Update from Montpelier
Chittenden North Senate
|
DECEMBER UPDATE
The new year is an ideal time to make a change. Would someone you know consider learning a trade in a two-year, debt-free training program?
Northlands Job Corps Center offers successful applicants on-campus learning and living, including FREE housing, meals, medical / dental care and allowance for up to two years. The job training provided can lead to "blue collar jobs at white collar wages," said Ken Grant, advanced welding instructor at this career technical school in Vergennes.
I visited this hub of activity in mid-December. Students aged 16-24 from all over Vermont and the U.S. find their way to Northlands and receive an education tailored to their needs and goals. Job Corps students polish their academic skills while earning certifications in one or more fields.
Currently, Northlands offers the following career technical training:
- Auto Tech
- Culinary Arts
- Building Construction / Facility Maintenance
- Medical Assistant
- Office Administration
- Urban Forestry
- Welding
- Advanced Welding.
Northlands’ team of counselors help youth select a career path, stay on track, and shepherd them into the working world during the year after graduation, including assistance finding transportation and housing.
Northlands is the only Vermont-based Job Corps Center of the 124 sites run by the U.S. Department of Labor. New students are welcome year-round.
Applicants must meet income eligibility requirements and be free of substance use. Learn more at http://northlands.jobcorps.gov and www.dub.sh/NorthlandsJCC.
Thank you for electing me to serve you in Montpelier these past two years. Being a legislator has allowed me to discover several of Vermont's best-kept secrets, including the living and learning opportunities at Northlands!
While I won't return to the Senate in 2025, I will continue working to improve communication, minimize nonsense, and resolve problems in state government – especially unjustified spending.
Please get in touch via 802-338-2247 or imwren[at]aol.com, once my legislative email account is retired.
Northlands Job Corps Center offers successful applicants on-campus learning and living, including FREE housing, meals, medical / dental care and allowance for up to two years. The job training provided can lead to "blue collar jobs at white collar wages," said Ken Grant, advanced welding instructor at this career technical school in Vergennes.
I visited this hub of activity in mid-December. Students aged 16-24 from all over Vermont and the U.S. find their way to Northlands and receive an education tailored to their needs and goals. Job Corps students polish their academic skills while earning certifications in one or more fields.
Currently, Northlands offers the following career technical training:
- Auto Tech
- Culinary Arts
- Building Construction / Facility Maintenance
- Medical Assistant
- Office Administration
- Urban Forestry
- Welding
- Advanced Welding.
Northlands’ team of counselors help youth select a career path, stay on track, and shepherd them into the working world during the year after graduation, including assistance finding transportation and housing.
Northlands is the only Vermont-based Job Corps Center of the 124 sites run by the U.S. Department of Labor. New students are welcome year-round.
Applicants must meet income eligibility requirements and be free of substance use. Learn more at http://northlands.jobcorps.gov and www.dub.sh/NorthlandsJCC.
Thank you for electing me to serve you in Montpelier these past two years. Being a legislator has allowed me to discover several of Vermont's best-kept secrets, including the living and learning opportunities at Northlands!
While I won't return to the Senate in 2025, I will continue working to improve communication, minimize nonsense, and resolve problems in state government – especially unjustified spending.
Please get in touch via 802-338-2247 or imwren[at]aol.com, once my legislative email account is retired.
NOVEMBER UPDATE
Who doesn’t love a bargain? Especially with the holiday shopping season ahead.
How about a quantity discount? Count me in, said the State of Vermont back in May 2022, as it sought a cloud-based replacement for its aging mainframe-based HR, Finance, Budget, Labor and Transportation systems.
Vermont, among several other states, worked through a third party to examine the available integrated systems to help their governments function better.
State officials signed a contract with WorkDay ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), a suite of applications to help optimize business operations and processes, for $28.875 M over the next 10 years.
Just one problem: the purchase didn’t abide by the state bid process, where multiple vendors and products are measured against defined business needs.
Therefore, this software-as-sold may or may not address Vermont’s needs. Before it can be installed, someone will have to define what are expected to be sizable gaps in functionality. They will also need to estimate the cost of adapting WorkDay to our way of working, and how we store and manage existing data.
That someone is called a Preferred Implementation Vendor (PIV), and their services will cost additional money. If the PIV determines WorkDay won’t work for Vermont, we start over, having wasted millions of dollars on software with no benefit over several years. If the PIV determines that at least part of WorkDay is viable, the process of tweaking this complex system begins.
I serve on the five-member Joint Information Technology Oversight Committee, which is charged with reviewing such projects and releasing money that the legislature has allocated toward the larger ERP installation.
Four days before my November 25th JITOC meeting – our first since June – I received a 33-page document detailing the dilemma we’re facing. It estimated a total cost of nearly $72 M to get this system up and running by 2031.
The author who reviewed the situation summed up her findings as follows:
1. Project Justification (Is the project necessary and beneficial?): Strong
2. Clarity of Purpose (Is the definition of success established?): Poor
3. Organizational Support (Does the business fully support the project?): Weak
4. Project leadership (Does the project have strong and effective leadership?): Weak
5. Project management (Is the project management staff appropriate and will they conform to state standards?) Poor
6. Financial Considerations (Is funding secure and sufficient for the anticipated life of the system?) Poor
7. Technical Approach (Are the proposed technical solutions achievable, realistic, and appropriate for the project?) Poor
I noticed this was an internal review, not the outside independent review I expected. That arrived a day later, after a pointed request. A consulting firm from Missouri seems to have done a thorough job in their 69-page report, which offers its own red flags, which I won’t excerpt here.
But I will say that, for a governor who rails about affordability, I’m not seeing frugality from his administration. I do see statutory requirements skirted by staff and consultants who have each other’s backs on a variety of technology projects.
Then there are the rules, such as providing us independent reviews within three days of release, that staff breach. JITOC received that 69-page report, published in April, just three days ago, affecting our ability to thoroughly attend to it.
At our meeting, JITOC members were expected to make a decision on short notice, about paying a PIV and moving forward with WorkDay, in a small meeting room with more than a dozen stakeholders present.
There’s no clear path to getting this computer system transition done right, no matter how much cash the state spends. And it pains me to type those words. I know residents are reeling from tax increases.
The person(s) who didn’t follow statutory guidelines and signed this WorkDay contract in 2022 has moved on. Those who remain are left with few viable choices. Legislators are being handed a dilemma about an ERP that, like the yield bill that funded school budgets, will make no one happy.
I asked about sunk costs. Less than $4 M, we were told by the Secretary of the Administration and the Secretary of Digital Services. Their total expected cost through 2031, for a system that is not guaranteed to work as expected: $88 M. The costs don’t stop there. Going forward, the state estimates we would pay another $20 M to $25 M per year in operating costs after 2031.
I voted No on proceeding. Four members voted Yes, and a fifth was absent.
I serve on two other “summer committees” that met in November.
Joint Justice Oversight signed off on two decisions, after taking testimony at four meetings. One advises the relevant Senate and House Committees to not expand the earned time off program for people who are incarcerated, nor for parolees. The other letter advises the Department of Corrections to implement a pilot Pretrial Supervision Program in Orleans and Essex counties.
The Ag Labor Study Committee is leaning away from instituting collective bargaining as an option and, instead, directly addressing farm workers' low wages and poor working conditions.
I’m still your Senator until Jan. 8th when the new team takes over!
Feel free to get in touch any time.
How about a quantity discount? Count me in, said the State of Vermont back in May 2022, as it sought a cloud-based replacement for its aging mainframe-based HR, Finance, Budget, Labor and Transportation systems.
Vermont, among several other states, worked through a third party to examine the available integrated systems to help their governments function better.
State officials signed a contract with WorkDay ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), a suite of applications to help optimize business operations and processes, for $28.875 M over the next 10 years.
Just one problem: the purchase didn’t abide by the state bid process, where multiple vendors and products are measured against defined business needs.
Therefore, this software-as-sold may or may not address Vermont’s needs. Before it can be installed, someone will have to define what are expected to be sizable gaps in functionality. They will also need to estimate the cost of adapting WorkDay to our way of working, and how we store and manage existing data.
That someone is called a Preferred Implementation Vendor (PIV), and their services will cost additional money. If the PIV determines WorkDay won’t work for Vermont, we start over, having wasted millions of dollars on software with no benefit over several years. If the PIV determines that at least part of WorkDay is viable, the process of tweaking this complex system begins.
I serve on the five-member Joint Information Technology Oversight Committee, which is charged with reviewing such projects and releasing money that the legislature has allocated toward the larger ERP installation.
Four days before my November 25th JITOC meeting – our first since June – I received a 33-page document detailing the dilemma we’re facing. It estimated a total cost of nearly $72 M to get this system up and running by 2031.
The author who reviewed the situation summed up her findings as follows:
1. Project Justification (Is the project necessary and beneficial?): Strong
2. Clarity of Purpose (Is the definition of success established?): Poor
3. Organizational Support (Does the business fully support the project?): Weak
4. Project leadership (Does the project have strong and effective leadership?): Weak
5. Project management (Is the project management staff appropriate and will they conform to state standards?) Poor
6. Financial Considerations (Is funding secure and sufficient for the anticipated life of the system?) Poor
7. Technical Approach (Are the proposed technical solutions achievable, realistic, and appropriate for the project?) Poor
I noticed this was an internal review, not the outside independent review I expected. That arrived a day later, after a pointed request. A consulting firm from Missouri seems to have done a thorough job in their 69-page report, which offers its own red flags, which I won’t excerpt here.
