Pat McDonald, Chair of the VT GOP, was a guest this week on “You Can Quote Me” on WCAX. Pat talked about a wide range of issues, including health care and energy, and also talked about the upcoming 2012 elections. View the video below:
{ 0 comments }
On this Veterans Day, our thoughts are with all those that have answered the call to serve their nation.
First, we thank the men and women currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Their dedication, their professionalism, and their love of country fill us all with pride.
We pause to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for us. We will never forget them.
Finally, we thank all those that have served the United States, at home and overseas, in peacetime and in war. We are forever grateful for their loyal service. We appreciate the sacrifices they – and their families – have made to keep our country free.
Thank you for your service and your patriotism.
[About the photo: Lt. Col. Robert Ammon embraces his 2-year-old daughter, Jessica, while 5-year-old Casey and 7-year-old Megan follow quickly behind in South Burlington, Vt., on Monday, May 22, 2006. Colonel Ammon is with the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing. The 158th had deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Air National Guard photo/Master Sgt. Rob Trubia)]
{ 0 comments }
Montpelier, VT . . . Pat McDonald, Chair of the Vermont Republican Party, said today that Governor Shumlin should use the power of the bully pulpit and encourage striking teachers in Bennington to get back to work.
“It is outrageous that this strike has gone on for so long, and it’s time for the Governor to speak up and tell the striking teachers to get back to work,” said McDonald. “Parents need to get back to their jobs, and kids need to get back into the classroom. As Vermont’s Commissioner of Education put it earlier this week, it is time to stand up for the silent victims of strikes: students.”
“With his recent broadsides against the state employee’s union, Governor Shumlin has shown us that he isn’t afraid to confront organized labor when it suits his political interests,” said McDonald. “Now, instead of directing his anger at hard-working state employees – who are prohibited by law from striking – he should direct some of his ire towards the teachers union in Bennington.”
McDonald also stated: “The Rutland Herald and Times Argus got to the heart of the matter in an editorial this week, noting that ‘In these tough economic times, and especially in the wake of Irene’s massive devastation, everyone should be grateful to have jobs, especially positions with health insurance and other benefits.’” (Rutland Herald, 10/27/11)
###
{ 0 comments }
Pat McDonald, Chair of the Vermont Republican Party, announced today that Mike Bertrand of Montpelier is taking over as the GOP’s Executive Director.
The current Executive Director, Tayt Brooks, is stepping down so he can focus his time and energy on helping Kurt Wright’s campaign for Mayor of Burlington.
McDonald lavished praise on Brooks, who served as Vermont’s Commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs before joining the VT GOP.
“Tayt Brooks is a top-caliber administrator with a very keen political mind, and we will miss having him around,” said McDonald. “He has been a steady hand on the tiller for us, and I know great things lie ahead for him. I wish him well.”
Bertrand, 41, served in several different positions during the Douglas Administration: Commissioner of Labor and Industry; Special Assistant and Deputy Legal Counsel to the Governor; Deputy Secretary of Administration; Deputy Commissioner of Insurance; and lastly Commissioner of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration.
Bertrand grew up in Montpelier, and attended Penn State University and Fordham Law School. Prior to joining the Douglas team in 2003, he practiced law and also served as Assistant Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. Since leaving state government in January of this year, he has been working as a consultant in Montpelier.
“I’m thrilled that we were able to get Mike Bertrand to come run the party’s operations during such an important time for us,” McDonald continued. “Mike knows Vermont, he knows government, and he knows the issues. He’s the perfect fit as we move into 2012, which is shaping up to be one of the most important election years in my lifetime.”
Bertrand will assume his new duties the week of October 31st.
###
{ 0 comments }
Rutland, VT – This past Saturday the Vermont Republican Party held its first Harvest Dinner in Rutland at the Howe Center. The special guest speaker was United States Congressman Frank Guinta (R-NH). The congressman spoke about the resurgence of the Republican Party in New England. TrueNorth Reports covered the event and you can read about what he and other speakers had to say here. Also you can see the congressman’s speech here.
