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Messages - Carolyn Branagan
Pages: 1 ... 19 20 [21] 22 23 ... 25
301
« on: July 07, 2008, 11:39:21 AM »
Cake Auction, Barbeque and Band Concert
July 19, 2008
Georgia Plain Baptist Church
2573 Plains Road in Georgia
starting at 5 pm
Approximately 75 homemade cakes for auction, all made by the women of the church.
Barbeque follows the auction: salads, hamburg, hot dogs and chicken. The barbeque is by donation.
Drink table features Baptist lemonade, Revival iced tea and Devotional iced coffee.
The Westford/Fletcher/Fairfax Band will play from 6:30-7:30PM.
Everyone is invited! Members of the community and summer visitors are especially welcomed.
For more information contact Carolyn Branagan at 527-7694 or Alexis Bell at 524-4232.
302
« on: June 30, 2008, 07:17:43 AM »
State figures show the Common Level of Appraisal for Fairfax this year at 94.12, meaning property values in town continue to grow even after the recent re-appraisal. The Homestead resident school tax rate is $1.101, down from $1.1193 last year. The Non-resident rate is up because the CLA is down. The Non-resident rate is $1.445, up from last year's $1.372. These rates are, of course per $100 of assessed value for property.
I have proposed several ways to reduce property tax rates. As long as we have a statewide property tax system, we'll have to use a CLA, or some measure to equalize land values across the state.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
303
« on: June 24, 2008, 02:11:45 PM »
The deadline for applications for Fuel Assistance will be August 31, 2008. Every person who applied for Fuel Assistance last year will receive an application packet in the mail for help this year. For new applicants, the toll free number is 1-800-479-6151. On or about July 7, the application packet will be posted on the web at www.dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel along with updated income guidelines, telephone numbers and deadline dates. For more information contact me at 527-7694.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
304
« on: June 05, 2008, 04:35:25 PM »
I'm pleased to let you know that I have filed the proper paperwork to have my name appear on the ballot for the Primary Election in September and that I intend to run in the General Election in November. I enjoy the position of State Representative a great deal and hope to return to Montpelier for another session. I want to make sure your voice is heard in the deliberations of our state government.
I had many more signatures than needed, and I'd like to thank those who supported me by signing the petition. More on the election later!
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
305
« on: May 15, 2008, 07:41:30 AM »
The legislative session ended last Saturday. I am very pleased with several measures including the emphasis on improving our transportation infrastructure, the attention to our expanding and diversifying agricultural sector, health care and the energy bill. The Economic Stimulus package was a real success for all. The budget is balanced and taxes have not been raised.
There is still plenty to do, but I feel this was the most successful legislative session since I've been serving in Montpelier. I look forward to talking with you about it. Contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
306
« on: April 27, 2008, 05:41:35 PM »
This will be an incredibly busy week in Montpelier since we are bringing the 2007/08 session to a close. Important bills still to act upon include the fiscal appropriations for 2009 bill ($24 million in cuts still to be determined), transportation bill (bonding or not?), capital bill (corrections changes) and the fee bill. I expect long days. My committee will be busy most of the time along with the other 'money' committees. Feel free to contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
from, Carolyn
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
307
« on: April 19, 2008, 06:29:26 PM »
All money committees are extremely busy, including my committee, Ways and Means. Since the $40million shortfall was announced on Tuesday, efforts have been ongoing to make FY2009 budgeted expenditures meet revenue expectations. On Friday afternoon legislative and administrative leaders met to make decisions on program appropriations to be reduced and/or eliminated due to the revenue downgrades. Harsh words were exchanged over the Governor's Economic Stimulus package and the role it may play in legislative ability to predict revenue. A level of trust has been eroded. The fireworks continued for most of the brief meeting, but I am pleased to report the closing of the Northwest Correctional Center has been taken off the cut list. Also off the list is the reduction of Prescription Co pays and elimination of state Medicare Part D wrap for Vermont's low income elderly. I'll continue paying attention to these details as they develop and will report as needed. Feel free to contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.usRep. Carolyn Branagan Vermont House of Representatives
308
« on: March 24, 2008, 09:34:42 AM »
I hope to get to the Select Board meeting tonight. If I do, I’ll be sharing the following info:
Last week the Ways and Means Committee (on which I serve) approved the Miscellaneous Tax bill, which included a rate of $.87 for Homestead taxes and a rate of $1.36 for Non-resident taxes.
Also, word from the House Transportation Committee is that they have restored funding to local highway bridges (the governor's cut has been taken out) so that bridges are level funded with last year. Town highway money is increased 2.3%. Class 2 grants for paving (up to $175,000) is increased 2.3% and funding for structures under 20 feet (like culverts) is up 2.3%.
