Legislative Update: Recovery of All 14 Counties
Today, there’s $2.7 billion in federal funding earmarked for Vermont, including $1.3 billion to be spent at the state’s discretion over the next 45 months. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make high-impact investments that advance priorities for our future in every corner of the state.
Since March, the Vermont House has passed significant legislation in the following areas:
Modernizing our Infrastructure
H.360 provides $150 million in grants and loans to Communication Union Districts and their partners for Broadband buildout in the most underserved parts of the state
H.433 provides $685 million for our roads, railways and bridges while modernizing the state’s transportation system
H.439 includes $40 million for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for affordable housing initiatives
H.315 includes $10 million to provide safe shelter and housing for low-income and at-risk Vermonters; $5 million to stabilize low- and moderate-income homeowners and prevent foreclosures
H.439 includes $100 million to upgrade outdated state IT infrastructure
H.438 provides $127 million in funding for improvements to state properties throughout the state
H.439 includes $20 million for weatherization grants and incentives through the Home Weatherization Assistance Program, Efficiency Vermont, and VtWARMS.
Investing in Working Families & Seniors
H.171 invests $12.5 million in childcare funding and workforce development that redefines eligibility for assistance, provides scholarships and loan repayments to individuals working in the profession, and looks to limit families’ expense for childcare to 10% of their income.
H.153 provides a sustainable income for individuals providing health care services to older and disabled individuals in their own homes, making it more likely that individuals can “age in place” in their rural community without having to move to a larger town in which a hospital or health care facility is located.
H.439 includes $5 million for Adult Day Programs to help seniors live independently by providing services to them on a daily basis.
H.430 expands the Dr. Dynasaur program (particularly pre and post natal care) to undocumented mothers and children most of whom are working in agriculture in rural parts of the state.
H.315 includes $5.5 million for summer meals for families and $4 million for afterschool and summer programs
Education for All
H.439 invests $61.5 million in the Vermont State College System to address systemwide deficits caused by the pandemic, for post pandemic system transformation, and for statewide workforce training initiatives
H.439 reserves $150 million in one-time dollars to help address the state’s pension crisis
H.106 recognizes the increased needs of students because of poverty, adverse child experiences, or other challenges and creates a community schools pilot program to facilitate the coordination of comprehensive programs and support services that are carefully selected to meet the unique needs of students and families
H.426 addresses challenges faced by rural school districts with aging facilities by conducting a full analysis of the condition and needs of all school facilities in the state and making recommendations for a State aid for school construction fund
Revitalizing Our Communities
H.159 invest $5 million in the Better Places Program to provide matching grant funds to communities to revitalize public spaces
H.439 includes $100 million for clean water funding projects over the next five years
H.315 includes $100,000 for the Rural Economic Development Initiative in which a grant writer assists small towns apply for and obtain federal grants to fund community projects
H.315 includes $10 million to support community initiatives to strengthen the outdoor recreation economy, and to improve access to public outdoor recreation areas such as trailheads, boat launches and state parks
Creating Jobs
H.159 invests $3 million in innovative relief efforts, aimed at reaching our most vulnerable and underserved businesses and people
H.315 and H.439 include a total of $5 million for the Working Lands Enterprise Board grants for agricultural and forestry working lands businesses
H.315 invests $10.5 million in Economic Recovery Bridge Grants, primarily for businesses impacted by COVID-19 that have not received any prior state or federal COVID-related aid.
H.159 includes $2.5 million to market Vermont as a destination, attracting visitors to support our tourism and hospitality sector as the state emerges from the COVID-19 travel restrictions
H.439 includes $2.2 million for Vermont Student Assistance Corporation for scholarships for registered nurse students and medical students who commit to practice in Vermont
H.89 limits liability for agritourism businesses by exempting from liability the operators of agritourism businesses from voluntary activities taken by visitors while on the property
H.159 includes workforce development programs to meet the needs of both residents and employers, including $20 million going to the Vermont State College system to support students in critical employment areas as well as students returning to Vermont
H.439 includes $50 million to address COVID-19’s negative economic impacts through workforce training and development
As we continue to invest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in our state, we must remain committed to our shared goals for wellness, education, housing, broadband, food access, public transportation, childcare, and the environment.
Our strategies for achieving those goals must be optimized for rural communities because rural regions matter and when we invest in rural areas, we invest in good food, clean water and energy, healthy soil, quality education & healthcare, and opportunities for all.
Bills from the Senate
The House is starting to take up bills from the Senate. To become a law this year, a bill must pass both the house and senate, and then be signed into law by the Governor.
S.13 creates a task force to implement the recommendations from the Pupil Weighting study. Vermont's formula for funding public education has been short-changing rural schools for decades and this bill is an important step forward to addressing those inequities. I am working with other legislators to strengthen the bill so that it results in a plan to implement the weights and provide immediate relief to communities that are hurting by suspending the excess spending threshold.
