Candidate forum transcript, campaign commentary, and other materials from my 2024 campaign. 

I participated in a 2024 Town Meeting Candidate Forum. All of the questions were submitted to each candidate in advance. Not all questions were covered during the event and three call-in questions were tackled. My responses to the submitted questions are below. Thanks for your continued support.

Opening Statement (60 seconds): Please tell us why you are running and how you plan to use the House Seat for Chittenden-23 to serve Vermonters.

“I’m a 32 year resident of the Town of Essex Junction, a wife of 45 years, a mother of 3 and grandmother of 8. As a private piano teacher, I run a small business from my home and have done so for many years. Though not a native Vermonter, I have lived in Chittenden County for 44 years and 10 months. Experiencing Vermont’s simple and beautiful lifestyle has been a joy.  However, I see our lifestyle being whittled away by special interest groups as well as a general disrespect for law and order. Our current legislature has turned a deaf ear to our pleas for less tax burden as well as finding the core reason for our prohibitive cost of living. It is for these reasons I’m running for the legislature.”

Property Taxes & Education: This year, many Vermonters will see a double-digit increase in their property taxes and nearly a third of school budgets failed on Town Meeting Day. As House Representative, how would you approach education funding and property taxes for the coming fiscal year?

“The VT Constitution requires equality of opportunity across the state, not equity of outcomes. The legislature has concocted an erroneous plan to create equity for all. Equity at this level, is unachievable, especially when it requires more money than the taxpayers are able to pay. Our school budgets are going up, and our school enrollments are going down. Our staff/student ratio is 1-4. . . the highest in the country. We pay more than $27,000 a year per student. If our scores were the highest in the nation, that might be acceptable. New Hampshire ranks higher and educates for half the money. The newly formed Commission on the Future of Public Education is well-staffed by those who have no interest in reducing the costs of public education. In fact, the chair of the commission, on open mic stated she had no idea what problem they were trying to solve. Really? Commissions and funded studies are only a deflection to make taxpayers think the problem is being addressed. Based on the statement by the chair, I highly doubt there will be any notable changes coming from this commission. As legislators, we need to tackle the problem and keep it simple.”

Housing: This past session, Democrats and Progressives in the House proposed spending an additional $100M per year for ten years on publicly subsidized affordable housing. This level of investment was not passed in the Senate. Would you support this level of public investment in housing?

“Is it the state’s responsibility to subsidize housing? Does it require more taxes to fund the additional $100M per year? If so, I’m not going to vote for it. A free-market economy is an economic system where the production and distribution of goods and services is determined by supply and demand, rather than government regulation. In a free market economy, businesses and individuals have more economic freedom and choice. Foundationally, if we allow a free-market economy to thrive, no subsidies will be needed. I also believe if we loosen regulations on the building industry, we’d make some significant steps in solving the current housing crisis. Regulations are intended to protect the rights of buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants, and to maintain the integrity of the real estate market. However, some regulations can be burdensome without offering measurable public benefits.

Some of the effects of over-regulation include: 

• Increased housing costs: Regulations can add to the cost of building a home, with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimating that regulations account for nearly 25% of the cost of a single-family home. 

• Reduced housing supply: Regulations can limit the amount of housing that can be built,

• Reduced affordability: Regulations can make housing less affordable for buyers and renters. 

• Prolonged construction times: Regulations can delay the completion of new construction and rehabilitation. 

Do these negative effects sound familiar? Maybe we’ve over-regulated the market.”

Housing & Emergency Shelter: Vermont reported 3,295 people experiencing homelessness in 2023, up from 1,110 in 2020. This summer, the state is rolling back its pandemic-era emergency shelter capacity across the state, pushing hundreds more Vermonters onto the streets. How would you approach the need for housing and emergency shelter and how should we pay for it?