Both these money proposals still need to be voted on by the entire House and then sent to the Senate, so we have a long way to go. But we are making progress!
Feel free to contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or call me at home at 527-7694 and leave a message.
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
309
« on: March 22, 2008, 07:58:11 AM »
It was a busy week in Montpelier. In addition to lots of action on the House floor (Housing bill, Raw Milk bill, State Employee insurance bill, a Child Custody bill and others) my Committee was extremely busy. We finally approved the Miscellaneous Tax bill which does NOT include leasing the Lottery or and change in the Capital Gains exclusion. We're also talking about how to get state elevators inspected more frequently at the least cost, setting up e-commerce legislation and a proposal to set up electronic health records. Contact me by e-mailing cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or call me at 527-7694 and leave a message. Rep. Carolyn Branagan Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia Vermont House of Representatives
310
« on: March 10, 2008, 08:02:51 AM »
There will be a public hearing at the statehouse on Thursday this week, March 13 from 6pm until 8pm. Sponsored by the House Ways and Means Committee the purpose of the hearing is for the Committee to get public input on two issues: the plan to replace Homestead property tax with education adjusted gross income, H.866 and the Local Education Affordability Formula, H869. The hearing will be held in room 11. If you want more information please contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or call 802-828-2228. Rep. Carolyn Branagan Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia Vermont House of Representatives
311
« on: March 03, 2008, 08:59:58 PM »
Thanks! Bernie did well too.
from, Carolyn
312
« on: February 26, 2008, 07:07:56 AM »
Town Meeting is just around the corner. Check the Secretary of State's site http://www.sec.state.vt.us/TownMeeting/index.html for all kinds of information on Town Meeting procedures including how to make a motion, how to petition articles for the meeting and what to look for in the town report. I'll see you at Town Meeting on Saturday! Rep. Carolyn Branagan Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia Vermont House of Representatives
313
« on: February 18, 2008, 05:35:30 AM »
There will be a public hearing at the state house on Wednesday February 20th in room 11 on fuel costs. The hearing is sponsored jointly by House Natural Resources and Ways and Means. If you'd like to testify, contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or call the statehouse at 802-828-2228.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
314
« on: February 17, 2008, 07:47:54 AM »
The data I have shows the median income for Fairfax is $40,045. The average homestead is valued at $208,152. Tax burden in Fairfax is listed as 5.8% of income, fairly high when compared to the rest of the state. This means Fairfax taxpayers are willing to pay a fairly high rate of tax to support their local school. The LEAF plan results in no local Homestead tax for Fairfax. I feel this is a good plan for Fairfax and for Georgia, the other town in the legislative district. It will lower homestead tax rates in both communities and give more local control. The plan is not perfect, but there is no perfect school funding formula. Someone will have to pay. What I am trying to do with this plan is show voters we are not stuck where we are. There are other ways to collect school tax revenue and other ways to disperse it. I hear frequently the concerns about Act 60/68/. Here's an alternative to look at and discuss. We have options. The website is www.vermontleaf.com for more information, or just ask me. I'm going out to church this morning, but I'll check in here again this afternoon. from, Carolyn
315
« on: February 16, 2008, 04:34:04 PM »
Under the LEAF plan the only way there would be a Homestead tax would be if the community voted to spend more than 85% of the previous year's statewide school spending. If this plan was in place last year, the homeowner you describe in Fairfax would have had no Homestead tax at all. The only way taxpayers would pay more than the 85% is if there was a vote to that effect by the community. Local voters, not the state, would make the decision. And they wouldn't be forced into an artificially high tax rate due to the CLA.
If the taxpayer owned Non-resident property, like a camp, a business, or land not contiguous to his Homestead, then there would be tax on that property at the current rate of $1.36. We are not making a change to the Non-resident property.
LEAF as we have drafted it would cap property taxes for Vermonters with income under $47,000, so that municipal and education tax cannot exceed 5% of this income.
This is the provision of existing law referred to as the "super circuit breaker" and it would remain in law. We are very concerned about allowing Vermonters to stay in their homes and hang onto their land. That's one of the reasons for the legislation.
Remember that the Ed Fund would no longer pay Special Education, Early Education and Technical Education, the money for these programs would come from somewhere else.
The LEAF plan is a framework. There are still some holes in it, but this is the general idea:
*spending decisions get made by locals, including the Homestead tax rate
*Sp Ed, EEE and Tech Ed are no longer paid by the Ed Fund, they are responsibilities shared by all Vermont taxpayers
*Non-resident and 'other' Ed Fund sources stay in place
Hope this helps.
from, Carolyn
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