MONTPELIER – “I don’t care how you do it, Dave. Just lower our property taxes. They are killing us.” I remember this exchange with a voter on Election Day as if it were yesterday. The desperation was palpable. Others had made similar comments and spoke of how they might be[Read More…]
Legislative Report
Recent Senate Activity Described
The Vermont General Assembly convened for the sixth week of the 2025 Legislative session, January 11 to 14. For the Senate, the majority of days during the legislative session follow the same schedule: one committee meets in the morning, then Senators move to the floor, then afternoon committees meet. Tuesday[Read More…]
We Need to do More to Make our State Affordable
MONTPELIER – Already January is over and the learning process for a first term legislator continues with volumes of information to read, daily committee presentations from departments under our purview and work on the House floor. The big picture saw Governor Scott propose a $9 billion budget for the 2026[Read More…]
Sanders, Trump Align to Cap Credit Card Interest
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As millions of working class families struggle to afford the high prices of groceries, gas, rent and other basic necessities, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced bipartisan legislation to cap credit card interest rates at 10%. During the campaign, President Trump pledged to cap[Read More…]
Bailey’s Committee Considers Clean Heat Standard
MONTPELIER – The first two weeks of the 2025 legislative session are in the books. Week one was filled primarily with pomp, circumstance and for freshman such as myself, a good deal of orientation. I won’t bore the reader with the details of swearing in (though that was very special[Read More…]
Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee Considers Two Bills
The Legislative session has started. The first two weeks have been busy. I have been placed on the Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee. Two bills have been assigned to our committee so far. H.11 is an act relating to consumer protections applicable to broadband and VoIP services. The other is[Read More…]
The Trick to Doing This Work
MORRISVILLE – A friend asked me what it took to be a good legislator. I thought for a minute then shared my opinion. The statehouse on any given day is filled with passionate, sometimes emotionally charged people who come to share their sentiments with lawmakers. They have driven to Montpelier,[Read More…]
Education Funding Proposal Simplified
MONTPELIER – Education funding, and its impact on property taxes, remains a central focus this legislative session. During a joint hearing of House and Senate members, we reviewed highlights of Governor Scott’s plan to overhaul not only the education funding formula but also the governance structure. Commissioner of Education Zoie[Read More…]
Connecting the Dots
MONTPELIER – In 2020 the Global Warming Solutions Act (Act 153) was passed in defiance of Governor Scott’s veto and without support from a single House or Senate Republican. Act 153 created a private right of action which allows Vermont to be sued as early as 2025 if carbon reduction[Read More…]
Education Committee Prepares for Reform Proposal
MONTPELIER – Over the first two weeks of the new biennium, the House Education Committee has devoted its time to preparing for Governor Scott’s education reform proposal that will be unveiled on January 28. Committee members hope to gain a thorough understanding of Vermont’s current education financing system and the[Read More…]
We Won’t Forget Vermonters
ST. JOHNSBURY – More than any post-election period that I can recall, Vermonters remain heavily engaged since November’s election: so engaged, that many want to know why the problems highlighted on November 5 haven’t already been fixed: education property taxes, housing affordability and availability, healthcare costs, public safety, and the[Read More…]
Balint Recounts Legislative Activities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – 2024 has been a challenging year for many of us. For another summer, we had to dig out from devastating flooding, landslides, and mudslides. Families are struggling to afford housing and other basic needs. And it can feel at times like our country is more divided than[Read More…]
