Reduced smoking rates, not much violent crime and low reports of sexually transmitted diseases make Vermont the healthiest state in the country, according to rankings released this week.
The clinic — one of roughly a dozen of its kind in Vermont — will provide a variety of medical services and help families by not having to pull children out of school or miss work to take them to ...
Press Release Governor Phil Scott Announces up to $200,000 in Funding for Outdoor Recreation Community Grant Program 04 December 2019 Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced the availa...
BENNINGTON — The county's two state senators are asking environmental officials to monitor the pending closure of the Energizer battery factory here to account for any legacy pollution that …
On November 17, 2019 more than 170 students from more than 30 schools from all over Vermont came together at the Vermont State House as the Vermont Youth Climate Congress. Together they drafted and ra...
What about a reassessment of our economic model? The system we live under concentrates wealth by design. Where you go to school isn't going to change those larger trends, and pretending they will is a defense of the status quo.
Emerge Vermont recruits, trains and provides a powerful network for Democratic women interested in running for office. Emerge is the only in-depth, six-month training program that inspires women to ru...
Kathleen James VT State Representative shared a post.
24 hours ago
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The Healthiest—and Unhealthiest—States
www.routefifty.com
Reduced smoking rates, not much violent crime and low reports of sexually transmitted diseases make Vermont the healthiest state in the country, according to rankings released this week.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
1 day ago
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Middlebury Union High opens new school-based health center
vtdigger.org
The clinic — one of roughly a dozen of its kind in Vermont — will provide a variety of medical services and help families by not having to pull children out of school or miss work to take them to ...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 days ago
H.3, now signed into law as Act 1, was the first bill I had the honor to learn about, vote on, and support as a brand-new member of the House Education Committee in January. It's great to see this important work moving forward -- to transform the way Vermont students learn about the history and contributions of ethnic and social groups that have historically been overlooked, marginalized, and discriminated against. The testimony in our committee was moving and powerful. Kudos to Kiah Morris for her role in getting this bill written and passed.
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Ethnic studies panel begins mulling updates to curriculum
vtdigger.org
The working group, charged with suggesting changes to make classrooms more inclusive, met for the first time this week.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 days ago
Grants for Vermont towns ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 for projects that include: environmental stewardship, recreational programming and events, capital projects, marketing and planning activities. Communities must demonstrate how they expect to grow their local economy by leveraging outdoor recreation. Deadline January 20:
https://governor.vermont.gov/press-release/… ... See MoreSee Less
Governor Phil Scott Announces up to $200,000 in Funding for Outdoor Recreation Community Grant Program | Office of Governor Phil Scott
governor.vermont.gov
Press Release Governor Phil Scott Announces up to $200,000 in Funding for Outdoor Recreation Community Grant Program 04 December 2019 Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced the availa...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Bryan
Josh Bossin
Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 days ago
Yesterday the House and Senate convened in Montpelier for an all-day legislative briefing. In the morning, we heard updates on the statewide program to clean up our lakes and rivers, the multi-state Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), and other transportation-related programs to reduce carbon pollution and fossil-fuel use. In the afternoon, state economist Thomas Kavet presented an economic and revenue review and chief fiscal officer Stephen Klein gave an update on the FY20 budget.
These meetings were open to the public, and the link below leads to all of the handouts, so you can follow along. >>>
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Kathleen James VT State Representative shared a post.
2 days ago
Three dozen members of the VT Climate Caucus met in Montpelier yesterday -- getting ready for the upcoming 2020 session.Close to three dozen members of the Climate Solutions Caucus met in the statehouse cafeteria yesterday — our first in-person, all-caucus meeting since May. Since mid-October, we've held 16 "road show" events in communities across the state, to discuss our proposals for the upcoming session. Approximately 60 climate-caucus members have helped to organize and lead these public events, which at rough count have been attended by almost 800 Vermonters.
With recommendations from our summer workgroups and thoughtful feedback from so many community members, we'll soon be pulling together a succinct platform of bills and policy proposals that we'll work to advance in the House and Senate in 2020. ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 days ago
Packed house at MEMS last night for the December meeting of the Taconic and Green board. Superintendent Jackie Wilson presented several PreK options for the board to consider, and local legislators were invited to give brief pre-session reports and answer questions. GNAT TV taped the meeting and I’ll post the link when available.
With Sen. Brian Campion, VT State Senator Dick McCormack, Rep. Kelly MacLaury Pajala and Rep. @Cynthia Browning. ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative shared a post.
