Entering the Make-or-Break Session WORCESTER – The Legislature is back in session after the Town Meeting. Around the state and in some towns in our district, there have been changes in how voters make their decisions. Some towns do not have a live town meeting anymore and make their decisions[Read More…]

CRAFTSBURY – Revenues are back to their pre-pandemic levels and federal financial support is no longer there to boost the budget. As legislators, we won’t be able to do everything we want this year. We’re being realistic and focusing our efforts on the issues that matter most.  My legislative priorities include[Read More…]

WOLCOTT – Senate Appropriations was wrapping up the budget when I left the statehouse around 5 p.m. last Friday, as indicated by the large group of people outside their committee room.  The Senate will vote on the budget later this week and it will come back to the House the[Read More…]

WORCESTER – The pace continues to pick up as we head for the Legislature’s Town Meeting week break. As has happened across the state, there have been changes in how and when towns and school districts vote and meet, including in our House district. School Property Taxes. H.850, the bill[Read More…]

by Rep. Melanie CarpenterHYDE PARK –This year the legislative session started with a flurry of bills and testimony from community members and experts from around the state. I serve on the Health Care Committee where our work has been focusing on equity, access, and affordability. H. 721 Medicaid Expansion, H.[Read More…]

MONTPELIER – Returning to the State House for the 2024 Legislative Session, the biggest priority on everyone’s mind was flood recovery. We heard testimony about it in both Natural Resources and Energy and in Government Operations . Beyond the immediate needs of making those devastated by the floods whole, I’m[Read More…]

by Rep. Avram Patt, Lamoille-Washington District, Morristown, Elmore, Woodbury, Worcester and northern Stowe WOODBURY – The 2024 session of the Legislature began on July 3. It being the second half of a two-year biennium session, we will be dealing with a lot of new issues and bills, but we will[Read More…]

CRAFTSBURY – We’re back at the statehouse and moving full steam ahead on a number of key issues including housing, flood recovery and climate resiliency, and affordability. Already, in the first two weeks, we’ve had several bills come to the House floor for votes, powerful testimony on bills under consideration[Read More…]

by Rep. Katherine Sims, Orleans 4 CRAFTSBURY – The second half of the 2023-2024 legislative biennium begins Wednesday, January 3. Thank you to everyone who filled out my priorities poll or shared your thoughts over the summer. Our top priorities are: Housing (32%), Climate action (32%), Education (32%), Healthcare (30%),[Read More…]

by Rep. Katherine Sims, Orleans-4 CRAFTSBURY – We all share a vision of thriving communities made up of thriving individuals. I believe all people are inherently worthy of the same opportunities to thrive, no matter their race, gender, abilities, zip code or bank accounts. It’s that commitment to equity that[Read More…]