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Messages - Carolyn Branagan
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331
« on: June 10, 2007, 01:53:57 PM »
The Georgia Community Food Shelf is located in back of the Georgia Public Library on Route 7 near the I-89 interstate ramps. All area families that are in need of food are welcome to come to the Food Shelf. It is open on Saturday mornings from 9:30am until 11am and also the last 2 Wednesdays of the month from 4pm to 5pm. If you would like to donate non-perishables to the food shelf, each of the following churches in town have donation boxes: Georgia United Methodist, Georgia Plain Baptist and Ascension Roman Catholic Parish. Cash donations are also accepted. For more information call me at 527-7694.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
332
« on: May 23, 2007, 10:14:33 AM »
The Georgia Memorial Day Parade starts at 9:30 on Saturday May 26 at 9:30am. The parade route will be along Route 7 from the school to the Methodist Church. Then at 11am there will be a dedication of the new Veteran's Monument in front of the municipal building. The weather prediction is for perfect parade weather! Hope to see you there.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
333
« on: May 21, 2007, 09:31:18 AM »
Deanne,
Here's the section of S.77 that relates to the issue regarding payment of property tax adjustment amounts when property is changing hands. As you and I discussed this is only an issue for this year. The Governor is expected to sign S.77 into law this morning.Thanks again for bringing this up. Contact me anytime you have further questions. 527-7694.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
Here's section 7 of the bill:
Sec. 7. CASH PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAX ADJUSTMENTS FOR
2007 REAL ESTATE CLOSINGS
For 2007 only, notwithstanding any other provision of law, for a residence transferred after March 31 and before June 21, 2007, if the transferor notifies the commissioner of taxes of the transfer, in writing, no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 20, 2007, and includes with the notice a copy of the property transfer tax return and proof of payment of the property transfer tax, the transferor’s Social Security number, the property’s school parcel account number, and any additional information which the commissioner may request the commissioner shall not notify the municipality of a property tax adjustment amount for the property, and the commissioner shall pay the property tax adjustment amount to the transferor by July 15, 2007.
Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE
Sec. 7 of this act shall take effect upon passage and apply to property transfers after March 31 and before June 21, 2007.
334
« on: May 17, 2007, 07:25:43 AM »
The legislative session is over. As many know by now, we adjourned on Saturday night at about 11pm. When the Governor came in to the chamber to give his end of the year address, he praised some of the work accomplished, but definitely made it known there is room for more when we re-convene in January.
I am especially pleased with the agriculture bill, which made several small changes in the ways farmers do business and has opened the doors for small farmers to enter the industry. The sex offender bill, H148, was a good step forward too. It brings into law many of the issues I worked on, especially during the civil confinement effort last session. I'm very glad to see these finally become law. The energy bill, H540, had many good parts, but unfortunately the Senate plunked on the Entergy tax, which I could not support. The Education bill H 526, is a start, but much work remains. For more detailed information on these or any other legislation just give me a call at home 527-7694 or e-mail at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
My committee (Ways and Means) plans to meet through the summer to work on a fair, less costly way to raise money needed to fund our schools. The new plan will probably include some form of an income tax..........remember that about 70% of taxpayers in the Fairfax/Georgia district already pay on income using the income sensitivity method, so this will not be a big change for us. I'm hoping the committee can reduce the overall statewide tax burden.
It is good to be home. I'm tackling housework and trying to get outside in the gardens. Keep in touch.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
335
« on: May 07, 2007, 07:05:55 AM »
This is the week we've been waiting for in Montpelier. It's the last week of the session (probably). Several conference committees are in full swing, legislators are closely following the bills most important to their constituents and the Governor's staff is everywhere. We often find ourselves waiting on the floor in 'recess' for long periods of time, but when we are in session things move quickly.
I have been asked by the Speaker to chair the House side of the Fee Bill conference committee. For the most part we came to agreement with the Senate conferees on the bill on Friday, but there are a few ends I need to tie up today (Monday), so I’ll be heading to Montpelier shortly. The Education Bill H526 is also in conference committee and I'm following it closely because that's where the caps are. As I've said before the caps will hurt every school in Franklin County, including the 2 schools in our legislative district, Georgia and Fairfax. I am encouraging the House conferees to hold tight to the House position of 'no caps' but I realize anything can happen. Conference Committees bring out the best in many legislators. It is tense negotiation that takes patience, steady nerves,knowledge of the issues and an understanding of what it is that the other side really wants. A poker face helps too. I love it.