But I will say that, for a governor who rails about affordability, I’m not seeing frugality from his administration. I do see statutory requirements skirted by staff and consultants who have each other’s backs on a variety of technology projects.
Then there are the rules, such as providing us independent reviews within three days of release, that staff breach. JITOC received that 69-page report, published in April, just three days ago, affecting our ability to thoroughly attend to it.
At our meeting, JITOC members were expected to make a decision on short notice, about paying a PIV and moving forward with WorkDay, in a small meeting room with more than a dozen stakeholders present.
There’s no clear path to getting this computer system transition done right, no matter how much cash the state spends. And it pains me to type those words. I know residents are reeling from tax increases.
The person(s) who didn’t follow statutory guidelines and signed this WorkDay contract in 2022 has moved on. Those who remain are left with few viable choices. Legislators are being handed a dilemma about an ERP that, like the yield bill that funded school budgets, will make no one happy.
I asked about sunk costs. Less than $4 M, we were told by the Secretary of the Administration and the Secretary of Digital Services. Their total expected cost through 2031, for a system that is not guaranteed to work as expected: $88 M. The costs don’t stop there. Going forward, the state estimates we would pay another $20 M to $25 M per year in operating costs after 2031.
I voted No on proceeding. Four members voted Yes, and a fifth was absent.
I serve on two other “summer committees” that met in November.
Joint Justice Oversight signed off on two decisions, after taking testimony at four meetings. One advises the relevant Senate and House Committees to not expand the earned time off program for people who are incarcerated, nor for parolees. The other letter advises the Department of Corrections to implement a pilot Pretrial Supervision Program in Orleans and Essex counties.
The Ag Labor Study Committee is leaning away from instituting collective bargaining as an option and, instead, directly addressing farm workers' low wages and poor working conditions.
I’m still your Senator until Jan. 8th when the new team takes over!
Feel free to get in touch any time.
OCTOBER UPDATE
Warm fall weather has allowed me to continue canvassing our sizeable district day-after-day, fielding concerns about the cost of living; COVID effects, especially on students; and what the legislature might work on next year.
A high priority for many voters is a more transparent education funding formula, tied to local school budgets. I will request assignment to a committee to work on that in the coming session.
I've asked legislative counsel (attorneys at the state house) to draft several bills out of this season's constituent feedback.
One such bill addresses the frustration voters feel when being asked to pick a party ballot, as in the presidential primary in March and the statewide primary election in August. Anyone who wanted to vote for a Republican candidate for Governor and, say, a Democratic candidate for Senator this summer was unable to do so. They had to pick one party's ballot over another.
Several states have moved to non-partisan primaries, in which the top two finishers for a seat head to the General Election. Such ballots are expected to draw more Independents to the voting booth and to yield more moderate candidates than partisan primaries, although data hasn't yet born these out.
Another bill-in-draft follows California's lead in passing a law to prohibit the use of six artificial dyes from food served in public schools. Red 40 and five other synthetic colors have been linked to behavioral issues.
Another bill would modify the 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases so that most people who have already bought a gun from a dealer and passed a background check wouldn't need to wait three days to bring their purchase home.
Retirees would like the state of Vermont to stop taxing their social security benefits and military pensions. Look for such bills to be introduced this year.
Someone asked that studded tires be removed for certain months to minimize road damage. I spoke to a car mechanic and the chair of Senate Transportation; the number of cars using studs all year appears to be small, as would be our realistic chances of enforcing such a bill if it passed.
Another constituent suggested an upper age limit to being called for jury duty.
Keep the ideas coming, please!
A high priority for many voters is a more transparent education funding formula, tied to local school budgets. I will request assignment to a committee to work on that in the coming session.
I've asked legislative counsel (attorneys at the state house) to draft several bills out of this season's constituent feedback.
One such bill addresses the frustration voters feel when being asked to pick a party ballot, as in the presidential primary in March and the statewide primary election in August. Anyone who wanted to vote for a Republican candidate for Governor and, say, a Democratic candidate for Senator this summer was unable to do so. They had to pick one party's ballot over another.
Several states have moved to non-partisan primaries, in which the top two finishers for a seat head to the General Election. Such ballots are expected to draw more Independents to the voting booth and to yield more moderate candidates than partisan primaries, although data hasn't yet born these out.
Another bill-in-draft follows California's lead in passing a law to prohibit the use of six artificial dyes from food served in public schools. Red 40 and five other synthetic colors have been linked to behavioral issues.
Another bill would modify the 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases so that most people who have already bought a gun from a dealer and passed a background check wouldn't need to wait three days to bring their purchase home.
Retirees would like the state of Vermont to stop taxing their social security benefits and military pensions. Look for such bills to be introduced this year.
Someone asked that studded tires be removed for certain months to minimize road damage. I spoke to a car mechanic and the chair of Senate Transportation; the number of cars using studs all year appears to be small, as would be our realistic chances of enforcing such a bill if it passed.
Another constituent suggested an upper age limit to being called for jury duty.
Keep the ideas coming, please!
AUGUST UPDATE
Select Summer Committees continue to meet at the State House taking testimony, studying special topics, and doing oversight in the off-season.
Last week, the Agricultural Worker Labor and Employment Laws Study Committee convened for the first time. I was elected vice chair due to my experience on the Senate Ag Committee and background in labor relations.
Ag workers want the right to organize and bargain for better pay and working conditions. The charge for this committee (created by S.102 / Act 117) is to study how Vermont’s employment and labor relations laws apply to farm workers and identify whether any legislative action might provide additional coverage to them.
I’m serving on the Justice Oversight Committee for a second year. Our chair, Sen. Dick Sears, passed away in June, and members have felt his loss acutely.
We’re wrestling with pre-trial supervision and repeat offenders, health care for those incarcerated or recently released, and proposed facilities for justice-involved youth and adults.
As you may be aware, the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington houses all of Vermont’s justice-involved women. Built to house men fifty years ago, the building is falling apart. CRCF has exceeded its lifespan and costs upwards of $3M each year to maintain. This facility also lacks operational adjacencies and fails to meet residents’ needs for program spaces. The necessity to replace CRCF has been acknowledged for some time. Recently, planning has become more deliberate and a co-located Re-entry Facility is being considered.
Staff from the executive branch of state government have narrowed their preferred sites for a new women’s campus to two state-owned parcels in Essex. One location is off River Road; another is off Route 2A near the CSWD Drop-Off Center.
I’ve been asked to function as an informal legislative lead on the project, given my years of service in Essex town government and my current membership on the Senate Institutions Committee.
Right now that entails attending meetings and relaying questions from the public to staff at two state departments – Corrections and Buildings and General Services – to ensure their plans address officials’ and residents’ concerns.
The Community Justice Center in Essex Junction anticipates hosting information sessions this fall, at which the public can learn more about the costs and benefits of these proposals. The replacement of CRCF is estimated to take ten years to complete.
Many of us enjoyed the Champlain Valley Fair this summer. On Thursday I spoke at a Highway Safety press conference in the Miller Building. The Child Passenger Safety law, effective July 1st, aims to better protect young lives in collisions. It updated the ages at which children may face forward (age 2) and sit in the front seat (age 13), among other changes.
Economic Development Commission Meetings in Milton and Essex never disappoint. Milton’s EDC met up at the Arrowhead Lodge this summer, while Essex’s EDC took its August meeting to Paul Mazza’s Farm. I was introduced to trellised apple trees, a very efficient way to grow fruit. Meeting attendees sampled sweet corn after hearing from Paul and daughter Kaity Mazza talk about the impact of flooding this summer and last.
That was August in a nutshell. Happy September!
Please get in touch if you see laws that we need ― or don’t need.
Last week, the Agricultural Worker Labor and Employment Laws Study Committee convened for the first time. I was elected vice chair due to my experience on the Senate Ag Committee and background in labor relations.
Ag workers want the right to organize and bargain for better pay and working conditions. The charge for this committee (created by S.102 / Act 117) is to study how Vermont’s employment and labor relations laws apply to farm workers and identify whether any legislative action might provide additional coverage to them.
I’m serving on the Justice Oversight Committee for a second year. Our chair, Sen. Dick Sears, passed away in June, and members have felt his loss acutely.
We’re wrestling with pre-trial supervision and repeat offenders, health care for those incarcerated or recently released, and proposed facilities for justice-involved youth and adults.
As you may be aware, the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington houses all of Vermont’s justice-involved women. Built to house men fifty years ago, the building is falling apart. CRCF has exceeded its lifespan and costs upwards of $3M each year to maintain. This facility also lacks operational adjacencies and fails to meet residents’ needs for program spaces. The necessity to replace CRCF has been acknowledged for some time. Recently, planning has become more deliberate and a co-located Re-entry Facility is being considered.
Staff from the executive branch of state government have narrowed their preferred sites for a new women’s campus to two state-owned parcels in Essex. One location is off River Road; another is off Route 2A near the CSWD Drop-Off Center.
I’ve been asked to function as an informal legislative lead on the project, given my years of service in Essex town government and my current membership on the Senate Institutions Committee.
Right now that entails attending meetings and relaying questions from the public to staff at two state departments – Corrections and Buildings and General Services – to ensure their plans address officials’ and residents’ concerns.
The Community Justice Center in Essex Junction anticipates hosting information sessions this fall, at which the public can learn more about the costs and benefits of these proposals. The replacement of CRCF is estimated to take ten years to complete.
Many of us enjoyed the Champlain Valley Fair this summer. On Thursday I spoke at a Highway Safety press conference in the Miller Building. The Child Passenger Safety law, effective July 1st, aims to better protect young lives in collisions. It updated the ages at which children may face forward (age 2) and sit in the front seat (age 13), among other changes.
