Last week we saw another example of how Democrats have a fundamentally different approach to solving problems than Republicans do. Despite Speaker Pelosi telling us he didn’t have the authority a few months ago, President Biden unilaterally paid for some portions of student loans using taxpayer money.

Putting aside for a moment the priority that Democrats have given to the increasing student loan, over other things like public safety, fixing the supply chain and creating housing that is affordable, there are a few problems with the way that Democrats addressed this issue, which establishes a pattern they use on other issues.

As someone who has always been pro-choice, I have talked to many Vermonters about Prop 5/Article 22, the constitutional amendment on the November ballot. They are supportive because all they hear is that it’s about a woman’s right to do with her body what she will, and how can you say no to that?

But they have second thoughts when they find out that it allows for an on-demand abortion up to and including nine months.

Nine months – think about it a minute. When is a fetus a baby?

I don’t know the answer, but I would think that at nine months at the very least it can be referred to as an unborn baby. All systems are a go – heart, lungs, brain, limbs etc. All the unborn baby needs is one breath of air and it’s off to the races – a new living, breathing member of the human race.

Read more at Vermont Daily Chronicle

Title IX a part of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government. The Biden Administration is proposing changes that will drastically alter it. Parent? Grandparent? Civic Leader? Teacher? Pastor? You should be concerned. Proposed changes will effect parental and religious rights, not to mention privacy and the rights of our girls to compete on a level playing field athletically. This rule making is open to public comment until September 12th. The Child and Parental Rights Campaign has provided information, links and templates to assist you in commenting.

Go to https://childparentrights.org for ideas, information, and  resources.

We remember the thirteen brave young men and women who paid the ultimate price a year ago this week:

• Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, from Salt Lake City, Utah
• Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, from Lawrence, Massachusetts
• Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, from Sacramento, California
• Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, from Indio, California
• Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, from Omaha, Nebraska
• Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, from Logansport, Indiana
• Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, from Rio Bravo, Texas
• Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, from St. Charles, Missouri
• Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, from Jackson, Wyoming
• Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, from Rancho Cucamonga, California
• Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, from Norco, California

Image from Young America's Foundation

Last night was a rough one around Rutland County. A huge shout out to all the firemen from many towns, law enforcement officers, and area farmers who contributed in giving aid while responding to multiple emergencies.

Rutland Herald: Barn Collapse Kills Dozens of Cows

***MEDIA RELEASE***

For Immediate Release                                                                                                       Contact: Terry Williams

May 19, 2022                                                                                                                    802-342-7306/ [email protected]

Terry Williams Announces VT Senate Run

Rutland County, VT—Rutland County Republicans are pleased to have Terry Williams running to represent our county in the VT Senate. A resident of Poultney who has been a soldier, farmer and statesman, Williams is an eighth generation Vermonter. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving with the Army and Army National Guard for 35 years as both enlisted and officer ranks including one combat tour in Afghanistan. 

Terry has three children and four grandchildren, and stated, “I would like to serve in the Vermont Legislature as a senator in 2023 in order to improve their futures in our state.”

After retiring, he returned to Poultney and purchased his aunt and uncle’s dairy farm and started Slate Hill Farms LLC, a NOFA certified, organic vegetable farm which he still operates today. Williams has served on the Board of Directors of the Stone Valley community market and was a member of the Vermont Fresh Network, Rutland Area Farm to Food Link (RAFFL).

As an active, civil servant in his community for many years, Williams has served as  town health officer, select board member, and chairman of the town Public Safety Committee; Recently re-elected to another 3-year term on the Poultney select board, he is currently serving as the Vice Chairman, the Poultney Emergency Management Coordinator and as commissioner to the Rutland Regional Planning Commission.

As a veteran, Williams is currently serving on the board of directors of the Dodge House in Rutland and is the Finance officer at the J. Claire Carmody American Legion Post #39 in Poultney. He is a life member of the Disabled Veterans of America (DAV), and is a member of VFW Post 648 in Rutland.

Terry is also an avid outdoorsman, conservationist, and hunter serving as the VT Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs Southern Vice-President, a member of the Green Mountain Quarrymen’s Association, Vermont Coverts, Vermont Woodlands Association, the Poultney and Benson Fish & Game Clubs and the Manchester Rod & Gun Club.

Terry Williams’ life has been dedicated to his family, community, state, and nation and he will continue to serve faithfully if elected to the Senate in November.

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                                                     ***MEDIA RELEASE***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          Contact: Dave Weeks

 May 12, 2022                                                                               [email protected] /802-417-9013

                              Dave Weeks Will Run for Rutland County Senate Seat

Rutland County, VT---The Rutland County Republicans are pleased to announce that Dave Weeks, originally from Wallingford, now residing in Proctor is joining the race to represent Rutland County as one of our State Senators.

Foremost on Dave’s agenda is regional economic rejuvenation via business incentives and tourism enhancement.  He recognizes the uniqueness of Vermont’s natural beauty/resources and the abundant underutilized local economic infrastructure, but believes strongly in balancing our quality of life for the next wave of regional economic revitalization. Dave sees a critical need for investing in highways/broadband infrastructure, lowering taxation, tourism rebranding, and working closely with our New York/New Hampshire/Massachusetts/Canadian neighbors.

As a political moderate and fiscal conservative, he is highly skilled at diplomacy and seeking consensus but believes strongly that the status quo in VT is not good enough. He is an extremely strong advocate of small government and minimal taxation.

Dave is a highly trained business diplomat specializing in re-stabilizing projects beyond a billion dollars; a 31-year veteran as a Navy Captain/Marine enlisted; Iraq veteran; Mill River/UVM graduate with three master’s degrees in business/strategic planning/public administration as well as PhD studies in national security; balanced environmentalist; strong education advocate; and a youth organization volunteer.

Devoted husband, father and son; youngest sibling of Bob and Gerry Weeks of Wallingford, married to Leeanne (education PhD currently leading an overseas international K-12 school),  parent to son Jake (biotech CPA), daughter Sarah (Physical Assistant student), step son Mitch (music producer), and step daughter Cassandra (undergrad student).

Dave’s abundant government experience with the highest levels of national/international leadership and the critical work of the Chambers of Commerce have inspired his drive to stabilize the chaos in government and the unfortunate erosion of faith in public institutions, and has enhanced a relentless emphasis on service for our community and our state. 

To put his legislative goals in a nutshell, Dave stated, “My focus now is to rejuvenate the economic condition in Rutland County while respecting the unique soul of Vermont.”

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For the past two month my committee, the House Energy & Technology Committee, has been taking testimony on and debating a bill to establish a program called the “Clean Heat Standard” (CHS). The CHS is part of the Climate Action Plan put forward by the Climate Council under the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA).

In a nutshell, the CHS is designed to drive up the cost of fossil home heating fuels (oil, propane, natural gas, and kerosene) by forcing distributors to purchase “credits” to offset their products’ greenhouse gas emissions. These credits would be created by other businesses (or the dealers themselves, though for many this is not a realistic option) by installing cold climate heat pumps, getting customers to switch from oil to biofuel, weatherizing buildings, etc. Once the credits are created, the businesses that created them can sell them to the fuel dealers who by law need them.

To the Vermont Climate Council:

"We the undersigned members of the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate are writing to register our opposition to Vermont joining the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), which we understand you intend to recommend as part of your Climate Action Plan.