Newsletters
January 2, 2024
The second half of the beinnial begins tomorrow, January 3. I’m excited to get back to work in the Statehouse. Especially with all of the challenges we face in the world, it feels good to be part of a functioning democratic system.
In this newsletter, I discuss the flooding I saw around the state, explain how I’ll l be advocating for stormwater utilities and floodplain restoration, and summarize the summer and fall work I did with the Government Accountability Committee and the Mobile Home Task Force. I also explain the first eight bills I’ll be introducing and provide an update on housing and Act 250 reform. The photo to the left is of flooding at the Mountain Home community in Brattleboro on December 18, 2023.
June 18, 2023
My first Legislative Session went by fast and furious. I found that the vast majority of my prior professional and personal experience was relevant to my work as a Senator. Knowing how Vermont towns struggle to meet local needs and comply with State and Federal requirements was very useful when I considered legislation. My experience as a parent informed my view of the childcare bill and my experiences as an employee and employer were helpful in discussions of unemployment and workers’ comp.
In this newsletter, I review the HOME bill (Act 47), the Child Care bill, State Auditor authority, Workforce Development, Universal School Meals and VT Saves. The picture to the left shows our Economic Development Committee Chair Kesha Ram Hinsdale, me, Committee Assistant Scott Moore, and Vice Chair Alison Clarkson delivering the HOME bill to Legislative Counsel.
March 21, 2023
It’s crossover, the end of the first half of the session when the Senate and House vote out bills and resolutions to send to the other body. This newsletter highlights one resolution and two bills. I sponsored Resolution 17, which was adopted unanimously, urging the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to comply with the expedited asylum hearing provisions of the Afghan Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. Those are a lot of words to say that we’re asking the U.S. Government to make good on its promises to its allies, specifically Afghan nationals who assisted the US who still need to get their families out of Afghanistan.
I also explain why I supported S. 5, the Affordable Clean Heat Bill and S. 9, relating to the authority of the State Auditor.
March 11, 2023
It’s the week of the first Tuesday of March when legislators get time at home so that we can attend our Town Meetings. For me, it’s a welcome reminder of the importance of self-governance and independence of Vermont Towns. I saw a lot of appreciation for in-person meetings coming out of the COVID years.
So far, I have been able to attend five meetings in person (Brattleboro and Windham will hold their meetings later) and I appreciate every one. There are basic structures they all have in common (warnings, budget discussions, road maintenance and plowing conversations) but each Town has a distinctive personality and does things their own way…
January 15, 2023
The build-up is over and the work has begun! Having completed the first full week of the Legislative Session, I am excited to be walking the halls of the State House, sitting at desk #17 in the Senate Chamber, and finding ways to actively serve you and all Vermonters.
Senators serve on two standing committees, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. All committees generally meet every day, as does the full Senate, during the Tuesday to Friday work week. My morning committee is the Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee (on which I was appointed Clerk) and my afternoon is the Institutions Committee (on which I was appointed Vice Chair). I also was appointed to serve on the Joint Canvassing Committee which is a group of Senators and Representatives who together certify the results of the election. This update provides some take-aways from my first week serving on my two standing committees…