Welcome and thank you for visiting my website. It is an honor to serve the people of Vermont and to work with my colleagues in the Senate and House.

After a four-year absence from the legislature, I returned to the State House in 2006. Over the past four years I have worked to stimulate Vermont’s economy, put Vermonters to work in the renewable energy sector, bring high speed internet and cellular service to the back roads of our state, lower prescription drug prices and grant all Vermonters equal rights with the passage of same sex marriage.

Outside of the legislature, my brother and I run a small successful student travel business, Putney Student Travel. Putney Student Travel sends high school students around the world to engage in community service projects. To find out more check out: www.goputney.com

In the 2010 legislative session Vermont, like many states, had difficult decisions to make to weather this economic storm. The state faced daunting budget deficits and we continued to take a responsible and balanced approach to address this challenge. While we made the tough choices necessary we also sustained the Vermont tradition of helping the most vulnerable through these difficult economic times.

Highlights from the 2010 legislative session:

• Creating Vermont Jobs:
  • Jobs Bill: In passing the jobs bill, we answered the call of business leaders and farmers to create greater access to capital and workforce training and give aid to farmers to help purchase seeds.
  • Capital Bill: hundreds of Vermont jobs will be created to make improvements to our state’s infrastructure.
  • Transportation Bill: With this year’s investments in our transportation infrastructure, we will have a record number of paving projects as well as numerous other road and bridge improvements around the state, putting hundreds of Vermonters to work.
  • Energy: With continued investments in Vermont’s energy future we took steps toward a sustainable energy future while creating good paying green jobs.
  • Telecommunications: The investments in Vermont’s telecommunications infrastructure take steps to bring high-speed internet service to all parts of the state and create jobs.
  • Supporting Vermont Businesses: through an exemption, Vermont businesses will be given a break on capital gains taxes. Taxes will remain level for non-job creating gains such as the sale of real estate, stocks, bonds and other financial instruments. The federal production deduction will go into effect as planed at 9%, giving Vermont manufacturers a boost much needed in this tough economic time.
    
• Collaboration with Vermonters:
  • We have collaborated with the teachers and the treasurer to reduced teacher retirement benefits to close the teacher’s retirement fund deficit. This has saved $15 million a year.
  • State employees have been laid off and furloughed and have taken cuts to their salaries, saving the state $8 to $12 million.
  • Schools have made substantial reductions and we are going to ask them to do more, allowing us to provide a level property tax rate and to reduce our general fund contribution. Property tax rates will not rise next year.
  • Vermont’s fiscal crisis has been eased by the Federal commitment in ARRA stimulus funding and the flexibility of Federal partners in Medicaid funding. Our Congressional delegation has lobbied successfully on behalf of Vermonters.
  • In collaboration with the Judicial Branch, $1 million is found through court efficiencies while improving access to justice for our citizens.
  • All legislators took a 5% pay cut and ended the session early.
• A budget which keeps our commitment to Vermonters
  • Throughout the session, we went to work to fill a $154 million budget deficit in a responsible way that does not compromise our commitment to each other as Vermonters in a time when that commitment is needed most.
  • Maintains the health and well being of Vermonters, without devastating cuts.
  • Avoided enacting draconian proposals made by the governor by restoring protection to seniors, the disabled and children with special needs.
  • A balanced a responsible approach that addresses future fiscal challenges today.
  • Continues our strong commitment to preserving Vermont’s way of life by making investments in our education, health care, energy, transportation, and telecommunications infrastructures.

Moving Vermont's best-in-the-nation health care system forward:

• The legislature continued its long held commitment to providing quality healthcare at an affordable cost for Vermonters through the passage of S.88.

Demonstrated commitment for a beautiful Vermont and sustainable future:

• We protected Lake Champlain for generations of future use through passage a bill to keep our state's largest lake clean and clear.
• The e-waste bill will revolutionize our successful recycling programs in the state.
•  We passed an energy bill which moves Vermont toward a clean, renewable energy future.
• And we passed a strong decommissioning bill which sent a message to Entergy Louisiana: clean up the site when Vermont Yankee is decommissioned as scheduled.

Maintaining local control:

• The last night of the session we took a bold step—with the governor’s objection—to pass a bill to encourage Vermont school districts to work with neighboring districts to streamline resources in a way that improves the education of our children rather than stifling it.

Thank you again for visiting my website, please use it to gather information about your state government. I hope you share with me your thoughts and ideas by phone or email. I always look forward to hearing from you.