Welcome!
Happy Holidays!
Dec 17, 2009
Senator Phil Scott Announces His Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor
Burlington, Vt. - Washington County Senator Phil Scott today announced that he will be running for Lieutenant Governor in 2010. He gave the following speech surrounded by a large crowd of supporters:
"I'm Phil Scott - native Vermonter, graduate of Spaulding High School and the University of Vermont, fisherman and snowmobiler, mechanic and laborer, truck driver and stock car driver, both a cyclist and a biker, father and business owner, State Senator, proud Republican, and as of today, candidate for Lieutenant Governor of the State of Vermont.
I am honored to stand before you today - surrounded by so many people who have supported and guided me through the years: colleagues in the construction industry, who appreciate the challenges of running and working a business in Vermont; competitors and fans from Thunder Road who share in the excitement and sense of community that fills the speedway in Barre every Thursday night from May to October; and the friends and family members, whose Yankee independence and compassion for others helped shape who I am today.
My Dad died when I was 11, and not a day goes by that I don't think about him, how special he was, and what a profound impact he had on my life. He was a World War II D-Day Veteran, who lost both legs when the tank he was operating hit a landmine. He spent 2 years in Walter Reed hospital and was in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But that experience never stopped "Scotty," as he was known to everyone. He met and married my Mom, who was a student at Johnson state college and a clerk at the Elmore General store, he worked full time for the state highway department, was an active Mason, Shriner, proud patriot and member of the VFW. And in the years before he died from those injuries, he took me and my brothers camping every chance he could. His fierce determination, his pride in community and country, and his dogged work ethic, drove him then as they drive me today.
I'm inspired by that independence and driven by a quiet but focused passion, seeking to inspire those who are willing and able to help others but don't know how. I believe that government can and should help those in need take care of themselves and get back on their feet, and as a Senator I've supported our investment in critical human service programs that help Vermont's neediest families. I initiated the Wheels for Warmth program 5 years ago with the help of many of you, and it's a great example of how we can help others without waiting for the government to intervene, or without raising taxes to expand another government program. To date - volunteers and community members have raised almost $100,000 for emergency fuel assistance, at the same time recycling almost 10,000 tires and extending the life and use of another 6000 more. Recycling, conservation, and keeping a few more families warm during tough times - all this without a single grant or piece of legislation. As Lieutenant Governor, I will work to inspire more of these community-led efforts to improve our environment and assist our friends and neighbors.
We all know that small businesses in Vermont are facing unprecedented challenges. We don't need to add to their burden by increasing taxes and regulations. As someone who has built a business in Vermont and had to make a payroll every week for the last 25 years, I know what small businesses need to thrive. They need access to capital, they need to be encouraged rather than discouraged when they want to innovate, and they need relief from one of the highest tax burden in the country. As Lieutenant Governor, I'll be a champion for pro-job policies that focus on getting Vermonters back to work.
We can figure out a way to protect our agrarian way of life and preserve our strong environmental ethic with common sense solutions, rather than by adding to our ever complicated bureaucracy. I know this because I've helped forge tough compromises and find answers to complex issues all of my life and most recently in the Vermont Senate.
Government must live within its means, just as families and businesses across Vermont do every day. In business, if expenses are outpacing revenues, you have to cut costs - it's that simple. I'm not saying it's easy, but sometimes you can't have everything you want - you have to figure out what's most important and prioritize. As Lieutenant Governor, I will be a voice of fiscal common sense - always keeping in mind that the workers of Vermont pay the bills of state government.
We've gotten altogether too dependent - dependent on state services, dependent on foreign oil and dependent on federal assistance. We need to learn to take care of ourselves again by fixing what's broken and rebuilding our economy and manufacturing capacity, with a focus on local energy generation, sustainable agriculture and forestry.
And, learning to take care of ourselves again starts in the home and in the classroom. I know first hand what a difference a quality education can make for a young Vermonter. As a graduate of Vermont schools, I was proud to also send my daughters to Vermont's outstanding public schools. But the ever-increasing property tax burden is squeezing families and choking small businesses. As Lieutenant Governor, I will work hard to maintain the high quality education our kids deserve, while pushing for long-overdue reform to the way we pay for education. For many, education-funding is a third-rail in politics, but I won't shy away from the tough issues - that's just not the way I operate.
