News

VALENTINE’S DAY MONEY BOMB!

by vtg0p on February 3, 2012

 

The VT GOP Valentine’s Day Money Bomb!

Growth, Opportunity and Prosperity . . . What’s Not To Love?

 

We LOVE our supporters, and we ADORE all those that want to bring common sense back to Montpelier.

That’s why we have set an ambitious goal for ourselves:  to raise $10,000 by Valentine’s Day so that we can continue to communicate our positive, hopeful vision for Vermont.

Because we LOVE Vermont, and we want to get our state on the right track!

We want to grow our state’s economy.

We want to provide new opportunities for the people that live here.

We want to bring about a new age of prosperity for this great state.

But we need your help!  Please, consider making a donation of $25, $50, $100 or more by Valentine’s Day, February 14th.

That’s right:  show us some love, and help us meet our Valentine’s Day goal!

Your contribution will help us support our candidates for statewide and legislative office, help us motivate our voters, and help us communicate our message of Growth, Opportunity and Prosperity.

We LOVE the opportunities that lie ahead in 2012, and we hope that you will LOVE us back and make a contribution to the VT GOP today!

Thank you, and have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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It’s easy to donate to the VT GOP!  You can make a donation using your credit card (Mastercard or Visa, please) or you can mail a check to VT GOP Headquarters.

To make a credit card donation, click here!

Or, you can mail a check to VT GOP using the reply device below:

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Happy Valentine’s Day, VT GOP!

Enclosed is my contribution of:

___ $100    ____ $50    ____ $25    _____ Other Amount

Name:  ______________________________

Address: _____________________________

City/State/Zip:  ________________________

Email: _______________________________

Phone:  ______________________________

Note:  Federal law requires us to report the full name, address, occupation and name of employer for individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.  If this applies to you, please complete the following: 

Employer: _________________________  

Occupation: _______________________

 

Please print out, cut along the dotted line, and return this contribution stub with your payment to:

 

Vermont Republican Party

P.O. Box 70

Montpelier, VT    05601

 

Paid for by the Vermont Republican Party, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee

 

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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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Feb 25 – Rutland Cty GOP – Campaign for VT w/Bruce Lisman

by vtg0p on January 22, 2012

Saturday, February 25:  Rutland County GOP Topic Breakfast, South Station Restaurant 8:30 a.m. Come hear Bruce Lisman, Campaign for Vermont (campaignforvermont.org).  RSVP to chuck Wilton, 802-747-8662, chuckwilton@comcast.net.

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VT GOP Chair McDonald Stepping Down

by vtg0p on January 20, 2012

Pat McDonald Announces She Will Step Down As VTGOP Chair

 

Montpelier, VT . . . Pat McDonald announced today that she would be stepping down at Chair of the Vermont Republican Party at the end of this month, but would be continuing to assist the VT GOP in communications and outreach.  Below is her statement:

“The past year has been one of the most exciting and rewarding times of my career.  I have immensely enjoyed serving as Chair of the Vermont Republican Party, and I’m very proud of what we have been able to accomplish in positioning the VT GOP for the opportunities that lie ahead.

“Make no mistake, the ground is fertile for big changes in Vermont in 2012.  The people of Vermont have grown weary of politics as usual, and they have little patience left for politicians who make promises they can’t keep.  They are looking for leaders to take them in a new direction:  leaders who will help grow our economy, create new opportunities for the people that live here, and bring about a new age of prosperity in Vermont.

“This is a time that the Vermont Republican Party needs to expand and prepare ourselves for the elections of 2012.  It is also a time for me to dial back somewhat on my responsibilities with the Party as my husband and I are dealing with some personal health concerns that will keep me out of the office more than I would like.

“I am making this announcement early in 2012 so that the Party can quickly elect and rally around a new Chair.  I met with our Executive Committee the other night to inform them of my plans, and it is their intent to hold the election for Chair in mid-February.  In the interim, Vice Chair Paul Carroccio will serve as Chair of the VT GOP.

“I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the past year.  We have developed a solid working relationship with grassroots supporters, County and Town Chairs, as well as with GOP House and Senate leadership.  We have implemented a training program for grassroots volunteers.  We have put a coordinated effort in place to identify candidates for statewide and legislative positions.  Now, we need to build upon those successes and take it to the next level.

