Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Caucus Tonight!
The Northfield Democrats will caucus tonight, September 27, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at the Square Biscuit Restaurant (40 Depot Street) in Northfield, Vermont. The agenda is to elect members of the town committee, elect officers of the committee, elect members to the county committee, and discuss any new business. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sen. Anthony Pollina @ Square Biscuit - Monday, 3/28 (6-8 p.m.)
Sen. Pollina will be in Northfield at the Square Biscuit this Monday evening from 6-8pm.This is a public meeting to talk about issues (health care, budgets and whatever else) and ask questions. Everyone welcome, the restaurant is open, you can order off the menu – or not.
Vermont continues to face serious revenue shortfalls and dramatic cuts to important safety net programs and services are being considered. The House has restored about half of the money cut from mental health services and disability program cuts. It is important to talk to our senate delegation to ensure that progress is maintained (at a minimum).
Can we continue to "cut" our way out of the deficit? Are we all "sharing the pain"? Or, is it time for the wealthiest 1% to give back a small portion of the Bush tax cuts to help working Vermonters, seniors, and people with disabilities weather the recession? Now is the time to make your voice heard on these important issues. So, I hope you will come out and share your views with Senator Pollina and ask him whatever other questions may be on your mind.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Northfield Democrats Caucus and Candidate Meet and Greet - July 21st
Northfield Democrats will caucus Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Brown Public Library from 7-9pm in order to nominate candidates for Justice of the Peace.
In addition to the caucus and selection of a slate of JP candidates, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Dunne will meet with Northfield Democrats. The meeting is free and open to local Democrats. The Northfield Democrats encourage Democrats wanting to hear more from the various gubernatorial and state senate candidates to attend this and other upcoming meetings.
"If you haven't made up your mind about which candidate to support, now is the time to kick the tires and hear what the primary candidates have to say," said Christopher Curtis, Chair of the Northfield Democrats. "We're pleased to have Matt Dunne, and any of the other gubernatorial candidates, come to Northfield to share their plans for Vermont," said Curtis. "Democrats are lucky to have five incredibly well-qualified candidates running for Governor this year," he said.
The local Democratic committee will also meet Wednesday, August 4, 2010 from 7-9 pm at the Brown Public Library. Most of the Democratic primary candidates for Washington County state senate have indicated they will attend either the July or August meeting. Democrats in Washington County have a 5-way primary for 3 seats. Incumbent Sen. Ann Cummings is running for re-election. The other Democratic candidates are Kim Cheney, Laura Moore, Donny Osman, and Anthony Pollina.
"The other really exciting race is for state senate in Washington County," Curtis said. "Democrats have a great slate to offer to try to maintain a Democratic seat and pick up an open seat this year, in addition to competing for the other Republican seat," he said. County senate hopefuls Anthony Pollina and Donny Osman are expected to be at the July meeting, Laura Moore will attend the August meeting. Kim Cheney met with the Northfield Democrats in June. "Because we are running such a strong slate of Democrats for state senate, we're very optimistic about our chances to pick up seats in Washington County," Curtis said.
In addition to the caucus and selection of a slate of JP candidates, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Dunne will meet with Northfield Democrats. The meeting is free and open to local Democrats. The Northfield Democrats encourage Democrats wanting to hear more from the various gubernatorial and state senate candidates to attend this and other upcoming meetings.
"If you haven't made up your mind about which candidate to support, now is the time to kick the tires and hear what the primary candidates have to say," said Christopher Curtis, Chair of the Northfield Democrats. "We're pleased to have Matt Dunne, and any of the other gubernatorial candidates, come to Northfield to share their plans for Vermont," said Curtis. "Democrats are lucky to have five incredibly well-qualified candidates running for Governor this year," he said.
The local Democratic committee will also meet Wednesday, August 4, 2010 from 7-9 pm at the Brown Public Library. Most of the Democratic primary candidates for Washington County state senate have indicated they will attend either the July or August meeting. Democrats in Washington County have a 5-way primary for 3 seats. Incumbent Sen. Ann Cummings is running for re-election. The other Democratic candidates are Kim Cheney, Laura Moore, Donny Osman, and Anthony Pollina.
