Update from Montpelier
Grand Isle Senate
Jan. 8 - Jan. 17, 2025
We just wrapped up our first full week in the Legislature. Last week was highlighted by all House and Senate members being sworn in and getting familiarized with the machinations of the processes we use in Montpelier. Voters this last year sent the message that they wanted better balance in both bodies of the House and Senate. We are hopeful that this will drive a more meaningful, thoughtful, and bi-partisan spirit of legislation that is passed and is good for Vermonters. It is time for the Legislature to work together and make changes that will control property tax rates and foster a more affordable education system, promote public safety, and fix the Global Warming Solutions act to align it with reality. These are the issues that we ran on and the people of Vermont clearly agree.
Education Funding (which drove up property taxes last year) is finally getting the attention of the whole body of the Legislature. The message was sent that taxpayers were not happy (and should not have been) with what happened with their tax bills due to the lack of proper action in the 2024 Legislative Session. Controlling property taxes is going to take an entire system overhaul. The Secretary of Education has been working closely with the administration to produce a proposal. It will be up to the legislature to get elements of the proposal passed. To that end we will have a “Caucus of the Whole” this coming Wednesday, January 22nd with the Senate where we will hear the Administrations proposal for the way ahead with regards to education funding. It will take bipartisan “buy in” to make this happen.
Public safety is of the utmost concern; the catch and release policies that have been pushed are clearly not working. We are continually re-releasing dangerous offenders with no accountability. We must hold offenders accountable for their behavior or they will continue to re-offend. Our caucus in coordination with the Governor and his staff have a host of initiatives that we will be working with in this arena to bolster public safety. We will report on these as they get rolled out as bills.
Revising and repealing portions of the Global Warming Solutions Act, and the Clean Heat Standard must be done immediately! The clock is ticking on the unrealistic benchmarks that were included in this legislation. We will not be able to meet the overly aggressive reductions in carbon output that was prescribed in this poor legislation, and we have opened ourselves up to lawsuits when that does not happen.
Making progress on these issues means that the Legislature needs to work together and work with the Governor's office. Finally, it appears that both major parties are poised to do this as they have signaled that they are eagerly waiting for the Governor's plan for education funding as a start in this year’s session. For once, both parties are speaking to affordability as that message too, was sent. We look forward to tackling the hard work and sincerely hope that we will be listened to in 2025 and 2026. The majority party still has larger numbers, and we cannot advance logical policies without their approval. We must work together.
We will put out reports at reasonable intervals and/or when large issues of note are in front of us.
Representative Michael Morgan – [email protected], cell: 802-881-7835, House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, House Panel on Ethics
Representative Leland Morgan – [email protected], cell: 802-318-0227, House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency and Forestry (Ranking Member)
Senator Pat Brennan – [email protected], cell: 802-578-2763, Senate Committee on Appropriations (Vice Chair) and Senate Committee on Transportation
Education Funding (which drove up property taxes last year) is finally getting the attention of the whole body of the Legislature. The message was sent that taxpayers were not happy (and should not have been) with what happened with their tax bills due to the lack of proper action in the 2024 Legislative Session. Controlling property taxes is going to take an entire system overhaul. The Secretary of Education has been working closely with the administration to produce a proposal. It will be up to the legislature to get elements of the proposal passed. To that end we will have a “Caucus of the Whole” this coming Wednesday, January 22nd with the Senate where we will hear the Administrations proposal for the way ahead with regards to education funding. It will take bipartisan “buy in” to make this happen.
Public safety is of the utmost concern; the catch and release policies that have been pushed are clearly not working. We are continually re-releasing dangerous offenders with no accountability. We must hold offenders accountable for their behavior or they will continue to re-offend. Our caucus in coordination with the Governor and his staff have a host of initiatives that we will be working with in this arena to bolster public safety. We will report on these as they get rolled out as bills.
Revising and repealing portions of the Global Warming Solutions Act, and the Clean Heat Standard must be done immediately! The clock is ticking on the unrealistic benchmarks that were included in this legislation. We will not be able to meet the overly aggressive reductions in carbon output that was prescribed in this poor legislation, and we have opened ourselves up to lawsuits when that does not happen.
Making progress on these issues means that the Legislature needs to work together and work with the Governor's office. Finally, it appears that both major parties are poised to do this as they have signaled that they are eagerly waiting for the Governor's plan for education funding as a start in this year’s session. For once, both parties are speaking to affordability as that message too, was sent. We look forward to tackling the hard work and sincerely hope that we will be listened to in 2025 and 2026. The majority party still has larger numbers, and we cannot advance logical policies without their approval. We must work together.
We will put out reports at reasonable intervals and/or when large issues of note are in front of us.