“I plan on staying very involved with the VT GOP, helping to spread the Party’s message and working on several communications and outreach projects.  I look forward to working with the new Chair to build upon the growing enthusiasm of our supporters and other like-minded Vermonters who understand the importance of bringing balance and common-sense to Montpelier.

“It has been an honor to serve as Chair, and as I move into a different role with the Party I would like to conclude this statement by telling everyone that I will be manning the VT GOP’s booth at the Yankee Sportsman’s Classic this weekend at the Champlain Valley Expo . . . and if you would like to learn more about the Vermont Republican Party and our agenda of Growth, Opportunity and Prosperity, please stop by and say hello!”

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Feb. 18-Green Mnt. Care-Sen. Brock & Wendy Wilton

by vtg0p on January 20, 2012

Friday, February 18: The Rutland County GOP is sponsoring Green Mountain Care:  What every Vermonter should know and how it will affect you, at the Wells Village School, 10 a.m.  Speakers:  Senator Randy Brock and Rutland Treasurer Wendy Wilton.  Contact Ron Dreher for more information at 802-645-0742

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Feb. 17-Rutland County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner

by vtg0p on January 19, 2012

On Friday, February 17th the Rutland County GOP will be hosting a Lincoln Day Dinner at the South Station Restaurant starting at 6 p.m.  The event reflects on one of our nation’s greatest presidents and the origins of the GOP.

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Feb. 5-WINDSOR CTY GOP SUPER BOWL BASH

by vtg0p on January 19, 2012

Sunday, February 5th Plan to get in on all the fun at the Annual Windsor County GOP Super Bowl Bash to be held at the Hotel Coolidge, White River Jct. at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.).  Party includes lasagna and chili buffet plus half time, door prizes, raffles and more.  $25.00 per person — Youngsters $5.00.  Come cheer on your favorite team on the Big Screens, cash bar, steamed hot dogs, home-made popcorn …just like at the game. For more information or to reserve space – contact the “Coach” suzb@together.net or (802) 234-5294.

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House GOP Leader Don Turner previews the legislative session

by vtg0p on January 13, 2012

Here’s House GOP Leader Don Turner of Milton talking about the new legislative session with Rob Roper!

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Can Montpelier Control Costs?

by vtg0p on January 11, 2012

Can Montpelier Control Costs?

Representatives Oliver Olsen of Jamaica and Jim Eckhardt of Chittenden sent out this press release on January 9th, and we wanted to pass it along.  Olsen and Eckhardt compared per-pupil education spending with healthcare expenditure data, and found that “. . . from 1999 through 2009, the growth of per pupil spending was ten percent higher than the growth rate of per capita healthcare spending.”
And now the Governor wants the State to take over health care financing as well?  Sounds like Montpelier has a lot to learn about cost control!
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Top Down and Top Heavy

Study of ed funding system offers poor prognosis for state-run healthcare system

 

Montpelier, Vt. - As the Vermont legislature continues its push for a government-run healthcare system, new data from a report on Vermont’s education funding system suggests that the state has a lot to learn about cost control.

 

According to the report by Dr. Lawrence Picus, which was commissioned by the Vermont Legislature, since the passage of Act 60, Vermont has experienced the largest growth of per-pupil spending in the country – 149.9% between 1999 and 2011. Yet, despite this dramatic rise in spending, the report finds that, “Vermont’s results have been relatively flat, or exhibit only modest increases, over the past five years.”

 

“We have learned a lot from Act 60, but most importantly, we have learned that top-down approaches from Montpelier are heavy on cost and light on outcomes,” said Rep. Oliver Olsen of Jamaica, a member of the tax-writing House Ways & Means Committee.

 

Since 1999, the growth of per-pupil spending in Vermont has actually outpaced healthcare spending growth, prompting lawmakers to question whether the state is capable of reigning in the cost of education or healthcare with a top-down approach from Montpelier.

 

Together with Rep. Jim Eckhardt of Chittenden, a member of the House Healthcare Committee, Olsen compared per-pupil spending data used in the Picus report with healthcare expenditure data from the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities, and Healthcare Administration (BISHCA).

 

“The data shows that, from 1999 through 2009, the growth of per pupil spending was ten percent higher than the growth rate of per capita healthcare spending,” commented Olsen.

