Meet the candidates - The Charlotte News

Candidates for Chittenden Southeast District Senate District

Thomas Chittenden

Do you approve of the way districts were reapportioned? Do you think the representation of smaller towns like Charlotte were improved by this reapportionment? Why or why not?
The redistricting process was complicated and did not have any obvious configurations that would satisfy all perspectives. This new configuration effectively split the previous district in half (population-wise) which will allow senators to concentrate their attention better on half as many constituents. I allocate my time to my constituents regardless of town lines so this re-apportionment process doesn’t change how much I have dedicated my ‘town’ representation — it will (if I am re-elected) just give me twice as much time to focus on half as many people than the previous six-seat Senate district.

Besides Prop 5, what else should Vermont do about abortion?
We need to send leaders to Washington, D.C., that will champion protection for reproductive rights and individual liberties across our entire country. In this post Dobbs decision time, we need to enshrine in our state law reproductive rights protections for all regardless of what state or country someone calls home. We also need to be vigilant in protecting Vermont obstetricians and gynecologists from out-of-state legal, financial or professional persecution. Vermont needs to stand firm with legislative force to protect our individual rights and reproductive liberties.

What more could be done in Montpelier to lessen sprawl and boost development in our village centers?
Exempting downtowns and village centers with existing local zoning regulations from Act 250 redundant reviews. We need to allow on-the-record review of documentation for the Act 250 appeals process to reduce the uncertainty, cost and time of much needed housing and infrastructure investments. At the local level, the state is funding this year land development review bylaws modernization and I continue to advocate for increased inter-municipality coordination of planning and municipal services. We need to encourage and enable more density closer to our metropolitan centers where very expensive public infrastructure is already in the ground. I support eliminating parking minimums in our downtown centers and regional/county funding solutions to support concentrated smart growth projects is needed.

In addition to this, I supported and voted for H. 606 (an act relating to community resilience and biodiversity protection) and H. 697 (an act relating to eligibility of reserve forestland for enrollment in the Use Value Appraisal Program). In addition to these two votes, I would continue to advocate for smart growth development patterns to steward our rural working landscapes while encouraging more in fill and concentrated development.

What specific changes would you propose to the Clean Heat Standard Bill (H. 715) to improve its prospects in 2023? What additional legislation would you propose to address climate change in Vermont?
I voted for the Clean Heat Standard legislation and I would only propose changes that would get this legislation over the finish line. This veto was sustained because we didn’t get to “yes” with enough legislators — nor with the governor. Going forward, I think it is important to ensure that the Public Utility Commission properly addresses equity concerns and conducts a full life-cycle analysis to account for all environmental impacts. The legislature needs to better understand the costs and benefits of such significant regulation to get enough legislators to sign off on this important legislation. The Clean Heat Standard is a reasonable and important step to transform our heating methods using a glide path to reduce market tumult while building up expertise and capacity in our heating industry.

As for additional legislation to address climate change, three areas come to mind:

Transportation sector climate emissions reduction through rational assessment with emissions variable car registration fees and road usage assessment with automated vehicle identification methods as well as public transportation usage tracking for income sensitive time subsidies through state income tax policy.
Permit reform to foster more affordable high-density housing in our urban cores served by existing municipal infrastructure balanced with increased forest block protections in our rural swaths.
Property assessed clean energy state supported/fostered funding mechanisms for commercial properties to align the financial benefit of energy saving investments with the property owners over the useful life of the building and necessary upfront costs.

What small-scale agriculture initiatives do you support?
This last session we passed unprecedented funding for school meals and food security initiatives for farm fresh school meals including farm to school and early childhood grants that also included a local food purchasing incentive program. Our fruit and veggie farmers will be able to sell to these school lunch programs making kids meals fresh and local.

I also fully support better funding the Vermont Housing Conservation Board to help more people interested in buying farms to finance the transaction — this is critical to support the next generation of farmers in Vermont.

I am proud of the legislation we passed this biennium to help our organic dairy farmers transition to a new buyer that required facility upgrades including change ties, bigger bulk tanks, wider driveways and every-other-day shipments. And we created a state cost-sharing program to support this.

I’m also proud of the fixes to the water withdrawal bill that protected our small farmers from having to buy electric control devices for small water withdrawals from our streams.