Representative Michael Morgan – [email protected], cell: 802-881-7835, House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, House Panel on Ethics
Representative Leland Morgan – [email protected], cell: 802-318-0227, House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency and Forestry (Ranking Member)
Senator Pat Brennan – [email protected], cell: 802-578-2763, Senate Committee on Appropriations (Vice Chair) and Senate Committee on Transportation
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ANDY JULOW
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JUNE UPDATE
The Vermont Legislature met on June 17th to consider bills that had been vetoed. This was my first day representing the district and it was a very intense but rewarding way to begin my legislative time. I spent the weeks before the session reading up on the issues, talking to as many people as I could, reading your emails, and answering your phone calls. All of these were tremendously helpful and I look forward to continuing dialogue with all of you.
Yield Bill/Education Property Tax Rate – I had hopes that something could be worked out here. Perhaps that was naïve. The only plan put forward relied heavily on one-time funding and draining capital reserves leaving the Ed fund vulnerable to default and creating a hole in the FY26 budget that would need to be filled.
With no soft-landing in place, failing to pass the yield bill would have resulted in a 30% property tax for non-homestead and an 87 million dollar budget deficit. There only was one option at this point and voting no and counting on others to pull the weight would have been hollow and gimmicky. I voted yes.
To me, the story is not about what was done in June after school budgets were approved and all revenues accounted for, but all that was not done between January and June to address the problem everyone knew was coming. Responsibility for that lies up and down the chain and lessons should be learned. We now have a commission that will draft a replacement for the funding formula. Legislators need to show up next January ready to leverage state resources to help local boards identify and control costs BEFORE school budgets are passed.
Renewable Energy Standard – This bill would source 100% of our electricity supply from renewable energy by 2032. Both Green Mountain Power and the Vermont Energy Coop have already committed to 100% renewables before this date as part of their strategic plans. I met with both utilities and felt the bill strengthens their hand to purchase clean energy more efficiently and to execute their strategic vision. I voted yes.
Act 250 Reform – This bill allows temporary exemptions in designated areas to build housing and long-term reform to Act 250 to remove barriers to development. The governor had a few issues with the bill, which had merit, but coming after a veto would risk losing all the good things in the bill that are desperately needed and have been years in the making. I think we can address those concerns independently in the next session. I voted yes.
Safe Injection Sites – A bill to create a pilot Overdose Prevention Center in Burlington. This one was difficult for me. Those who support overdose prevention sites tell me that it took them some time to warm up to the idea. I had three weeks, many conversations, and read or listened to many studies. In the end, I still had concerns. I voted no. The bill passed. Vermont needs Burlington to thrive and those affected by opioid addiction need help. I hope the program is a success.
Restorative Justice – This was a relatively minor change to the court diversion program to allow diversion before charges are filed. The governor felt it created unfunded mandates. I read the bill; it had a provision that invalidated it unless funding was appropriated. I didn’t see any cause for concern. I voted yes.
Neonicotinoid Ban – Bans the use of Neonicotinoid pesticides starting in 2029. The bill is tied to a similar law in New York state to ensure adequate seed supply. I voted yes on this as I heard from many of you that this was important to you but will be watching closely to ensure a non-treated seed market develops.
Data Privacy Bill – The governor had concerns that this bill could open Vermont businesses to litigation and that it was inconsistent with surrounding states and the Senate generally agreed with these concerns. There is near universal agreement that a privacy act should be in place and that the work will continue, but this one moved to the Senate too late and there was not time to adequately vet it. I voted no and the override failed.
Yield Bill/Education Property Tax Rate – I had hopes that something could be worked out here. Perhaps that was naïve. The only plan put forward relied heavily on one-time funding and draining capital reserves leaving the Ed fund vulnerable to default and creating a hole in the FY26 budget that would need to be filled.
With no soft-landing in place, failing to pass the yield bill would have resulted in a 30% property tax for non-homestead and an 87 million dollar budget deficit. There only was one option at this point and voting no and counting on others to pull the weight would have been hollow and gimmicky. I voted yes.
To me, the story is not about what was done in June after school budgets were approved and all revenues accounted for, but all that was not done between January and June to address the problem everyone knew was coming. Responsibility for that lies up and down the chain and lessons should be learned. We now have a commission that will draft a replacement for the funding formula. Legislators need to show up next January ready to leverage state resources to help local boards identify and control costs BEFORE school budgets are passed.
Renewable Energy Standard – This bill would source 100% of our electricity supply from renewable energy by 2032. Both Green Mountain Power and the Vermont Energy Coop have already committed to 100% renewables before this date as part of their strategic plans. I met with both utilities and felt the bill strengthens their hand to purchase clean energy more efficiently and to execute their strategic vision. I voted yes.
Act 250 Reform – This bill allows temporary exemptions in designated areas to build housing and long-term reform to Act 250 to remove barriers to development. The governor had a few issues with the bill, which had merit, but coming after a veto would risk losing all the good things in the bill that are desperately needed and have been years in the making. I think we can address those concerns independently in the next session. I voted yes.