Economic Development Commission Meetings in Milton and Essex never disappoint. Milton’s EDC met up at the Arrowhead Lodge this summer, while Essex’s EDC took its August meeting to Paul Mazza’s Farm. I was introduced to trellised apple trees, a very efficient way to grow fruit. Meeting attendees sampled sweet corn after hearing from Paul and daughter Kaity Mazza talk about the impact of flooding this summer and last.
That was August in a nutshell. Happy September!
Please get in touch if you see laws that we need ― or don’t need.
JULY UPDATE
It's campaign season, and while I'm knocking on doors, please kick back and enjoy this year's legislative review.
Solution available at wrenner4senate.org/puzzle. Remember to vote in the Primary Election on August 13th!
Solution available at wrenner4senate.org/puzzle. Remember to vote in the Primary Election on August 13th!
JUNE UPDATE
After our 2024 session ended in May, legislators returned to the capital on June 17th for a veto override session. Governor Phil Scott vetoed a significant number of bills this year.
Six were overridden. I will cover the headline makers below; a seventh, the veto on H.121, the Data Privacy bill, was not overridden. Consumer data is under constant threat, as is the well-being of children who use the internet. The bill addressed some of the addictive properties of children's apps. I voted to override, but the Senate fell six votes shy of doing so.
I wrote about H.687, the LAND USE bill, last month. I don't favor bills too complex to explain to constituents. No one's quite sure where all these new houses will be built, as every area has its constraints. One big constraint for certain towns is the handling of sewage, which is frequently and illegally dumped into our rivers and lakes. I believe we need to shore up this infrastructure before adding residents. Keep our waterways clean and our landscapes productive.
H.887, the YIELD bill sets the Homestead Tax Rate. It must be sufficient to meet the total amount voters approved in every town to fund their schools. The legislature, by law, must set a rate.
I've been asked why I didn't vote No on the override. Please keep in mind that the only way that several legislators can vote No on the Yield Bill is when a majority can be counted on to vote Yes, a politically fraught position because of the lack of understanding of what this bill does. I've spent the past week in conversation with residents who believe a No vote would've saved them money.
In fact, the veto of the yield bill itself appears to have been a risky political maneuver. The implications of not enacting the yield bill are serious: Vermonters would face property tax increases of up to 30% and there would be an $82 million deficit in the Education Fund, putting Vermonters and Vermont's public education system in an extremely tenuous position.
One important note: If you're on a fixed income or otherwise qualify for a discount on your taxes, you may be entitled to receive a homestead rebate. Up to 70% of Vermont property owners receive that discount, so not everyone would face the predicted 13.8% increase.
H.289, the RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD bill would add an estimated 2% to 7% to the cost of electricity in Vermont. (The total cost of this RES was estimated to be as high as $1 billion over ten years.) I believe this is an unaffordable means to an industrial end. Rather than levy a tax to accelerate the move to renewable sources of energy – not all of which are available when demand is highest – let's renew our focus on reducing consumption and conserving resources.
I recently learned that just 2% of greenhouse gas emissions in VT come from the generation of electricity. Maybe we should focus our efforts on reducing other, larger sources of carbon and methane emissions instead?
This article describes the underlying issue that I've come to see as the problem with bills such as last year's S.5 (CLEAN HEAT STANDARD) and this year's H.289, which were drafted by parties who stood to benefit: https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/environmentalism-in-america-is-dead.
Please know that I served for 15 years on the Essex Energy Committee. I am all about saving the planet through conservation, not consumerism.
H.72, OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTER bill would provide a temporary, safe injection site in Burlington, to which people could bring and use illegal substances in a supervised environment and receive immediate attention if they overdose OR get help to stop using, if they so choose.
An OPC should free up first responders who were hired to fight fires and enforce the law, among other duties, but have been regularly called to deal with overdoses happening throughout the city.
I believe in local control. All the top officials in Burlington have begged for this pilot program. I voted to give them permission to try this, since they're low on options. Funding for this pilot comes from a drug company settlement, not taxes.
If we don't encourage substance users to remove themselves and their waste from Church Street, for example, I foresee the state losing tourist dollars. Vermont residents could then be asked to make up the deficit via taxes that no one is eager to pay.
Six were overridden. I will cover the headline makers below; a seventh, the veto on H.121, the Data Privacy bill, was not overridden. Consumer data is under constant threat, as is the well-being of children who use the internet. The bill addressed some of the addictive properties of children's apps. I voted to override, but the Senate fell six votes shy of doing so.
I wrote about H.687, the LAND USE bill, last month. I don't favor bills too complex to explain to constituents. No one's quite sure where all these new houses will be built, as every area has its constraints. One big constraint for certain towns is the handling of sewage, which is frequently and illegally dumped into our rivers and lakes. I believe we need to shore up this infrastructure before adding residents. Keep our waterways clean and our landscapes productive.
H.887, the YIELD bill sets the Homestead Tax Rate. It must be sufficient to meet the total amount voters approved in every town to fund their schools. The legislature, by law, must set a rate.
I've been asked why I didn't vote No on the override. Please keep in mind that the only way that several legislators can vote No on the Yield Bill is when a majority can be counted on to vote Yes, a politically fraught position because of the lack of understanding of what this bill does. I've spent the past week in conversation with residents who believe a No vote would've saved them money.
In fact, the veto of the yield bill itself appears to have been a risky political maneuver. The implications of not enacting the yield bill are serious: Vermonters would face property tax increases of up to 30% and there would be an $82 million deficit in the Education Fund, putting Vermonters and Vermont's public education system in an extremely tenuous position.
One important note: If you're on a fixed income or otherwise qualify for a discount on your taxes, you may be entitled to receive a homestead rebate. Up to 70% of Vermont property owners receive that discount, so not everyone would face the predicted 13.8% increase.
H.289, the RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD bill would add an estimated 2% to 7% to the cost of electricity in Vermont. (The total cost of this RES was estimated to be as high as $1 billion over ten years.) I believe this is an unaffordable means to an industrial end. Rather than levy a tax to accelerate the move to renewable sources of energy – not all of which are available when demand is highest – let's renew our focus on reducing consumption and conserving resources.
I recently learned that just 2% of greenhouse gas emissions in VT come from the generation of electricity. Maybe we should focus our efforts on reducing other, larger sources of carbon and methane emissions instead?
This article describes the underlying issue that I've come to see as the problem with bills such as last year's S.5 (CLEAN HEAT STANDARD) and this year's H.289, which were drafted by parties who stood to benefit: https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/environmentalism-in-america-is-dead.
Please know that I served for 15 years on the Essex Energy Committee. I am all about saving the planet through conservation, not consumerism.
H.72, OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTER bill would provide a temporary, safe injection site in Burlington, to which people could bring and use illegal substances in a supervised environment and receive immediate attention if they overdose OR get help to stop using, if they so choose.
An OPC should free up first responders who were hired to fight fires and enforce the law, among other duties, but have been regularly called to deal with overdoses happening throughout the city.
I believe in local control. All the top officials in Burlington have begged for this pilot program. I voted to give them permission to try this, since they're low on options. Funding for this pilot comes from a drug company settlement, not taxes.
If we don't encourage substance users to remove themselves and their waste from Church Street, for example, I foresee the state losing tourist dollars. Vermont residents could then be asked to make up the deficit via taxes that no one is eager to pay.
MAY UPDATE
The legislative session ended in the wee hours of Saturday morning, May 11th, after a marathon series of voting sessions. Apparently, Friday night was even more exciting back home, thanks to the aurora.
Race to the Finish Line
The last week of the session brought a rash of bills to our desks, including one to relax Act 250 and allow housing to be built with less permitting in certain areas.
H.687 was brought to the floor after a late-night compromise was worked out, leaving Senators little time – in between regularly-scheduled committee meetings the next day – to read and analyze it before being asked to vote.
Several legislators raised concerns during our floor session and proposed amendments to specific parts of the bill. Without a hint of irony, sponsors of the bill reminded their peers that this was a bit late in the process to make changes. Given insufficient time to understand its contents and implications, I voted No.
New Division of Animal Welfare
H.626 is an answer to a number of animal cruelty cases across the state and the ongoing lack of a designated governmental entity to address complaints.
I supported this bill, which creates a new Division of Animal Welfare, to be housed in the Department of Public Safety, and designates a single employee to develop a comprehensive plan for handling animal cruelty cases, once hired.
Miscellaneous Ag Bill
The Senate passed an initial version of S.301, but was asked to consider two additions in early May. I approved of both updates.
This bill now prohibits pet shops from selling dogs, cats and wolf hybrids unless the pet shop lawfully offered animals for sale prior to July 1, 2024 and meets several qualifications. The measure is intended to eliminate the sale of puppies from puppy mills.
Another recent addition: banning the sale of “paws or internal organs of a black bear separate from the animal as a whole.”
Black bear gallbladders are used in Chinese medicine and their paws are used to make soup. The measure is intended to reduce poaching and the movement of bear parts to out-of-state markets.
Timber Trespass
For decades large quantities of wood have been taken from Vermont forests without payment to landowners by certain loggers. The crime families are well-established and well-known, but no law has protected landowners’ interests until H.614 came along. Fines and felonies for land improvement fraud are defined in this bill, which I supported.
Right to Repair Ag Equipment
H.81 would have allowed Vermont farmers and loggers to independently repair their agricultural equipment, but the bill died after lawmakers in the House and Senate failed to agree on details, much to my disappointment.