Vermont Republican Party Chair Pat McDonald also spoke at the event. Her focus was on Growth, Opportunity and Prosperity (GOP)! You can read the chair’s speech here.
{ 0 comments }
Montpelier, VT – Governor Shumlin is off on another vacation this year, just one month after he promised Vermonters that he would be working full time on recovery efforts:
“I’m not going to rest, we’re not going to rest until we get the better of Irene and we put Vermont back to better than the way she found it.” (NECN, No Break From Flood Clean Up, 9/5/11)
With Vermonters still working hard to put the pieces back together after Irene and with hundreds of state employees still not at work, Shumlin certainly isn’t living up to his promise.
Vermonters should not be surprised. Shumlin took no action within his own Administration when his Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Human Services (AHS) left Vermont for a protest in Washington DC with a Hurricane barreling towards Vermont. Weeks later, with hundreds of AHS employees out of work due to flooding at the Waterbury state office complex, sources say the Secretary of AHS took a two week vacation to France!
The Columbus day weekend is pivotal to a successful fall foliage season. Many struggling small businesses are counting on tourists to make Vermont their vacation destination this weekend. However, when Governor Shumlin should be encouraging people to vacation in Vermont, he has instead chosen to leave the state for his own vacation.
Vermonters can’t afford such a lack of leadership.
###
{ 0 comments }
Montpelier, VT – Vermont Republican Chair Pat McDonald issued the following statement on the death of former Congressman Richard Mallary:
“My heart and prayers go out to the Mallary family. Congressman Mallary was a true public servant first serving in the VT House then the VT Senate and later as our Congressman. During his long and distinguished career he was a true gentleman and statesman. Vermont is a better place because of his effort and service.”
Mallory served in the 92nd Congress and was re-elected to the 93rd serving until 1975.
{ 0 comments }
by Vermont Republican Chair Pat McDonald
Discussions about immigration policy, and how best to respond to illegal immigration, can be difficult and often emotional. It is, to be sure, a complex issue. That’s why it is important that our elected officials respond to situations like these calmly and with theutmost caution.
In my opinion, the actions and statements of Governor Shumlin in the hours and days immediately following an incident in which a Vermont State Trooper turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol two suspected illegal aliens during the course of a traffic stop – first calling for an investigation into whether the Vermont State Police violated a voluntary anti-bias policy, and then stating on television that our law enforcement community should “look the other way” on immigration matters – only served to add fuel to an already explosive situation.
There is absolutely no doubt that many Vermont industries need foreign workers. Seasonal farms need foreign workers to help them harvest their crops. Large hotels and resorts need foreign workers to help them run their operations and keep Vermont’s tourism sector strong and vibrant.
There is also no doubt that these foreign workers contribute to Vermont’s quality of life in many ways. We are a state that should proudly welcome people from different cultures and backgrounds. Diversity makes us stronger, not weaker.
We should also never forget that most of us (myself included) have ancestors that emigrated to the United States from foreign lands, seeking the freedom and opportunity that only America could provide.
The difficulty lies in the fact that under our Constitutional system it is the federal government that has responsibility for developing laws on temporary and permanent immigration from other countries. Our state legislature does not possess the authority to pass laws that override and conflict with federal immigration laws, and our Governor (and Attorney General) certainly do not possess the authority to issue “voluntary policies” that do the same.
In other words, the Governor can’t just disregard laws that he doesn’t like. Existing laws must be enforced, and if the Governor disagrees with a certain law – be it state or federal – he should work to have that law changed instead of telling law enforcement to “look the other way.”
As I stated a few days after the incident, “look the other way” is not leadership, and it is simply not appropriate for a sitting Governor to be advising Vermont’s law enforcement community to disregard possible violations of the law, whether those laws are state or federal. Our police officers took an oath to uphold and enforce the law, not to ignore it.
Our previous Governor, Jim Douglas, faced a similar set of circumstances a few years ago and responded in a much more appropriate manner. On September 27, 2007, two undocumented farm workers from Mexico were arrested in the driveway of a Franklin County dairy farm. Coincidentally, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff was visiting Vermont on that very same day.