Do you support stronger gun control legislation to protect school children and guard against mass shootings, and if so, what would that be? If not, explain.
I strongly support more sensible gun control measures including required safe storage, waiting periods, universal background checks and guns/ammo sales taxes.

We need sensible rules over who can access, buy, sell, transport and register guns.

I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken in Vermont to pass more sensible gun laws, but we have more to do. And we need to get this done yesterday.

Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Do you approve of the way districts were reapportioned? Do you think the representation of smaller towns like Charlotte were improved by this reapportionment? Why or why not?

I approve of the way the districts were reapportioned. I believe the smaller towns now have a larger voice and opportunity to advance local residents to serve. It is a privilege to serve Charlotte, where my husband was born and raised.

Besides Prop 5, what else should Vermont do about abortion?Vermont should:

Ensure medical providers and those seeking abortion are safe from extradition and criminalization.
Advance measures related to data privacy and call on our federal delegation to ensure codify Roe and advance privacy nationally.
Find additional opportunities to underscore medical sovereignty, freedom from involuntary servitude, and equality under the law in our states and Vermont Constitution.

What more could be done in Montpelier to lessen sprawl and boost development in our village centers?
Provisions like those in the housing bill I authored that was signed into law that incentives building and reduces red tape in neighborhood development areas. We need to invest in restoring blighted properties while reducing the permitting burden in core downtowns and village centers.

What specific changes would you propose to the Clean Heat Standard Bill (H. 715) to improve its prospects in 2023? What additional legislation would you propose to address climate change in Vermont?
Remove reference to biofuels and make the decision points clearer to the impacted communities. Focus more on rental properties, low-income families and mobile home communities in terms of receiving the benefits.

What small-scale agriculture initiatives do you support?
Agritourism, investments in water quality, supporting access to capital for the next generation of farmers, value-add product development, labeling, hub development, regenerative practices, marketing and technical support.

Do you support stronger gun control legislation to protect school children and guard against mass shootings, and if so, what would that be? If not, explain.
Strengthening the laws we have on the books to prevent teen suicide and domestic violence fatalities. This includes closing loopholes in red flag laws, seeking federal resources for storage and studying access to guns near schools.

Ginny Lyons

Do you approve of the way districts were reapportioned? Do you think the representation of smaller towns like Charlotte were improved by this reapportionment? Why or why not?
Yes, I approved the reapportionment. I have represented over 120,000 Chittenden County voters in over 15 towns for several sessions. If I am re-elected, it will be refreshing to work for 68,000 voters in fewer towns during the next session. The Senate reapportionment committee worked hard to include people and municipalities in decision making. The committee followed the law requiring a breakup of the Chittenden County 6 seat Senate district. The committee worked to maintain county and municipal boundaries as much as possible. Attention was also paid to school districts. This could be an improvement for many smaller towns like Charlotte in the Chittenden SE District. We can continue to understand how each municipality is unique with individual concerns. We can represent each town as well as the district, working with local elected officials, Representatives and voters. The new district will give three Chittenden SE district Senators an opportunity to focus on rural communities, their schools, municipal planning and zoning, economic, housing, agricultural, social service, and other resource needs.

Besides Prop 5, what else should Vermont do about abortion?
I support Prop 5, the Constitutional amendment for reproductive liberty, and it’s passage in Nov. I created the initial bill, then lead the Senate process, helping others to understand it with respect to Roe v. Wade (recently overturned by Dobbs). From a practical point of view Article 22 ensures that individuals can make personal decisions about family planning. These are significant life changing decisions that affect one’s family, social, and or economic stability. The intrusion of government into these very personal decisions, especially those between a woman and her doctor, has not happened in Vermont for nearly 50 years. This proposal ensures that the fundamental right of reproductive autonomy continues. I am now working with others on a bill to provide a safe place for residents from other states who seek reproductive or abortion care in Vermont. It is important to continue to support physicians and patients when personal reproductive decisions are made. Our state has a history of access to family planning, contraception, fertility services and abortion. Prop 5 and additional legislation can continue this.