Lawmakers introduced the bill last year, and they were quickly met with an onslaught of lobbying opposition from national interest groups and equipment manufacturers. The bill would have compelled manufacturers like John Deere, Caterpillar, or Husqvarna to offer the manuals, codes, diagnostics, and equipment parts necessary to repair farm and logging equipment at fair market value.
In the weeks before adjournment, a lot of language changed on the Senate end to favor the manufacturers. The Senate also appeared to run out the clock by delaying its third reading: by the time H.81 returned to the House, no time was left to negotiate differences between the two versions.
Don't be surprised if I knock on your door this summer to receive feedback on state government and ask for your ideas. If you're new to town or just turned 18, please register to vote at olvr.vermont.gov at your earliest convenience!
Race to the Finish Line
The last week of the session brought a rash of bills to our desks, including one to relax Act 250 and allow housing to be built with less permitting in certain areas.
H.687 was brought to the floor after a late-night compromise was worked out, leaving Senators little time – in between regularly-scheduled committee meetings the next day – to read and analyze it before being asked to vote.
Several legislators raised concerns during our floor session and proposed amendments to specific parts of the bill. Without a hint of irony, sponsors of the bill reminded their peers that this was a bit late in the process to make changes. Given insufficient time to understand its contents and implications, I voted No.
New Division of Animal Welfare
H.626 is an answer to a number of animal cruelty cases across the state and the ongoing lack of a designated governmental entity to address complaints.
I supported this bill, which creates a new Division of Animal Welfare, to be housed in the Department of Public Safety, and designates a single employee to develop a comprehensive plan for handling animal cruelty cases, once hired.
Miscellaneous Ag Bill
The Senate passed an initial version of S.301, but was asked to consider two additions in early May. I approved of both updates.
This bill now prohibits pet shops from selling dogs, cats and wolf hybrids unless the pet shop lawfully offered animals for sale prior to July 1, 2024 and meets several qualifications. The measure is intended to eliminate the sale of puppies from puppy mills.
Another recent addition: banning the sale of “paws or internal organs of a black bear separate from the animal as a whole.”
Black bear gallbladders are used in Chinese medicine and their paws are used to make soup. The measure is intended to reduce poaching and the movement of bear parts to out-of-state markets.
Timber Trespass
For decades large quantities of wood have been taken from Vermont forests without payment to landowners by certain loggers. The crime families are well-established and well-known, but no law has protected landowners’ interests until H.614 came along. Fines and felonies for land improvement fraud are defined in this bill, which I supported.
Right to Repair Ag Equipment
H.81 would have allowed Vermont farmers and loggers to independently repair their agricultural equipment, but the bill died after lawmakers in the House and Senate failed to agree on details, much to my disappointment.
Lawmakers introduced the bill last year, and they were quickly met with an onslaught of lobbying opposition from national interest groups and equipment manufacturers. The bill would have compelled manufacturers like John Deere, Caterpillar, or Husqvarna to offer the manuals, codes, diagnostics, and equipment parts necessary to repair farm and logging equipment at fair market value.
In the weeks before adjournment, a lot of language changed on the Senate end to favor the manufacturers. The Senate also appeared to run out the clock by delaying its third reading: by the time H.81 returned to the House, no time was left to negotiate differences between the two versions.
Don't be surprised if I knock on your door this summer to receive feedback on state government and ask for your ideas. If you're new to town or just turned 18, please register to vote at olvr.vermont.gov at your earliest convenience!
APRIL UPDATE
April 24, 2024
All four towns (Milton, Fairfax, Essex, Westford) in our district have voted down proposed school budgets. Frustration levels are high among voters.
Increases in wages and benefits, including a 16% hike in health insurance costs, and general inflation have raised school budgets.
A new pupil weighting framework – which passed the legislature in 2022, before I arrived – compounds our tax burden. I’ve heard protestations that “enough is enough!” I don’t serve on the Senate Education or Finance Committee, so I’m working on other fronts to address wasteful spending and unfunded mandates (see below).
_______________________________________________________
Legislative Committees have spent several months taking testimony on bills referred to them. April always brings a new sense of urgency as our mid-May adjournment looms. Bills on which we gathered information for weeks, without altering their content, suddenly change overnight – and then change overnight again.
Such was the case with H.706, the (bee) bill which would ban neonicotinoid-coated seeds. Our committee chair decided last Thursday that Vermont should watch what happens in New York, whose pesticide ban starts in 2029, before banning that poison here. He proposed moving our effective date out to 2031, which lost my vote for the bill.
Don't get me wrong. I'm personally excited to think that we could phase out the use of one very toxic and persistent family of pesticides: “Today’s DDT,” one witness called it.
Most beekeepers testified to our committee that they're losing their hives, year over year, at an alarming rate. Some have lost 30%; others have lost 85% of last year's hives. I believe we've already waited too long to address colony collapse, and that the effective date should be earlier, while there are still bees left to save!
Providing a two-year buffer instead of a seven-year delay, for example, would still give seed companies plenty of time to produce seeds that are not coated in poison and bring them to market.
“What are you doing to save us money?” constituents ask. I voted NO on S.310 at the end of March. In floor remarks, I called out this disaster preparedness bill for being an unfunded mandate. I alone voted No on it. I also voted to sustain the governor’s veto of H.158 (successful), which proposed a new beverage container redemption system estimated in 2018 to cost $12M more per year to operate than the current one.
On the lighter side of things, H.664, an act to designate a state mushroom, came to Senate Ag early in April. After some initial skepticism, members were won over by elementary school students who demonstrated their passion for this project that taught them about mushrooms and civics – and included forays into the forest to forage for specimens.
Speaking of kids, Ag Committee members spoke remotely with Congressional staff about efforts to modify the Farm Bill to include whole milk as a federally reimbursable element of school meals. Skim milk isn’t popular and chocolate milk, which is, contains added sugar. The naturally occurring fat in whole milk can be part of a child’s healthy diet, but most schools cannot afford to provide it without a subsidy.
Also on the food front, H.603, a bill I nicknamed “parting is such sweet slaughter”, has passed the Senate unanimously since last month’s update. Farmers who do not operate inspected facilities will be allowed under state law to sell chicken parts, in addition to whole chickens, directly to customers at farmers markets once the governor signs this legislation. Federal law already allowed this practice, but Vermont law interfered.
Catch me at the Westford Senior Luncheon and Sunday Concert Series; the Maple Festival Parade at noon on Sun., April 28th in St. Albans, and the Democratic State Convention in Burlington on Sat., May 18th. I participate in PoliTalk in Essex each week.
All four towns (Milton, Fairfax, Essex, Westford) in our district have voted down proposed school budgets. Frustration levels are high among voters.
Increases in wages and benefits, including a 16% hike in health insurance costs, and general inflation have raised school budgets.
A new pupil weighting framework – which passed the legislature in 2022, before I arrived – compounds our tax burden. I’ve heard protestations that “enough is enough!” I don’t serve on the Senate Education or Finance Committee, so I’m working on other fronts to address wasteful spending and unfunded mandates (see below).
_______________________________________________________
Legislative Committees have spent several months taking testimony on bills referred to them. April always brings a new sense of urgency as our mid-May adjournment looms. Bills on which we gathered information for weeks, without altering their content, suddenly change overnight – and then change overnight again.
Such was the case with H.706, the (bee) bill which would ban neonicotinoid-coated seeds. Our committee chair decided last Thursday that Vermont should watch what happens in New York, whose pesticide ban starts in 2029, before banning that poison here. He proposed moving our effective date out to 2031, which lost my vote for the bill.
Don't get me wrong. I'm personally excited to think that we could phase out the use of one very toxic and persistent family of pesticides: “Today’s DDT,” one witness called it.
Most beekeepers testified to our committee that they're losing their hives, year over year, at an alarming rate. Some have lost 30%; others have lost 85% of last year's hives. I believe we've already waited too long to address colony collapse, and that the effective date should be earlier, while there are still bees left to save!
Providing a two-year buffer instead of a seven-year delay, for example, would still give seed companies plenty of time to produce seeds that are not coated in poison and bring them to market.
“What are you doing to save us money?” constituents ask. I voted NO on S.310 at the end of March. In floor remarks, I called out this disaster preparedness bill for being an unfunded mandate. I alone voted No on it. I also voted to sustain the governor’s veto of H.158 (successful), which proposed a new beverage container redemption system estimated in 2018 to cost $12M more per year to operate than the current one.
On the lighter side of things, H.664, an act to designate a state mushroom, came to Senate Ag early in April. After some initial skepticism, members were won over by elementary school students who demonstrated their passion for this project that taught them about mushrooms and civics – and included forays into the forest to forage for specimens.
Speaking of kids, Ag Committee members spoke remotely with Congressional staff about efforts to modify the Farm Bill to include whole milk as a federally reimbursable element of school meals. Skim milk isn’t popular and chocolate milk, which is, contains added sugar. The naturally occurring fat in whole milk can be part of a child’s healthy diet, but most schools cannot afford to provide it without a subsidy.
Also on the food front, H.603, a bill I nicknamed “parting is such sweet slaughter”, has passed the Senate unanimously since last month’s update. Farmers who do not operate inspected facilities will be allowed under state law to sell chicken parts, in addition to whole chickens, directly to customers at farmers markets once the governor signs this legislation. Federal law already allowed this practice, but Vermont law interfered.
Catch me at the Westford Senior Luncheon and Sunday Concert Series; the Maple Festival Parade at noon on Sun., April 28th in St. Albans, and the Democratic State Convention in Burlington on Sat., May 18th. I participate in PoliTalk in Essex each week.
