Biography
My name is Deborah Cordz Dolgin and I am running for Representative for Caledonia-Essex. Thirty-one years ago I married my husband, Steve Dolgin who was born and raised in St. Johnsbury. I graduated from SUNY at Plattsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education. Later I graduated from UVM with a Masters in Education. In Vermont I taught Middle School for seven years. four of those years I wrote the curriculum and brought Home Economics to five out lining schools. I also created the curriculum to bring Aviation to area schools after school programs, which my husband and I taught. I have served on the board for Catamount Arts. My husband and I have facilitated the Art of Waterskiing as a fundraiser for Catamount Arts. We are business owners of Dolgin Realty. I am the bookkeeper for Dolgin Realty. As a community volunteer, educator, and business owner I feel qualified to lead Vermont to being affordable and fiscally responsible for generations.
Candidate occupation
Bookkeeper
Why are you running for office?
I can get the job done and I will lead with common sense! I am running for office to give Vermonters a choice. The super majority has passed multiple bills that our Governor has vetoed. We need to bring back balance and now the voters have the opportunity to make that happen by voting for me.
Issues in brief
Do you believe Vermonters are better off now than they were 10 years ago?
No
Do you believe Vermont needs a new education funding formula?
Yes
Do you support imposing new taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters?
No
Do you support the establishment of overdose prevention centers?
Yes
Do you support a ban on flavored tobacco products?
No
Do you support increasing penalties for property crimes such as shoplifting?
Yes
Do you believe Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election?
Yes
Issues in depth
What would you do to help grow Vermont’s economy?
Vermont economy is made up of Tourism, Manufacturing, and Agriculture. Our biggest hurdle is a labor force to continue to build this economy. I would attract the 25 year old and up to stay here in Vermont. Vermont needs to be affordable with more affordable housing to keep a work force.
What changes, if any, would you make to the way Vermont funds its schools?
The school property tax is a big topic this election year. Most property owners have opened their tax bills and thinking how can I handle this increase with all the other increases.I would look at the funding formula for schools and how can it be improved. Are we using our resources to the absolute highest degree? I would demand transparency and not accept a band-aid as a solution.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to address climate change? Please explain.
Vermont has done a lot in the past to address the naturally changing climate, which has helped us to get to where we are today. The carbon tax needs a ceiling of less than ten cents a gallon. I would like to see it closer to two cents a gallon. A tax more than that would put an undue burden on the consumer. At the present time, Vermont does not have the infrastructure in place to rid our lives of fossil fuels. You may feel like you are doing your part riding around in your electric car. The reality is you are using fossil fuels to charge that car. Fossil fuels helped manufacture that car.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to regulate gun ownership? Please explain.
Vermont is doing enough to regulate gun ownership.
What would you do to help ease Vermont’s housing crisis?
If you are looking at new commercial developments the State needs to reduce the cost of permitting fees and make the process less expensive cost. More affordable housing is needed for the first time home owner. I would strengthen the Tenant/Landlord laws.
How would you address rising homelessness in Vermont?
There is a direct correlation between homelessness and housing. Homelessness in Vermont needs to be address. I would study why Vermont attracts people who are homeless, since are numbers just increase, and I would make the necessary adjustments. I would start by streamlining Act 250 to lower the cost of building new housing. I would strengthen the Landlord /Tenant laws.
What would you do to increase access to health care services for Vermonters?
I would increase access to health care services by attracting more medical providers to Vermont, so Urgent Care doctors are not your primary care doctor. I would improve transportation issues so patients can get to their appointments to get the needed healthcare services. I would support cost transparency and reduce the level of paperwork required by health care providers
Financial disclosure
Candidates for state and legislative offices are required to submit a financial disclosure when filing to run. These disclosures include each source, but not the amount, of personal income of each candidate, and of their spouse or domestic partner, that singly or jointly totals more than $5,000 for the previous 12 months. The information provided is an opportunity for voters to learn about candidates’ potential conflicts of interest.
You can find Dolgin’s financial disclosure here.
Disclaimer
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