When my husband left for work this morning, I told him that I would probably not see him again until the weekend. The days will be long, but I expect we'll be able to move the major bills through by week's end.
As always you can contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or leave a message on the phone at my home 527-7694. I want to hear from you.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
336
« on: April 22, 2007, 04:55:10 PM »
This past week was extremely busy as the last few weeks of the session kick in.
I continue to fight for local control whenever possible. On Friday I spoke in favor of allowing local school board to decide for themselves whether or not a school bus should be able to idle in the school yard. This goes along with all the concern about global warming and pollution and is an issue of great concern to many. My position was that we should have confidence in our local officials to make this kind of decision regrading regulating school bus use.
Please feel free to contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us or call 527-7694.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
337
« on: April 22, 2007, 04:44:32 PM »
I will try to find a solution for this problem for income sensitivity users who are attempting to sell their properties.
In the meantime, the reason some of your earlier communications did not reach me has to do with the statehouse 'spam catcher' working a little too well. I've had the statehouse computer whiz kids reset the sensors (or whatever the gizmo is called!) and I should be able to get messages from you at this pount.
If any one else doesn't seem to get response, just call and leave a message at home. 527-7694 That usually works. I heard from Gary that he had not recieved some messages, so it's not just me.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
338
« on: April 14, 2007, 07:42:49 AM »
I'll get in touch with him on Monday, and I'll also call the Tax Department.
I did not receive your message and would have contacted you if I had.
By agreements, I mean real estate tax proration, oil in the fuel tank, rent proration (if it is rental property) etc, these are whatever outstanding details needed to make a property transaction happen. Since the prebate/rebate hasto do with the taxpayers income, I would think that it should go entirely to the taxpayer who applied, provided he owned the property on April first. But again, this is the kind of thing I would think would be discussed at closing.
This change was made at the request of the Town Clerk's Association and with the support of the Vt. League of Cities and Towns. They were telling us that too many people were not using this money to pay their property taxes, using it instead for other things. It was not understood that this money was intended for reduction of the property tax bill. This is not money that has been paid in by the taxpayer like a withholding. This is money raised by all taxpayers in Vermont through their taxes, and given out to reduce the liability of taxpayers who are under a certain income level.
from, Carolyn
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
339
« on: April 13, 2007, 08:53:34 PM »
I have not heard these concerns about the transfer difficulties until now. My understanding was that these agreements were worked out at the time of sale. I'll talk to the Tax Department as soon as I can and will get back to you. There is no way to get in touch with you from this message , can you please call me and let me know how to get in touch with you? I certainly would have contacted you if I had gotten a message of any kind. 527-7694
from, Rep. Carolyn branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
340
« on: April 13, 2007, 02:48:34 PM »
Usually when I get home on Friday night there are a dozen or so phone messages mostly from constituents regarding happenings in Montpelier. But tonight when I walked in the door, to my surprise there were none! Not one. Upon investigation I discovered that my husband turned off the answering machine at some point, probably Tuesday night. I'm sure it was a mistake. Probably not meant to be a political statement! I'll deal with him later!
In the meantime, if you called and wanted to leave a message, try again. I'll be home all weekend.
from Rep.Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
341
« on: April 07, 2007, 03:32:07 PM »
Whew! What a week! Preschools, Governor's veto, Wind tower taxes, the Education bill, understanding high public safety costs,the 2008 Fiscal Appropriations bill and others all came up for action on the House floor this past week. Work on these bills kept us in session very late 3 nights and into the middle of the afternoon on Good Friday. Very interesting debates on the House floor added information to what legislators heard from committee reports. I participated with comments, amendments and additional data where needed.
I would like to thank those who contacted me via phone message or e-mail or in person. The issues before the House are never easy. As many of you know, as your State Representative I want to know what you are thinking about issues inorder to represent you properly. Contact me anytime at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us Thanks.
Don't forget the Legislative Breakfast at the American Legion in St. Albans on Easter Monday, April 9, starting at 8am.
Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
342
« 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
343
« 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!
344
« 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
345
« 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
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