MARCH UPDATE
March 28, 2024
Crossover has come and gone. Bills that didn’t make it out of their committees of jurisdiction are toast. Scores of bills are moving within each chamber and between the House and Senate.
My morning committee, Senate Ag, is taking testimony on several bills. H.81, the Right to Repair Agricultural Equipment, is the bane of manufacturers, who worry that other consumer products will be next.
H.706 would ban neonicotinoid seed coatings, which contaminate plants, soil and water, harming pollinators. We heard from one beekeeper who lost 85% of his colonies last year. Another has lost 50%.
H.603 would allow farms to part-out the poultry that they slaughter and sell directly to customers. Selling parts vs a whole chicken yields the farmer $10 more per bird. Current demand for Vermont chicken parts far outweighs the supply.
My afternoon committee, Senate Institutions, will soon address the House’s version of the Capital Bill. We’ve already drafted a bill to save the Salisbury Fish Hatchery, which the Governor had planned to shutter.
S.206, the bill I introduced per a constituent request, would make Juneteenth a state holiday. It moved easily through the Senate and into the House this month. (A no-cost bill!)
Feel free to contact me if you’re planning a visit to Montpelier (Tues. – Fri.). We could meet up in the State House cafeteria, if time allows.
Catch me at the Westford Senior Luncheon on Mon., April 1st at Noon at the Red Brick Meeting House; the Community Conversation hosted by Franklin County legislators on Mon., April 15th at 8 am at Fairfax Town Hall; or the Community Conversation hosted by Milton legislators on Sat., April 20th at 10 am at their Public Library. Every weekend I attend PoliTalk in Essex.
Crossover has come and gone. Bills that didn’t make it out of their committees of jurisdiction are toast. Scores of bills are moving within each chamber and between the House and Senate.
My morning committee, Senate Ag, is taking testimony on several bills. H.81, the Right to Repair Agricultural Equipment, is the bane of manufacturers, who worry that other consumer products will be next.
H.706 would ban neonicotinoid seed coatings, which contaminate plants, soil and water, harming pollinators. We heard from one beekeeper who lost 85% of his colonies last year. Another has lost 50%.
H.603 would allow farms to part-out the poultry that they slaughter and sell directly to customers. Selling parts vs a whole chicken yields the farmer $10 more per bird. Current demand for Vermont chicken parts far outweighs the supply.
My afternoon committee, Senate Institutions, will soon address the House’s version of the Capital Bill. We’ve already drafted a bill to save the Salisbury Fish Hatchery, which the Governor had planned to shutter.
S.206, the bill I introduced per a constituent request, would make Juneteenth a state holiday. It moved easily through the Senate and into the House this month. (A no-cost bill!)
Feel free to contact me if you’re planning a visit to Montpelier (Tues. – Fri.). We could meet up in the State House cafeteria, if time allows.
Catch me at the Westford Senior Luncheon on Mon., April 1st at Noon at the Red Brick Meeting House; the Community Conversation hosted by Franklin County legislators on Mon., April 15th at 8 am at Fairfax Town Hall; or the Community Conversation hosted by Milton legislators on Sat., April 20th at 10 am at their Public Library. Every weekend I attend PoliTalk in Essex.
FEBRUARY UPDATE
In the days before Town Meeting and our week-long break, legislators have been doubling down on committee work while boning up on other committees’ bills, so that we can answer constituent questions in our respective towns.
State House hallways are brimming with visiting students and people advocating for various causes each day. Evenings offer competing presentations, films, and meetups with passionate hosts. Emails to legislators get read in between.
The projected education tax increase is a dark cloud on the horizon. Inflationary pressures (including a 16% increase in health care costs) and a new pupil weighting plan have driven costs considerably higher.
Another dark cloud is the growing number of Vermonters who are food insecure and lack a place to call home. Having met someone who sleeps in their car, I’m hard pressed to imagine how people survive our winters this way.
Vermonter Bess O’Brien has documented both challenges in her moving new film, Just Getting By, which will screen at Main Street Landing in Burlington on March 22 and 23. I’ve seen it and highly recommend it!
The child car seat bill that I wrote about last month is now part (sections 24 - 25) of S.309, which the Senate has passed. It awaits consideration by the House.
Three months’ research into $20M of regional dispatch activity led me to draft an amendment to the budget adjustment act (H.839). While it didn’t pass, I plan to continue educating peers on the need for oversight and accountability there.
I plan to attend the Fairfax Town Meeting on Saturday, March 2nd and Essex Information Session on Monday, March 4th.
Find me at the Westford/Essex State House Reps conversation on Saturday, March 16th at 3 pm at the Westford Common Hall.
Join me and the House Reps in Milton for a Community Conversation on Saturday, March 23rd at 10 am at the Milton Public Library.
JANUARY UPDATE
The Vermont Legislature gaveled back into session on January 3rd.
But thanks to summer floods, elected officials were also quite busy in the off session: fielding calls for assistance, meeting with committees, and drafting bills for recovery.
Certainly, other bills are being introduced. Several deal with such crises as homelessness, theft, and substance abuse. All told, House Reps have introduced 317 bills in 2024; Senators have presented 144 bills, as of January 24th.
I’ve had four bills drafted on behalf of constituents: S.206 (make Juneteenth a state holiday), S.232 (delay phase out of gas-powered car sales), S.237 (post all municipal job openings), S.283 (don’t transport school ballots before counting).
A fifth bill (S.187) emerged from a summer stroll at Bombardier Park in Milton, during the annual public safety campaign known as National Night Out.
As I made my way from one booth to another on August 1st, I asked, “What laws do we need, or don’t we need? How can I help?”
“Child car seats” was the response from Lt. Allen Fortin of the Highway Safety Division and Sidney Bradley from the VT Health Department. Both men explained how existing statutes are NOT keeping our most vulnerable passengers safe.
Vermont’s law isn’t nearly as stringent as car seat manufacturers’ stipulations.
Buckled-in babies are allowed to face forward too soon, I learned, leading to collision outcomes in which an entire family may walk away, except their infant or toddler dies or is seriously injured.
State Senator Ginny Lyons, who chairs Senate Health & Welfare, and I drafted a Child Safety Seat Bill that would increase the age at which a child can ride in a forward-facing seat, thus, catching Vermont up to other states.
We believe this bill, once passed, will prevent injuries and save young lives. We also believe such a law would reduce anguish and heartache among first responders and relatives, who would otherwise see worse outcomes from car accidents.
The Senate Transportation Committee invited me to introduce S.187 on January 16th. After discussion, members proposed adding this new child safety seat language to their large committee bill, rather than processing it separately.
I will continue to advocate for the provisions in S.187 and encourage my peers to pass new child safety seat regulations before the biennium ends in mid-May. I’ll keep you posted!
But thanks to summer floods, elected officials were also quite busy in the off session: fielding calls for assistance, meeting with committees, and drafting bills for recovery.
Certainly, other bills are being introduced. Several deal with such crises as homelessness, theft, and substance abuse. All told, House Reps have introduced 317 bills in 2024; Senators have presented 144 bills, as of January 24th.
I’ve had four bills drafted on behalf of constituents: S.206 (make Juneteenth a state holiday), S.232 (delay phase out of gas-powered car sales), S.237 (post all municipal job openings), S.283 (don’t transport school ballots before counting).
A fifth bill (S.187) emerged from a summer stroll at Bombardier Park in Milton, during the annual public safety campaign known as National Night Out.
As I made my way from one booth to another on August 1st, I asked, “What laws do we need, or don’t we need? How can I help?”
“Child car seats” was the response from Lt. Allen Fortin of the Highway Safety Division and Sidney Bradley from the VT Health Department. Both men explained how existing statutes are NOT keeping our most vulnerable passengers safe.
Vermont’s law isn’t nearly as stringent as car seat manufacturers’ stipulations.
Buckled-in babies are allowed to face forward too soon, I learned, leading to collision outcomes in which an entire family may walk away, except their infant or toddler dies or is seriously injured.
State Senator Ginny Lyons, who chairs Senate Health & Welfare, and I drafted a Child Safety Seat Bill that would increase the age at which a child can ride in a forward-facing seat, thus, catching Vermont up to other states.
We believe this bill, once passed, will prevent injuries and save young lives. We also believe such a law would reduce anguish and heartache among first responders and relatives, who would otherwise see worse outcomes from car accidents.
The Senate Transportation Committee invited me to introduce S.187 on January 16th. After discussion, members proposed adding this new child safety seat language to their large committee bill, rather than processing it separately.
I will continue to advocate for the provisions in S.187 and encourage my peers to pass new child safety seat regulations before the biennium ends in mid-May. I’ll keep you posted!
OCTOBER UPDATE
Since the Vermont Legislature adjourned in May, I’ve been back to living full-time in our district.
I’m interested to hear your impressions of what our legislative and executive branches tackled this year – and what was left on the table.
I’ve made it a point to attend public gatherings, where groups of people can speak with me: municipal meetings, indoor / outdoor concerts, card games, memorial services, lectures, parades, exhibits, fairs, farms, dances, foot races, service projects, thrift stores, potlucks, yard sales, a magic show, a museum, even karaoke.
I’ve also door-knocked to converse one-to-one. While you may be surprised to see me at your door, visiting constituents in an “off year” allows me to have extended conversations and to meet people I didn’t encounter last year.
Quite a few of you have reached out to me by phone or email with ideas for new legislation.
Thank you to everyone who has shared concerns about local and statewide issues, however we connected. I will have plenty to work on when the next session starts in January!
________
I also ventured outside of our district to tour Camp Johnson in Colchester and the Vermont Foodbank in Barre.