"The other really exciting race is for state senate in Washington County," Curtis said. "Democrats have a great slate to offer to try to maintain a Democratic seat and pick up an open seat this year, in addition to competing for the other Republican seat," he said. County senate hopefuls Anthony Pollina and Donny Osman are expected to be at the July meeting, Laura Moore will attend the August meeting. Kim Cheney met with the Northfield Democrats in June. "Because we are running such a strong slate of Democrats for state senate, we're very optimistic about our chances to pick up seats in Washington County," Curtis said.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Public Assets Institute Presents "Looking Beyond the Recession" in Northfield
The Public Assets Institute (PAI) will present "Looking Beyond the Recession," an analysis of Vermont’s budget picture on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kreitzberg Library (Community Room) of Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. The presentation by Paul Cillo, President of PAI looks at the current budget crisis, what future budgets may look like, and offers a balanced perspective on how Vermont can move toward a sustainable economic future using data and projections gathered from the Joint Fiscal Office, the Vermont legislature, and others."The economic crisis means many more Vermont families are struggling while the state’s ability to help them shrinks,” said Mr. Cillo. “The immediate crisis comes on top of decades of economic changes that make it increasingly difficulty to produce balanced budgets that meet Vermonters' needs," he said. “Our goal is to raise Vermonters’ awareness about the state's budget options so we can have a state that works for all Vermonters.”
Paul Cillo is the founder and president of the Public Assets Institute. He has been active in public policy work for over thirty years, as a local and state political representative, consultant on health care, education finance, and other tax and budget issues; and on energy efficiency. He represented Hardwick, Walden, and Stannard in the Vermont House of Representatives for ten years, serving four years on the tax-writing Ways & Means Committee and four as Majority Leader. During those years he designed and led the Legislature to adopt a groundbreaking education financing system that equalizes opportunity for all Vermont children, regardless of where they live.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Town Meeting Day: Budgets and Brownies Popular
Northfield Democrats successfully organized the 2nd Annual Bake Sale to benefit CERV. Together, we raised over $120 in small cash contributions in addition to canned or non-perishable food items we collected. It's a fun and easy way to help our local food shelf. A big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!The Times Argus reported the news, but it bears repeating: for the second year in a row, our school budget passed the first time out. This is great news for the district. The school board has worked diligently to keep costs low and the budget in line. The budget passed by an almost 2-to-1 margin (552 - 307). Other items that passed included the town's spending plan ($2.2 million), and an increase in the percentage of voters required to rescind a school budget vote (from 5% to 10%). There were no contested races.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Rep. Maxine Grad - Legislative Update
Legislative Update 2.14.10
I had the honor and pleasure to visit with Doreen Allen and Wendy Rea of the Merchants Bank during their State House visit on Bankers Day. I was pleased to be able to discuss the foreclosure bill I am working on and learn their perspective on this very troubling situation.
House Judiciary Committee Work:
H.470 Judicial Restructuring: We are continuing our work on court restructuring. Our Supreme Court Chief Justice gave very impassioned testimony regarding the urgency of the judiciary’s budget crisis. I asked him if the restructuring is good policy that will create on-going savings, better delivery of services and access to justice. We wanted to know if the current budget crisis aside, would he still recommend such restructuring. He said he would. My committee is getting close to formulating a proposal that will meet the required current financial savings, be fiscally responsible in years to come and meet the judiciary’s constitutional obligation of access to justice.
H.530 Foreclosure. We are continuing to look at the foreclosure problem in Vermont. In 2009 there were 1924 primary residence foreclosures. Many of these could have been prevented if third party, out of state servicers complied with the new federal program that requires a calculation to be done to see if payments could be modified.
We heard testimony by the state agency of Banking Insurance Securities and Health Care Administration (BISHCA) that these foreclosures for the most part are a “true total meltdown of the system”. There is “complete mayhem in the servicers’ world due to lay-offs and turnover”.
Our Vermont banks are doing an excellent job working with their customers. They are not at the heart of these cases. However, with the exception of the Merchants Bank, all of the banks sell their mortgages. At that point, it is between the homeowner and the servicer. We heard testimony that it is virtually impossible for homeowners or even other lending institutions to get in touch with the correct servicer and have it and the homeowners come to the table to consider if a modification is possible.
BISHCA’s representative stated that he has a weekly phone conference with every other state to try to sort this out. He suggested to us that we “don’t put anything on the shelf” in terms of legislation, but to keep working to see if we can find a solution that will keep folks in their homes, while protecting the banking and lending industries’ interests.
Highway Safety
I appreciate hearing from a number of you on highway safety issues. Many of you heard me on VPR's Vermont Edition talking about the House and Senates’ positions regarding doing just a ban on texting or going further by passing legislation regarding cell phones, nighttime curfews for junior operators (16 and 17 yr olds) and increasing seatbelt use. My committee and the House are committed to a comprehensive approach, like the one we passed last year that the Senate has rejected. While I am glad the Senate passed a ban on texting, it is only part of the larger problem. Data shows that cell phone use quadruples a driver’s risk of a crash. Youth are over-represented 2:1 in crashes, yet are a much smaller portion of the driving population. Each year highway crashes cost Vermont 234 million dollars in Medicaid, emergency services, law enforcement, and other programs and
services.