In addition to investing in human capital to create good jobs and ensure a quality education, we must invest in our infrastructure. As a contractor, and member of both the Transportation and Institutions Committees in the Senate, I've seen firsthand the tremendous importance of good roads, safe bridges, and buildings with solid foundations. But I also know that the infrastructure of the future will depend as much on wireless and broadband technology as it will on physical structures. If we want to have a strong and growing economy, we need to invest in both digital and tangible improvements. As Lieutenant Governor, I will be a strong voice to make sure we don't overlook the maintenance and investment in our critical infrastructure.
I got into politics initially because I was ready to be part of the solution to the challenges we face as a state. And over the years, I've learned that politics and racing are a lot alike and I'd just as soon play both of them straight up and head on. This race for Lieutenant Governor is going to be a long one, but I'm the right Vermonter for the job. I'm ready to put in the hard work at the shop and in the pits. I've got the skills to negotiate the turns in the track, deal with obstacles as they arise, and utilize the patience I've been given to set the right pace. And I'm a true team player - ready to help drive both myself and Brian Dubie across the finish line.
As with any venture, one can't do it alone. I'll need your continued support in the coming months and I thank you for your support over the past 10 years. I'm ready and able to work hard every day to earn your vote for Lieutenant Governor! Thank you again for being here today."
Nov 2, 2008
Signs of the Times
MONTPELIER - It seems unlikely anyone would complain that Sen. Phil Scott was picking trash up on the side of the road most of the year. But when an election comes around, the unlikely happens.
Scott and volunteers with his state Senate campaign began earlier this fall to pick up litter as part of his re-election campaign. It seemed a good way to clean up some of the miles of road in his county, and a good way to avoid doing "honk and waves," a not terribly fun campaign right-of-passage in which candidates stand next to the road and wave signs.
Read the full story at timesargus.com
Oct 28, 2008
UNFORTUNATELY, because of a complaint from one of our opponents in the campaign we will have to suspend our litter campaign (see posting below) while we sort out the necessary paperwork and regulations regarding working within Agency of Transportation Rights of Way. We must now review whether a permit is required.
We initially felt secure in our program because, in effect, this was similar to a Green Up Day effort that has been a tradition in our state for many years. By using construction signs to make motorists aware of the workers along the roadside and reflectorized vests to keep our volunteers safe we felt that we had covered all the bases to insure a safe and successful program. Now we will have to reevaluate our effort in light of the complaint filed by one of our opponents. We will curtail the effort until further notice to insure that we are doing everything within the letter of the law.
~Phil Scott
Oct 27, 2008 - Trash Haul (Route 12 – Montpelier – Worcester)
Sept 22, 2008
I've decided to do something a little different this year as I campaign around the county seeking re election as one of your Senators from Washington County. Over the last 4 elections I've done my share of holding up banners and waving on street corners. This year I'll be getting out and picking up litter on our roadsides throughout Washington county. After biking over 2000 miles this summer it has become apparent to me that we need to do more then just green up day... so instead of doing the normal ritual, I'll be out trying to do something productive- cleaning up and giving tourists a better impression of our beautiful county and state.
~Phil Scott
A member of the Vermont Senate representing Washington County since 2001, Phil Scott currently serves as chair of the Institutions Committee and vice chair of the Transportation Committee. Upon winning a seat in the senate, Phil’s first committee assignment was to Natural Resources and Energy where he worked successfully on storm water and mercury legislation. In 2004 Phil's hard work and efforts (with bipartisan support) paid off in helping to negotiate reforms to the Act 250 permit process and enhance the environmental court.
4th Annual Wheels for Warmth
Saturday, Oct. 25th 7am - 3pm
DuBois Construction
46 Three Mile Bridge Road, Montpelier
100% of the proceeds generated by the Wheels for Warmth initiative are donated to Central Vermont Community Action to be used to buy heating fuel for anyone in crisis. Last year, Wheels for Warmth helped over 100 families who could not afford to heat their homes. For directions or more information about the upcoming Wheels for Warmth event, visit www.wheelsforwarmth.com or contact DuBois Construction at 223-5288.