What more could be done in Montpelier to lessen sprawl and boost development in our village centers?
Downtown, village center, growth center and neighborhood tax credits help incentivize development in areas identified for development accessible to nonprofits seeking to develop local work force housing. Ensure the anti-sprawl language we added to Act 250 continues to mitigate against unwanted development. Develop specific tax increment financing (TIF) districts for smaller development options in smaller municipalities. Ensure that state buildings/functions are planned for growth areas. The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission can work with municipalities to identify environmental conditions that support local growth. Encourage municipalities or nonprofits seeking to develop local work force housing. Encourage the Vermont Housing and Conservation board and other nonprofits to develop the types of affordable housing that meet needs and fit within the town. Establish criteria at the state level for the use of economic development money, including for affordable housing, to target village and growth centers. Prioritize revolving loan fund use for village centers. Provide incentives for rural activities that help preserve open land outside of growth areas. Provide incentives and criteria for green spaces/parks, transportation access, water, sewer and other services within growth areas.

Provide defined criteria/incentives for fuel dealers, distributors to move toward a new business model — for example use a percentage of the petroleum cleanup fund to educate for new heat pump, electric car infrastructure, biofuel, renewable businesses for folks.
Establish criteria/ceiling for biomass development to maintain a balance of food agriculture, biofuels and forestry in the state.
Clearly determine parameters for how and what the Public Utility Commission will design and bring back to the legislature for approval by legislative committees or similar process.
Ensure that lower- and middle-income folks have identifiable places to find incentives and access to new technologies including electric vehicles, heat pumps, weatherization.
Ensure the clean energy development fund is replenished and directed to provide incentives for small renewable energy development, build the Property Assessed Clean Energy program for defined areas of development, support the use of the incentives in No. 4 above.

What small-scale agriculture initiatives do you support?
I support a multitude of creative/entrepreneurial agricultural enterprises. Many have been supported by the Working Lands Enterprise Program I added into legislation a few sessions ago. Small scale initiatives include CSAs, farmers’ stands/markets, bed and breakfast with or without “farm work” experience, Philo Ridge or Bread and Butter Farm type enterprise, cheese, maple, meat processing, local vineyards, small cannabis production, sustainable forestry, regenerative and organic agriculture, recreational activities, farm and barn arts/social events, and others. An active agricultural landscape helps maintain economic vitality for our rural areas and small towns.

Do you support stronger gun control legislation to protect school children and guard against mass shootings, and if so, what would that be? If not, explain.
Yes.

Some important steps to be taken include: Safe storage; expanded time for background checks before sales — close the Charleston loophole; remove AR15 and similar military weapons from market access; improve red flag laws to keep firearms from those who seek firearms to harm themselves or others; maintain advisory social service or mental health workers within public safety/first responder organizations; maintain and improve training for public safety and first responders; treat the use of guns to solve social/mental health problems as a public health issue; improve access to mental health and social services to avoid use of public safety or judicial system; improve state substance use disorder programs.

Lewis Mudge

Do you approve of the way districts were reapportioned? Do you think the representation of smaller towns like Charlotte were improved by this reapportionment? Why or why not?
Charlotte could benefit from this reapportionment. At selectboard meetings — since these reapportionment conversations started — we’ve been saying over and over that we feel a part of Chittenden County, but we feel disenfranchised by too much of the Burlington focus in our representation. We don’t have municipal sewer or water, we do not have a police department, we had to go it alone in our broadband rollout, the list goes on. When a municipal garage burns down, it’s a big deal in a town like Charlotte. Larger towns in the county have the ability to cover a crisis like that, but we have to scramble. This could be an opportunity for smaller towns to have more representation and, if elected, I’d make sure to be in regular contact with the larger towns, but also with the selectboard chairs in Hinesburg, Richmond, Underhill, Jericho, Bolton and St. George (and of course here in Charlotte!).

Besides Prop 5, what else should Vermont do about abortion?
After Prop 5 is passed we can’t just give ourselves a pat on the back. A fundamental right that roughly 25 percent of American women have had for almost 50 years has been stripped away and we need to ensure Vermont supports women and doctors across the country. The next step is to craft legislation that protects reproductive rights for patients from states that prohibit it.

What more could be done in Montpelier to lessen sprawl and boost development in our village centers?
I live in the west village, and I support increasing density in our two villages. It’s a part of our town plan and it’s how we can preserve our open spaces and forests (which is important in combatting climate change and protecting wildlife corridors).