H.363 DUI: Ignition interlock devices. We are continuing to review the use of this technology as part of DUI sentencing. This bill raised questions about our laws on forfeiture and immobilization of motor vehicles. Law enforcement testified that the law became very expensive for the state to enforce, and wasn’t of much value. While it did get cars off the road, forfeited vehicles had liens on them or had very little value, making prosecution in the end more costly to the state. Also, law enforcement found it expensive and difficult to remove and store impounded vehicles.
I am hopeful that we can craft legislation requiring the use of ignition interlock devices.
Other Legislative Issues:
New Law Regarding The Amount Of Lead In Plumbing Fixtures, Pipe & Solder. Thank you to my constituent who contacted me regarding the confusion in the new lead law. Apparently, the department of public service (DPS) sent out a letter that was confusing to many in the plumbing industry. I contacted an attorney at the state house about this issue. After consultation with the Attorney General’s office, DPS revised it’s website. It states:
“Effective January 1, 2010, a new law (known as “Act 193”) restricting the sale or use of plumbing fixtures, pipes and solder, with lead amounts that are above the new limits applies in all plumbing fixtures which convey or distribute water for human consumption (i.e. water that is used for cooking or drinking). The restrictions of Act 193 apply in all buildings, even those buildings not covered by the Plumbing Rules.
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office has issued guidance on Act 193 and lead in plumbing supplies: http://www.atg.state.vt.us/assets/files/LeadinPlumbing.pdf
Vermont Yankee (VY):
I have received many emails and calls expressing concern over the current situation at Vermont Yankee. Many of you asked what authority the state has regarding VY. A vote by the legislature would be whether to extend VY’s license beyond 2012. The federal government has most of the authority. The state does have some however. As always, the legislature has the authority to monitor the situation and work with our federal delegation.
The following is testimony from Vermont Health Commissioner Davis:
"We have the authority to ask the plant to takes action if our allowances are exceeded, that’s the best way to state it…we have the authority to ask for that suite of steps be taken in order to take what is prudent caution as a response to new information....We make active effort to keep town health officers informed, engaged and up to date on information.......our authority lies in reference to the allowable limits that are provided in the radiological rules.”
Other legislative action: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee continues to receive updates about the tritium leaks at Vermont Yankee from the Vermont Department of Health, the Department of Public Service. Last week, it heard from the NRC and the EPA in a joint hearing with Senate Natural Resources and House Fish Wildlife & Water Resources. The Health Department, Agency of Natural Resources, and VY employees are working around the clock (with their services paid for by Entergy) to monitor tritium levels on-site and try to locate the source of the leak or leaks. In phone testimony from the NRC and EPA, the committee learned that neither agency is likely to take any action or assume direct responsibility at this time. Testing does show tritium levels rising, though not yet in drinking water wells.
I have been told that here are daily conference calls between our Congressmen, House and Senate leadership and others with the National Regulatory Commission to monitor the situation.
Please stay in touch: maxjg@wcvt.com; 828-2228 (State House); 496-7667 (home).
I had the honor and pleasure to visit with Doreen Allen and Wendy Rea of the Merchants Bank during their State House visit on Bankers Day. I was pleased to be able to discuss the foreclosure bill I am working on and learn their perspective on this very troubling situation.
House Judiciary Committee Work:
H.470 Judicial Restructuring: We are continuing our work on court restructuring. Our Supreme Court Chief Justice gave very impassioned testimony regarding the urgency of the judiciary’s budget crisis. I asked him if the restructuring is good policy that will create on-going savings, better delivery of services and access to justice. We wanted to know if the current budget crisis aside, would he still recommend such restructuring. He said he would. My committee is getting close to formulating a proposal that will meet the required current financial savings, be fiscally responsible in years to come and meet the judiciary’s constitutional obligation of access to justice.
H.530 Foreclosure. We are continuing to look at the foreclosure problem in Vermont. In 2009 there were 1924 primary residence foreclosures. Many of these could have been prevented if third party, out of state servicers complied with the new federal program that requires a calculation to be done to see if payments could be modified.
