Spreadsheet: 174a123a-b730-4784-8753-600da4111155
Sheet: Paul Dame

[NAME]
Fair Share Fee: Those Who Don't Pay Their Fair Share
I'd like to explain my position
Explain your fair share position, if you choose.
Every person has the right to decide for him or herself whether or not they want to be part of a union and whether or not they
want to pay union dues - or whether they want to bargain for themselves.  If an employee does not choose to pay union dues,
then allow that individual to negotiate their own contract terms.  Once they have to do this, they will have a deeper appreciation
for what a union will or will not be able to do for them.  I believe this will help to improve the image of unions and possibly
increase membership and participation.
Teachers' Retirement: Support in the State Budget
Agree
Explain your teachers' retirement position, if you choose.
We promised teachers a pension years ago, our children have been educated (me included) and we need to keep our promises.
Health Care: Continuing System Reform
I'd like to explain my position
Explain your health care reform position, if you choose
I am so glad you are bringing this to my attention.  It is something I had not considered regarding the implication of the new
system Vermont is exploring.  If the new system forces NEA members to lose access to high quality coverage that they
currently have, then other employees might be in similar positions, meaning we need to reexamine whether or not the new
system is in the best interest of the NEA and Vermonters in general.  I think the health benefits we provide to teachers,
especially in retirement, far outweigh fixed dollar amounts in a pension.  Therefor calulating a compensation amount that will be
fair over a thirty year retirement could prove very difficult.
Teaching Career: Retaining New Teachers
I'd like to explain my position
Explain your teaching career position, if you choose
The most important education policy matter is in regards to the quality of education Vermont students receive.  I think each local
school district should determine the way in which they want to attract and retain the highest quality teachers.  Having several
local districts working on this problem, we are more likely to find a successful way to keep more teachers in the profession.
What attracts teachers to Burlington may be different than what attracts them to Enosburg.
Teaching Profession: Simplifying Professional Relicensing
Agree
Explain your relicensing position, if you choose
I think that the bar to enter the profession is high enough, I wold support and co-sponsor any measure to reduce or even
eliminate the cumbersome requirements for retaining a license that was granted by the state (especially if it was not a reciprocal
license) .  Since many teachers take time off to raise a family, I want to make sure their re entrance into the profession is as
simple and easy as possible and would welcome feedback from the NEA on helpful ways to do that.  The fact that someone
could be an excellent teacher for over 20 years, and yet if they miss one step could lose their license is totally unacceptable to
me. Continuing education courses can also be an expensive burden for many teachers who are already paying for classroom
supplies out of their own pocket.  We need to reduce this burden as well.
Name | email address | Address | Office sought | Are you an incumbent? |  | County
[NAME] | [EMAIL] | 26 [NAME] | State Representative | No