 

Even as student enrollment declined by 18%, Vermont’s education revenues jumped from $850M in 1999 to $1.5B in 2011 – propelled by a convoluted funding mechanism that has fueled increasing staff levels. While enrollment has been falling, the report found that, from 1999-00 to 2009-10, teaching positions increased by 3.1%, and administrative staffing levels increased by 22% from 2000-01 and 2009-10.

 

Rep. Eckhardt commented, “Governor Shumlin is using the increasing cost of healthcare to justify a government takeover of Vermont’s healthcare system and the creation of massive new state bureaucracy.”

 

Eckhardt continued, “It is clear that we have a bigger cost problem with a system the state already took over, so why not solve that problem first?”

 

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 Comparison of Vermont Per Pupil Spending vs. Per Capital Healthcare Spending

 

 

Comparison of Vermont Per Pupil Spending vs. Per Capita Healthcare Spending   

Source: NEA Rankings & Estimates (via Picus Report) and BISHCA Expenditure Analysis Data (via JFO)  

 

 

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On the State of the State

by vtg0p on January 11, 2012

From the desk of Pat McDonald, VT GOP Chair:
On January 5th, the Governor delivered the annual State of the State speech to the General Assembly.  The Governor used the occasion to praise Vermont’s strength and resilience following Tropical Storm Irene, and we join him in recognizing all those that gave – and lost – so much.
The State of the State is also the Governor’s opportunity to tell us where it is he intends to lead us.  On that point, we were left with grand visions of where the Governor wants to go, but little idea of how we might get there.  As one reporter put it, it was “brimming with optimism, light on substance.”
The simple truth is that the real challenges we face require strong, substantive proposals.  We need to grow Vermont’s economy, create more opportunities for the people that live here, and bring about a new age of prosperity for our state.  To achieve that, we will need to make smart policy decisions . . . because empty promises won’t get us anywhere.
We wanted to bring three items related to the State of the State to your attention:
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 First, notwithstanding the Governor’s stated determination not to increase broad-based taxes on Vermonters, Senator Randy Brock correctly noted that we must watch what the Governor does, not what he says:

Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Brock, meanwhile, said there’s no reason to believe Shumlin will walk the walk when it comes to tax policy. Last year, Brock said, Shumlin issued similar admonitions about the ills of higher taxes, then proposed tens of millions of dollars in tax increases on dentists and hospitals.

“I don’t know if he considers that a broad-based tax,” Brock said. “But I certainly know a lot of people who go to the dentist.”  (source:  Times Argus, 1/6/2012)
Senator Brock was also interviewed by WCAX after the speech, which you can watch here.
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Secondly, we loved the comments made by House GOP Leader Don Turner of Milton.  Representative Turner has spoken out before about how the quick and efficient road reconstruction processes the State utilized after Tropical Storm Irene should become “the new normal.”  Yesterday, the Governor indicated that he, too, thinks it is possible to streamline regulations to move projects faster and less expensively . . . leading to this great quote from Representative Turner:
“During the storm, they realized Vermont is over-regulated,” Turner said, nothing that Republicans have long held that view.  (source:  Burlington Free Press, 1/6/2012)
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Lastly, while the Governor may be good at making promises, his team may have a difficult time keeping them . . . as evidenced by the reception Shumlin’s single-payer health care team received in the State House on Wednesday.  Members of the House Committee on Health Care questioned the new Green Mountain Care Board about their impartiality and their failure to produce a plan on how the proposed single payer system would be financed.  You can read more about it by following this link to www.vtdigger.org, but here’s an excerpt where concerns are raised by Democratic and Independent legislators:

Rep. George Till, D-Jericho, who sits on the committee, hinted that the legitimacy of the board’s decisions may hinge on how much it can distance itself from the politics of the Shumlin administration.

Till said he wanted to stress the importance of independent decision making. At a meeting earlier in the week, Till said he continued to be concerned by the fact that a November study on the costs of the state’s health care system came from the administration and the Legislative Joint Fiscal Office rather than the non-partisan JFO alone.

Poirier pushed the board on the funding mechanism for the single-payer initiative.

 “The biggest criticism I’m hearing is you’re punting on the financing,” Poirier said.

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