I traveled to Bakersfield to learn how a stream’s ecosystem has begun to recover, two years after the removal of the Johnsons Mill Dam. (The state has more than 1,000 dams remaining, and we fund those who monitor them. The Conservation District sponsoring this event receives state funding, too.)
This Senate Ag Committee member explored “The Big E”, a six-state agricultural fair in Massachusetts and site of the only property the State owns outside of our boundaries, the Vermont Building, in which local products are sold.
At the invitation of a constituent, I attended Stowe’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, featuring food, music, crafts, and storytelling.
If you don’t see me on your road or at an event, reach out with your concerns at [email protected].
I’m interested to hear your impressions of what our legislative and executive branches tackled this year – and what was left on the table.
I’ve made it a point to attend public gatherings, where groups of people can speak with me: municipal meetings, indoor / outdoor concerts, card games, memorial services, lectures, parades, exhibits, fairs, farms, dances, foot races, service projects, thrift stores, potlucks, yard sales, a magic show, a museum, even karaoke.
I’ve also door-knocked to converse one-to-one. While you may be surprised to see me at your door, visiting constituents in an “off year” allows me to have extended conversations and to meet people I didn’t encounter last year.
Quite a few of you have reached out to me by phone or email with ideas for new legislation.
Thank you to everyone who has shared concerns about local and statewide issues, however we connected. I will have plenty to work on when the next session starts in January!
________
I also ventured outside of our district to tour Camp Johnson in Colchester and the Vermont Foodbank in Barre.
I traveled to Bakersfield to learn how a stream’s ecosystem has begun to recover, two years after the removal of the Johnsons Mill Dam. (The state has more than 1,000 dams remaining, and we fund those who monitor them. The Conservation District sponsoring this event receives state funding, too.)
This Senate Ag Committee member explored “The Big E”, a six-state agricultural fair in Massachusetts and site of the only property the State owns outside of our boundaries, the Vermont Building, in which local products are sold.
At the invitation of a constituent, I attended Stowe’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, featuring food, music, crafts, and storytelling.
If you don’t see me on your road or at an event, reach out with your concerns at [email protected].
SEPTEMBER UPDATE
This is a busy time of year, as folks head back to school, return from vacations, harvest and put-up garden produce, and more.
Thought I’d keep it light and offer you an interactive review of the 2023 legislative session. Solution available at www.wrenner4senate.org/puzzle.
Thought I’d keep it light and offer you an interactive review of the 2023 legislative session. Solution available at www.wrenner4senate.org/puzzle.
JUNE UPDATE
The 2023 Session’s End Game:
Since January a total of 684 bills have been introduced by the Vermont House or Senate.
Five bills made headlines but have not yet become law:
This year’s regular legislative session ended on May 12th. Lawmakers then returned to Montpelier on June 20th for a veto session. Both chambers voted to override five of Governor Phil Scott’s vetoes and passed the following six bills into law:
H.494 – FY24 Budget
Totaling $8.5 billion, the Budget bill creates 159 new positions to help implement programs and policies that aim to meet the needs and wants of Vermonters and includes:
● $74.2 million for workforce, higher education, economic and agricultural development.
This includes scholarships, tuition assistance, loan forgiveness and technical assistance for critical workforce education such as nursing, renewable energy workers, advanced technology, and emergency medical services.
● $9.3 million in substance abuse prevention and recovery.
● $29 million for a slate of human services programs.
● $99.7 million in human services provider rate increases to better support healthcare needs for low- and moderate-income Vermonters.
● $220 million for housing assistance and support programs; development of affordable housing units.
H.171 – Emergency Motel Program
As federal COVID funding no longer covers the cost to shelter the unhoused, 800 people were evicted from motel rooms earlier this month. This companion to the budget bill was worked out between the executive and legislative branches. It doesn’t address the plight of those initial 800 people, who were deemed less vulnerable, nor any newly unhoused residents. But it does provide temporary housing – through April 1, 2024 – for 2,000 vulnerable adults and children until alternative placements are found.
H.217 – Child Care
Among other provisions, this comprehensive bill would boost the wages of child care providers and provide financial assistance to parents (up to a certain income level). This bill recognizes that businesses need to attract more workers amidst a lack of available child care keeping parents out of the job market. Therefore, the state chose to fund it with a payroll tax, 75% of which is shouldered by employers.
H.386 – Brattleboro Charter Change
16- and 17-year-olds may vote in local Brattleboro elections as well as run for local offices – not regional, statewide, or federal elections, however.
H.509 – Burlington Charter Change
All legal city residents may vote in local Burlington elections – of officers and public questions – regardless of citizenship status.
H.305 – Office of Professional Regulation
Technical changes, as well as adjustments to licensing fees (to account for inflation), for professions regulated by the OPR within the Secretary of State’s office.
I voted yes on the six bills above and yes on the five bills below.
The Governor allowed the following bills to become law without his signature:
H.126 – Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection (30 x 30 bill)
This bill aims to conserve biological diversity and improve resilience to climate change via a mix of management approaches, including ecological reserves and working lands. Specifically, the state’s goals are to conserve 30% of Vermont’s land by 2030, and then 50% by 2050.
H.165 – Universal School Meals
Providing breakfast and lunch to all, via federal COVID funds, has led to more alert / healthier students, fewer behavioral problems, and elimination of the stigma around low-income recipients. Schools have seen reduced costs and less paperwork. Just as all students are eligible for free textbooks and instructional materials, they will continue to be able to receive meals at no direct cost to themselves or their parents.
H.270 – Miscellaneous Adult Use and Medical Cannabis Amendments
The following bills were vetoed by the Governor and didn’t garner the votes needed to override. Bills have been returned to their committees of jurisdiction for review.
S.6 – Law Enforcement Interrogation Policies
This bill would have prevented law enforcement personnel from lying to, or using deceptive practices on, people under the age of 23 during interrogations.
S.39 – Legislative Compensation
Many everyday Vermonters cannot afford to serve; therefore, the legislature is not representative of a wide range of perspectives. This bill would have increased compensation and benefits.
Legislators serve constituents year-round – attending meetings, drafting legislation, and answering constituent inquiries – but are paid only while in session. This bill would have acknowledged that workload and provided a single day’s remuneration per week “off session.”
All bills may be viewed here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/search/2024
My voting record here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2024/37415#voting-record
To get on my calendar or send feedback, reach me at [email protected] or 802 338 2247 (c).
I post occasional updates on Front Porch Forum and https://Facebook.com/SenatorIreneWrenner.
Since January a total of 684 bills have been introduced by the Vermont House or Senate.
Five bills made headlines but have not yet become law:
- Statewide Ranked Choice Voting
- Bottle Bill Expansion
- Statewide Property Appraisals
- Ban on Flavored Tobacco
- Pay Raise for Legislators
This year’s regular legislative session ended on May 12th. Lawmakers then returned to Montpelier on June 20th for a veto session. Both chambers voted to override five of Governor Phil Scott’s vetoes and passed the following six bills into law:
H.494 – FY24 Budget
Totaling $8.5 billion, the Budget bill creates 159 new positions to help implement programs and policies that aim to meet the needs and wants of Vermonters and includes:
● $74.2 million for workforce, higher education, economic and agricultural development.
This includes scholarships, tuition assistance, loan forgiveness and technical assistance for critical workforce education such as nursing, renewable energy workers, advanced technology, and emergency medical services.
● $9.3 million in substance abuse prevention and recovery.
● $29 million for a slate of human services programs.
● $99.7 million in human services provider rate increases to better support healthcare needs for low- and moderate-income Vermonters.
● $220 million for housing assistance and support programs; development of affordable housing units.
H.171 – Emergency Motel Program
As federal COVID funding no longer covers the cost to shelter the unhoused, 800 people were evicted from motel rooms earlier this month. This companion to the budget bill was worked out between the executive and legislative branches. It doesn’t address the plight of those initial 800 people, who were deemed less vulnerable, nor any newly unhoused residents. But it does provide temporary housing – through April 1, 2024 – for 2,000 vulnerable adults and children until alternative placements are found.
H.217 – Child Care
Among other provisions, this comprehensive bill would boost the wages of child care providers and provide financial assistance to parents (up to a certain income level). This bill recognizes that businesses need to attract more workers amidst a lack of available child care keeping parents out of the job market. Therefore, the state chose to fund it with a payroll tax, 75% of which is shouldered by employers.
H.386 – Brattleboro Charter Change
16- and 17-year-olds may vote in local Brattleboro elections as well as run for local offices – not regional, statewide, or federal elections, however.
H.509 – Burlington Charter Change
All legal city residents may vote in local Burlington elections – of officers and public questions – regardless of citizenship status.
H.305 – Office of Professional Regulation
Technical changes, as well as adjustments to licensing fees (to account for inflation), for professions regulated by the OPR within the Secretary of State’s office.
I voted yes on the six bills above and yes on the five bills below.
The Governor allowed the following bills to become law without his signature:
H.126 – Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection (30 x 30 bill)
This bill aims to conserve biological diversity and improve resilience to climate change via a mix of management approaches, including ecological reserves and working lands. Specifically, the state’s goals are to conserve 30% of Vermont’s land by 2030, and then 50% by 2050.
H.165 – Universal School Meals
Providing breakfast and lunch to all, via federal COVID funds, has led to more alert / healthier students, fewer behavioral problems, and elimination of the stigma around low-income recipients. Schools have seen reduced costs and less paperwork. Just as all students are eligible for free textbooks and instructional materials, they will continue to be able to receive meals at no direct cost to themselves or their parents.