2 weeks ago
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Lawmakers urge close review of Energizer shutdown
www.benningtonbanner.com
BENNINGTON — The county's two state senators are asking environmental officials to monitor the pending closure of the Energizer battery factory here to account for any legacy pollution that …Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Are you a Vermont musician? Take the survey and help demonstrate your positive economic impact on our state! #VTCreativeEconomy
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Survey of Vermont's musicians looks to turn up the volume on their impact
vtdigger.org
Organizer hopes every person in Vermont who creates music will participate, whether they make money at it or not.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Good wrap-up by GNAT TV on our recent climate forum and some of the solutions proposed this year by the VT Climate Caucus. If you weren't able to attend, definitely worth 8 minutes to listen. GNAT has also posted the full 90-minute forum on its website. Below, a few excerpts -- not verbatim, but pretty close. 🙂
Edward Cameron: "As we build a low-carbon economy, we help to create jobs and drive economic development, we help to retain and attract young people to the state."
Brian Campion: "It's a complicated issue, and we have to find ways to deal with this so it isn't a financial burden on the backs of Vermonters. And I think we can do that. It's a new economy, and we'll figure out a way so that it works for everybody, and people aren't left behind."
Sarah Copeland Hanzas: "What I heard tonight were a lot of people who are starting to use these new renewable energy technologies and are comfortable with them. And it's discussions like this that allow us to begin to share these ideas with our neighbors."
@Me: "My key takeaway tonight was how vital it is that we be having these conversations. Climate is a complicated issue and it can be a very divisive issue, yet it's a critical issue. ... It's important that we be willing to listen - that people are willing to show up, agree, disagree, provide ideas and help us all move forward as a state. Because if we can't do this together, none of these ideas are going to work."
Watch the story here:
https://gnat-tv.org/the-news-project-climate-caucu… ... See MoreSee Less
The News Project – Climate Caucus Holds Forum
gnat-tv.org
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
This past Sunday, more than 170 students from 30+ schools gathered at the statehouse to debate and approve a resolution calling on Vermont’s leaders to take bold action on climate. You can read their resolution below, and add your name as a citizen co-signer. The next generation of voters and leaders, speaking up.
https://vermontyouthcongress.com/become-a-citizen-… ... See MoreSee Less
Become a citizen co-signer - Vermont Youth Climate Congress
vermontyouthcongress.com
On November 17, 2019 more than 170 students from more than 30 schools from all over Vermont came together at the Vermont State House as the Vermont Youth Climate Congress. Together they drafted and ra...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Done!
Done!
Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Not a new article but an interesting one: the importance of vocational education in training a new generation of skilled labor while reducing the U.S. income gap.

https://cnbc.com/2017/11/… ... See MoreSee Less
Trade school, not 4-year college, is a better bet to solve the US income gap, researchers say
www.cnbc.com
Research finds that trade school, not a bachelor's degree, may be better for workers displaced by artificial intelligence and technology.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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What about a reassessment of our economic model? The system we live under concentrates wealth by design. Where you go to school isn't going to change those larger trends, and pretending they will is a defense of the status quo.
100% agree
Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Reminder: Please take the 2020 Vermont Issues Survey. As the session approaches, we want to know where you stand. Survey closes Friday, November 22.
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Yesterday almost 200 students from across Vermont gathered at the statehouse for an impressive and inspiring VT Youth Climate Congress — organized and led entirely by college, high school and middle-school students. For most of the afternoon, the delegates divided into subcommittees to debate and finalize a resolution calling on Vermont's elected leaders to take urgent action on the climate crisis. At the end of the day, the resolution passed by a unanimous voice vote. The next generation of voters and leaders is on the way! I'll post the text of the final resolution soon. ... See MoreSee Less
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This is so great!
What a great day, Kathleen! Hooray for B&B's represetatives! and of course, you!
Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
As Governor Scott works to finalize his 2020 budget proposal, Vermonters have a chance to weigh in. See links in article.
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Sharing this important reminder from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC):
Education can be expensive, but there’s no reason to make it more costly just because you don’t fill out the FAFSA. And yet, 43% of high school seniors skipped this all-important step, missing out in over $4 million in federal Pell grants. That works out, on average, to $3,800 a year for eligible students. Add in the Vermont State Grant, which averages another $2,000.
Did you know that Vermonters with low to modest incomes can attend CCV tuition free – if they fill out the FAFSA and Vermont State Grant?
The FAFSA only takes 30 minutes to complete. Watch our FAFSA walk-through to see how easy it is.