“Why has our homeless population tripled in less than 5 years? Are these Vermonters down on their luck, or are these a segment of the population who have chosen homelessness as a way of life?  I’m a huge proponent for helping those in need. However, as long as we keep giving without accountability from the recipient-–as long as we keep enabling—-we will have a homeless problem. Do any of those benefiting have responsibilities for the upkeep of the shelter?  For the feeding of those present? An age old principle comes to mind. . . . if you don’t work, you don’t eat. There are jobs that each person, no matter of ability or disability, can accomplish. When we find value in the contributions of others and choose to contribute ourselves, we become less needy.”

Public Safety & Criminal Justice: Public safety is a top priority for many voters in this election. This past session, lawmakers increased judicial staff, increased retail theft penalties, and expanded restorative justice practices in Vermont. What more needs to be done by the legislature to advance public safety and repair Vermont's criminal justice system?

“Increasing judicial staff does not necessarily equate to a better system. More does not always make enough better. Did we add the right staff? Or was adding staff the legislature’s way of throwing money at a problem? Retail theft penalties are only good if they’re enforced. The workers and owners that I’ve talked to have decided not to pursue retail theft for varying reasons, the most important being workplace safety. They let it go and the law-abiding citizen pays for it in higher prices. I recently received a speeding ticket. I broke the law; I paid the penalty, and I don’t want to pay it again. Therefore, I lower my speed on a regular basis. A stiff and appropriate penalty is a deterrent to crime. However, it must be enforced on all levels.”

Overdose Crisis: 231 people died from an overdose in Vermont in 2023, with 95% of overdoses involving Fentanyl. What must be done to prevent overdoses, promote addiction recovery, and deter the illegal sale of opioids in Vermont?

“This one breaks my heart. For years I literally get physically ill when thinking about someone overdosing. I’ve talked to a number of members of the medical community on all levels. To a fault, they’ve said addiction recovery is available but the majority of the users they see do not want to pursue recovery. I do believe if we cut off the source of the illegal drugs, some might be forced into recovery programs. We need to enable law enforcement to arrest drug dealers with the assurance that the judiciary will administer strong penalties. . .  not the catch and release model we’ve seen for the past years. What police officer would put their life on the line to make an arrest if they know the perpetrator will be back for business-as-usual in a matter of hours or days? And furthermore, I do not believe clean injection sites are in any way an answer to this problem.”

LIGHTNING ROUND (Yes or No, or less than 10 seconds each)

Should private schools be funded with public dollars? “School Choice Yes”

Do you support raising the age of family court jurisdiction? “What part of family court are we referencing? It depends.”

Should biomass (burning wood) play a role in emissions reduction strategies? “No.”

Do you support a statewide ban on assault weapons? “No.”

Did Governor Scott overstep his authority by appointing Zoie Saunders as Interim

Education Secretary? “No.” 

Where do you get your news? “Multiple sites.”

Do you ride the bus? “No.”

What's your favorite ice cream in Vermont? ”Maple Cremee,The Cupboard in Jeffersonville or the Shelburne Country Store, hard ice cream available in the supermarket is Wilcox Dairy.”

Health Care: One of the primary drivers in rising school budgets and affordability issues in Vermont is the increasing cost of health insurance. What can the state do to reduce the cost of healthcare and meet the health care needs of every Vermonter? I see 2 driving principles that could be implemented.

“As I noted before, a free market economy is one without government intervention or regulation. In a purely free market, buyers and sellers arrive at prices based only on supply and demand.

If we open healthcare to private providers and significantly reduce government intervention, the law of supply and demand should regulate the costs. It’s when there are NO options that costs rise unchecked. There is lots of demand and little supply. Subsidiarity is a principle that states that social and political issues should be addressed at the most local level possible. It also states that a central authority should only perform tasks that cannot be done at a more local level. 

Therefore, by putting healthcare decisions back into the hands of the medical providers---not the insurance companies or big pharma or even the State of Vermont—---the principle of subsidiarity will allow a free market economy to thrive.  I know this is radical, but the state has done a lousy job thus far of keeping healthcare costs in check. It’s time to try a different approach.”  