H.270 – Miscellaneous Adult Use and Medical Cannabis Amendments
The following bills were vetoed by the Governor and didn’t garner the votes needed to override. Bills have been returned to their committees of jurisdiction for review.
S.6 – Law Enforcement Interrogation Policies
This bill would have prevented law enforcement personnel from lying to, or using deceptive practices on, people under the age of 23 during interrogations.
S.39 – Legislative Compensation
Many everyday Vermonters cannot afford to serve; therefore, the legislature is not representative of a wide range of perspectives. This bill would have increased compensation and benefits.
Legislators serve constituents year-round – attending meetings, drafting legislation, and answering constituent inquiries – but are paid only while in session. This bill would have acknowledged that workload and provided a single day’s remuneration per week “off session.”
All bills may be viewed here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/search/2024
My voting record here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2024/37415#voting-record
To get on my calendar or send feedback, reach me at [email protected] or 802 338 2247 (c).
I post occasional updates on Front Porch Forum and https://Facebook.com/SenatorIreneWrenner.
APRIL UPDATE
Green Up With Your Senator! Read to the end and you'll discover where you and I might meet up to talk -- possibly while we walk or work -- about laws you think we need or not.
As this year's legislative session winds down, lawmakers are spending less time in committee and more time voting on bills in their respective chambers.
The Senate has introduced 155 bills; the House has presented 521 bills.
Recently-passed bills by the Senate, and how I voted on them, include:
NO - S.5 Affordable Heat Act
YES - S.17 Sheriff reforms
YES - S.18 Flavored tobacco ban
YES - S.25 PFAS and other chemicals in cosmetics, menstrual products, textiles, athletic fields
YES - S.47 Transport of individuals requiring psychiatric care
YES - S.56 Child care and early childhood education
YES - S.135 VT Saves (Employee Roth IRAs)
YES - S.190 Expand patient choice at end of life to non-residents
YES - S.222 Reduce overdoses
YES - H.53 Driver's license suspensions
YES - H.89 Protection for medication abortions
YES - H.148 End child marriage
YES - H.230 Suicide Prevention
YES - H.494 Budget Bill
All bills may be viewed here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/search/2024
My voting record here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2024/37415#voting-record
I've received the most feedback on bills H.230 and S.5.
The Senate passed H.230, a suicide prevention bill, on Friday, April 28th after modifying its language around safe storage of firearms to that of negligence, similar to New Hampshire's and Maine's laws.
Currently, Vermont is the only state in New England without regulations on how to keep people safe in this way when guns are present.
As I understand it, if no one commits a crime with or brandishes a gun of yours, you won't be at fault for storage or lack thereof. How you choose to keep guns out of the hands of children and others in your domicile is up to you.
I supported this bill in memory of Vermonters who have gotten unfettered access to guns and taken their own lives or others' lives. I expect to see gun-related deaths decrease once these regulations go into effect, as they have in other states.
I voted down the (un)Affordable Heat Act, S.5, which is predicted to saddle rural Vermonters, especially, with higher heating costs. One estimate is that propane, fuel oil and kerosene dealers would pass on an increase of 35 cents to $1.40 per gallon. These numbers are based on the assumptions detailed in Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources Julie Moore's testimony to the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee: https://tinyurl.com/SecMooreTESTIMONY
Green Up with me on SATURDAY morning, May 6th!
Last year I greened-up North Road near Husky in Milton.
If you have a favorite stretch of roadway that needs some TLC, email me to set up a time and we can talk about legislation, the weather, or why you love living here. I have morning hours available that day.
Also consider joining me this month for …
SAT May 6th – 12:30 pm to 2 pm – Conversation w/ Legislators, Milton Public Library — talk with us!
SAT May 6th – 3 pm to 5 pm – 2nd Annual Inclusion Festival, Bombardier Park West, 20 Park Pl, Milton — join me! https://www.facebook.com/events/601535628559005
SUN May 7th – 2 pm – COTS Walk, Battery Park, Burlington, Sunday — walk with me! https://cotsonline.org/walk/
SAT May 13th – 1 pm to 3 pm – Annual Spring Clean-Up Day at Indian Brook Park, (Rain date: May 20th) — yank invasive species with me! https://www.essexvt.org//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=276
SAT May 27th – 11 am – Memorial Day Parade, Essex Junction — walk with me! https://www.essexmemorialdayparade.net
To get on my calendar or to send feedback, reach me at [email protected] or 802 338 2247 (c).
Occasional updates posted at http://Facebook.com/SenatorIreneWrenner
As this year's legislative session winds down, lawmakers are spending less time in committee and more time voting on bills in their respective chambers.
The Senate has introduced 155 bills; the House has presented 521 bills.
Recently-passed bills by the Senate, and how I voted on them, include:
NO - S.5 Affordable Heat Act
YES - S.17 Sheriff reforms
YES - S.18 Flavored tobacco ban
YES - S.25 PFAS and other chemicals in cosmetics, menstrual products, textiles, athletic fields
YES - S.47 Transport of individuals requiring psychiatric care
YES - S.56 Child care and early childhood education
YES - S.135 VT Saves (Employee Roth IRAs)
YES - S.190 Expand patient choice at end of life to non-residents
YES - S.222 Reduce overdoses
YES - H.53 Driver's license suspensions
YES - H.89 Protection for medication abortions
YES - H.148 End child marriage
YES - H.230 Suicide Prevention
YES - H.494 Budget Bill
All bills may be viewed here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/search/2024
My voting record here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2024/37415#voting-record
I've received the most feedback on bills H.230 and S.5.
The Senate passed H.230, a suicide prevention bill, on Friday, April 28th after modifying its language around safe storage of firearms to that of negligence, similar to New Hampshire's and Maine's laws.
Currently, Vermont is the only state in New England without regulations on how to keep people safe in this way when guns are present.
As I understand it, if no one commits a crime with or brandishes a gun of yours, you won't be at fault for storage or lack thereof. How you choose to keep guns out of the hands of children and others in your domicile is up to you.
I supported this bill in memory of Vermonters who have gotten unfettered access to guns and taken their own lives or others' lives. I expect to see gun-related deaths decrease once these regulations go into effect, as they have in other states.
I voted down the (un)Affordable Heat Act, S.5, which is predicted to saddle rural Vermonters, especially, with higher heating costs. One estimate is that propane, fuel oil and kerosene dealers would pass on an increase of 35 cents to $1.40 per gallon. These numbers are based on the assumptions detailed in Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources Julie Moore's testimony to the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee: https://tinyurl.com/SecMooreTESTIMONY
Green Up with me on SATURDAY morning, May 6th!
Last year I greened-up North Road near Husky in Milton.
If you have a favorite stretch of roadway that needs some TLC, email me to set up a time and we can talk about legislation, the weather, or why you love living here. I have morning hours available that day.
Also consider joining me this month for …
SAT May 6th – 12:30 pm to 2 pm – Conversation w/ Legislators, Milton Public Library — talk with us!
SAT May 6th – 3 pm to 5 pm – 2nd Annual Inclusion Festival, Bombardier Park West, 20 Park Pl, Milton — join me! https://www.facebook.com/events/601535628559005
SUN May 7th – 2 pm – COTS Walk, Battery Park, Burlington, Sunday — walk with me! https://cotsonline.org/walk/
SAT May 13th – 1 pm to 3 pm – Annual Spring Clean-Up Day at Indian Brook Park, (Rain date: May 20th) — yank invasive species with me! https://www.essexvt.org//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=276
SAT May 27th – 11 am – Memorial Day Parade, Essex Junction — walk with me! https://www.essexmemorialdayparade.net
To get on my calendar or to send feedback, reach me at [email protected] or 802 338 2247 (c).
Occasional updates posted at http://Facebook.com/SenatorIreneWrenner
MARCH UPDATE
With this year’s session nearly two-thirds over, state lawmakers see an increased pace and intensity of deliberation. In the first half of the session, Senate and House Committees worked to introduce and discuss their own bills, occasionally bringing one to the floor for passage. Now, each chamber is passing more of its own bills, plus acting on bills passed by the other legislative body.
Of the 143 Senate bills introduced thus far, S.100 is currently attracting the most attention. This omnibus housing bill aims for a total of 40,000 new housing units in ten years by changing Act 250 restrictions and potentially overriding local zoning. The bill has been amended several times but has yet to come to the floor for a vote.
The Senate has already passed more than two dozen bills. Here’s a sample:
S.3 prohibits paramilitary training camps;
S.5 funds a two-year study of a plan to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the thermal sector;
S.6 bans law enforcement’s use of coercive interrogation techniques on those under age 22;
S.27 reduces the use of cash bail;
S.36 provides options for arresting those who threaten or harm health care workers;
S.37 protects health care workers from legal action related to reproductive care for patients from other states;
S.48 restricts sales of used catalytic converters;
S.65 requires commercial insurance to cover cost of epi-pens;
S.73 provides workers compensation for firefighters who develop cancer; and
S.99 improves our lemon law, attempts to muffle motorcycle noise, and removes the requirement of a registration sticker on rear license plates.
Anyone may read or track current bills at
https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/search/2024.
I’m mindful that most bills, even if they succeed in the Senate, have a long way to go. Their contents may be changed by the House. A bill passed by both chambers would still need the Governor’s signature or tacit approval – or a veto override -- before becoming law. My current focus is on preparing for the rush of bills we’ll be voting on in the final six weeks of the session.
I post occasional updates at http://facebook.com/SenatorIreneWrenner.
