Week In Action 5/13/2016

The legislative session may have ended, but Phil and Team Scott continue to accelerate! Here are a few highlights from the last week:

90-DAY SESSIONS & 2-YEAR BUDGETS
Phil hasn’t slowed down following the close of the second session of the legislative biennium. He immediately advanced two proposals designed to encourage more Vermonters to serve in the Legislature, and to focus lawmakers on issues Vermonters care most about, including strengthening the economy and increasing the efficiency of state government so its more cost effective. Specifically:
Limit annual legislative sessions to 90 days in an effort to set clear parameters that would encourage more working Vermonters to run and to serve. When the legislature reflects the population its elected to serve, its better able to tackle the issues that matter most to working families and employers.
Set a two-year budget, which would impose more fiscal discipline on spending, strengthen long-term planning, and establish the strong foundation needed to modernize state government in ways that lower operational costs.
Bringing his listen, learn, lead approach to the statehouse, Phil would work closely with newly elected lawmakers to advance these critical initiatives. Click HERE to read the official press release.

LISTENING & LEARNING ACROSS VERMONT
Residents of Ascutney and South Ryegate welcomed Phil this week as he met with Vermonters in each region to learn more about their challenges and priorities. Phil welcomed the opportunity to discuss ideas for making Vermont more affordable, growing our economy, and restoring faith and trust in state government. And to enjoy a nice pasta dinner, of course. Thanks to South Ryegate’s Craig and Cindy Darling, and Ascutney’s Anne and Al Smith, Suzanne and Kent Butterfield, and Dan Hillard for hosting.

Phil also had the opportunity to speak with Bennington College students, faculty, and the Bennington community at an information session on the beautiful campus. The intimate gathering gave Phil the opportunity to learn more about the challenges Vermont students are facing, and discuss how he’ll work to create more opportunity for them upon graduation.

GREENING UP VERMONT
Thanks to everyone who joined Phil and Team Scott as we got an early start to Vermont’s 46th annual Green Up Vermont effort. With your help, we cleaned up Rt. 2 in Montpelier – all during Phil’s lunch break in the final days of the legislative session.

ICYMI: PHIL IN THE NEWS

Phil: A 90-Day session is just commonsense
“In addition to encouraging more Vermonters to serve, this commonsense approach will help get us back on track with legislative sessions that are intensive and disciplined about addressing key fiscal and operational needs.” (Source: Vermont Business Magazine: Full Story)

Phil: Vermonters deserve a fiscally responsible budget
“The new taxes and the budget approved by the House do not help hardworking Vermonters and Vermont businesses struggling with the crisis of affordability. Instead, it digs us even deeper into the economic hole created by seven fiscal years of unaffordable spending.” (Source: VT Digger: Full Story)

Jon Jamieson: Phil Scott for Governor
“Another thing I like about Phil is that he signs the front of a lot of pay checks. He appreciates business for more than its tax revenue. We need a governor who ‘gets it’ – someone who has built a strong business from the ground up.” (Source: Burlington Free Press: Full Story)

ICYMI: THIS WEEK’S #GOODREADS

Dr. Milton Marasch via VT Digger: The Nightmare of Vermont Health Connect
We hear from yet another dissatisfied and frustrated Vermonter on the inefficiencies, hurdles and disappointments faced when working with our failed health care exchange. Dr. Marasch calls for independent oversight of Vermont Health Connect based on its myriad problems. Phil made a similar call earlier this year when he led a coalition of lawmakers working to hold the Shumlin administration accountable by demanding an independent assessment of the exchange and a clear path forward. Read more about Phil’s efforts to fix this disastrous IT experiment HERE, and read Dr. Marasch’s full article HERE.

VPR: From Seeds to Sweets, Small Business Are a Winning Formula in Lamoille County
VPR highlights three small businesses in Lamoille County that have received recognition from the Small Business Administration. Small businesses are critical to our economy, and its encouraging to read about the hard work and success of these three Vermont-made businesses. Read the full article HERE. We need to do more to support employers, innovators and entrepreneurs, and must grow our economy so they can thrive. Learn more about Phil’s approach to strengthening our economy HERE.

Thanks to everyone that came out to events and participated in meetings this week. Be sure to follow along with the campaign’s activities everyday – and share your thoughts – @PhilScott4VT and https://www.facebook.com/PhilScottforVermont/.

Sincerely,

Team Scott