In Montpelier we can make Act 250 more user friendly for all sides in terms of timing and adjudication, but we can’t abandon its principles. State funding for affordable housing should focus on density and proximity to mass transit. State guidance and training on increasing housing must encourage meaningful conversations and thought to the increases on municipal services and schools that come with growth.

Finally, I’d like to shift away from these conversations that devolve into name calling or accusing people of wanting to turn Vermont into New Jersey. Let’s instead encourage better planning to accommodate for growth we can sustain. Chittenden County is an amazing place to be, and people want to come here. That’s good! Let’s make sure we grow on our terms.

What specific changes would you propose to the Clean Heat Standard Bill (H. 715) to improve its prospects in 2023? What additional legislation would you propose to address climate change in Vermont?
The next iteration of the clean heat standard should focus on two things: ensuring that vulnerable Vermonters don’t bear the cost of the program and removing cutouts for biofuels. Those without the income to heat themselves will need support, both through programs that focus on efficiencies and with subsidies. Regarding biofuels, I don’t think we should be promoting programs that turn food into fuel.

What small-scale agriculture initiatives do you support?
Vermont needs to make our small-scale farms work and I think Charlotte can lead the way on this. Some of the farms in our town have been using agritourism to generate income outside of farming. I look at operations like Philo Ridge and Sweet Roots (the old berry farm). These are the types of operations that reinforce how small farms are indeed stewards of our lands and providers of local produce. I’m excited about the potential of Earthkeep Farmcommon (formerly Nordic Farms) as a model for how we can bring the farming economy into the 21st century.

Also, nobody becomes a farmer to get rich and our farmers and farm employees should be considered when we discuss real affordable housing. We need to think outside the box to help our small farms thrive, and that should extend to housing for staff.

Do you support stronger gun control legislation to protect school children and guard against mass shootings, and if so, what would that be? If not, explain.
I own and recreate with firearms, and I support stronger gun regulation. People should pass background checks to get a gun, period.

The fact is most responsible gun owners like me think it’s ridiculous that the proposed maximum waiting period was reduced from 30 days to only seven. To be clear, the majority of people who purchase guns get their national instant background check in minutes. Don’t we want to give the state at least a month to make sure the people who aren’t cleared with this instant check are not criminals?

With regards to the mass shootings, my job has focused on documenting war crimes carried out by assault weapons and I’ve seen too many dead bodies in war zones killed by the same weapons we allow the gun industry to sell here. We need to curb this. I also feel we need Democrats like me, who hunt and own guns, to call out this new and bizarre culture that mixes assault weapons and tactical gear (who needs a helmet, Kevlar vest and knee pads in Vermont?) with misogyny and patriotism.

Steve May is also a candidate for the Chittenden Southeast Senate District, but could not respond to these questions because time constraints caused by a personal issue.

Chittenden-5 Representative

Chea Waters Evans

Do you approve of the way districts were reapportioned? Do you think the representation of smaller towns like Charlotte were improved by this reapportionment? Why or why not?

I do approve of the way districts were reapportioned. I think Charlotte and other smaller towns in our new Senate district have the real possibility of getting a candidate in there who understands the nuances of small rural towns.

Besides Prop 5, what else should Vermont do about abortion?
Vermont needs legislation to legally protect our abortion providers and their families from prosecution by other states that have restricted abortion access. They shouldn’t ever be at risk if they’ve provided healthcare to a pregnant person from another state.

Vermont needs to support nonprofit organizations that help pregnant people gain access to abortion, whether it’s financially or legally. According to the PEW Research Center, there are 36 million women of child-bearing age who will lose easy access to abortion due to new state laws. Vermont needs to continue to be a leader in standing up for what’s right. Reproductive healthcare is right.

What more could be done in Montpelier to lessen sprawl and boost development in our village centers?
Land-use regulations are developed by individual towns. Town plans are developed by individual towns. Vermont towns are generally left to manage their own development futures, with the exceptions of agricultural land and the broader scope of Act 250. A revision of Act 250 failed during the last legislative session, but it’s imperative that it’s addressed definitively in 2023.