S.79 is an act to improve rental housing and health. The bill moves responsibility for inspecting rental housing from the Health Department to the Department of Fire Safety, establishes a state-wide rental registry that is supported through registration fees (at $35 per unit), increases rental units through grants or loans to improve units that are currently offline, and establishes a revolving fund to provide mortgage assistance to first-time homebuyers.
S.20 is a bill that would ban toxic PFAS chemicals from food packaging, firefighting foam, carpets and rugs, and more, to protect Vermonters and Vermont's environment and water from exposure to harmful chemicals.
S.15 would make universal vote-by-mail a permanent feature of Vermont's elections. Whether or not Vermonters choose to vote in person on election day or vote by mail is ultimately their choice, but this bill increases access to voting - a crucial part of a healthy democracy.
Prop 5, a proposal to amend Vermont's constitution to guarantee personal reproductive liberty, was approved by the full Senate on a vote of 26-4. The proposal will next move to the House for a vote, and then will be up for a vote on the ballot by Vermonters in 2022.
Eugenics Apology
On March 30th, the House of Representatives passed J.R.H.2 which apologizes and takes full accountability for its role in the immeasurable harm that was caused as a result of the state-sanctioned eugenics movement in Vermont. I was proud to vote yes on this resolution because our apology is an important step towards addressing the grave injustices of the past, learning from those mistakes, and strengthening our commitment to the values of freedom and unity for all. Rep. Tom Stevens, Chair of the Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs, gave a very moving and informative floor report about the history of the eugenics movement in Vermont and the importance of the resolution. You can listen to his report here starting at minute 8.
You’ve asked about:
Property Taxes
The House passed H.152 the “Yield Bill,” which establishes statewide property tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year. The news is far better than expected: thanks to federal funds, higher than projected sales tax revenues, and conservative school budgets, this year’s rates are not only far less than originally projected, but also a bit lower than fiscal year 2021.
State Pensions
For the past several months, I have been learning about the financial crisis that threatens the long-term solvency of the state’s public pension system. I’ve read the reports and testimony, attended fiscal workshops, talked to colleagues, and listened carefully to the voices of teachers and state employees. Throughout the process, I’ve been working with other house members to suggest changes to the process including: bringing more transparency to the process, allowing adequate time to do due diligence, and bringing more resources to the table.
Last week, Speaker Krowinski announced the following shift in approach: (1) During this session, the legislature will focus on changing the way investment decisions are made by reassessing the current governance structure; (2) A Pension Task Force will be established to bring stakeholders to the table over the summer and beyond to take the time needed to identify the most appropriate, creative, fair and sustainable paths for the pension system; (3) The $150 million discussed thus far to be used to help address this issue is proposed to be reserved until the Pension Task Force has been able to complete their work. You may find the Speaker’s specific comments here.
I remain deeply committed to working on this critical issue so that our pension system is sustainable for generations to come. I am pleased that we are going to slow things down and work in partnership with all the key stakeholders.
Reapportionment
The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years, and this up-to-date population count is used to ensure that our elected representatives in the legislature are equitably apportioned across the state. Using the 2020 Census figures for Vermont, the job of developing new statewide legislative districting plans that account for these population shifts initially falls to the Legislative Apportionment Board, a tripartisan group of seven citizens. The board then makes its recommendations to the Legislature, which will have the final say on the new map before it goes into effect for the 2022 election cycle. You can learn more about the board and the apportionment process on the board’s website and find their meeting schedule.
Broadband Panel
I was grateful for the opportunity to join Congressman Peter Welch, Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski, and other community leaders for a conversation about broadband and the significant steps we are taking to finally address the digital divide. Thanks to Alliance for a Better Vermont. View the recording here.
Resources
Reopening: Governor Phil Scott outlined the State’s stepped plan to methodically and safely ease mitigation measures as more Vermonters are vaccinated.
Vaccines: Register for your vaccine appointment through the Health Department website or by calling 855-722-7878. You can also get an appointment at Kinney Drugs, CVS or Walgreens by going to their websites.
Financial Assistance: Do you need help with covering rent or utilities? Get rent or utility payment assistance through the Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Tenants and landlords can learn more about the program and apply for support here or by calling 833-488-3727
Stay Connected
I want you to know what I'm working on, how I'm voting and why. For those who like to keep of track of things in real time:
Watch the House of Representatives live (or recorded) daily deliberations here.
My Legislative Page for bills I’ve co-sponsored and roll call votes
Watch my House Committee on Energy & Technology. Our weekly agendas, list of folks who testified and other resources can be found here.
If you need assistance or want to discuss your priorities or needs, please reach out anytime. I look forward to connecting with you.