Katherine Stands for the Kingdom

In Vermont, we always pass a balanced budget—we don’t spend more than we bring in. The first priority is ensuring government operates efficiently. We need to closely scrutinize where taxpayer dollars are going, eliminating programs that are outdated or ineffective. Programs like the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI), Efficiency Vermont, and the General Assistance hotel program should be reevaluated to make sure they’re providing long-term benefits, especially in rural areas. It’s about being smart with the budget and focusing on what matters most—our roads, schools, law enforcement, and essential services that keep Vermont running.

As the cost of living continues to rise, low- and middle-income Vermonters are feeling the squeeze. Wages aren't keeping up with inflation, and household budgets are increasingly strained by the soaring costs of healthcare, housing, education, and retirement savings. Meanwhile, the middle class—the backbone of our state—is disappearing. It's time to shift the burden away from everyday Vermonters and ensure a level playing field for all.

We can't continue to place the weight of rising costs on the shoulders of hardworking Vermonters while corporations and the wealthy few enjoy loopholes. When we fail to invest wisely in our public infrastructure, the costs fall hardest on those who can least afford it. For instance, poorly maintained roads lead to costly vehicle repairs, and underfunded rural health clinics force residents to travel farther and wait longer for essential care.

Our system is broken, and doing nothing is not an option. By ensuring our tax system is fair and balanced, we can relieve the pressure on low- and middle-income Vermonters and make life more affordable for everyone.

We need tax reform that eases the burden on the middle class and shifts more of the responsibility to the wealthiest Vermonters and large corporations. I support creating a new tax bracket for those earning over $500k, with the revenue used to provide tax cuts for middle class Vermonters. And I’ll continue fighting to eliminate the state tax on Social Security benefits.

Everyone—regardless of their zip code or income—deserves quality, affordable housing. Rising costs in Vermont are pricing many hardworking residents out of the market and exacerbating issues like workforce shortages, income disparities, mental health crises, homelessness, and the opioid epidemic.

To address these challenges and attract young people while supporting long-time Vermonters, we must invest in new housing and tackle regulatory barriers. I support solutions that respect our rural communities' character.

I’m proud of my work last session on Act 250 reforms to reduce barriers and our $80 million investment in housing programs. These funds help bring dilapidated units back online, repair manufactured homes, and develop affordable and workforce housing.

Moving forward, we need to:

• Simplify Permitting: Streamline processes to make construction faster and more affordable.

• Continue Act 250 Reforms: Provide more exemptions for housing in villages and downtowns.

• Offer Tax Incentives: Encourage renovation of dilapidated properties.

• Allocate Grants and Loans: Support developers in revitalizing units and creating new workforce housing.

• Invest in Infrastructure: Improve systems like water and sewer to support new developments.

• Support Alternative Models: Promote innovative solutions like modular and cooperative housing.

These strategies will help us make progress on the housing crisis while preserving Vermont’s unique character.

Every Vermonter deserves the freedom to make healthcare choices that work best for their family, without the fear of going bankrupt over an illness or injury. Sadly, our current system leaves too many people behind, forcing hard-working families to choose between paying medical bills and meeting basic needs.

I believe in expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare because access shouldn’t depend on your job or ability to pay. By simplifying the system and reducing waste, we can cut costs and focus on what really matters—getting people the care they need without being bogged down by insurance red tape. A simpler, more efficient system benefits everyone.

I’ll be advocating for: :

• Universal Primary Care: Publicly financing primary care, mental health, and substance abuse treatment will focus on preventative care, lowering the need for expensive emergency services.

• Reducing Prescription Drug Costs: Allowing Vermont Medicaid to negotiate drug prices, increase price transparency, and explore bulk purchasing agreements to lower drug prices.

• Controlling Hospital and Administrative Costs: Encouraging hospitals to adopt cost-saving practices, reduce unnecessary procedures, and streamline administrative processes will cut waste and lower expenses.

• Preventive Health Focus: Wellness programs, early screenings, and preventive care can help avoid costly chronic diseases down the line.

• Expanding Telemedicine: Increasing telemedicine access, especially in rural areas, will provide more efficient care and reduce the need for long-distance travel.

I’ll be fighting to lower healthcare costs while ensuring that all residents have access to quality care.

As a working mom, I know the need for high quality, affordable child care that allows parents to make ends meet. The lack of affordable, high-quality early childhood education profoundly impacts Vermont and its economy.

A growing number of families in the United States rely on child care in order to work and make ends meet throughout their children’s first five years. Businesses and organizations rely on those parents to show up for work. And ALL of us rely on those businesses and organizations to get our basic needs met. As access to child care becomes more of a public good than a luxury, it’s the government’s job to ensure equitable access for the sake of us all.

In Vermont, an estimated 8,752 children under five who are likely to need care do not have access to childcare programs. If families can find child care, high-quality programs are too expensive for many, and a serious financial strain for most. When families can’t afford child care, a parent (usually a woman) drops out of the workforce which means they lose wages and they lose experience, setting them back when they do return to work.

Businesses also suffer when workers can’t find or afford child care. Their employees call out more often or quit entirely. And when businesses struggle to serve their communities, those communities suffer. None of us should have to keep paying the price for a broken system.

Last year, Katherine helped pass H.217 a bill that transforms the childcare system to make childcare more affordable for families, raise rates to provide financial stability for childcare providers, and boost pay for our valued early childhood workforce. This legislation makes Vermont a national leader in the care and education of young children!

This year, school spending statewide has increased by $189 million, driven by inflation, the end of federal pandemic aid, rising health care costs, and school construction projects. Our schools need support, but our residents can’t keep up with skyrocketing property taxes. The current path isn’t sustainable. I voted no on the property tax increase bill because Vermonters can’t afford it and it lacks the necessary reforms to control costs.

We've established a Commission on the Future of Public Education to rethink our system and find ways to deliver quality education at a price Vermonters can afford. I’ll be advocating for an overhaul of the education finance system, exploring income-based tax options, property tax caps, or a foundation formula to ensure fairness without burdening homeowners. Cost containment measures that address the rising expenses driving up education costs including administrative overhead and healthcare costs.

We need to put all options on the table and prioritize both our children’s education and our taxpayers’ ability to afford it.

Vermonters deserve affordable, reliable options to heat their homes. S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, does not raise fuel prices, impose a carbon tax, or force anyone to replace their heating systems. It commissioned a study to explore how we can lower energy costs while meeting the state’s emissions goals. In 2025, the legislature will review the findings from the study and decide whether to proceed, amend, or reject the proposals.

I supported the Affordable Heat Act so that we could get more data and information to make an informed policy decision. That said, I’m deeply concerned about potential costs, especially for rural Vermonters. Early estimates suggest that fuel prices could rise by $1 to $4 per gallon, which is unsustainable for working families. We need solutions that reduce emissions, but not at the expense of making life unaffordable for Vermonters. I voted against the Renewable Energy Standard because of its potential to drive up utility bills and I’ll vote against the Clean Heat Standard if it increases fuel costs for Vermonters.

I support our state’s commitment to a more sustainable energy future. However, my top priority is addressing the concerns I hear from constituents about affordability, inflation, and rising costs. People in our region are struggling, and I'm deeply concerned that the bill could lead to an increase in Vermonters’ utility rates by as much as $150 million to $450 million over the next decade. That’s why I voted no on H289. While we’ve approved a study to examine ratepayer protections, a study alone doesn’t safeguard against price hikes. As we move toward a renewable energy economy, we must ensure that the needs of low-income, rural, and marginalized Vermonters are front and center.