[...] Diane Snelling, Hinesburg, Republican: Snelling, who describes herself as an “ethnic Republican,” sees an important role for someone “in the middle” in the Legislature. She declares Vermont “doesn’t need a lot of new laws.” The Senate would be well served by the return of someone who sees herself as avoiding the extremes and embraces the idea that the state’s problems can be tackled with something other than additional legislation. [...]

Why do you support or opposed basing F-35 jets with the Vermont Air National Guard at Burlington International Airport. Describe the positive or negative impacts on the community.

Answer

I strongly support the 158th Fighter Wing Vermont Air National Guard and their dual mission to the state of Vermont and our nation. I am grateful and proud of the Air Guard’s expertise and courage in defending our freedom. I want all of our military to have the safest and most effective equipment.

I have listened to constituent concerns and have tried to research the issue as much as possible.

However, the decision of whether or not to base the F-35A in Burlington will be made by the Air Force and not the Legislature. When the Legislature reviews an issue we hear direct testimony on pros and cons, and receive substantial information. Without that process, and without evidence, it’s impossible to reach a thoughtful answer.

Neighbors need clear answers to their questions about noise and the impact on property value, and we would all benefit from a better understanding of the future plans for the 158th Fighter Wing.

Watch it on CCTV

[...] Snelling, the sole Republican representing the county in the senate, says she has survived politically because voters view her as a moderate and an independent — not as a member of the GOP.

“You have to choose a party, and I come from a long line of good Republicans and believe very much in having content-based conversations about issues, not politics,” says the daughter of former governor Richard Snelling and former lieutenant governor Barbara Snelling.

A member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Snelling says she’ll continue to focus on fiscal issues if reelected — particularly “measuring the results we get and the dollars we spend.”

“We can have all the arguments we want about which programs to support, but first we need to know what the dollars are doing,” she says. [...]

Senator Snelling and others discuss a variety of issues from the 2012 legislative session.

Representatives of the Vermont Senate and Shumlin Administration take phone calls and questions. Mark Johnson hosts.

Senator Jane Kitchel, D – Caledonia Co.
Senator Diane Snelling, R – Chittenden Co.
Jeb Spaulding, Administration Secretary