Update from Montpelier
Grand Isle Senate
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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.