Biography
I am a lifelong resident of Vermont, beginning in Pawlet, moved to Manchester, back to West Pawlet and now Wells. I served in Desert Storm/Shield and Operation Provide Comfort with the US Navy (1990-1993), took a brief break and joined the US Army in 1998, retiring in 2021 with 27 years active duty. I have three children, am an avid outdoorsman, and participate in shooting sports. (Pistol, rifle, bow) I hold a BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from VSU, Castleton.
Candidate occupation
Retired Military Warrant Officer
Why are you running for office?
I decided to run for this office because I saw the the downward trend Montpelier has taken, as well, in speaking with friends in the area, I consistently was told they were not being represented in Montpelier the way they wanted. Rising taxes, regulation, inflation and the overwhelming fact that they could not afford to live here much longer. I decided it was time to do something rather than talk about it, and with the encouragement of several people who have been involved in local politics, I decided I was as good a candidate as any. I have a broad working knowledge from my years in the military, I am a leader, I think outside the box and feel with my ability to work with all types of people, I would be an asset to the legislature, working on both sides of the aisle to accomplish what the constituents desire. A Vermont where jobs are plentiful, inflation isn’t drowning them, fuel prices come down, they can utilize their land as they see fit, options are available for medical treatment, crime is reduced and law enforcement and social services are supported for the outstanding jobs they do, and drugs become less an investment, and more solutions are created to fix the problems, not patch them and push them down the road.
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?
No
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?
No answer
Issues in depth
What would you do to help grow Vermont’s economy?
I would look to reduce regulations that are not attractive and are costly for any industry to make a move to Vermont. I would give initial tax breaks to large companies bringing jobs/careers here, to sweeten the deal some. Any large corporation that looks to invest millions, even billions into a state, look for a benefit and those are easy to allow for the future benefit of Vermont and her workforce.
What changes, if any, would you make to the way Vermont funds its schools?
I would look at successful states school programs. See what they’re doing correctly and how we can adjust our model. We should be able to give our kids a solid education, with a smaller teacher to student ratio, teaching core subjects, losing the nonsensical fillers. We need to get experts opinions on the matter in relation to how a successful school is turning out high test score graduates, and how they balance a budget that doesn’t bleed the residents every year with a new tax.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to address climate change? Please explain.
Vermonts efforts go against everything the expert scientists have stated. Research has found that the average global temperature of the ice age was 6 degrees Celsius (11 F) cooler than today. Vermont is wasting tens of millions, looking to invest billions into what global climate activists have manipulated into the end of days. We in Vermont need to spend much less on this non-issue, Vermonters want to spend much less on this non-issue, and as their representatives we should be looking to satisfy their needs, not some activists.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to regulate gun ownership? Please explain.
Way too much. Gun ownership should not be regulated. We have the Brady Bill background check for all persons who wish to buy a gun. It’s been proven time and again, the gun legislation being passed is unconstitutional and is a direct infringement of individuals rights. The most recent bills passed, the large capacity magazine ban as well as the 72 hour waiting period are currently in court on the basis of their Constitutionality. I believe both will be deemed unconstitutional. Our Constitution, begining with the words “We the People,” is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. Of all the 27 amendments, only one states “shall not be infringed” Those that wish not to have guns, simply do not. Using school shootings and gun violence as a mechanism to remove rights of law abiding citizens, is purely ludicrous,. School shooters in most instances showed red flags of mental illness that were ignored and criminals don’t follow laws legislatures enact. If we want less gun violence Vermont should invest in mental health care and identification. Removing law abiding citizens rights, and making the majority less safe, is a ridiculous idea, and only makes the criminals more lethal.
What would you do to help ease Vermont’s housing crisis?
Ease ACT 250 restrictions, delete all restrictions placed to be in compliance with any green deal, and make land owned by individuals, buildable the way the owner sees fit. We pay taxes on our income, groceries we buy with money already taxed, and pay more tax at the store. We pay tax on vehicles, fees (tax) for vehicle registration to ensure our vehicle is road worthy, yet the roads aren’t car worthy. We continuously pay tax on items that have been taxed time and again, we shouldn’t have the ability to refuse a landowner, to use his property as he/she sees fit. Property lines are in place for a reason, to designate who owns what. That land should be unrestricted to the owner. Whether it’s a garage being built too close to a property line, or a business being operated on the property. The land is owned by the occupant, not the state. Until the state waives the annual taxes on said property, they should not be able to regulate how the owner uses it.
How would you address rising homelessness in Vermont?
If we ease restrictions, bring more businesses into Vermont, that’s a great first step. Then if we rid ourselves of the complicated and cumbersome ACT250, and its regulation, it would ease the ability for contractors and investors to build affordable housing. Vermont currently caters to the ultra rich, and has forgotten its native residents. This question goes also to other questions previously asked, stop telling people what they can do with their land, and easing regulations. This isn’t rocket science, the legislature just has a very narrow window they’re looking through. We can have lands protected, and still have the ability for housing to be built affordably. We could start with dissolving the land trust, which has taken advantage of farmers for years, buying land for Pennie’s on the dollar and making that land basically useless. The legislature needs to work smarter, not harder. These are easy fixes, yet someone is steadfast with ACT250 and it’s impossible regulation and difficult deciphering.
What would you do to increase access to health care services for Vermonters?
Again, and this seems to be a common theme here in Vermont. Currently it’s over regulated. Period, end of story. Like everything else. Do we not think for a second of another power company was allowed to compete in the market, prices wouldn’t improve? Anything Vermont regulates, hurts Vermonters. Allow free trade with insurance in Vermont and the pricing would drop drastically. Stop pushing for the socialistic government insurance model, or two options model. I am a retired combat vet and get two choices of insurance when I retired. Neither plan covers everything, and if a vet isn’t VA disabled, that means a lot of money out of pocket. By allowing more trade, we open new doors to plans, and affordability. Vets, nor regular citizens should have to pay the exorbitant amounts they pay just to have insurance, then have to meet ridiculous mandatory out of pocket expenses before the insurance covers anything. We need to start rewarding the people who work in our state with solid health insurance, that doesn’t make a CEO a multimillionaire and takes care of their health needs.
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 Lacoste’s financial disclosure here.
Disclaimer
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