It’s important and possible to protect the forests, waters, wetlands, and wildlife and at the same time support sensible development and growth in villages in town centers. Act 250 is state-wide legislation that applies to towns whether they’re Rutland or Burlington or Swanton or Charlotte. I’d like to see individual towns given adequate control over the course and pace of their own development, since each town is unique.

What specific changes would you propose to the Clean Heat Standard Bill (H. 715) to improve its prospects in 2023? What additional legislation would you propose to address climate change in Vermont?
The Clean Heat Standards Bill needs more financial specifics to lay out a plan to ensure that no one group is shouldering the entire burden of funding the state’s legal obligation to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. The clearer and more detailed the plan, the more likely it is to pass. We can remain aggressive in reducing pollution while making sure we know exactly how it’s paid for and by whom.

I would propose incentives for individuals and companies that provide or take advantage of public transportation or ride-sharing opportunities. Vermonters drive a lot — better access to bike paths and more options for trains or commuter bus routes would help.

It’s important to weatherize homes and make them more heat-efficient, but that also costs money; the people who probably need those changes in their homes the most are also people who probably can’t afford them. The Charlotte Energy Committee has a program to help people make their homes more energy efficient; I’d like to see a program where every Vermonter gets an efficiency evaluation and financial assistance to make changes if they need it. Many small changes add up to big ones.

What small-scale agriculture initiatives do you support?
I support Act 46 and the way it helps small farms overcome complicated and sometimes costly planning and zoning hurdles. I think it’s been really great for Charlotte and I hope to see it continue to help farmers dream big and think creatively.

I support helping farmers come up with ways to provide reasonably affordable housing for their employees. Farming is hard work and doesn’t often pay much; providing avenues for farmers and farm employees to access less-expensive local housing is essential.

I support initiatives that connect smaller, local farms to local organizations like schools, daycares or food banks, providing a mutually beneficial relationship. As a farm town, Charlotte already does this in a lot of ways (the school garden, community members providing eggs for the Charlotte Food Shelf) and I think there are a lot more exciting possibilities.

Do you support stronger gun control legislation to protect school children and guard against mass shootings, and if so, what would that be? If not, explain.
I do. I don’t want to take away anyone’s gun or limit the kinds of guns people can have — although I don’t personally see a reason for anyone to own an assault weapon unless they want to assault something.

Every parent who has a child in school has a small, silent fear creeping through their mind every day when their kids are in school. Could today be the day that the unthinkable happens? You might not always acknowledge that it’s there, but it is.

I understand, however, that people hold dear their right to own and carry weapons.

I have a couple of teenagers and a tween. They’re at the ages where they’re just getting their driver’s licenses and going out on their own. In order to get there, they had to take a 30-hour driver education course, and I had to attend one class with them. They’re required to get a permit for a year before their license, they have to take written test for a permit and a driving test for a license. They’re required to drive a number of hours with a certified instructor. They’re required to drive 40 hours total with a parent or guardian, keeping track of their driving time on an app, 10 of those hours at night and several on the highway.

That’s to drive a car, which is inherently dangerous, but not created specifically to be so. Let’s be forward-thinking in the Legislature and come up with a similar training and licensing system for gun owners.

Mike Yantachka

Do you approve of the way districts were reapportioned? Do you think the representation of smaller towns like Charlotte were improved by this reapportionment? Why or why not?
Reapportionment occurs every 10 years after the national census. The House is responsible for reapportioning House districts and the Senate for Senate districts. For the 150 House members districts can be one-member or two-member districts. Redrawing the districts after population changes is very complicated, and the Government Operations committee tries very hard to follow town and geophysical boundaries to include a population as close to the ideal number, roughly 4,200 per member, as possible. Single member districts are best, in my opinion, and Charlotte is such a district. Since Charlotte’s population is less than the ideal number of residents, part of Hinesburg was added to the district to bring it into compliance with the allowable deviation of about 7 percent. This arrangement has been in place for the last 20 years and seems to work well. It will continue for the next decade.

Senate districts are now limited to three members. Charlotte was part of the Chittenden County Senate district with six members. Now it is part of the Chittenden Southeast district with three members. This change provides more opportunity for representation from the smaller towns of Chittenden County.