This month I attended annual Town Meetings and other events in Essex, Fairfax, and Westford as well as the Milton-on-the-Move Annual Celebration. I answered questions at the Blue Spruce Grange’s Annual Legislative Night. Milton House Reps and I hosted a Community Conversation at their local library.
Of the 143 Senate bills introduced thus far, S.100 is currently attracting the most attention. This omnibus housing bill aims for a total of 40,000 new housing units in ten years by changing Act 250 restrictions and potentially overriding local zoning. The bill has been amended several times but has yet to come to the floor for a vote.
The Senate has already passed more than two dozen bills. Here’s a sample:
S.3 prohibits paramilitary training camps;
S.5 funds a two-year study of a plan to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the thermal sector;
S.6 bans law enforcement’s use of coercive interrogation techniques on those under age 22;
S.27 reduces the use of cash bail;
S.36 provides options for arresting those who threaten or harm health care workers;
S.37 protects health care workers from legal action related to reproductive care for patients from other states;
S.48 restricts sales of used catalytic converters;
S.65 requires commercial insurance to cover cost of epi-pens;
S.73 provides workers compensation for firefighters who develop cancer; and
S.99 improves our lemon law, attempts to muffle motorcycle noise, and removes the requirement of a registration sticker on rear license plates.
Anyone may read or track current bills at
https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/search/2024.
I’m mindful that most bills, even if they succeed in the Senate, have a long way to go. Their contents may be changed by the House. A bill passed by both chambers would still need the Governor’s signature or tacit approval – or a veto override -- before becoming law. My current focus is on preparing for the rush of bills we’ll be voting on in the final six weeks of the session.
I post occasional updates at http://facebook.com/SenatorIreneWrenner.
This month I attended annual Town Meetings and other events in Essex, Fairfax, and Westford as well as the Milton-on-the-Move Annual Celebration. I answered questions at the Blue Spruce Grange’s Annual Legislative Night. Milton House Reps and I hosted a Community Conversation at their local library.
FEBRUARY UPDATE
Here's a summary of what the Senate Committee on Institutions, on which I serve, is working on.
The five Institutions Committee members must allocate a Capital Budget of about $203M toward paying for the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of hundreds of state-owned buildings, trails, historic sites, and monuments. https://ljfo.vermont.gov/subjects/2023-2024-session-fy-2024-and-fy-2025/filter/fiscal-year/fy-2025
Current Capital funding requests are exceeding $228M. Some difficult decisions must be made. However, we cannot finalize those decisions before obtaining feedback – from the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions – on the Governor's proposed Capital Budget. The House gets first dibs, then we'll have a turn to shape it next month.
Committee members continue to meet this month with state employees to determine funding priorities. Staff have testified to acute needs for new buildings and extensive renovations. They've also recommended selling several properties, such as the office building at 108 Cherry Street in Burlington.
Staff have explained the Capital Expenditure Cash Fund, which helps us meet a growing list of needs with cash, rather than borrowing, to save interest payments.
The Chancellor and CFO of Vermont State Colleges informed the Committee about the plan to rebrand the five campuses and nine learning sites as Vermont State University in the coming year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIQjw_ZQFIo
We spoke with the VSC President who wants to convert their library collections to digital only. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mZuaA8H_x4
Vermont's correctional facilities are inadequate and out-of-date. Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington is first on the list to replace. Its layout and construction hinder our efforts to help the women incarcerated there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOX4dvYVWhw
We spoke with an administrator from Maine's Department of Corrections, which built a Women's Re-entry facility that better serves those who are justice-involved — the current term for people we formerly labeled a convict or parolee — and sets them up for success outside prison. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6vaogBPakg
The state also plans to site a temporary, modular facility — perhaps in St. Albans — to securely house and treat youths for short stays. Currently, these children wind up in hospital emergency rooms for days or weeks at a time because resources haven't kept up with demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdTtN6LDGjU
We heard from David Schutz, the State Curator, about replacing historic interior finishes at the State House, which doubles as an art museum year-round. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AVR2iJ7M7M
This month I gathered with other legislators and community members for Conversations in Essex, Fairfax, Milton, Westford, and Georgia. More group events are in the works, and I'm readily available by email.
Institutions meetings are live-streamed and available to watch later here: https://www.youtube.com/@VTSenateInstitutions
The five Institutions Committee members must allocate a Capital Budget of about $203M toward paying for the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of hundreds of state-owned buildings, trails, historic sites, and monuments. https://ljfo.vermont.gov/subjects/2023-2024-session-fy-2024-and-fy-2025/filter/fiscal-year/fy-2025
Current Capital funding requests are exceeding $228M. Some difficult decisions must be made. However, we cannot finalize those decisions before obtaining feedback – from the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions – on the Governor's proposed Capital Budget. The House gets first dibs, then we'll have a turn to shape it next month.
Committee members continue to meet this month with state employees to determine funding priorities. Staff have testified to acute needs for new buildings and extensive renovations. They've also recommended selling several properties, such as the office building at 108 Cherry Street in Burlington.
Staff have explained the Capital Expenditure Cash Fund, which helps us meet a growing list of needs with cash, rather than borrowing, to save interest payments.
The Chancellor and CFO of Vermont State Colleges informed the Committee about the plan to rebrand the five campuses and nine learning sites as Vermont State University in the coming year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIQjw_ZQFIo
We spoke with the VSC President who wants to convert their library collections to digital only. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mZuaA8H_x4
Vermont's correctional facilities are inadequate and out-of-date. Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington is first on the list to replace. Its layout and construction hinder our efforts to help the women incarcerated there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOX4dvYVWhw
We spoke with an administrator from Maine's Department of Corrections, which built a Women's Re-entry facility that better serves those who are justice-involved — the current term for people we formerly labeled a convict or parolee — and sets them up for success outside prison. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6vaogBPakg
The state also plans to site a temporary, modular facility — perhaps in St. Albans — to securely house and treat youths for short stays. Currently, these children wind up in hospital emergency rooms for days or weeks at a time because resources haven't kept up with demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdTtN6LDGjU
We heard from David Schutz, the State Curator, about replacing historic interior finishes at the State House, which doubles as an art museum year-round. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AVR2iJ7M7M
This month I gathered with other legislators and community members for Conversations in Essex, Fairfax, Milton, Westford, and Georgia. More group events are in the works, and I'm readily available by email.
Institutions meetings are live-streamed and available to watch later here: https://www.youtube.com/@VTSenateInstitutions
JANAURY UPDATE
As your sole Chittenden-North Senator, I’ve spent four weeks getting up to speed and embracing my new role, representing Milton, Fairfax, Westford and part of Essex.
Senators serve on two five-member committees. I was appointed to Agriculture, which meets each morning, and Institutions, an afternoon gig, which I’ll write about next month.
Members of Ag are working on a number of farm, environmental, food, and consumer protection issues.
Daily we hear from stakeholders far and near.
Scott Fay, from Essex Westford School District’s Child Nutrition Program, was among those testifying on January 25th that the Universal Meals program has reduced administrative paperwork, improved meal quality (including local meat and produce), eliminated the stigma of getting reduced-price lunches, decreased visits of hungry children to the school nurse, and increased the number of students coming to school (reducing truancy) and accessing healthy meals.
When low-income families inform the government of their status, more Federal money and less Vermont money flows to support school meals. If you haven’t filled out this form since August and are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, would you please take a moment to do so? https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-nutrition-meal-application-2022-2023.pdf
Meetings are live-streamed and available to watch later via https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ogCBBT6D13zAYmsLI0Oiw/featured.
I’ve also joined the Rural Caucus, in which dozens of legislators of all stripes come together each week to discuss issues and possible legislation affecting small villages and rural areas.
Please join me and fellow Lawmakers for Community Conversations in the weeks ahead:
Sunday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m.: Uncommon Coffee, Essex: Chittenden Central Senators
Saturday, Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m.: Milton Public Library, rear door: Milton House Rep’s
Saturday, Feb. 18, 8 a.m.: Georgia Fire Department: Fairfax/Georgia Reps and other Franklin County Legislators
Saturday, Feb. 18, 3 p.m.: Zoom (Link TBD): Westford and Essex House Reps
Senators serve on two five-member committees. I was appointed to Agriculture, which meets each morning, and Institutions, an afternoon gig, which I’ll write about next month.
Members of Ag are working on a number of farm, environmental, food, and consumer protection issues.
Daily we hear from stakeholders far and near.
Scott Fay, from Essex Westford School District’s Child Nutrition Program, was among those testifying on January 25th that the Universal Meals program has reduced administrative paperwork, improved meal quality (including local meat and produce), eliminated the stigma of getting reduced-price lunches, decreased visits of hungry children to the school nurse, and increased the number of students coming to school (reducing truancy) and accessing healthy meals.
When low-income families inform the government of their status, more Federal money and less Vermont money flows to support school meals. If you haven’t filled out this form since August and are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, would you please take a moment to do so? https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-nutrition-meal-application-2022-2023.pdf
Meetings are live-streamed and available to watch later via https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ogCBBT6D13zAYmsLI0Oiw/featured.
I’ve also joined the Rural Caucus, in which dozens of legislators of all stripes come together each week to discuss issues and possible legislation affecting small villages and rural areas.
Please join me and fellow Lawmakers for Community Conversations in the weeks ahead:
Sunday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m.: Uncommon Coffee, Essex: Chittenden Central Senators
Saturday, Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m.: Milton Public Library, rear door: Milton House Rep’s
Saturday, Feb. 18, 8 a.m.: Georgia Fire Department: Fairfax/Georgia Reps and other Franklin County Legislators
Saturday, Feb. 18, 3 p.m.: Zoom (Link TBD): Westford and Essex House Reps