This Blog Has Moved

For this session I am posting weekely update to the "2019 Journal" page of my website: CT4VT.com

Election Day

I made it!

From 7:00 am to about 7:00 pm on November 6th I stood in the chilly sometimes-rain at the polls. I had a School Board meeting at 7:00 pm so had to change clothes and hustle over to that. At the time I left, the cars were still coming and there was no let up. The polls must have stayed open past 7:00 to accommodate. It was a record turnout, particularly so for a midterm election.

While in the School Board meeting I received the results. Seth Chase and I (both Democrats) easily won seats for district 9-1. In 9-2 (also Colchester) Pat Brennan, (a Republican) and Sarita Austin  (a Democrat) won. Each side of Colchester sends two Representatives. This was all good news.

I attribute the strong results for the Democratic party throughout Vermont to a very strong turn-out motivated by a resoundingly negative attitude toward President Donald Trump. Sarita also campaigned hard and the Vermont Democratic Party helped her and Seth Chase.

The, as yet, unofficial results for the House races in Colchester were

• CHI-9-1 - My district - The Village
• Curt Taylor (D) - 1,665
• Seth Chase (D) - 1,310
• Deserae Morin (R) - 971
• Clark Sweeney (R) - 806
• CHI-9-2 - The Bay
• Pat Brennan (R) - 1,842
• Sarita Austin (D) - 1,741
• Herb Downing (D) - 1,496
• Pam Loranger (R) - 1,465

But now all that is behind us and I'm looking toward the January 9th start of the session.

The Campaign Begins

The 2018 Campaign has Begun

Last week was the Vermont state primary and  I was outside the polls on a hot and humid day. Thunderclouds threatened. After twelve hours of greeting voters it was good to relax. But this is just the beginning of my campaign for re-election. 

Things will soon get busy and I may not have time to update this blog every week. We'll see.

If you're interested in helping out with the campaign, you can make a donation by going to the Donate page of my website (CT4VT.com). I am also looking for people willing to have yard signs on their property. Please feel free to contact me by phone (802 324 7188 - voice or text) or email (CurtTaylorVT@gmail.com).

Special Session - The Ball in the Senate's Court

For the most up-to-date reporting from me on the impending Shutdown, go to the Special Session page of my website: www.ct4vt.com

June 20th - The Special Session Continues

Scheduling Chaos

I never know from one week to the next what is required of me. This can be frustrating as I try to make plans.

I have been regularly updating my Special Session page of my website. That is he best source of information about what I'm doing and my perspective on what has transpired. Posts to this blog will be sporadic for a while.

One thing I should make clear is that even though it has been 28 days since the Special Session began I have only been paid for about 4 or 5 of those days. We are only paid for the days we actually attend and my presence is not often required (sad to say). Several of the committees have been working and those Legislators are paid, but the rest of us just appear on the days we actually meet on the floor and move legislation along. So it's not as if there are 180 legislators (House 150, Senate 30) standing around collecting money from the state. The number that are getting paid varies from day to day depending on what work is required.

Work on the Capitol Dome progresses

Message from Montpelier - The Veto Over-ride Vote

As published in the Colchester Sun - June 21st, 2018

Colchester High School Graduation

As a Colchester School Board member, I attended the Colchester High School graduation last Saturday. A picture-perfect summer day in Vermont. Student speeches by Megan Lagerquist and Jacob Dell were impressive; well thought-out and well delivered. These students are neither naive nor cynical, showing instead a guarded optimism toward the future. Retiring Assistant Principal Tim Emery’s speech reminded me again of the dedication and sincere commitment to educating Colchester’s youth that so many of the district’s teachers and administrators evidence. Colchester is indeed a great place to live and raise children.

What has happened in Montpelier since that CHS graduation? You tell me. I hammered out this article last Sunday morning. On Tuesday the legislature met, but I have no idea what happened. It hasn’t happened yet. The governor vetoed the General Assembly’s compromise budget. Word is that there will be a veto over-ride vote on Tuesday? Was there? If so and it passed, several Republicans have voted against their governor; a hard thing to do. If an over-ride failed, we are still without a budget and closer yet to July 1st and a government shutdown. Concerned Vermonters are either relieved or biting their nails. If you’re curious about what happened, go to the Special Session page of my website: CT4VT.com. I’ll update that before you have a chance to read this.

After the graduation exercise I stopped in at a neighbor’s graduate reception. In the shade of a backyard tent, neighbors talked, laughed, and ate a fine dinner of salads and grilled meats. Several high school students tossed frisbees.  Our neighbor’s daughter is going on to college.  I did the same at that age. It was not until after college that I turned to being a farm hand and sawmill worker. Depending on her resources, she may have the freedom I had to sample many occupations. Or she may be faced with the burdens of student loans, health insurance, and the lack of affordable housing. When I left the reception the grad’s father called after me with a smile, “Just keep my taxes low.” I replied that I am trying.

Back to the future. I, no doubt, voted to over-ride the governor’s veto. Yes, the result will probably be a tax increase. For Colchester that’s true regardless of how I voted. No, I did not ignore my neighbor’s call. The best way to keep taxes low, or reduce them, is to make careful and responsible long-term financial decisions. A surprise gift, like a graduation card with a check enclosed, should be used to reduce future on-going expenses; one-time money to reduce the state’s pension obligations. I trust Colchester High School graduates will not learn that the hard way.

June 1st 2018 - Another week of Special Session

Fire drills, Bats, and Compromises?

A day of delays and just weird stuff. See my 2018 Special Section page of my website for the details. And note the scaffolding going up on the roof for restoration of the Capitol Dome.

We're back Tuesday of next week to see what progress can be made toward funding the state and avoiding a shutdown.