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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Caucuses/Former Committees

Former Member, Commerce Committee, Vermont State House of Representatives

Former Member, Government Operations Committee, Vermont State House of Representatives

Former Member, Government Operations Committee, Vermont State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Health Care Committee, Vermont State House of Representatives

Former Member, Healthcare Oversight Committee, Vermont State House of Representatives

Former Member, Natural Resources and Energy Committee, Vermont State Senate

Education

  • BA, Psychology, University of Vermont, 1991-1995

Professional Experience

  • BA, Psychology, University of Vermont, 1991-1995
  • East Coast Director, National Popular Vote, 2006-present
  • President, Pearson & Company, 2006-present
  • Former Waiter/Bartender, Vermont Pub & Brewery
  • Director, Presidential Elections Reform Program, FairVote, 2005
  • Director, Vermont Progressive Party, 2000-2004
  • Campaign Coordinator/Outreach Assistant, United States Congressperson Bernie Sanders, 1998-2000

Political Experience

  • BA, Psychology, University of Vermont, 1991-1995
  • East Coast Director, National Popular Vote, 2006-present
  • President, Pearson & Company, 2006-present
  • Former Waiter/Bartender, Vermont Pub & Brewery
  • Director, Presidential Elections Reform Program, FairVote, 2005
  • Director, Vermont Progressive Party, 2000-2004
  • Campaign Coordinator/Outreach Assistant, United States Congressperson Bernie Sanders, 1998-2000
  • Representative, Vermont State Senate, District Chittenden, 2017-present
  • Candidate, Vermont State Senate, District Chittenden, 2016, 2018
  • Progressive Leader, Vermont State House of Representatives, 2011-2017
  • Representative, Vermont State House of Representatives, 2006-2008, 2011-2016
  • Candidate, Vermont State House of Representatives, District Chittenden-6-4, 2012, 2014
  • Candidate, Vermont House of Representatives, District Chittenden 3-4, 2008

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Commerce Committee, Vermont State House of Representatives

Former Member, Government Operations Committee, Vermont State House of Representatives

Former Member, Government Operations Committee, Vermont State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Health Care Committee, Vermont State House of Representatives

Former Member, Healthcare Oversight Committee, Vermont State House of Representatives

Former Member, Natural Resources and Energy Committee, Vermont State Senate

Current Legislative Committees

Vice Chair, Agriculture

Member, Finance

Member, Joint Committee on Energy

Member, Joint Committee on Information Technology Oversight

Member, Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology

Co-Chair, Right to Repair Task Force

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • BA, Psychology, University of Vermont, 1991-1995
  • East Coast Director, National Popular Vote, 2006-present
  • President, Pearson & Company, 2006-present
  • Former Waiter/Bartender, Vermont Pub & Brewery
  • Director, Presidential Elections Reform Program, FairVote, 2005
  • Director, Vermont Progressive Party, 2000-2004
  • Campaign Coordinator/Outreach Assistant, United States Congressperson Bernie Sanders, 1998-2000
  • Representative, Vermont State Senate, District Chittenden, 2017-present
  • Candidate, Vermont State Senate, District Chittenden, 2016, 2018
  • Progressive Leader, Vermont State House of Representatives, 2011-2017
  • Representative, Vermont State House of Representatives, 2006-2008, 2011-2016
  • Candidate, Vermont State House of Representatives, District Chittenden-6-4, 2012, 2014
  • Candidate, Vermont House of Representatives, District Chittenden 3-4, 2008
  • Commissioner/Vice Chair, Burlington Parks & Recreation, 2009-2014
  • Board Member, VITL, 2011-2012

Other Info

— Awards:

  • Vermont State Employees 2007 Legislator of the Year

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

To have impact and push for sustainable solutions to our many challenges.

Policy Positions

Vermont State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I was pleased to co-sponsor the bill that made sure there is no cost-sharing for birth-control under Vermont law. This law includes vasectomies and helps level the playing field between income classes when it comes to access to reproductive options.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Vermont's budget.

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- There are cuts I would make to wasteful programs within state government: corporate welfare programs and ineffective training programs jump to mind.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- These are not all yes/no questions but I have selected positions that generally indicate my leanings.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Vermont?
- Yes

7. Should Vermont breweries be permitted to terminate distribution agreements with beverage distributors for no cause?
- Yes

8. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Vermont?
- No

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Vermont high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Vermont's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Vermont's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Vermont's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Vermont state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- The pay gap is an economic issue and closing it would boost Vermont's economy.

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- Increasing the minimum wage over time to $15 an hour.Reducing green house gas emissions that contribute to global warming.Cleaning up Vermont's lakes and rivers.

Events

2020

Aug. 1
Meet the Progressive Candidates!

Sat 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM EDT

The Soda Plant Burlington, VT