By Rep. Joan Lenes The gavel fell on the 2015 Legislative session late Saturday night, May 16. It had been a long week; one filled with conversations among House and Senate committee members, leadership, and the administration. The committees of conference were weaving together the best parts of each bodies’ versions of the health care… Read More »
By Rep. Kate Webb As we enter the final week of the legislative session, there is no issue more divisive, emotional, and polarizing than whether to continue to allow the use of the philosophical exemption to the immunization requirement for admittance to school in Vermont. More politically charged than the right to bear arms. Tougher… Read More »
By Rep. Joan Lenes Over the past several legislative sessions we have had conversations about healthy workplace environments and how we could help solve the issue of paid sick days. We were working to accomplish this while balancing the needs of employers and employees. I believe we have accomplished that balance this session. Employers that… Read More »
By Rep. Kate Webb A healthcare reform bill developed in January stalled in the House due to sticker shock as well as conflict over sources of funding. Over the past few months, members of the House have worked to find a way to reduce the amount of funding needed while continuing to fund those programs… Read More »
By Rep. Joan Lenes Last week was a passionate and emotional week on the House Floor in Montpelier. The issue on hand was gun control. The House was given Senate Bill S. 141, an act relating to the possession of firearms. Earlier, it had been passed by the Senate on a vote of 20 in… Read More »
By Rep. Kate Webb One of the more inspiring aspects of working in the legislature, is engaging with students who visit. Some Vermonters complain that we shouldn’t be “wasting our time” on issues brought to us by students. Given that these students are developing a sense of civic engagement and will be voters in less… Read More »
By Rep. Kate Webb On the Speaker’s desk lies a letter from 23 legislators asking the legislature to resolve the $113 million budget gap by raising revenue alone. It then sets forth a variety of tax and fee alternatives to consider. Upstairs in the Appropriations Committee rests a resolution from 22 different legislators asking the… Read More »
by Rep. Joan Lenes Thank you to all who have gotten in touch with ideas on the State’s budget. It is never an easy process and seems even more difficult this session. The more input we get from Vermonters, the broader the range of possibilities. We are certainly thinking beyond any box I have seen… Read More »
The second installment of a two part series by Representatives Joan Lenes and Kate Webb. Education Reform The public’s demand for a more affordable funding system and equitable education structure has driven the work of the House Education Committee this year. Organizational complexities, small school viability, program evaluation, local control and rising costs in the… Read More »
In this two-week series, Representatives Joan Lenes and Kate Webb give an update on goings-on in Montepelier, providing glimpses of what legislators are doing to close the budget gap, increase economic development, and address health care issues. By Representatives Joan Lenes and Kate Webb This year we are highly focused on working together to bring… Read More »