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Excellent story on GNAT TV about our recent broadband forum and the task force we're forming to explore a planning grant and the possible formation of a Communications Union District here in southwestern Vermont. Thanks for the coverage, Andrew McKeever. To join the task force, email me (KJames@leg.state.vt.us) and we'll get you connected. 🙂
Thanks for co-hosting, Reps. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman and Laura Sibilia >>>
"My goal for the meeting was simply to get the folks who know the next best steps into a room with the folks who are interested in taking the next best steps." — KJ Mission accomplished!
https://gnat-tv.org/the-news-project-broadband-iss… ... See MoreSee Less
The News Project – Broadband Issues Explored, Task Force Formed
gnat-tv.org
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
For those who missed the forum last night, here's a brief overview of the banner bills or key ideas the VT Climate Caucus will be working to advance this session.
1. ACCOUNTABILITY
Vermont has statutory climate goals, aspirational targets. But we are not only falling short of these targets, we're moving backwards -- carbon emissions have risen 16 percent over 1990 levels in Vermont, while levels are dropping in neighboring states and Quebec. The Global Warming Solutions Act would set binding goals and then direct the Agency of Natural Resources to work across state government -- all agencies -- to develop a strategy to hit these targets. Massachusetts passed a GWSA almost a decade ago and it's working well there; NY and Maine just passed their versions this past spring.
2. TRANSPORTATION
Transportation and heating are by far the biggest contributors to carbon pollution in Vermont, not surprising since we're a rural, cold-weather state. We strongly support Vermont joining the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional 12-state (plus DC) initiative to rein in emissions from cars and trucks through a cap-and-trade plan. VT's revenues from TCI could be between $10-$20 million per year, which we'd invest in clean-transportation initiatives -- like grants and loans to help low- and moderate-income residents buy EVs. If we opt out of this regional partnership, we'll miss out on those revenues. Period.
3. BUILDING EFFICIENCY
Workforce development! For starters, offering training and licensure to front-line workers (ie, realtors, contractors) in building science, energy efficiency and more -- so that when buying or building a house, for example, you can make better decisions that save you money in the long run.
4. CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Right now, Vermonters spend about $2 billion in importing fossil fuels every year. And of all the dollars spent on fossil fuels, 78 percent leaves the state. We'll be looking for ways to support in-state renewable energy -- removing red tape and barriers and streamlining the incentives for Vermonters to make these choices. It would also be great if Efficiency Vermont -- which does an amazing job of outreach to educate and support Vermonters in reducing their electric bills and weatherizing their homes — were able to provide similar support in helping folks ditch the gas-powered cars and move to clean EVS. If not Efficiency Vermont, then an organization with a similar mission.
So these are the general ideas -- in most cases, specific legislation is not yet drafted. And overall, we're working within a set of principles that recognizes that:
1. Vermont will benefit tremendously from a transition to the low-carbon economy of the future -- which will spur jobs, growth and innovation and, I believe, attract working families and young people to stick around. The upcoming generation of voters is demanding action on climate change, and they'll be attracted to states and regions that are leading the way. If we lag, we'll be left behind.
2. And as we make this transition, it's absolutely critical that the costs and benefits be fairly handled, in direction proportion to every Vermonter's ability to pay. This is a cold-weather, rural state in which folks have to heat their homes and drive, often long distances to get to work. Any bill that doesn't profoundly understand this reality -- and work to find creative, forward-looking solutions within that context -- isn't the right answer.
Craig Powers, there you go! 🙂 Hope this starts to answer your question.
With thanks to caucus chair Sarah Copeland Hanzas and her outstanding notes. Our "road show" events are happening all over the state and it's not too late to attend. Here's the latest schedule at the link below:
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Fantastic internship opportunity with Emerge Vermont!
https://vt.emergeamerica.org/intern-with-us/ ... See MoreSee Less
Intern with us! - Emerge Vermont
vt.emergeamerica.org
Emerge Vermont recruits, trains and provides a powerful network for Democratic women interested in running for office. Emerge is the only in-depth, six-month training program that inspires women to ru...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Excellent forum last night to talk about climate action and the banner bills proposed for 2020 by the VT Climate Caucus. At one point I counted almost 70 folks in the room! Took copious notes on the comments, questions and ideas from a very engaged crowd. Thanks to caucus chair Sarah Copeland Hanzas for being the lead presenter, to co-hosts Rep. David Durfee and Sen. Brian Campion, and to Federated Church East Arlington for the space and homemade pumpkin bread! Email me at KJames@leg.state.vt.us to join the Climate Solutions Caucus mailing list, and read the article below for a hopeful glimpse into a low-carbon world.
https://fastcompany.com/90427019/… ... See MoreSee Less
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Where can one read about all the VT Climate Caucus's proposals? I have been unable to attend any of the meetings?