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Topics - Carolyn Branagan
Pages: 1 ... 12 13 [14] 15
196
« on: April 01, 2007, 08:34:35 AM »
Next week the Ways and Means Committee is going to start serious discussion on revamping the way we raise money to fund our schools. As I've written before, the role of the W&M Committee is to figure out how to come up with money for our schools not how to cut costs within the program.
Our discussion will probably center on those who are paying their school taxes based on income and if income sensitivity should be broadened to include all Vermonters. Most people in our district pay school taxes based on their income, over 70% of homestead taxpayers in both Fairfax and Georgia. Many constituents have told me they think this part of Vermont's school funding program should be expanded because paying on income is a better indication of ability to pay than paying on land value. I can clearly see that the state can save money if we trim down the method we use to raise it.
If you have an opinion on this contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or call me 527-7694. I'm home this weekend and will be in the sugarhouse Sunday and Monday (hopefully!) but I'll call you back as soon as I can.
Thanks. Have a great week!
from, Carolyn
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
197
« on: March 26, 2007, 08:39:28 AM »
Thanks for all the input on last week's vote on H.44 the physician assissted suicide bill. The debate lasted over four hours during which I feel some minds were changed. In the end I was very pleased with the vote outcome, 82 no votes and 63 yes votes. The effort on this bill is now over for this session.
Don't forget, you can contact me at the legislative e-mail address cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or call me at home 527-7694.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermot House of Representatives
PS Thanks, Henry!
198
« on: July 17, 2006, 03:18:51 PM »
On Friday I filed my petition to run for re-election as state representative from the Fairfax/Georgia district. I have tried to stay in touch with my constituents in a number of ways including here on Henry's Forum. I want to represent my constituents by making sure their voices are heard in Montpelier. In order to do that I need to know what's on their minds. Please feel free to contact me with concerns. My phone at home is 527-7694 or you can e-mail me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
thanks
from, Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
199
« on: May 11, 2006, 08:16:41 AM »
The Vermont legislature adjourned last night shortly after 11pm. This is the end of the session. We'll go back on June 1 if the Governor vetos any of the bills. I'm going to run a series of letters in the Messenger, County Courier and in the Fairfax News summarizing our work on several issues. The letters will start in a few days.
In the meantime, call me if you need help with any concern regarding state government. 527-7694
from, Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
200
« on: February 20, 2006, 06:37:16 AM »
The Franklin-Grand Isle Emergency Food Shelf will be holding it's fifth annual Food Drive on Town Meeting Day. Georgia voters are being encouraged to bring canned goods and other non-perishable food items to Town Meeting. Does anyone know if this effort is going on inFairfax also? The food drive benefits the local food shelf, and others in Franklin/Grand Isle counties.
From, Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
201
« on: January 14, 2006, 09:29:04 PM »
Things are continuing to be busy in the statehouse. Last week my committee continued hearing testimony on the Fee Bill (which I'll be reporting on the floor in a couple of weeks) and the Misc. Tax bill. Also I testified in favor of the Abenaki Recognition bill and am hoping the bill will be sent to the floor in a couple of weeks. Without a doubt the hottest item for discussion this past week was the Judge Cashman decision. I saw Gov Douglas Thursday night and he told me he'd had over 20,000 e-mails on it! I have gotten about 200 messages and letters. Vermont is getting quite a bit of national press on it , too, unfortunately. Contact me if you'd like more info on this or any other matter regarding state government.
from, Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
202
« on: January 06, 2006, 11:03:59 PM »
The first week of the legislative session was a busy one! Legislators had done homework over the summer/fall and were anxious to get to work!
In Ways and Means, we've already passed out a bill to lower the school tax rate to .99 for homestead and $1.42 for non-resident. Both these will help to keep the property tax rate under control.
We've also started work on the fee bill" and I'll be reporting it on the floor in a couple of weeks.
I was glad to hear Governor Douglas talk of the importance of keeping Vermont's young people here in state. The plans to establish the Vermont Promise college scholarships and pay for them with tobacco settlement money will make sure we all get benefit from that money for years.
You can always contact me about concerns regarding state government at 527-7694.Have a good weekend.
Representstive Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
203
« on: November 04, 2005, 11:25:24 AM »
Hi Everyone,
I'm sponsoring an informational meeting on the new Medicare changes November 15 at 6:30pm at the Georgia Public Library on route 7 in Georgia, where the old regional library used to be.
These Medicare changes were made by the federal government and will involve anyone on Medicare, any of the state programs like Vsript, and anyone with a disability. I've invited officials from the State of Vermont Department of Aging and Independent Living to speak to us about the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit and the State of Vermont pharmacy programs. They will be able to tell us about enrolling in a new plan.
There is another meeting on Medicare changes also on November 15. I did not arrange this meeting but it will be held at the Fairfax firehouse at 12:30pm. This meeting may be convenient for folks who don't like to drive after dark. I'm going to try to be at that one too.
Please try to attend one of these important meetings.
from, Carolyn
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georia
Vermont House of Representatives
204
« on: June 19, 2005, 02:17:46 AM »
As you've read in the papers by now, the legislature met on Thursday and finished its work for 2005. Many bills remain to be discussed next year and new bills can be submitted. In Vermont our legislative terms are for 2 years, so we are only half done. We'll reconvene in January.
