Next month, legislators return to Montpelier with many pressing issues still in play during this second year of the biennium. I serve on the General, Housing, and Military Affairs Committee. Here are some things I drafted bill requests for: streamlining regulations for recovery homes, studying how tipped employees, students and agricultural workers are compensated, updating employment statutes to eliminate out-of-date and obsolete provisions, and creating an enforcement process for a previous bill requiring all single use bathrooms be listed as gender neutral.
Two issues that originated in my committee, raising the minimum wage and establishing a paid family leave insurance program will be high priorities to be addressed in January. There were significant differences between the Senate and House chambers on these issues last spring, but a moderate path forward seems to be the consensus.
As well, the legislature is wanting to more proactively address climate change. Please join me and your other state legislators on December 9 at Frederick Tuttle Middle School from 6:30 - 8 pm to discuss how all of us can do our part to combat climate change. As a member of the Climate Solutions Caucus, we had many conversations over the summer and are eager to get your input as how to create a more sustainable future for our state.
Much will be discussed at the forum, including how Vermont can encourage reduction of carbon emissions, create economic opportunity through a Green Economy, improve transportation equity, and continue efforts with building thermal efficiencies – all factors in reducing climate changing pollution. Potential legislation under consideration will be previewed.
Other issues I worked on over the summer include improving conditions at South Burlington’s Women’s Prison with the Women’s Legislative Caucus. As a member of the Tourism Caucus, we investigated how the state can increase its support for destination marketing, given the importance of tourism to Vermont’s economy. I am particularly interested in how the creative sectors can be further highlighted in rural communities.
I pulled together a meeting with thirteen other state legislators from Chittenden County with the leadership of the National Guard regarding the arrival of the full fleet of F-35’s next spring and the cumulative sound impact. A group of us subsequently met with airport officials about their application to the FAA for noise mitigation funding as a result of mapping aircraft noise levels in surrounding neighborhoods of South Burlington, Williston, Winooski, and Burlington.
Another meeting that was very beneficial was between South Burlington’s City Council and School Board with Representatives and Senators regarding state legislative matters of interest. We are all on the same team – working to improve the lives of those in our community.
There are myriad other issues percolating in the upcoming session, including taxing and regulating the sale of marijuana so we have adequate resources to protect consumers and reduce youth usage. On December 10, we will be starting up again the monthly Legislative Forum at the South Burlington Library from 6:30 – 8 pm. Since each of your four Representatives, Ann Pugh, Maida Townsend, Martin LaLonde, and I sit on different committees, we will report on significant pieces of legislation in development. We are eager for your input and want to understand your priorities as we go back into session.
Hope you can join us for the both the Climate Solutions Forum on December 9 and our Legislators’ meeting on December 10. Feel free to contact me anytime by email or phone.