VTGOP Platform

Adopted by the Vermont Republican Party Platform Convention on April 30th, 2022

PREAMBLE

We, Vermont Republicans, believe in the principles laid out in our nation’s Declaration of Independence that all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights and that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness – That to secure these rights governments are instituted and derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.

The Vermont Republican Party embraces the principles of the United States and Vermont Constitutions. Our platform is built on the foundations of those documents and our party is dedicated to preserving the tenets of freedom. 

The Republican Party was forged in the fire of the American Civil War, leading the fight for emancipation, to live up to the ideals of our Constitution. Our first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, gave his life for the cause, as did over two hundred thousand men in the Union army. In keeping with our heritage, the Vermont Republican Party is firmly against discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or country of national origin. We take literally Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's challenge of a nation where people are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. We therefore believe in and promote equal opportunity for all Vermonters as part of the American Dream. 

Furthermore, the Vermont Republican Party stands in solidarity with all of those who are oppressed and state our belief in the beauty of all life. Our party remains fully committed to ensuring freedom for all; fighting for the right of all Vermonters to achieve their full potential, unrestrained by unnecessary government intervention.  

1. Personal Liberty and Responsibility

Vermont Republicans are committed, without reservation, to the following constitutional precepts and tenets of personal liberty and responsibility:

  1. Freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

  2. The right to assemble peacefully and to petition the government.

  3. The right to acquire, maintain, and enjoy the use of private property.

  4. The right to keep and bear arms as articulated in the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution and Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution.

  5. Due process and equal protection of the law for all.

  6. Individuals are responsible for the consequences of their own actions.

2. Economic Freedom and Opportunity

Vermont Republicans believe that citizens can best thrive when they are free to pursue economic and personal opportunities without unreasonable constraints.   

  1. Government should tax equitably, with transparency, and at rates never higher than necessary to effectively provide essential services.

  2. The government’s role is not to create jobs, but to promote the conditions for private enterprise to do so.

  3. Government should regulate only when necessary to protect the rights, safety, and freedom of Vermont’s citizenry. 

  4. Reliable state-wide infrastructure is essential for economic growth and opportunity. It should provide efficient and economical transportation, quality statewide cell and internet service, effective environmental stewardship, and a competitive business environment.

  5. Responsible  agriculture and forestry practices are central to the economic stability of our state.

  6. We support environmentally and economically responsible efforts to lower the cost of energy for every Vermont citizen and business. Sound energy policy demands a careful balance between the economy, environment and competitive rates to foster economic growth and financial stability. We believe the Global Warming Solutions Act unfairly punishes Vermonters and Vermont businesses by greatly exacerbating already rising energy costs without providing any corresponding environmental impact.

  7. We support exempting military pensions from taxation

 3. Responsible and Responsive Government

Vermont Republicans believe the government must adhere to the Constitution. Government  should only do those things that individuals cannot do for themselves. In all cases, the government must be administered honestly, competently, and without political bias. To these ends, we believe the following to be necessary:

  1. Election integrity. This includes permitting only U.S. Citizens to vote, maintaining state and local control over the election process, up to date voter rolls and proper identification for both in-person and early voting.

  2. Implementing a sustainable retirement plan for state employees and teachers.

  3. Maintaining adequate financial reserves and a healthy bond rating.

  4. Providing sound oversight to ensure funds are wisely spent, including timely transparent audits of state programs.

  5. Adopting and enforcing strict ethical guidelines for those entrusted with the powers of government.

4. Safe & Healthy Community Environments

Vermont Republicans cherish our proud history of providing safe and healthy communities. To these ends, we support:

  1. Strong and healthy families as the essential building block of society.

  2. Respect for the individual rights of all people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, ability, religion, socioeconomic status, political affiliation or vaccination status. 

  3. We value the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

  4. Care for vulnerable children, the elderly, the sick, the poor, and those unable to care for themselves.

  5. Sufficient resources and training for our military, law enforcement officers, and all first responders. We respect and honor their willingness to serve. 

  6. Safe and vibrant neighborhoods, schools, places of worship, and public gathering places.

  7. Wise stewardship of our air, land, and water, recognizing our responsibility to protect them for future generations.

  8. Scientific and data-driven policies that promote efficient, clean and affordable energy solutions.

5. Health Care

Vermont Republicans believe in quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible for all Vermonters. We support: 

  1. Robust competition that promotes patient choice and allows individuals to purchase insurance across state lines.

  2. Respecting the primacy of the patient/healthcare provider relationship.

  3. Innovative measures that improve access and quality of care.

  4. Enacting tort reform measures that discourage frivolous lawsuits that drive up costs.

  5. Preserving as inviolable the Medicare benefits that have been earned by our senior citizens.

  6. The right of healthcare providers to not violate their consciences or best medical judgement in regards to elective medical procedures and treatments.

6. A Well-Educated Citizenry

Vermont Republicans believe that citizens thrive when they have ready access to high-quality education. Government should respect the role of students, parents, and legal guardians, who have a critical and vested interest in the educational process. We support:

  1. Expanding parental choice for K-12 students through vouchers, tax credits, and other means.

  2. Enabling affordable and accessible educational opportunities for all citizens, including career, technical and higher education.

  3. Helping Vermonters maintain local control over the funding, operation, curricula, and success of their schools and students. 

  4. Requiring curricula to be transparent and readily accessible to parents and the community at large. 

CONCLUSION

Vermont Republicans believe in one nation under God, individual liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, compassion for the needy, low taxes, a free-market economy, and local control. The principles set forth in this platform reflect the beliefs and values that characterize the Vermont Republican Party. While individual Republicans may hold diverse opinions in some areas, such differences should not deflect from advancing the principles that unite us as a party.