This past Saturday, joined by a broad coalition of city residents, I officially kicked off my campaign for St. Albans City State Representative.
I’ve lived in St. Albans my entire life; I was born here, grew up here, went to school here and I hope to make my life here.
Unfortunately it is becoming increasingly difficult for young people, like me, to call this place home. My generation is disappearing; leaving in search of more affordable higher education, a more robust job market and a reasonable cost of living.
Vermonters of all generations understand and struggle with these same issues of affordability. Skyrocketing taxes, expensive housing, and high education costs have forced too many of us to face an incredibly difficult choice: to stay or to leave.
Burton Snowboards, was faced with that very question this past spring, and decided to move its manufacturing out of state.
When pressed on why it chose to leave, one company official said, “Simply put, it costs us significantly more to produce a board in Vermont than we are capable of selling it for, and sadly, this is not sustainable…”
About a week later, the House of Representatives voted 92-49 to increase taxes on Vermont based manufacturers, just like Burton, as well as contractors and farmers.
In fact, in the past two years, in the middle of a devastating recession, the Legislative majority has forced Vermont families and businesses to shoulder more than $20 million in new taxes. That number doesn’t even include the property tax increases we face across the state, because the majority in Montpelier hasn’t been able to find the will to face these challenges.
The super majority in the Legislature is out of balance and out of touch, and if left unchecked, staying here won’t even be an option for far too many Vermonters.
It’s important for us, however, to remember one thing: it doesn’t have to be this way.
There are people in our city and in our state who believe government should help attract high quality jobs, not chase them away.
There are people who understand the negative effect that our tax burden and high cost of living, have on families and small businesses.
And here in our community, there are people who understand how important it is to find a way to combat a growing drug problem, which threatens too many lives, and touches too many families.
I am willing and eager to pursue these priorities as your next Representative. I’m running to represent St. Albans City in the State House; because voters deserve a clear choice between business-as-usual and a fresh voice of commonsense and fiscal responsibility.
I’m proud to have grown up and to live in St. Albans. This is my home, and it’s a good home, and with your help, we can make sure it remains so for generations to come.
Dustin Degree
Published in the St. Albans Messenger, 7.27.2010
I’ve lived in St. Albans my entire life; I was born here, grew up here, went to school here and I hope to make my life here.
Unfortunately it is becoming increasingly difficult for young people, like me, to call this place home. My generation is disappearing; leaving in search of more affordable higher education, a more robust job market and a reasonable cost of living.
Vermonters of all generations understand and struggle with these same issues of affordability. Skyrocketing taxes, expensive housing, and high education costs have forced too many of us to face an incredibly difficult choice: to stay or to leave.
Burton Snowboards, was faced with that very question this past spring, and decided to move its manufacturing out of state.
When pressed on why it chose to leave, one company official said, “Simply put, it costs us significantly more to produce a board in Vermont than we are capable of selling it for, and sadly, this is not sustainable…”
About a week later, the House of Representatives voted 92-49 to increase taxes on Vermont based manufacturers, just like Burton, as well as contractors and farmers.
In fact, in the past two years, in the middle of a devastating recession, the Legislative majority has forced Vermont families and businesses to shoulder more than $20 million in new taxes. That number doesn’t even include the property tax increases we face across the state, because the majority in Montpelier hasn’t been able to find the will to face these challenges.
The super majority in the Legislature is out of balance and out of touch, and if left unchecked, staying here won’t even be an option for far too many Vermonters.
It’s important for us, however, to remember one thing: it doesn’t have to be this way.
There are people in our city and in our state who believe government should help attract high quality jobs, not chase them away.
There are people who understand the negative effect that our tax burden and high cost of living, have on families and small businesses.
And here in our community, there are people who understand how important it is to find a way to combat a growing drug problem, which threatens too many lives, and touches too many families.
I am willing and eager to pursue these priorities as your next Representative. I’m running to represent St. Albans City in the State House; because voters deserve a clear choice between business-as-usual and a fresh voice of commonsense and fiscal responsibility.
I’m proud to have grown up and to live in St. Albans. This is my home, and it’s a good home, and with your help, we can make sure it remains so for generations to come.
Dustin Degree
Published in the St. Albans Messenger, 7.27.2010
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