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Topics - Carolyn Branagan
211
« on: April 09, 2005, 08:22:32 AM »
Phew! What a week! Things are really humming in Montpelier!
This past week in the House of Representatives we worked through the Transportation Bill (it is now in the Senate) and began discussion on an Advance Directives bill. I'm serving on the Ways and Means Committee this session, and in committee we're talking about local option taxes. Seventy or so towns including Fairfax have the authority to levy a 1% local sales tax . We're also talking about tax incentives for businesses, and expect to receive a bill about VEPC from the Senate next week. Our Education funding bill is going to the floor of the House next week. It contains several things, but the most important in my view is a part that will set up much needed training for town listers.
I'm glad many of you saw the news conference I held last week with Rep. Kurt Wright from Burlington. I appreciate your calls. I am very concerned about the release from jail of offenders who are known to be sexual predators and violent. In addition to encouraging judges to sentence these people for longer sentences, Civil Committment is one way we can help get them treatment they need, especially if they have not receive the treatment in jail. And we keep the public safe in the meantime! Insuring the safety of its citizens is one of the primary obligations of government. The US Supreme Court has ruled Civil Committment constitutional, 18 other states use it. Law enforcement officials agree with us that it is effective. There is still time to pass a Civil Committment bill, and I continue to talk to as many peole as I can to get this going.
Contact me at the cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
Have a good weekend!
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
212
« on: March 19, 2005, 07:53:56 AM »
Hi Everyone,
There have been some problems recently with the computer system at the statehouse. I don't know all the details, but the computer folks were trying to filter out some offensive e-mails and ended up filtering out some that should have gotten through.
Just last night before I left Montpelier, I got a message from a Fairfax resident saying he had messaged me a few weeks ago and had not gotten a response.
For the record, I ALWAYS respond to messages from constituents. If you have tried to contact me and haven't heard back, please try again. Computers do fail from time to time. You can get in touch with me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us ,that's the e-mail at the statehouse, or you can call me at home at 802-527-7694.
I am very committeed to representing you and your views in Montpelier and absolutely understand that I cannot do that if I don't hear from you!
feel free to contact me.
from, Carolyn
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
213
« on: February 07, 2005, 11:04:03 PM »
At the January 31st Select Board Meeting there was a lot of concern about the consolidation plan for the state highway districts. And I can understand why. It is hard to imagine getting better service with fewer garages.
Anyway, I thought you'd be glad to know the Transportation Committee in the House has decided to stop the plan for now. No one will be laid off for at least 2 months, effectively putting the closing/consolidating plan on hold .
The plan is supposed to save about $790,000 by reducing from 9 to 6 the number of maintenance districts across the state, and by laying off 12 people.
Holding up the plan will give time to look at it and examine the results of such a move.
from, Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1 Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
214
« on: January 31, 2005, 09:37:31 PM »
Last week when the roads were so bad, there was a lot of informal discussion in the halls at the legislature about the number of people who slid off the roads.
How can many accidents be be prevented? By slowing down! When driving please take the weather conditions into account and slow down when the roads are slippery. And always wear your seat belt.
that's it for tonight.
from ,
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
215
« on: January 31, 2005, 11:06:29 AM »
Thanks Henry for helping me get back on! I couldn't figure out how to log back in, but I guess I'm OK now! It has been a couple of weeks.
Anyway, the legislature is progressing along. We've passed 2 bills out of the Ways and Means Committee. The first was the bill to lower school property taxes 8 cents, the homestead rate would be $1.02 and the non-homestead would be $1.51, if this bill is signed into law. It looks promising, as the bill was passed out of the Senate on Friday . Don't forget the statutory rate is $1.10 and $1.59 respectively. The Ed. Fund is continuing to bring in too much money, and we are trying to figure out how to stop that. In the meantime this bill to lower the state portion of the school tax bill will return much of the overage to the taxpayers. When we figure out how to make the Ed. Fund stop generating so much uneeded money, the statutory rates will kick in.
School taxes are a huge topic I could go on and on about, but since most of the posts on this site are short, I'll stop !
The other bill passed out of Ways and Means is the annual "Fee Bill" which sets the rate of some fees and sets new fees where needed. Fees already in use are due every 3 years for review and possible increase. We sent several of the requests to other committees, because we thought there were policy questions involved . Our committee deals just with raising revenue, not policy. So this year's "Fee Bill" is pretty minor as these thing go. I'm reporting the bill on the floor Thursday.
I love my job in Montpelier. Please feel free to contact me anytime at home at 527-7694 or at the statehouse by e-mail cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
from,
Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Georgia/Fairfax
Vermont House of Representatives
216
« on: January 08, 2005, 10:00:58 PM »
Hi,
The first week of the legislature flew by. It was mainly ceremony with the House members getting sworn in on Wednesday and the Governor and statewide officers on Thursday. If you want a copy of the Gov.'s speech, let me know.
The first woman Speaker of the House in more than 50 years was elected on Wednesday! Gaye Symington of Jericho was sworn in with her 3 children at her side. Quite moving.
The best part of the week was on Friday when committee assignments were announced. I am very pleased to be assigned to the Ways and Means Committee. This is one of the 2 most powerful committees, it deals with how to generate revenue to operate state government and provide state services.
Other Franklin County legislators got good assignments too. Their assignments are as follows:
Rep. Dunsmore of Georgia-Agriculture Committee
Rep. Allard of St. A. Town-Institutions Committee
Rep. Howrigan of Fairfield-Ranking member of General Housing and Military Affairs Committee
Rep. Parent of St. A. City-Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee
Rep. Keenan of St. A. City-Chair of Commerce Committee
Rep. Lavoie of Swanton-Vice Chair of Education Committee
Rep. Winters of Swanton-Transportation Committee
Rep.McAllister of Highgate-Health and Welfare Committee
Rep.Gervais of Enosburg-Judiciary Committee
Rep.Perry of Richford-Ranking member of Appropriations Committee
Don't forget you can e-mail me anytime cbranagan@adelphia.net
or call me at home 527-7694
Have a great week everyone! Wear your seatbelts.
from your state representative,
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
PS. Thanks Henry!
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