Governor Douglas responded in a cool and measured way by bringing the arrests to the attention of Secretary Chertoff, and using it as an opportunity to impress upon federal officials the need for a comprehensive fix to federal immigration laws. He also told the Secretary he supported efforts by Senator Leahy that would have made it easier for foreign workers to be employed on Vermont farms, especially in year-round operations like dairy farming.
Governor Shumlin should commit to working with our Congressional delegation to address this issue at the federal level and not wait for another potential incident to occur in which aspersions are cast on the hard-working officers of the Vermont State Police or the situation is needlessly inflamed. We need a legal solution to make ever foreign worker in Vermont compliant with federal law.
{ 0 comments }
Montpelier, VT – Today Vermont Republican Chair Pat McDonald noted that “the impact of Tropical Storm Irene will, by necessity, reorder the state’s priorities in a major way.” Rebuilding Vermont and ensuring that Vermonters and businesses are back on solid ground will need to be the State’s primary focus going forward.
While Vermont will receive funding from the federal government, that will not do it all. Prior to Irene, Vermont’s economy was stagnant – in a holding pattern. Governor Shumlin’s recent statement that, “Vermont was in trouble financially before Irene” reveals the fiscally imprudent trajectory that Vermont was already on before the storm. In response, McDonald calls upon Governor Shumlin and the Legislature to reject new taxes on Vermonters, as suggested by some, and focus on realigning priorities. McDonald said, “The Governor should begin immediately to work with the Legislature to re-prioritize the current year budget and to begin implementing economic strategies and cost saving reforms to help get Vermont’s economy on a stronger footing and to pay for the costs of the storm”.
Chairwoman McDonald outlined a five-point action plan to get Vermont back on track quickly:
Vermont’s recovery requires a comprehensive look at all proposals that have been brought forth in prior years and new ideas from Vermonters and businesses alike should be solicited for consideration. Raising taxes should always be the last option.
###
{ 1 comment }
Montpelier, VT - According to WPTZ, Gov. Peter Shumlin clarified his position Thursday after ordering an immediate investigation into State Police handling of a routine traffic stop on I-89 earlier in the week, one that sparked protest and the detention of two migrant farm workers from Mexico. Shumlin said “look the other way as much as we can” is Vermont policy on undocumented farm workers who play a critical role in the health of dairy farms across the state.
Read more here.
In response, Vermont Republican Party Chair Pat McDonald had this to say:
“The Governor may be correct that there is a need for foreign workers on many Vermont farms, just as there is a need for foreign workers in many of our resort towns. But Governor Shumlin’s comments that the policy of the State Police should be to “look the other way” in some cases is completely irresponsible of any elected leader.
The hard-working officers of the Vermont State Police took an oath to uphold the law. The Governor’s new policy of ‘look the other way’ may sound good to those that support illegal immigration, but it is not the appropriate guidance a sitting Governor should be giving to Vermont’s law enforcement community.
Rather than turning a blind eye to laws he doesn’t like, Governor Shumlin should be working with our congressional delegation, as former Governor Douglas and Senator Leahy did, towards finding legal solutions that would make every foreign worker in Vermont compliant with federal law, and that wouldn’t result in a depression of wages for those foreign workers that are in Vermont legally.”
McDonald further stated that “This is a difficult and emotional issue, and it demands leadership… and ‘look the other way’ is not leadership.”
###
{ 1 comment }
Please click on the following link to see in an Excel spreadsheet when and where you town’s re-organizational meeting is being held. If you do not see your town listed, please contact the office at (802) 223-3411:
http://vtgop.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/PLACES-TO-MEET.xls
{ 1 comment }
“We shall never forget
We shall keep this day,
We shall keep the events and the tears
In our minds, our memory and our hearts
and take them with us as we carry on.”
In some way we were all affected by the events of 9/11 – a day we will never forget.
