Anthony Pollina, a candidate in the Democratic Primary for Washington County State Senate says the economy, budgets and jobs are his top priority and the budget of every Vermont family is as important as the state budget.

“The economy tops the priority list,” he says, “but our family budgets are as important as the state budget. Balancing the state budget doesn’t help us if our family budgets don’t balance. When I look at the budget I want no tax increases for the middle class. I want to stop pushing state expenses onto local communities and property taxpayers and no closed-door meetings when decisions are made about how to raise and spend our money.

To build the economy let’s put more money in people’s pockets, to pay our bills, care for our families, support local businesses and generate tax dollars. We should cut costs where we spend and waste the most, healthcare and prisons, end tax breaks for the wealthy and make smart investments.

We need a real Buy Local and Hire Local Policy. Many of us, go out of our way to support local farms and businesses; the State should do the same. But our institutions buy food and other products out of state and big construction projects (using our public dollars) hire workers from outside Vermont. Let’s should support local businesses and local workers. We can also make investments that pay off more ways than one. Building affordable housing for example, creates jobs and good, energy efficient homes. Investing in energy efficiency creates jobs while saving money and energy.

I will also work to create new capital for local businesses. A Vermont Credit Card can invest in our farms and renewable energy with every purchase, without costing merchants more. The way I see it, if L.L. Bean can have a credit card, so can we. And, a 2% for Vermont Investment Fund can ask public institutions (like Fletcher Allen and UVM) to invest a share of their portfolios in Vermont businesses lending them capital to grow. We’ve asked UVM not to invest in tobacco stocks, let’s have them invest in Vermont. And, we can organize a Vermont Merchants Group to use their clout to gain the lowest possible credit card processing fees.

Cutting health care costs will also go a long way to balancing our budgets. We need a Medicare for All single payer plan to stop tying health care to your job, take the burden off employers and cut wasteful paperwork, advertising and big insurance company profits. Freeing employers from these costs will also bring business to Vermont.

Vermonters know I will stand up for our families, seniors and people with disabilities. I am endorsed by the Green Mountain Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO). I am one of a few State Senate candidates to win early endorsement from the Vermont State Employees Association and I recently received the Lena Brown Labor Award by the Vermont State Labor Council recognizing “many years of outstanding service to the working men and women of Vermont.”