Who is John Klar?
John Klar is a Vermont farmer, attorney and writer. A husband and father, he is running as a Republican candidate for Vermont State Senate - Orange County, leading a movement to bring people together from different political views to combat the state's most pressing and complex problems -- the Economy, the Food Crisis and Save Vermont State Pensions. Welcome!
NEW! - Please see how I would have voted differently from my opponent on 25 key issues affecting all Vermonters!
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Support the Vermont Economy!
Many in our Legislature have used the COVID crisis as a spending spree for pet fantasy projects and expansive government – while many real jobs and businesses have disappeared. Taxes are raised with little thought for the long-term impact, yet the state pension system is chronically underfunded. Inflationary pressures are here to stay for some time, along with depressed wages and rising interest rates. Government must be responsive to the economy, not make things worse! -
Farms Close, Bureaucracy Grows!
Vermont's regulatory constraints swell each year even as the number of dairy farms diminishes. Even now, Vermont's Department of Agriculture Food and Markets seeks to further restrict on-farm slaughter practices, while steadily expanding its own powers and budget. We need more local food, not less! -
Schools Close, Bureaucracy Grows!
Act 46 has not delivered: per-student costs continue to increase, while test scores decline. More and more parents are choosing alternatives to public schools, which have deviated away from instructing children in core math and reading skills to focus on gender and race "theories" that are inappropriately understood or proven. -
Regenerative Environmentalism
Far more energy, pollution, and economic growth will be accomplished by increasing the use of regenerative agricultural practices in local Vermont communities, than by all the expensive renewable energy manufacturing projects combined. Vermont's agricultural past is its economic and food-health future! -
Support our Police
Vermont's police have been unfairly maligned with claims of pervasive racism. This has been based on an abuse of statistics for political purposes, and it is shameful. Vermonters depend on trustworthy, competent police and rescue professionals! -
Pensions Grow Out of Control
With recent market weakness, the chronic underfunding of Vermont's state pensions system is now revealed, and threatens our state. I have for years called to fortify the state pensions by increasing funding -- whatever else is done, these promises must be honored. -
Constitutional Protections
Vermont's legislature has enacted a number of unconstitutional laws and regulations that strip away longstanding protections of private property and liberty rights. Free speech, Due Process, Equal Protection, and other rights are fundamental to a civil society, and must be preserved against - not swallowed by - partisan rancor. -
Support Local Food and Farms
Vermont's farms are struggling, but they offer us food security, food safety, nutrition and health benefits, economic growth, and the preservation of our culture and brand. I have plans that will nurture local Vermont farms, and attract agricultural investment.
Featured
My Priorities
Support Our Economy
Many in our Legislature have used the COVID crisis as a spending spree for pet fantasy projects and expansive government – while many real jobs and businesses have disappeared. Taxes are raised with little thought for the long-term impact, yet the state pension system is chronically underfunded. Inflationary pressures are here to stay for some time, along with depressed wages and rising interest rates. Government must be responsive to the economy, not make things worse! [Read more...]Nurture Local Farming
Continuing inflationary pressures will compound dramatically in food. Input costs for major U.S. crops include herbicides and fertilizers that are manufactured from fossil fuels – these costs will layer on top of production costs for fuel in tractors and transportation. Crop yields will decline as farmers cut back on inputs to save costs. Vermont has farmland, farm traditions, and people who want to work. Supporting regenerative agriculture with subsidies and favorable regulatory revisions will boost local food production for the benefit of the economy environment, and human health, at little cost. This should have been done before now – I have advocated for boosting small farms in Vermont for many years. It is essential! [Read more...]Save The Pensions
Vermont's teachers, and state and municipal workers, have been promised pension benefits and health insurance support that has been grossly underfunded. We propose to accurately quantify the actual obligations, and keep those promises. [Read more...]Opioids Epidemic
Among other plans, we propose to improve counseling services for parents of substance abusers, for pregnant women, and for those who wish to wean off Medically Assisted Treatment. [Read more...]Latest from John
