MONTPELIER – I hope you all enjoyed some restful holidays and are off to a rejuvenating new year, filled with renewed energy for making positive change. It’s a joy and an honor to be back in the State House. We’ve officially completed the first week of the new legislative session, and it’s clear that this spring will be both busy and extremely consequential.
The House Education Committee has already begun taking testimony on the future of Act 73. Over the past several days, we’ve heard from the Vermont Principals’ Association, the Vermont School Boards Association, the House-appointed Commission on the Future of Education, Vermont NEA, the Redistricting Task Force, the Secretary of Education, and of course, Governor Phil Scott, during last week’s State of the State address. As you might expect, there are strong and differing opinions about the best path forward following the Redistricting Task Force’s findings last fall.
As a brief refresher, the Task Force concluded that forced district consolidation would not achieve the cost savings envisioned when Act 73 passed. Instead, it recommended creating large Cooperative Education Service Areas (CESAs) to share costs in transportation, administration, special education, human services and other collaborative functions. Despite this, the governor, his administration, and some legislators remain focused on completing Act 73 as originally envisioned, including adopting larger district maps. In fact, the governor has stated that he will not sign a budget that does not include a plan for redrawing school districts.
This is the first of many hard conversations of the session, and I, along with my colleagues, remain committed to listening carefully, weighing all options and working with the Senate and the administration to find a responsible path forward. Vermont students deserve the best education we can provide, taxpayers deserve a system that is affordable and makes sense and our rural communities deserve policies that protect our long-term sustainability.
Beyond education, I continue to prioritize legislation that advances housing affordability and overall cost-of-living relief, as well as strong environmental protections, including safeguards for our local lakes and ponds. Additionally, I will be co-sponsoring legislation related to equity, public safety, and due process protections for some of our most vulnerable community members.
I hope that you will reach out to voice your questions, concerns and positions on the bills that come before the House. As always, hearing directly from constituents helps guide this work. You’re welcome to reach out by email or join me at my monthly coffee hour on the last Saturday of each month at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro.
There are also several upcoming opportunities to connect with legislators. NEK Legislative Breakfasts sponsored by the North Country Chamber of Commerce will be held monthly. While the full NEK delegation planned to attend the first breakfast, January 12, future sessions will feature one senator and a few legislators to allow for deeper discussion. I’ll be presenting on March 16.
NEK at the State House Day takes place Thursday, January 22, hosted by the NEK Collaborative. The day begins at 8 a.m. with coffee in the governor’s ceremonial office, followed by committee testimony, time with legislators, advocacy training and an afternoon press conference where I’ll be speaking about the importance of rural community schools. This is one of my favorite days at the State House, and I hope you’ll consider attending.
In closing, I appreciate everyone who continues to guide this work by sharing their concerns, offering ideas and using their voices to help build a better Vermont. In these unsettling times, talking about politics and speaking up for social justice can feel frightening, sometimes even unsafe, and yet it is more necessary than ever. The death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis this week weighs heavily on my heart, and it is deeply troubling to see how quickly situations can escalate into senseless violence and tragedy. My hope is that those fighting for a better tomorrow stay safe and continue to feel empowered to lead with courage. One of the most meaningful takeaways from this past year, as my network has grown, has been seeing just how much is being done by so many right here in our community, and I am so grateful every day for all of you. Keep using your voices. I am always listening.
Peace in 2026.
Representative Leanne Harple (D) serves Orleans-4 (Albany, Craftsbury, Glover and Greensboro) in the Vermont Legislature.
Rep. Leanne Harple
Leanne Harple represents Orleans-4, the towns of Albany, Craftsbury, Glover and Greensboro.