Safe Injection Sites – A bill to create a pilot Overdose Prevention Center in Burlington. This one was difficult for me. Those who support overdose prevention sites tell me that it took them some time to warm up to the idea. I had three weeks, many conversations, and read or listened to many studies. In the end, I still had concerns. I voted no. The bill passed. Vermont needs Burlington to thrive and those affected by opioid addiction need help. I hope the program is a success.
Restorative Justice – This was a relatively minor change to the court diversion program to allow diversion before charges are filed. The governor felt it created unfunded mandates. I read the bill; it had a provision that invalidated it unless funding was appropriated. I didn’t see any cause for concern. I voted yes.
Neonicotinoid Ban – Bans the use of Neonicotinoid pesticides starting in 2029. The bill is tied to a similar law in New York state to ensure adequate seed supply. I voted yes on this as I heard from many of you that this was important to you but will be watching closely to ensure a non-treated seed market develops.
Data Privacy Bill – The governor had concerns that this bill could open Vermont businesses to litigation and that it was inconsistent with surrounding states and the Senate generally agreed with these concerns. There is near universal agreement that a privacy act should be in place and that the work will continue, but this one moved to the Senate too late and there was not time to adequately vet it. I voted no and the override failed.
The Vermont Legislature will meet on June 17th and 18th for a veto session. This will be my first time in the state house as a sworn-in legislator and am looking forward to being part of the session.
There are still a few bills coming through the process, but with one week until the session I wanted to share what may be considered for override so far.
H.887 – Education Yield Bill. This is the big one. A 14% increase in the base education tax rate and a study to explore and propose changes to the education funding formula. Can we wait another year to change the formula? The Governor believes not, and based on feedback from you, and my own experience, I’m inclined to agree.
H.289 – The Energy Bill. Commits Vermont to source 100% of retail electricity from renewables by 2030. I’ve had numerous conversations on this bill including with GMP and VEC which cover the district. Both electrical providers have already committed to 100% renewables within the timeframe of the bill and the costs attributed by some to the bill are business investments that need to be made regardless. The bill is considered helpful in allowing utilities to fill out their business plans in a flexible way and to control rates. Overall, there have been a lot of different voices coming together and compromising to create this update to our regulations which is something to be encouraged.
H.706 – Neonicotinoid Pesticide Ban. Bans the use of seeds treated with Neonicotinoid pesticides—which have been linked in some studies to reducing bee populations and certain health defects in humans-- in certain agricultural operations. The bill is tied to a similar ban in New York state to ensure adequate markets for untreated seed. This passed the Senate 25-2 with bipartisan support.
H.72 – Overdose Prevention Center Pilot. This bill would allow the City of Burlington to conduct a one-year pilot program of an overdose prevention center using settlement funds. No tax dollars are being used for the pilot and the bill is supported by the Burlington City Council, Mayor, Police, and Fire Chief. I’m still having conversations on this one and I’ve heard from many of you that you support it. If you have further feedback, please reach out.
H.645 – Restorative Justice. This bill makes several changes to our court diversion program. It’s a large bill and I am still reading through it. The Governor vetoed the bill because he believed it created mandates that were not funded.
If you have questions, or concerns, or wish to share your thoughts on any of these bills or other matters, please let me know.
There are still a few bills coming through the process, but with one week until the session I wanted to share what may be considered for override so far.
H.887 – Education Yield Bill. This is the big one. A 14% increase in the base education tax rate and a study to explore and propose changes to the education funding formula. Can we wait another year to change the formula? The Governor believes not, and based on feedback from you, and my own experience, I’m inclined to agree.
H.289 – The Energy Bill. Commits Vermont to source 100% of retail electricity from renewables by 2030. I’ve had numerous conversations on this bill including with GMP and VEC which cover the district. Both electrical providers have already committed to 100% renewables within the timeframe of the bill and the costs attributed by some to the bill are business investments that need to be made regardless. The bill is considered helpful in allowing utilities to fill out their business plans in a flexible way and to control rates. Overall, there have been a lot of different voices coming together and compromising to create this update to our regulations which is something to be encouraged.
H.706 – Neonicotinoid Pesticide Ban. Bans the use of seeds treated with Neonicotinoid pesticides—which have been linked in some studies to reducing bee populations and certain health defects in humans-- in certain agricultural operations. The bill is tied to a similar ban in New York state to ensure adequate markets for untreated seed. This passed the Senate 25-2 with bipartisan support.
H.72 – Overdose Prevention Center Pilot. This bill would allow the City of Burlington to conduct a one-year pilot program of an overdose prevention center using settlement funds. No tax dollars are being used for the pilot and the bill is supported by the Burlington City Council, Mayor, Police, and Fire Chief. I’m still having conversations on this one and I’ve heard from many of you that you support it. If you have further feedback, please reach out.
H.645 – Restorative Justice. This bill makes several changes to our court diversion program. It’s a large bill and I am still reading through it. The Governor vetoed the bill because he believed it created mandates that were not funded.
If you have questions, or concerns, or wish to share your thoughts on any of these bills or other matters, please let me know.