by Rep. Scott Beck, St. Johnsbury
I would like to extend my thanks to the Caledonian-Record for allowing Caledonia Senate district candidates to submit letters up until the week prior to the August 13th primary. This region is fortunate to have a daily newspaper and we are a better community for it.
Issues matter, as do solutions to thorny public policy problems pushing Vermont in the wrong direction, especially as they relate to affordability and taxes, housing, flood recovery and resilience, and public safety.
My 10-year voting record as the only candidate in this race that has ever held any elected public office is clear. I am a moderate fiscally pragmatic public servant and have taken bold positions and offered creative solutions to thorny issues, and many have been adopted because I understand how to effectively collaborate in a bi-partisan way. My record is extensive and public, and I am willing to discuss it with any Vermonter.
A lot of discussion to date has been focused on the impact that a super majority of legislators in Montpelier are having on policies that impact Vermonters. To some degree the concept of a super majority is insider legislative speak. Let me explain how Vermont’s super majority works.
The super majority has to keep their members in line to accomplish the super majority’s goals: 14% property tax increase without reform, $17B Clean Heat Standard, $1B Renewable Energy Standard, and a whole host of other really damaging legislation that is supported by the super majority’s left leaning base and special interest groups.
Their methods to keep members in line isn’t terribly sophisticated or public, but it is effective. It goes like this. If you want to be on this committee, you have to support this super majority bill. If you want to advance your legislation, then you’ll support this bill. If you want a leadership position or committee chair, make sure to vote for these bills. If you don’t want to be primaried, make sure to support this bill that the super majority wants. If you want election support, make sure to support super majority bills. I could go on, but if you attended middle school, you get the idea.
The end result is policy that doesn’t support Vermonters, it supports the super majority at the expense of Vermonters. Don’t be fooled, members of the super majority and those that want to join will say they are moderate. They have to say they are moderate to get elected. Look at their policy statements or voting record, if they even have one. It isn’t moderate to increase property taxes by 14% with no reform, every single super majority Vermont Senator voted to override Gov. Scott in May. It isn’t moderate to impose $17B in carbon fees or increase electric rates by $1B, the super majority voted for these over the Governor’s veto too.
You have a choice in this election, I would appreciate your vote to be the Caledonia District’s next senator. Please be in touch with any questions. I will be holding town hall meetings throughout the Caledonia District in September.