack Lindley. “It’s a huge deal for Vermont taxpayers, who are still reeling from the cost of the worst flooding in the past 100 years; Vermonters who are still reeling from the cost of Obamacare and the skyrocketing cost of gasoline and heating oil. And for Vermonters who are also going to be faced with a projected 18% increase in the cost of health care under the Governor’s plan for the health care exchange and an additional rate increase in their electric bill from the Governor’s proposed renewable energy bill.”




Said Lindley, “I had hoped the President would take time to meet some of those suffering as a result of his policies. Unfortunately, he’ll be spending most of his time raising money. And according to WCAX, it appears he’ll be sticking Vermont taxpayers with the tab for state and local police and traffic detail. WCAX reports that ‘police officers are expected to be stationed at every intersection along the route — a special detail that’s going to require dozens of officers from surrounding towns.’ And South Burlington Police Chief Trevor Whipple says he expects the cost to be ‘community borne.’ “




“The President says he expects to raise and spend one billion on his reelection campaign,” said Lindley. “The least he could do is reimburse Vermont’s taxpayers for the cost of his fundraising visit, rather than ask the people of cash strapped Vermont to subsidize the cost of his campaign. Let us hope that our esteemed Governor, who is still having trouble balancing the budget, will see fit to speak up on behalf of Vermont’s taxpayers and ask the President for reimbursement.”




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Information for Prospective Delegates

					
by vtg0p on March 14, 2012

				

				


 


 


Instructive Materials for Potential Delegates to the Republican National Convention


Tampa Florida


August 27-30, 2012


For a complete copy of the rules of the Vermont Republican State Committee please visit us online at www.vtgop.org


For a copy of the Delegate Petition, click here.


 


Procedure:


A potential candidate for Delegate and/or Alternate to the Republican National Convention must secure by petition the signature of twenty-five (25) members of a town, city, county, or state committee.  The petition must be submitted to the VTGOP along with a $10 processing fee and biography (no more than 200 words) no later than April 30, 2012.


Delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention will be elected at the State Straw Poll and Presidential Delegate Nominating Convention on May 19, 2012.


Candidates for delegate to the Republican National Convention will received a complete list of delegates and alternates to the State Convention.  The VTGOP will also, prior to the State Convention, mail a copy of each candidate’s bio to delegates and alternates.


Qualification:


A candidate for delegate and/or alternate to the Republican National Convention must be:


1.       A resident and registered voter in Vermont; and


2.       A current member of a town or city committee, county committee, or State Republican Committee; or


3.       An elected Republican currently serving in municipal, county, state, or federal office; or


4.       A former Vermont delegate to a Republican National Convention.


Important Dates:


Monday, April 30th:  Last day to submit delegate petition, processing fee and bio (200 words max).


Saturday, May 19th: State Straw Poll and Presidential Delegate Nominating Convention


Sunday, August 26th:  Arrive in Tampa


August 27-30: Convention in Tampa


Important Information


All delegates must pay their own way to the convention.  A five night minimum stay is required in the designated delegation hotel.  Delegates should expect to arrive by noon on Sunday, August 26th.


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RNC Congratulates New VTGOP Chair

					
by vtg0p on February 23, 2012

				

				


RNC Chairman Priebus and Co-Chairman Day Congratulate Newly Elected Chairman of VT GOP



	
	
Jack Lindley, VTGOP Chair






WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following statement congratulating Jack Lindley, the newly-elected Chairman of the Vermont Republican Party:


“On behalf of the Republican National Committee, I would like to congratulate Jack Lindley on being unanimously elected Chairman of the Vermont Republican Party,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “Jack’s hard work and dedication to the party is much needed in a state that has for so long been a one-party controlled Democrat state. Mr. Lindley’s singular focus on fighting big government liberal policies in Montpelier, while strengthening the party, will serve the people of Vermont well.”


“We are delighted that Mr. Lindley decided to return and serve the Vermont Republican party,” said RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day. “We look forward to working with him and the entire Vermont team to defeat Barack Obama this fall and elect strong Republicans at all levels of government.”




Read more: http://www.gop.com/index.php/news/comments/rnc_chairman_priebus_and_co-chairman_day_congratulate_newly_elected_chairma/#ixzz1nCxjdbSZ


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Bernie Sanders Opens Door to Super-PAC Contributions!

					
by vtg0p on February 15, 2012

				

				








Bernie Sanders Opens Door to Super-PAC Contributions!


Vermont’s most self-absorbed and self-serving politician, Senator Bernie Sanders, is at it again!


This time, Sanders has admitted that taking money from Super-Pacs is “something we would look at” if he had a well-funded opponent.  As he recently told 7Days newspaper, the door to Super-PAC contributions is open and he’s not afraid to walk through it:


7Days: President Obama caused a ruckus last week when he said he would embrace the super PAC for his reelection. Would you ever accept help from a super PAC for your own reelection?


