WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the Trump administration escalated its attack on immigrants by issuing a new travel ban. The proclamation bans immigrants and visitors from 12 countries and severely restricts immigrants from seven more. This move does nothing to make us safer or lower costs for working people in[Read More…]
Legislative Report
Now in Limbo Waiting for Conferees
MONTPELIER – Last week as I left Montpelier on Friday night, the Senate had adjourned till 2 p.m., Saturday. Then, an hour later, The House of Representatives adjourned until June 17. We all got told then that both the House and Senate wouldn’t be coming back until then. Now we’re[Read More…]
Late Night in the House
MONTPELIER – I am writing to provide an update to the end of the 2025 legislative session. Friday, May 30, shortly before midnight, the House gavelled out without receiving a final bill on H. 454, the education transformation plan. The Committee of Conference, made up of members appointed from both[Read More…]
Session Runs Later Than Normal
MONTPELIER – The legislative session is nearing the end, although it is running later than normal. The budget bill has passed the House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor for signature. The budget shows approximately a 4% increase in spending. Although it is an increase, it is[Read More…]
House Considers Several Bills Before Adjournment
MONTPELIER – We are entering the home stretch of this year’s legislative session, still with some very big items on the agenda before we adjourn (we hope!), in the first week of June. As for those big items, since my last update, the appropriations bill and school funding bills came[Read More…]
Reviewing the Spring Session Wrap-Up
MONTPELIER – As we approach the finish line of this year’s legislative session, I’m feeling hopeful, energized and proud of the progress we’ve made together. From labor rights to healthcare, housing and environmental protections, it’s been a season of meaningful work, and we’re not done yet. Here’s a peek at[Read More…]
Committee Envisions Volunteer Drivers Recruitment
CAMBRIDGE – On Friday the Senate Transportation Committee voted out our version of the FY 2026 Transportation Bill. It is my first transportation budget as chair of the committee. The Transportation Bill (T-Bill) is the spending that operates the Agency of Transportation each year. The T-Bill this year included nearly[Read More…]
Guiding State Policy
MONTPELIER –– I have served on the Governor’s Commission on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders since 2017. The mission of this commission is to guide state policy, raise public awareness, and support the agencies that work every day to provide services to those affected by these complex conditions. The commission[Read More…]
Only 39 Bills Passed by House
MONTPELIER — To date, there have been 490 bills introduced and referred to committees. My assigned committee, Energy and Digital Infrastructure, has had a total of 29 bills referred to it. Of those, only two have made it out of committee for meeting the crossover deadline. The rest of the[Read More…]
In Support of Our Rural Schools
GLOVER— Last week, there was a Public Education Town Hall held at Hazen Union School, which I unfortunately could not attend. This is why I had to miss it: At that moment, I was at the bargaining table on the House Committee of Education, crafting language in H.454, the new[Read More…]
Much is Happening in the Legislature
MONTPELIER — February and March are flying by and legislative activity is picking up speed as bills begin to come out of committee to the House floor for action. It was great to connect with so many folks in the Lamoille 2 district over town meeting week. Rep. Noyes and[Read More…]
Welch Reacts to Noem Saying, “We Are Going to Eliminate FEMA”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During President Trump’s March 24 Cabinet meeting, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “We are going to eliminate FEMA.” Senator Peter Welch released the following reaction: “The Trump Administration’s grand plan for victims of natural disasters is to abandon them, and it’s a complete non-starter.[Read More…]