Progressive Tax Initiatives: This year, Democrats and Progressives in the House proposed new taxes on the state's highest earners and largest assets, including an increased income tax on earners over $500k, an increased property transfer tax on properties over $750k, and an increased corporate income tax. These new taxes largely did not make it through the Senate. Do you support raising taxes on high earners and wealthy Vermonters?

“I do not support raising taxes on high earners and wealthy Vermonters. Why should we penalize success? Who decides when someone is wealthy? Who decides what makes a high earner? After all, if your expenses exceed your earnings, you’re not wealthy. When we increase corporate income tax, we run the risk of corporations moving out of state. In all reality, we should be trying to bring manufacturing to Vermont. We need strong businesses to pay taxes, offer good paying jobs and bring families to Vermont. I’m not against taxes for services necessary to our way of life. . . . police, fire, roads, education (both public and private), as well as the infrastructure to viably support these necessities on a state level. However, when the legislature decides that some need to pay more than others based purely on perception of wealth, I believe that’s government overreach.”

Immigration: Vermont's population of immigrants, migrants, refugees, and asylees is growing. How can the state better support newcomers and meet language access needs?

“I support legal immigration. However, fast-tracking some while making it difficult for others is not acceptable. I just learned of an immigrant coming from a South American country who has been stonewalled at every turn, despite completing all necessary forms and following all the rules. It took months for this person to acquire a green card. This person has seen others pushed through the system while personally being held back for not dotting an I or crossing a T. We should support those seeking citizenship, seeking employment and planning on making Vermont their home. We have no obligation to those here illegally or those who have been here and have made no steps toward becoming productive citizens. Those coming as immigrants need to become English Language Learners. I believe those classes, whether for children through the public school or for adults through any number of means, should be a huge priority in our immigration system. I’m not exactly sure what that would look like, but IMO local control and local access would be necessary.”

Climate Change: 2025 is the first year that Vermont is required to meet a series of emissions reduction targets outlined by the Global Warming Solutions Act. Is Vermont on track to meet the 2025 target? What more needs to be done to reduce our emissions?

“In my opinion, the Global Warming Solutions Act needs a serious overhaul. Taxing fossil fuels to the extent of driving people from the state is not acceptable. We’re already one of the lowest emission states in the country and I think this is a diversionary path taking valuable time and resources from other more pressing problems facing the state. The climate has changed and continues to change. However, a hyper-focus on climate change based on a minimal amount of data from all recorded history is not something I want Vermonters to spend billions of dollars on in the next few years. I am definitely a proponent of being a good steward of the planet. I’ve had a mulch pile for 44 years. . . . in every place we’ve owned. I recycle almost religiously. I think trashing our roadways and fields is unacceptable and should carry a hefty fine. We live on gorgeous land that should be properly taken care of. However, heavily taxing some heat sources as compared to others is short-sighted. What would Florida and Western NC be doing without fossil fuel generators?  Some people have been without electricity for weeks while linemen and women risk life and limb to restore electricity. It is gas- and diesel-powered vehicles that are bringing in necessary aid. It takes a balance and when we focus on one source to the exclusion of other sources, we lose that tenuous balance.” 

Political Temperature: Political differences were front and center this biennium, with the Governor vetoing a record number of bills passed by the legislature, and the legislature in turn overriding a record number of those vetoes. Talk about a time you worked across differences to accomplish something and how you might approach collaborating with colleagues you don't agree with.

“Because I’m new to politics, I have no “for instance” moment. However, just from life experience, I know it’s important to find common ground when negotiating. Even if it’s a small, seemingly insignificant piece of ground, it’s a place to begin. Concessions and compromises can be reached on negotiables. I recently used the illustration that if the legislature had to vote on chocolate or vanilla ice cream, I would choose vanilla. I would find no problem in conceding if the majority wanted chocolate. However, if I was asked to be deceitful or dishonest in any way, I could not concede. Honesty is a core value. Vanilla is not. Betraying core values is non-negotiable.”

