Husband & Father | Army Veteran | Southwest Tech School Board Director | Planning Commissioner & Justice of the Peace in Manchester, Vermonthttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.cohttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3ltecc22ay22gWe’re always told “we can’t afford to pay workers more.” But somehow there’s always room for another CEO bonus. It’s not about money. It’s about priorities.07 Jul 2025 07:47 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ltecc22ay22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lt4w4kw5fk2aThe budget bill makes one thing painfully clear. They turned cruelty into policy, stripping care from families while handing out favors to the wealthy.04 Jul 2025 09:21 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lt4w4kw5fk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lsuq4fgtw223Vermont just took a big step for veterans. S.51 exempts military retirement income up to $125K, covers survivor benefits, adds a $250 credit for low-income vets, and expands key tax credits. It’s a start. But all veterans deserve dignity in retirement—no carve-outs, no income tests.01 Jul 2025 03:12 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsuq4fgtw223https://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3ls6o7o7rmc2xAs a veteran, I have seen what happens when leaders send others to fight wars they will never have to feel. The US should not be dragged into another war. Escalating the Israel-Iran conflict would be devastating. The Trump government is running the same playbook. #Israel #Iran22 Jun 2025 08:40 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ls6o7o7rmc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lm6ol74m5s2rWhat if local government was designed to help people thrive? 🏠 More housing. 👧🏼 More childcare. 📚 More access to opportunity. We don’t need permission. We need vision. Let’s lead with #abundance.07 Apr 2025 00:15 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lm6ol74m5s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lluun3qj2c2lParenting through a DEI lens means loving our kids for exactly who they are and teaching them to love themselves just as fiercely. We are a transracial, adoptive, LGBTQ family. We talk about identity, race, and justice because our kids deserve truth and love in equal measure.03 Apr 2025 02:37 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lluun3qj2c2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3llrdv525ps2aIt’s now harder to get into a Vermont tech center’s automotive program than UVM. If we want our kids to build real futures, we need to invest in the people who build our workforce. Raise the base to $70K. Pay trades educators what they’re worth. https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2025-03-31/declining-enrollment-not-vermonts-tech-centers-waitlists-mile-long01 Apr 2025 16:59 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3llrdv525ps2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lk5sioymw22iCall your representatives and demand real change. Tell them symbolic protests are not enough. We need action. We need leaders who will fight for our kids, not just hold up paddles in performative outrage. If shutting down the government is what it takes to protect our kids, then shut it down. #DOE12 Mar 2025 05:02 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lk5sioymw22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3ljkeis5d4c2qSome people talk. Others act. We choose action. We choose commitment. We choose to be activists. And today, we choose to show up.04 Mar 2025 11:31 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljkeis5d4c2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3ljhwm43iq222I know the stigma firsthand. I remember having to enter a PIN on the days I was hungry enough to ask for food in high school. That is one of the few numbers I still have memorized, 050565. https://vtdigger.org/2025/03/03/thomas-west-gov-phil-scott-is-wrong-on-universal-school-meals/03 Mar 2025 12:17 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljhwm43iq222https://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3litzbnqekc2aHe’s chosen loyalty and duty to himself over the American People and the Constitution. “He said, ‘I’ll kill for you sir,” Trump said. “Then he puts on a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat.” https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-makes-maga-hat-wearing-killer-chairman-of-joint-chiefs/23 Feb 2025 14:12 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3litzbnqekc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lhpxhfoeyc23Just back from CADCA’s 35th Annual Leadership Forum in D.C. and connected with prevention leaders nationwide. Highlight? Meeting Vermont’s Congressional Delegation—Rep. Becca Balint, Sen. Peter Welch, and Sen. Bernie Sanders—to advocate for stronger prevention efforts in Southern Vermont!09 Feb 2025 06:03 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhpxhfoeyc23https://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lg5dgnep4s2tBasketball w Bernie! Alas, I took the photo so I’m not IN the photo.20 Jan 2025 02:52 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lg5dgnep4s2thttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lesroaj42s2bIf only expensive cars were built, not everyone could afford to drive—many would be left without a vehicle. The same goes for housing: building only single-family homes leaves those who can’t afford them without stable housing, affecting the whole community. #housing #housingforall #vermont03 Jan 2025 04:42 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lesroaj42s2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3ldd6birbqk26“Whatever your family is, it is exactly right and not better or worse than any other family.” @thomaswest.co15 Dec 2024 06:20 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldd6birbqk26https://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lch2vwhi622jServing on the Planning Commission has reminded me of the value of diversity. We may not always agree on the path forward, but I believe we share the same vision for our town's future. I hope this moment fosters connections that help us build a stronger community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWeQsXDE0eI04 Dec 2024 02:05 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lch2vwhi622jhttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lbzt4dabyc27#Thankful28 Nov 2024 19:41 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbzt4dabyc27https://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lboacww2gs2iI’m excited to share that the Manchester Planning Commission is hosting a public listening session to gather community input for our updated Town Plan. Info here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/publiclisteningsessions-manches7266314977391656960/24 Nov 2024 05:05 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lboacww2gs2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lblujl4g2s2fⓘ This user supports LGBTQIA+ rights! #Queer23 Nov 2024 06:29 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lblujl4g2s2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/thomaswest.co/post/3lazlrf3ygk25The election season has concluded, and far too many of us are grappling with a complex mix of emotions—relief, disappointment, hope, fear, anger, and uncertainty. As I reflect on the results, I can't help but personally feel a deep sense of fear and disappointment. #VT https://vtdigger.org/2024/11/13/thomas-west-confronting-our-fears https://vtdigger.org/2024/11/13/thomas-west-confronting-our-fears/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR07dgC_13tseDQRK6CvksAsTV37SRYmiTc8t97GnRYBhcfTdmYBOXfyN_o_aem_juOZvemqOw5-czEzBD0Big16 Nov 2024 00:04 +0000at://did:plc:bfpmr5dviftdcs4iz3ucxrg6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lazlrf3ygk25