|
Steve Adams End of Session Speech |
|
Madam Speaker,
As we come to the end of this legislative session I'd first like to thank all the members for their service to our state. With cooperation together we work for the betterment of a state that we love. Thank you especially to those that took the time to email, phone or send a card during my surgery and recovery earlier this year. That meant a lot to me and encouraged me to return as soon as possible. That return was tempered by the loss of my long-time seat mate and mentor Cola Hudson and shortly later, Dave Clark. These two giants left a huge hole not just in the Government Operations Committee but in this body as a whole. They are sorely missed and not a day goes by that I don't think of them.
As I think back over these past two years I cannot help but be proud of the other 48 members of the Republican caucus. We came into this session low in number but with our heads held high. In January of 2007 the media asked how we could be “relevant” in the legislative process with so few members, with the so-called veto-proof majority in control. You have shown over and over again that your common sense approach to the issues have made you relevant to Vermonters. Even though we only had either 3 or 4 members in each committee, many bills came to the floor with your signature on them. Vermont is better off for your service to her. You proved to me that you were “The Little Train that Could.” Over and over we said “I think I can, I think I can.” and we did climb that mountain. It has been an honor and privilege serving as your leader.
Madam Speaker I wish you well in whatever future endeavor you undertake. It has been a pleasure serving under your leadership, both as a committee chair and now as Minority Leader. I have appreciated your fair approach from the podium and your dedication to policy over politics. I especially appreciation the trust you showed in me when appointing me as the only Republican House member on the Legislative Council for four years.
I thank the member from Windham for her kindness and professionalism in our working relationship. To the member from Johnson I offer the use of a calculator to be used in vote counting. Thank you to the member from Burlington who leads the largest Progressive Caucus in the nation. Personally I hope it only remains at six! My only regret about the 2007 – 2008 legislative biennium is that this body displayed a lack of political will and leadership to tackle the one issue that Vermonters have told us over and over again that they want us to address and that is property taxes. Instead of putting our shoulder to the grindstone, excuses were made telling Vermonters that the high taxes they pay are merely a perception and not reality. House Republicans stand ready to cooperate and collaborate to find a solution. One that is simple, fair and easy to understand. Anything less is a failure to those that beg us for answers
Thank you to all the staff that serves us around this building; the Sgt-at-Arms office, the Pages, the Clerks staff, housekeeping and to the Legislative Council.
Several of you have indicated that you will not be returning next session – choosing to “retire” instead. I think that you will agree that regardless of political affiliation we are in reality, a family. I will sincerely miss you and hope that you'll think of us occasionally. To BestyAnn Trask I will miss your smiling face, I'm not sure who will get the job of forthwithing to the Senate next session.
Lastly, but most importantly, I need to give my utmost thanks and appreciation to the member from Dorset, Representative Komline. Patti you have shown me what it means to be a leader and friend. I have learned much from you over this session. I truly appreciate and value the role you played in my absence early this year. You single-handedly ran the caucus for well over a month. I know this was a tremendous burden on you and you performed the task brilliantly. Leadership requires teamwork and in my absence I am aware that you had 47 assistants. Congratulations on a job well done. Friend, Colleague, Teacher. I am going to miss you this summer.
Thank you.
|
|
|
Democrats Leave Vermonters’ Financial Privacy Vulnerable |
|
House Republicans offer immediate fix to privacy breach MONTPELIER – Republican House leaders today blasted House Democrats for letting the private tax information of thousands of Vermonters continue to be exposed to junk mailers, telemarketers, identity thieves and prying eyes.
“When Act 185 was passed, the unintended effect of making prebate and rebate information public records became apparent,” said House Minority Leader, Rep. Steve Adams. He continued, “We called for immediate, bipartisan action to correct it. The Democrats refused to act then, and they refuse to act now. The difference between us is simple: Republicans want to protect Vermonters privacy and financial information and Democrats quite clearly do not.”
Despite an earlier promise by House Speaker Gaye Symington to take action to keep prebate and rebate information confidential, the House voted today to pass House Bill H.888, which includes a provision that will make prebate and rebate information public record. Democrats rejected a Republican proposal that would have kept this sensitive information private. Under the Republican proposal, introduced by Rep. Peg Flory, R-Pittsford, prebate/rebate checks would be sent directly to taxpayers as a check, as had been done in the past.
Adams was also sharply critical of the double standard held by Democratic leaders, “When we proposed greater financial disclosure for House and Senate campaigns in the interests of campaign finance reform, Democrats ran for the tall grass and rejected our proposal. Apparently the privacy for Democratic members of the Legislature is more important than that of other Vermonters.”
“The Democrats' refusal to fix Act 185's privacy breach shows they're more interested in letting junk mailers, telemarketers and identity thieves exploit Vermont families. The Legislature made a mistake, and we have an obligation to deliver on the Speaker’s promise to Vermonters,” said Adams.
Adams and Komline vowed to continue to press the Democratic leadership for an immediate resolution to the serious privacy issues of Act 185.
|
|
|
Vermonters Demand Property Tax Reform at Public Hearing |
|
March 14, 2008 MONTPELIER – “Property taxes are killing me.” That was just one of many comments that the House Ways & Means Committee heard at Thursday night’s public hearing on property tax reform.
People from every corner of Vermont turned out in force to express their views on the urgent need for property tax reform at Thursday night’s public hearing – a capacity crowd of nearly 100 people in Room 11 at the State House. The House Ways & Means Committee heard testimony from over 30 private citizens; not a single person testified in support of the current property tax system.
“The people were given an opportunity to speak,” said Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Patti Komline, “and the message was clear – the Majority leadership needs to put property tax reform back on the front burner.”
The public hearing was billed as an opportunity for Vermonters to provide feedback on two substantive property tax reform proposals. The first proposal, a Republican initiative known as the Local Education Affordability Formula – or LEAF – would replace the statewide property tax for residential property with a per-pupil grant and greater local control of school funding. The second proposal would replace the statewide property tax for residential property with an income tax surcharge.
“I continue to be disappointed with the Majority leadership’s continued focus on issues like Industrial Hemp, while they continue to ignore one of the most significant affordability challenges facing Vermont families,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Steve Adams.
House Republican leaders noted that many of the bills identified as a priority by House Speaker Gaye Symington have had little or no testimony from private citizens.
“There is a clear disconnect between State Street and Main Street,” said Adams. “We heard that message loud and clear at Town Meetings throughout Vermont, and the message was reaffirmed last night.”
“I find it discouraging that the Majority leadership continues to push boutique initiatives to the exclusion of substantive issues that matter most to working Vermonters,” continued Adams. “We are now in the waning days of the biennium and nothing has been accomplished in the way of property tax reform.”
House Republicans have vowed to push for more focus on the meaningful issues that they heard about during the Town Meeting break. In a letter addressed to House Speaker Gaye Symington this week, they asked for a renewed focus on critical issues such as property tax reform, Vermont’s economic situation, and health care reform. |
|
|