Closing remarks:

“Thank you for this opportunity. It’s difficult to sum up thoughts on difficult issues within the 90-second window, but it’s a wonderful exercise. I appreciate your willingness to host this forum. And to all the voters make your voice heard and VOTE!!!”

Copyright © 2024, Lynn Smith for VT House Campaign.   All rights reserved.

10/04/2024 Article From the Essex Reporter on my candidacy. Click on link below.

9/28/2024

I’ve been labeled the “STEALTH” candidate by my opposition. I’ll own that term in the following way to provide an overview of my platform:

·         Subsidiarity…..

o   a principle that states that decisions should be made at the lowest possible, or closest to where they will have an effect.  This principle holds that what can be done at a lower level in a social system shouldn’t be done at a higher one. I believe the state has overtaken our local control, therefore we have out-of-control spending funded by…..

·         Taxation…..

o   11.12% of our personal income goes to state and local taxes. Vermont is #3 in the nation for tax burden. We must change our tax and spend mentality, especially in respect to. . .   

·         Education…..

o   Educational excellence does not require bloated pricing. Our schools need to be e.d.u.c.a.t.i.n.g.  Equality of opportunity (the constitutional guarantee) is  different from the brand of equity our Agency of Education is selling. Let’s work hard to develop opportunities for our students to achieve on a multitude of levels. We must prepare students to become the next generation of Vermonters. However, I’m hearing that students are leaving the state because of . . . 

·         Affordability…..

o   What can I say? Housing/groceries/other goods and services are expensive! Why? I don’t have the answer to this question but am willing to work with those who know more than I do to bring down the overall cost of living in Vermont. I’m also willing to go the extra mile to bring back. . . 

·         Law and Order…..

o   Crime is the number 2 concern among Essex Junction Town and City residents. The punishment should be appropriate to the crime. To live in a civil society, we must have law and order. At this point, I am neither in favor of nor totally against a prison in the Town of Essex. I do question why this expenditure is necessary in a state where catch-and-release is our current modus-operandi. I’m also intrigued by the directive that the prison must be located with access to a main road, near the interstate and with accessibility to a bus route, which brings me to. . .

·         Transportation Infrastructure…..

o   a key to the well-being of all Vermonters. Why are we subsidizing electric vehicles to the detriment of our roads? Since electric vehicle owners pay little to no tax needed to fund road construction/repair, they essentially are using Vermont roads for free. Yet those paying gasoline tax (at the pump) pay for the upkeep of our roads. A more equitable system needs to be devised not penalizing or elevating one vehicle decision over another. 

·         Healthcare…..

o   a hot topic on a lot of people’s minds. The Green Mountain Care Board has just penalized UVMMC for not rigorously following their mandates. Hence, UVMMC has issued a statement that care will be compromised because of the cuts needed to stay in line with GMCB. May I suggest the principle of Subsidiarity be applied to our healthcare system? 

Thank you to the opposition for making me sit down and think carefully about my ability to be a STEALTH candidate. 

9/22/2024  Bullet Voting - An Explanation

Sharing more information on a strategy called bullet voting that was mentioned at the recent Visions of Vermont Values fundraiser. If you want your vote for specific candidate(s) to have a higher impact or increase their chances in races where you can vote for more than one candidate such as State Senator, State Representative or Justice of the Peace. 

A bullet vote is when a person only votes for one candidate, even if they are allowed to vote for more. This type of vote can have a bigger impact on the outcome of an election. For example, if there are three candidates and a person only votes for one, that candidate has a better chance of winning because they have one more vote than the other two candidates.

Definition: A bullet vote is a type of vote where a voter casts their ballot for fewer candidates than the number of positions available. This type of vote can slightly enhance the ballot's effect on the outcome.

Example: In an election where three candidates are running for two positions, a voter may choose to cast a bullet vote by only selecting one candidate instead of two. This means that their vote will only count towards that one candidate, potentially increasing their chances of winning.

This example illustrates how a bullet vote can be used strategically to increase the chances of a preferred candidate winning.