Lt. Governor Phil Scott shared the following: “The attacks of September 11, 2001 forever changed our nation. We all remember where we were that morning. Whether we were here in Vermont, glued to TV sets in our offices — as I was — or in New York City or Washington, DC — as some of my friends were — the event impacted all of us and reminded us that before anything else, we are all Americans. Ten years later, I hope we can pause and reflect not only on the lives we lost that day, but on the unity and solidarity we gained.”
Former Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie talked about his memories of 9/11 with Fox 44 Now: http://www.fox44now.com/story/15398381/dubie-remembers-911.
As we pause to reflect on the events of September 11, obviously cognizant of the events of the past few weeks in Vermont, we are reminded of the incredible spirit of Vermonters – an intangible spirit which allows us to stay strong against adversity, to support neighbors and friends in times of need and to volunteer to help those we have never even met before.
Sincerely,
Pat McDonald
Vermont Republican Party Chair
{ 0 comments }
Ever year on Labor Day, we take time to focus on our greatest resource – the people of Vermont. We celebrate their hard work and ingenuity and recognize the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that we hold so dear.
But this Labor Day, we are also reminded about the incredible spirit of Vermonters – an intangible spirit which binds us all together – which allows us to stay strong against adversity, to support neighbors and friends in times of need and to volunteer to help those we have never even met before.
Many critical decisions lie ahead of us to put individuals, families and businesses impacted by Irene back on a strong footing and to also continue to build a vibrant economy which promotes growth initiatives, opportunities and prosperity. Today we recognize our workforce and the potential that lies ahead.
Sincerely,
Pat McDonald
Vermont Republican Party Chair
{ 0 comments }
Montpelier, VT – As Vermont continues to recover from the devastating effects of Irene, and as Vermont state government deals with the difficult task of getting the state’s programs and services back up and running, Patrick Flood – Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Human Services – is in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Flood – along with eco-celebs Bill McKibben and Darryl Hannah – was arrested on Tuesday outside the White House for protesting a proposed oil pipeline.
Meanwhile, AHS – the Agency Mr. Flood is supposed to help manage – is struggling to regain its footing following Irene, and the Waterbury State Office Complex that houses most AHS operations remains closed.
Vermont Republican Party Chair Pat McDonald had this to say:
“While some may applaud Mr. Flood’s dedication to his cause, and his eagerness to join the star of ‘Splash’ in a protest against President Obama, the fact is that his presence and his services were needed here in Vermont. This was a poor display of leadership by someone responsible for the well-being of hundreds of dedicated state employees. The VT GOP gives the AHS Deputy Secretary a big thumbs down on this.
“Former Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington wrote that she planned on joining the protests as well, but when she heard about Irene she headed back to Vermont to help friends and neighbors. Mr. Flood should have followed the exemplary decision of Ms. Symington, and put Vermonters first.”
Background: Ms. Symington had this to say yesterday in an op-ed on http://vtdigger.org/2011/08/31/symington-tar-sands-pipeline-is-feeding-our-oil-addiction/:
“After work last Thursday, I drove to New York from where I planned to take the train to DC for the protests. But as I drove south, I listened to Northeast governors and mayors plead with residents to evacuate areas during Hurricane Irene and to prepare for disruption after the storm passes. I eventually heeded their pleas and headed home Friday morning. Back in Vermont, I watched the destructive power of Irene’s heavy rains: lost lives, hundreds of road cave-ins and destroyed bridges, crops, businesses, community landmarks and homes.”
###
{ 0 comments }
Included below is an article posted by Tyler Macado on August 29th in Seven Days. In conjunction with the Democratic and Progressive Parties we will be updating this list as new opportunities to help are presented to us.
If you know about any relief efforts not listed here, please let us know. We will make sure that the information is sent out through our resources and shared with others, such as Seven Days.
We have always believed that Vermonters are a special group of people and the response across the state to recovery is proving us right! Many thanks.
http://7d.blogs.com/blurt/2011/08/after-irene-how-you-can-help-vermont.html
After Irene: How You Can Help Vermont
DONATIONS
VOLUNTEERING
MORE RESOURCES
{ 1 comment }