I'll be attending events in both towns during the summer and fall, as well as getting out to as many Select Board and School Board meetings as I can. Feel free to contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or call me at home at 527-7694.
My job as State Representative for the towns of Georgia and Fairfax is the best job I've ever had, it is interesting, challenging work . My intent is to represent your ideas in Montpelier and to make sure your voice is heard. In order to do that , I have to know what you're thinking. We aren't going to win every battle, but I can at least make sure they hear us!
from,
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
PS: Thanks Henry!
205
« on: June 08, 2005, 01:09:03 PM »
The Vermont legislature adjourned at about 6pm last Saturday night. I left the statehouse at about 8pm. As you've read in the papers, Governor Douglas is going to veto at least one bil, the fiscal 2006 Appropriations bill, and may veto another, the Health Care bill.
Since we have to have a budget to run the functions of state government , we'll go back to Montpelier for a special session before the new fiscal year starts July 1. I'm still waiting for word on when the special session will be. In the meantime I getting back into real life by catching up on all the things I've let go while I was in Montpelier. I told my husband on Monday morning my goal for this week is to not leave the hill where we live!
I really appreciate all the input many of you have given. My job in Montpelier as your State Representative is not to further my own agenda, but to represent you. Thanks for everything.
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
206
« on: May 26, 2005, 05:51:40 PM »
Hi Everyone,
We lost the Civil Commitment fight. I worked hard on it this week, along with several other legislators, but the majority of members in the House thought the issue should be studied more before we established a system of treatment for sexually violent and violent offenders. We had tons of information, but were unable to presuade them. I really gave this my all, as did several others, but we were in the minority.
I got a chance to work closely with Public Safety Commissioner Kerry Sleeper and members of his staff as well as the Deputy Secretary for Human Services. They were extremely helpful, and I was impressed with the competence and drive Commissioner Sleeper has for keeping Vermont a safe place to live.
The good news is that the study will progress through the summer and the commmittee plans to bring back recommendations when we reconvene next January. So there is hope!
Otherwise, we're hearing that adjournment may come next week. Speaker Symngton told us to plan on attending session Saturday, June 4th. Since we don't usually meet on Saturdays, I'm thinking we maybe getting ready to break for the summer and fall.
thanks,
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
207
« on: May 21, 2005, 05:52:08 PM »
I wanted to mention that on Friday I had two delightful BFA Fairfax 8th graders with me as part of their history class. They were job shadowing and we really had a nice time. Adam Benay and Kate Wells were extremely well prepared and I was impressed by what they already knew about the legislative process. I introduced them to Speaker of the House Gaye Symington and Governor Douglas along with other officials and many legislators. It was a pleasure to have them with me for the day.
from,
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
208
« on: May 21, 2005, 05:46:20 PM »
We are slowly winding our way to the end of the session. There are several interesting topics being discussed at the statehouse including water quality, whether people who raise their own products and then process them (like winemakers or cheese makers) should be called farmers for the Current Use program, should we change the Vermont Economic Progress Council, health care and fiscal 2006 appropriations.
Of course a major topic of interest this past week was Civil Commitment for violent offenders who have served their sentences in prison. I received many phone calls from constituents who remembered the Georgia shore murder about 20 years ago which resulted in Kent Hanson's 20 year sentence. Many breathed a sign of relief when news reports came through Friday that he'd been captured and the woman he was with was found still alive.
Fortunately Civil Commitment would not be needed for very many offenders in Vermont, only about 1 or 2 a year. But, I feel strongly that offenders who have a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes them likey to reoffend should be commiitted for mental health treatment until they are found to be no longer dangerous. This is done in 18 other states, it is constitutional and a place to house them can be found either by making it part of our new mental health system that will replace the Waterbury facility or by contracting out with another state.
Well, I could go on and on about this, but I'll spare Henry's space in the Forum! Watch the news this week, I'm preparing an amendment that will allow Civil Commitment here in Vermont.
thanks
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
209
« on: April 25, 2005, 12:35:47 PM »
Thanks to those who contacted me regarding last week's main topic: health care. The bill is now on to the Senate where it is expected to be referred to the Health and Welfare Committee. Your input helps me to really "represent" your ideas in Montpelier.
We are expecting to adjourn in 3-4 weeks, though I'm hoping it will be before that. The lack of willingness to compromise that I observed last week does not serve the people of this state well, and the sooner we adjourn the better for all.
Some BFA Fairfax highschoolers are coming to visit the statehouse this week. I am alway inmpressed with how well prepared Mr. Gilbert's students are! I'm looking forward to seeing them.
from,
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
210
« on: April 18, 2005, 08:46:10 PM »
This will be an extremely busy week in Montpelier. We'll be debating the Health Care bill on the House floor Wednesday and Thursday, possibly Friday too. Opinions run strong on all sides. While following the news reports this week, if anything comes to mind regarding health care that you'd like me to know about contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
Thanks for letting me know what's on your minds. I'm really trying to make sure your voices are heard in Montpelier
from,
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
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