Sanders: I certainly would prefer not to. But I will tell you this. There is no member of the United States Senate that I think Wall Street, the oil companies, the coal companies, the military-industrial complex would like to defeat more than me. And I think it’s not going to happen, so I think that’s kind of a hypothetical question that I’m not going to have to deal with.But we can chat about it if, six months from now, many, many millions of dollars are coming in attacking me.


 


In response, VT GOP Executive Director Mike Bertrand had this to say about Sanders statement:


“I don’t know what bothers me more about Senator Sanders’ statement:  the jaw-dropping hypocrisy of his stance on Super-PACs, or his inflated sense of self-importance,” Bertrand said.  ”He has said before that these Super-PACs ‘fundamentally distort our democracy’, but now he has made it very clear that he will take help from a Super-PAC if he needs to.  Sounds like his principles are wafer-thin on this issue.”


Bertrand also found it funny that Sanders has once again puffed up his own importance:


“Clearly, there is no member of the United States Senate that holds himself in higher regard than Senator Sanders.  His puffery and self-adoration have become almost comical.  Two weeks ago, he even referred to himself in the third person.  The last time I think I heard someone refer to themselves in the third person, it was Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson before a professional wrestling match.”




“The sad truth is that Bernie Sanders has become exactly the type of person he used to fight against:  a card-carrying member of the Most Exclusive Club In The World, a seasoned Washington insider, and someone that has learned that the secret to success in Washington is to use your incumbent status to raise a boatload of money so that you can hold on to your membership at all costs.”




“Now, Bernie Sanders is telling Vermonters that he NEEDS to have $3 million cash on hand in his campaign treasury, and he NEEDS to leave the door open to Super-PAC contributions, because otherwise he might be outspent by somebody.  Who that somebody is, I have no idea – has Donald Trump moved to Vermont?”




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VT GOP Calls on Sorrell To Investigate Union Bullying

					
by vtg0p on February 8, 2012

				

				






VT GOP Calls On Sorrell to Investigate Union Bullying







Montpelier, VT . . . The Vermont Republican Party today released the following statement from Paul Carroccio, Acting Chair:






 


“This week it was reported that a representative of the American Federation of Teachers bullied and intimidated a Vermont lawmaker as part of a campaign to unionize child-care providers.


“It was reported that one individual connected with this lobbying effort had the gall to intimidate a leader of the Vermont Senate by sliding a piece of paper across his desk that showed how much money the union had spent on political action committees supporting that legislator and other Vermont Democrats, and asking him to support the bill.


“This type of behavior is reprehensible, and has no place in the Vermont State House.  Bullying and intimidating lawmakers as they consider bills is not the Vermont Way, and all Vermonters should be shocked and appalled at the actions of this special interest group.


“This despicable behavior cannot and should not be swept under the rug.  Today, I call upon the Attorney General to investigate this matter and determine whether any state laws were broken.  Should his investigation point to a possible violation of federal law – such as the Hobbs Act – I would ask that he refer this matter to the proper federal authorities.


“I also call upon legislative leaders to stand up to AFT and any other organization that tries to use this tactic for legislative gain.  The message must be clear – this type of behavior will not be tolerated in Vermont.”






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Background articles:















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House GOP Response to Reapportionment Vote

					
by vtg0p on January 27, 2012

				

				


House Republicans Respond to Reapportionment Vote


For Immediate Release – January 27, 2012


 


The Government Operations Committee of the Vermont House of Representatives has been working on the reapportionment bill in a non-partisan manner since last fall.  Unfortunately, late this week the Democrats decided to use the reapportionment bill to further their party’s advantage in the House.


House Republicans voted “NO” on the reapportionment bill in committee this afternoon, and House GOP Leader Don Turner issued the following statement:




“Our goal for reapportionment was to ensure that all Vermonters received fair representation in the House for the next decade.


“We approached this process knowing that it could become partisan at any given time.  Unfortunately, this is exactly what occurred when House Assistant Majority Leader Willem Jewett proposed a plan yesterday that divided the Town of Castleton in half and will put three long time Republican legislators in the same two seat district.


“Our committee members Rep. Devereaux, Rep. Higley, and Rep. Hubert worked tirelessly on developing an alternative plan to accomplish the same objective in Rutland County, an area that saw a decrease in population according to the census.


“The committee received numerous messages expressing concern from the Castleton area prior to the vote, but the super majority was unwilling to negotiate an amicable resolution that would have worked for all.  They chose instead to flex their muscle and divide a community in an ongoing quest to gain more seats in the 2012 election.


“Vermonters deserve to be represented in a fair manner.  That’s why House Republicans fought to preserve their rights.


“It is unfortunate that the super majority refuses to work in a collaborative manner for the betterment of the state.  Single party rule does not produce the best legislation, is not good government and is bad for Vermont!”


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