We heard testimony by the state agency of Banking Insurance Securities and Health Care Administration (BISHCA) that these foreclosures for the most part are a “true total meltdown of the system”. There is “complete mayhem in the servicers’ world due to lay-offs and turnover”.
Our Vermont banks are doing an excellent job working with their customers. They are not at the heart of these cases. However, with the exception of the Merchants Bank, all of the banks sell their mortgages. At that point, it is between the homeowner and the servicer. We heard testimony that it is virtually impossible for homeowners or even other lending institutions to get in touch with the correct servicer and have it and the homeowners come to the table to consider if a modification is possible.
BISHCA’s representative stated that he has a weekly phone conference with every other state to try to sort this out. He suggested to us that we “don’t put anything on the shelf” in terms of legislation, but to keep working to see if we can find a solution that will keep folks in their homes, while protecting the banking and lending industries’ interests.
Highway Safety
I appreciate hearing from a number of you on highway safety issues. Many of you heard me on VPR's Vermont Edition talking about the House and Senates’ positions regarding doing just a ban on texting or going further by passing legislation regarding cell phones, nighttime curfews for junior operators (16 and 17 yr olds) and increasing seatbelt use. My committee and the House are committed to a comprehensive approach, like the one we passed last year that the Senate has rejected. While I am glad the Senate passed a ban on texting, it is only part of the larger problem. Data shows that cell phone use quadruples a driver’s risk of a crash. Youth are over-represented 2:1 in crashes, yet are a much smaller portion of the driving population. Each year highway crashes cost Vermont 234 million dollars in Medicaid, emergency services, law enforcement, and other programs and
services.
H.363 DUI: Ignition interlock devices. We are continuing to review the use of this technology as part of DUI sentencing. This bill raised questions about our laws on forfeiture and immobilization of motor vehicles. Law enforcement testified that the law became very expensive for the state to enforce, and wasn’t of much value. While it did get cars off the road, forfeited vehicles had liens on them or had very little value, making prosecution in the end more costly to the state. Also, law enforcement found it expensive and difficult to remove and store impounded vehicles.
I am hopeful that we can craft legislation requiring the use of ignition interlock devices.
Other Legislative Issues:
New Law Regarding The Amount Of Lead In Plumbing Fixtures, Pipe & Solder. Thank you to my constituent who contacted me regarding the confusion in the new lead law. Apparently, the department of public service (DPS) sent out a letter that was confusing to many in the plumbing industry. I contacted an attorney at the state house about this issue. After consultation with the Attorney General’s office, DPS revised it’s website. It states:
“Effective January 1, 2010, a new law (known as “Act 193”) restricting the sale or use of plumbing fixtures, pipes and solder, with lead amounts that are above the new limits applies in all plumbing fixtures which convey or distribute water for human consumption (i.e. water that is used for cooking or drinking). The restrictions of Act 193 apply in all buildings, even those buildings not covered by the Plumbing Rules.
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office has issued guidance on Act 193 and lead in plumbing supplies: http://www.atg.state.vt.us/assets/files/LeadinPlumbing.pdf
Vermont Yankee (VY):
I have received many emails and calls expressing concern over the current situation at Vermont Yankee. Many of you asked what authority the state has regarding VY. A vote by the legislature would be whether to extend VY’s license beyond 2012. The federal government has most of the authority. The state does have some however. As always, the legislature has the authority to monitor the situation and work with our federal delegation.
The following is testimony from Vermont Health Commissioner Davis:
"We have the authority to ask the plant to takes action if our allowances are exceeded, that’s the best way to state it…we have the authority to ask for that suite of steps be taken in order to take what is prudent caution as a response to new information....We make active effort to keep town health officers informed, engaged and up to date on information.......our authority lies in reference to the allowable limits that are provided in the radiological rules.”
Other legislative action: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee continues to receive updates about the tritium leaks at Vermont Yankee from the Vermont Department of Health, the Department of Public Service. Last week, it heard from the NRC and the EPA in a joint hearing with Senate Natural Resources and House Fish Wildlife & Water Resources. The Health Department, Agency of Natural Resources, and VY employees are working around the clock (with their services paid for by Entergy) to monitor tritium levels on-site and try to locate the source of the leak or leaks. In phone testimony from the NRC and EPA, the committee learned that neither agency is likely to take any action or assume direct responsibility at this time. Testing does show tritium levels rising, though not yet in drinking water wells.
I have been told that here are daily conference calls between our Congressmen, House and Senate leadership and others with the National Regulatory Commission to monitor the situation.
Please stay in touch: maxjg@wcvt.com; 828-2228 (State House); 496-7667 (home).
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