To the Editor:

I am happy to announce that I will be running once again in hope of being reelected as the representative of Vermont’s Windham 2 House district, for Halifax, Whitingham, and Wilmington. I remain committed to seeking a new path for education funding that will be fair on more levels than just assuring that property tax rates are equalized across all towns in the state; one where fairness is based on what each student needs from school and not just one which spends (theoretically at least) the same amount on each student; and one that recognizes that the property tax is, in my opinion, the most onerous tax that we pay.

Challenges for Change was enacted this year amidst a good deal of furor. I continue to believe that one key to Vermont’s fiscal future is this new way of deciding on how taxpayer money is spent. This involves change, which is not easy on any level, let alone one which seeks to put a large, powerful organization (state government) on a path to achieve not just effort, however well meaning, but outcomes, measurable outcomes, that taxpayers value. I hope to continue to be involved in this effort as it matures and begins to demonstrate its effectiveness.

And the third arena in which I hope to spend a good deal of time is economic development. This is an effort where the activity to achieve the desired outcomes, essentially jobs, is not at the state level, but on the ground, primarily in the private sector. The state’s role is, I believe, not one of doing the work to create jobs, but one of setting policies that lead to private effort and then focusing taxpayer money in that direction. One arena that I believe is especially fertile for Vermont is entrepreneurship. In prior centuries, that spirit of individual effort led to our still viable but changing agriculture economy. Today we have opportunities in green energy, specialty foods, technology, and others not yet invented.

Broadband? What can I say? This was a commitment from my first election and I remain frustrated, as I am sure you are, that we still can’t get broadband and cell phone coverage everywhere. It is my hope that we will all join together to become a massive squeaking wheel. Without it we will not ever in the 21st century be able to realize our economic potential, our students will not have equal access to educational opportunities, and we may even be shut out of some of the normal activities of the future as the world around us increasingly uses the Internet to conduct its business. I will keep trying with your help.

It has been an honor to represent the people of Halifax, Whitingham, and Wilmington these past four years. I very much enjoy working on your behalf and hope to be able to continue that work for the next two years. Thank you all for your support.

Ann Manwaring

Wilmington