Biography
I met my partner, Linc Farrington shortly after graduating from Vermont Law School in 1993. She was born in Northfield and raised in Brookfield. I immediately came to love our state as much as she does. We have lived in Royalton ever since. We share strong family values and, over the years, we have watched as her sons and our foster children developed into fine adults with children of their own. We love our community and have committed ourselves to public service in many different ways that include serving as volunteer emergency medical technicians and taking roles in local policing activities. Having practiced law for over thirty years, I believe I enjoy a reputation for prioritizing my client’s needs over my personal compensation. As a traditional solo practitioner, I provide services in a wide variety of areas that include family law, landlord-tenant matters, real estate and business formation. I believe that everyone should be able to access and navigate Vermont’s extraordinarily complicated legal system. To that end, I have regularly provided pro-bono and “low-bono” representation to many deserving clients. I worked directly with Mary Ashcroft at the Vermont Bar Association to establish the Windsor-Orange Legal Assistance Program and served as the program coordinator for more than a decade. I also worked as a part-time certified police officer in Royalton and Randolph. As an elected constable in Royalton, I had the opportunity and privilege to work with other members of our community to establish the Royalton Police Department. I served in that capacity for approximately six years before my leg was permanently impaired by an accident in 2007 when an inattentive driver turned in front of my motorcycle. I draw form that those experiences and numerous other vocations with an abiding belief that by committing ourselves to improving things for others in our community, we improve things for ourselves.
Candidate occupation
Attorney
Why are you running for office?
This is a continuation of my philosophy of giving back to the community. Having spent so many years helping others to resolve troubling and difficult issues, I understand the importance of having a government that provides excellence in its legislative, executive and judicial functions. Vermonters must be able to rely on laws that are understandable, effective, and enforceable. I understand that we need to do much more to ensure that folks should only have to resort to litigation as a last and necessary resort. Before having to engage with the police and with the Courts, individuals with problems and grievances are better served by the improvement of social conditions and economic opportunities. Our legislature is the first in line to make things better all the way around. Whenever I run into an impasse because the current law can’t provide a viable solution for my client, I am sometimes left with having to suggest that “you should talk to your legislator”. I have decided that it’s finally time to stop passing the buck and start telling individuals that they can get answers and solutions by coming to talk to me as a State Senator who will prioritize their needs and interests over any particular party platform.
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?
Yes
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’s economy requires more common sense, spending discipline and simplification of existing programs rather than adopting new and unfunded economic initiatives. We must increase the availability of sustainable income and livable wage opportunities for everyone. We must take appropriate steps to encourage the development and growth of local businesses without relying on state-funded incentives and tax reductions.
What changes, if any, would you make to the way Vermont funds its schools?
The current method of funding our school education is generally appropriate but we must do everything we can to ensure that our schools are realistically budgeted and properly funded without having to meet that effort by raising property taxes and placing the responsibility primarily on homeowners. We should review and improve upon the current homestead and renter rebate programs.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to address climate change? Please explain.
On a local level, we must address the very real threat of climate change without forcing home-owners and business to use technologies that are not affordable or realistic for their circumstances. A better approach is to find ways to educate and encourage participation by promoting new technologies and finding appropriate ways to make the acquisition cost more affordable and attractive.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to regulate gun ownership? Please explain.
I, like many Vermonters, am a responsible owner of firearms. I support reasonable regulation to ensure that weapons do not fall into the hands of bad actors. I believe that while “gun control” may be one way to prevent gun violence, we must look at more fundamental solutions such as improving our judicial system, mental health services, domestic violence programs and policing. With that in mind, I believe we can do more to protect our community from any potential threat of increasing gun violence without further restricting responsible gun ownership.
What would you do to help ease Vermont’s housing crisis?
The lack of affordable and accessible housing for Vermonter is my first priority as a candidate for the Vermont Senate. Having experience an attorney, as a property manager, as a landlord, and as a tenant, I completely understand that this issue has many different layers and there isn’t a single solution. We need to make it possible for families and individuals to secure ownership of their homes as a preferable path towards stability and permanence. We also must ensure that families and individuals aren’t squeezed out of home purchasing and leasing opportunities simply because they can’t compete with out of state purchasers that have more resources.
How would you address rising homelessness in Vermont?
Homelessness is another problem that requires a broader approach than simply providing emergency housing by allocating more than $75 to provide unhoused persons with a single day at a hotel coming in with an approximate total monthly cost of well over $2500 per individual. I believe we could use that money in better ways like helping individuals to access long term lease and home purchasing options. We also have to make sure our residential rental laws protect BOTH tenants AND landlords. The current laws are in serious need of revamping in order to give everyone better access to a court system that will be properly resourced and supported. From there, we need to develop programs that will help to reduce the number of evictions that are increasing every day.
What would you do to increase access to health care services for Vermonters?
Vermont is on the right path to ensuring health care access as witnessed by the fact that the Vermont was recently one of three states selected to participate in the new federal “AHEAD” health care reform model. For the most part, I believe that our health care system is better than those of most other states. Having said that, I am steadfast in prioritizing clear, understandable and accessible health care benefits. Individuals should not have to struggle to get answers about their available coverage and they shouldn’t have to go through a difficult and frustrating appeal process to get necessary treatment, medication and equipment. I personally experienced how hard it can be to get a decent wheelchair after an accident and how hard it is to get a quality hearing aid. My experience and difficulties in understanding and accessing health care coverage for myself and for others informs my firm belief that we still need to do more to improve health care in our state.
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 Nemeth’s financial disclosure here.
Disclaimer
We emailed a questionnaire to every candidate with a valid email address. The responses provided by candidates are in their own words. VTDigger has not edited or fact-checked information provided.
If this is your candidacy and you’d like to fill out the questionnaire or report an error, please contact us at voterguide@vtdigger.org.
