Property Taxes continue to rise much faster than inflation. Incomes of most Vermonters are not keeping up. Retirees are often on fixed income. This outlook is bleak. Most of the property taxes go to public education. Clearly the reforms over the last several years have not worked to contain costs. The quality of the education has not significantly moved. What will you do to fix this problem?
Bob Zeliff
Bridport

Do you have a plan for increasing funding for supported employment programs so that more people with developmental disabilties can work? Given that our workforce is getting older I think it going to be even more important that we as a state are able to provide the necessary job supports so that people w disabilties can become tax paying citizen and make a difference in society. The unemployment rate is highest among people with disabilties in America. Nicole in Montpelier

Question for Symington/Pollina
What is your plan addressing the shortage of physcians that accept medicid patients in this state and prescriptions that medicaid will not cover like glasses if your over 21? That is a very problem that many people with disabiltis talk about.
Nicole, Montpelier

Efficiency Vermont has been estabilished as one of the most effective energy conservation programs in the country. However, since funding for Efficiency Vermont is based on electricity consumption, its focus tends to be on reducing electric use.

How would you address the increasingly desparate need for reducing the use of oil in vermont?

There are many issues that are important to me, one being freedom to marry for all Vermonters. I would like to hear each candidate speak to their position on this issue. Vermont Freedom to Marry Taskforce in 2006 reported that 53% of Vermonters support the legal right of gay and lesbian couples to marry, or lean in that direction, while only 40% of Vermonters oppose or lean against the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. Even the Doyle Poll conducted at the 2008 town meeting day (over 7,000 Vermonters were polled) showed that 54% of Vermonters support marriage equality. With California & Massachussetts having paved the way, isn't it time that Vermont takes a stand on this important issue?

While talk of housing foreclosures continue, I'd hate to forget about those members of our population that remain the most vulnerable - our residents with lowest income. Vermont has an alarmingly high homeless rate for a state of this size, only being further exacerbated by the recent economic downturn. What do you plan to do to address this immediate housing need, exemplified by overflowing singles shelters, and family shelters with a wait list of 10 to 15 families at any given time in the summer months? What is your plan to support this need this upcoming winter, and what is the long-term plan for affordable housing in Vermont in the future?

As Governor how will you deal with the Vt Yankee decommissioning fund shortfall, the restructuring of Entergy and spilloff of Vt Yankee to the new company and the replacement of the Vt Yankee power when it is shut down?

Jan Schultz
Burlington

What do you view as the role of the State Government?

What are your plans for helping the growing number of Vermonters who can no longer afford to heat their homes and the agencies that are running short of funds to provide fuel assistance?

I am receiving S.S.D.I.(social securiy disability insurance)of $848/month, but I have BlueCross BlueShield coverage that costs me more than $848/month and I cannot change to Catamount insurance because I only pay a $5000 deductible, which I reach easily because I need treatment for my disability. Would you lower the deductible from $10,000 to $5000 so that I can be eligible for Catamount?

Please explain how 400+ state workers can be laid off without diminishing public services. Why are support personnel (secretaries, receptionists) losing their jobs while management positions are increasing?

After the death of Brook Bennett the whole state is talking about predatory sex offenders. My question is why are drug dealers free to prey on the lives of our youth? What is the state going to do about the growing problem of drug use in our schools? As a state are we going to wait until our youth start dieing from drugs.

In the past few weeks there have been a number of car/bicycle crashes resulting in moderate to severe injuries for the cyclists. These crashes highlight the need for a good, appropriate, transportation infrastructure as well as on-going funding for motorist and cyclist education and dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
State transportation program funds pay for both education and the type of facilities projects that make Vermont so special – the sidewalks, bike paths, scenic easements that are locally and regionally important to communities and tourism. Given the scope and cost of these projects, however, they are not likely to be funded by the private sector.
a) Do you believe that it is the responsibility of the state to fund such projects?
b) Given the poor economy and tight budget, are you willing to ensure that such projects continue to be funded?

Vermont has the highest rate of homelessness in New England, and as of 2007, the second tightest rental market in the nation. As Governor, what will you do to address the affordable housing crisis in our state, particularly for the most vulnerable Vermonters?

It is absolutely unacceptable that 46 children in Burlington got ready for school this morning from a COTS emergency shelter, overflow motel, or a tent. In Vermont, 43,000 families spend more than 50% of their income on housing and utilities. Vermonters in this situation outnumber those in any other state in New England. Many families have to make the choice between paying the rent and buying food for their children. Once a family loses their housing they have very few options besides seeking an emergency shelter, which are full with incredible waitlists. As winter approaches and the cold temperatures set in, how would you support, financially and otherwise, an overflow plan so we don’t see Vermonters freezing on the streets? Would you also support long term solutions to this growing problem like increasing minimum wage, building more affordable housing, and increasing funding for section 8 vouchers so that families have options?
Ashley George
Burlington

Future of Vermont Yankee

I am extremely concerned about the safety of the Vermont Yankee
nuclear facility. It frightens me that it may be allowed to
continue operation beyond 2012.

As Governor, what are your plans for Yankee's future?

Susan Beard, Rutland, Vermont

In our state, at least 43,000 families spend more than 50% of their income on housing and utilities. Will you please outline what you can do to support low and middle income Vermonters as they strive to stay housed on a tight bugdet?

Sara
Burlington

As Governor, please give at least 2 steps you would take to address the growing problem of the severe lack of affordable housing and the increase in the number of homeless people in Vermont.

I'm very concerned with global warming, high oil prices, and our reliance on foreign oil. It seems logical to me that Vermont would agressively pursue renewable energy alternatives such as wind power. I'd like to ask why Governor Douglas has consistently opposed large scale wind energy development and ask what Speaker Symington's and Pollina's views are on renewable energy sources.

Susan Grab

What does each candidate think about the state-wide property tax?

Currently commercial properties, second homes and deer camps are lumped
together and taxed at the same rate. The goal is to help business owners have
a steady property tax, free from the local vote. The result is that in about
1/2 the towns in Vermont the second home owner pays a higher tax than his
year-round neighbor.

My husband retired after teaching high school math in Vermont, and we realize
the importance of education. But we now have no vote, yet are taxed together
with commercial properties at a higher rate than our neighbors. Let us either
vote locally for the school budget, or include a provision to allow us to pay
either the commercial rate or the local rate, whichever is lower.

Thank you.

Linda, Milton
Posted by VPR Online Producer, Tim Johnson