Besides Prop 5, what else should Vermont do about abortion?
Health care is a human right, and abortion is part of women’s health care. I support the right to reproductive autonomy for all women, and that is the point of Prop 5, which I will vote for in November. With the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, access to abortion has become a patchwork across the country. Vermont should be open and welcoming to those who need access and provide protection of individuals’ medical information to prevent its use for prosecutorial purposes in the individual’s home state. We also must ensure that providers are protected from legal actions of other states. Access to abortion should be covered by health insurance like any other medical care.

The Dobbs ruling and Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinion also threatens other rights such as marriage equality, contraception and gender modification. Vermont should enact protective legislation for these matters as well.

What more could be done in Montpelier to lessen sprawl and boost development in our village centers?
The Legislature has passed laws over the last few years to encourage development in designated village centers. Another step in that direction was taken this year in the Act 250 update bill, but it was vetoed by the governor over differences in the way projects would be reviewed on appeal. It would have replaced review by the Environmental Court by a professional Environmental Review Board with deep expertise to think systemically about how development in the right places can benefit our citizens while avoiding sprawl and the destruction of natural resources that comes with unplanned development. We should take this issue up again in the next session. Also, the current budget contains American Rescue Plan Act funding for water and wastewater upgrades that would help development in downtowns and village centers.

What specific changes would you propose to the Clean Heat Standard Bill (H. 715) to improve its prospects in 2023? What additional legislation would you propose to address climate change in Vermont?
The Energy and Technology Committee took a lot of time and testimony to craft the best Clean Heat Standard bill we could. We gave a lot of responsibility to the Public Utility Commission and the Department of Public Service to do the technical analyses needed to determine the clean heat credits and requirements on fossil fuel importers to Vermont. There were questions about “greenwashing” heating energy sources that perhaps needed more clarification, and that’s an area we need to address in the next session. If the veto had been overridden, we would be on our way to answering questions about costs and benefits, but that will now have to wait another year.

Additional steps we can take to address climate change include updating the Renewable Energy Standard to require our electrical energy sources to be 100 percent renewable by 2040 or sooner. The Renewable Energy Standard currently requires 75 percent by 2032. We also need to stop disincentivizing net metering, recognizing that net metering customers are making a capital investment to generate power for the grid. We should be increasing solar and wind generation and requiring electrical storage for all arrays over 150Kw. We also need to upgrade our transmission infrastructure because there are parts of Vermont where renewable energy is restricted because of transmission constraints.

What small-scale agriculture initiatives do you support?
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has been a keystone of agricultural investment since 2012. The Legislature continues to fund this important program to stimulate economic development in Vermont’s agriculture and forest products sectors by systematically advancing entrepreneurism, business development and job creation. This program should continue to be adequately funded. Since inception, an investment of $7 million has leveraged $11 million in matching funds to employ over 1,000 workers.

The agritourism limited liability bill which I sponsored will help farms develop another revenue stream as well as educate the public on the source of their food and the work required to produce it.

I am working on a modification to the farm-produced products definition so that water is not counted as an ingredient that has to be included in the 51 percent calculation. The current criteria preclude beverages from being considered farm produced.

Also, we have to continue supporting our farmers in their efforts to adhere to the Required Agricultural Practices to prevent water pollution.

Do you support stronger gun control legislation to protect school children and guard against mass shootings, and if so, what would that be? If not, explain.
I have been a strong proponent and sponsor of reasonable firearm safety legislation since the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, Conn. I co-sponsored legislation for universal background checks, waiting periods for handgun purchases, “red-flag” laws, closing the “Charleston loophole” and limiting magazine size. In the last session we narrowed the Charleston loophole but could not close it completely because of a veto. We need to try again.

It is quite apparent that the weapon of choice for mass murderers is the AR-15 type of semiautomatic rifle. This is a type of weapon that was developed for the military and is extremely deadly, tearing apart the insides of victims. It should not be in the hands of civilians any more than a RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) or a hand grenade should be. Lacking action on the federal level, I will work with colleagues to sponsor a bill restricting the sale and use of assault-style rifles in Vermont. Unfortunately, laws alone won’t stop these shootings. It is necessary for all of us to re-emphasize the “see something; say something” approach to stop shootings before they occur. In most cases, shooters have shown signs of their intentions and attitudes before acting.