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At his weekly press conference on May 17, Gov. Phil Scott delivered startling news: Legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2023 would cost Vermonters “roughly $1,200 per household per year.” Wow! Good thing that’s not true. Click here to learn why:

 - https://mailchi.mp/leg.state.vt.us/1200-invoice-not-on-the-way

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So what will it cost? Tell us on here on a open forum what will it cost a middle class customer?what bill puts money in my pocket? Tell me a bill that gives back or decrease taxes or something that will be less regulated. More freedom to spend our money we earn the way we choose. What will it cost a homeowner? If not 1200 and how much CO2 will it reduce in what time frame? We are the second highest tax state next to Hawaii and one of the lowest CO2 per capita. So what is what you are doing helping and by how much other them to give handouts. To someone who doesn’t qualify for handouts what money is going in their pockets. I can’t get that answer in dollars but you attack the governor the people voted in for a false figure. Then you tell us a dollar figure?

Another great constituent coffee hour! We’re still working on our end of session report … when ready we’ll send it by email to our newsletter list (sign up at my website), post it on social media, and leave copies at town halls and coffeehouses! Thanks for hosting us, Bonnie! 😀 Bonnie and Clyde’s Corner Market

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Kudos to you both for being available. Having you listen and explain matters affecting our State is important and appreciated.

Constituent Coffee Hour: Reminder! 
June 3 at Bonnie and Clydes (9 to 1030 am)

The legislature adjourned a few weeks ago. Were happy to be home and looking forward to our upcoming constituent coffee hours. Please join us!
 
Saturday, June 3: Bonnie and Clyde’s
9 to 10:30 am
13 Old Mill Road, East Arlington
With Rep. Dave Durfee
 
All residents of the Bennington-4 district (Arlington, Manchester, Sandgate and northwest Sunderland) are welcome! 

Also: Stay tuned for our 2023 end of session report,
which well send via this newsletter, post online and distribute
to municipal offices in a few weeks.
As always, a lively constituent coffee hour at the Wayside Country Store! Thanks to everyone who showed up.

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Thank you for being available to discuss the issues ! We appreciate it!

Have been waiting for an op Ed. Have I missed it? Question. Yes or no. Is this just a study? Hope our reps start listening to the gov rep Gov who also got voted in when he vetoed this based on people from this state feedback. Watch Andrew M from GNAT he can’t answer the question with Don keelan about the moral side. The moral side is we don’t see the child labor for the electric cars. Still should be on a ballot if you believe in it that should not be a problem.

The legislature adjourned on Friday and were glad to be home! Please join us at our upcoming constituent coffee hours: Saturday May 20 at Wayside (9 to 1030 am) and Saturday June 3 at Bonnie and Clydes (9 to 1030 am). Well be getting our end of session report done in the next few weeks, too — stay tuned! - https://mailchi.mp/leg.state.vt.us/coffee-hour-may-20-and-june-6278144
VT SAVES: Retirement savings for Vermonters!

With the passage of S.135, the Office of the Treasurer will establish and administer VT Saves, a program that provides access to retirement savings for Vermont employees of companies that do not offer access to these programs.

Data shows workers are 15 times more likely to save for retirement if they have access to a program at work. 40% of Vermont private-sector employees work for a business that does not offer a workplace plan, which represents roughly 88,000 Vermonters without access.

Vermonters lack of savings is a crisis.  65% of those who do not have a workplace plan have less than $10,000 saved. In Vermont, BIPOC workers are half as likely to be covered by a workplace retirement plan. This program will reduce wealth gaps and barriers to economic mobility.

BIG STEP FORWARD ON HOUSING: HOUSE PASSES S.100 BY OVERWHELMING ROLL-CALL VOTE

Yesterday the House gave final approval to S.100, the 2023 omnibus housing bill. The bill passed by an overwhelming roll-call vote of 135-11 after two days of thoughtful debate.

Broad strokes, this bill has two parts.

The first part, which came through my committee (House General and Housing), funds a broad range of community partners and programs that both build and expand access to housing all across the state. This includes the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP), which provides grants and loans for landlords to renovate or create rental apartments and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

The second part of the bill owes a huge debt to my district-mate, Seth Bongartz, who spent nine months — before the 2023 session — working with a broad coalition of housing agencies, housing experts, and environmental groups to find a path forward on land use policies. Overall, this section of the bill — which mirrors in large part the bill Seth introduced, H.68, makes it easier to build housing in our downtowns, neighborhoods and areas with water and sewer. There are five foundational changes to municipal zoning and Act 250 contained within the bill:

- Requiring that towns allow density of five units per acre in areas served by municipal water and sewer

- Reducing excess parking requirements so that space and dollars go to build housing, not unnecessary parking spaces

- Allowing developers building affordable housing a 40% density bonus, which may include an extra floor in downtown areas with water and sewer

- Allowing duplexes anywhere a single-family home is allowed

- Prohibiting local zoning boards from paring down a proposal that fully complies with zoning bylaws to appease pressure from neighbors (a “by right” provision)

In passing this bill, the House prioritized solutions that balance the need for smart growth development while preserving our natural environment and unique rural character.

The bill has now passed both the Senate and the House. The Senate will now reconsider the changes the House made.
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BIG STEP FORWARD ON HOUSING: HOUSE PASSES S.100 BY OVERWHELMING ROLL-CALL VOTE 

Yesterday the House gave final approval to S.100, the 2023 omnibus housing bill. The bill passed by an overwhelming roll-call vote of 135-11 after two days of thoughtful debate. 

Broad strokes, this bill has two parts. 

The first part, which came through my committee (House General and Housing), funds a broad range of community partners and programs that both build and expand access to housing all across the state. This includes the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP), which provides grants and loans for landlords to renovate or create rental apartments and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). 

The second part of the bill owes a huge debt to my district-mate, Seth Bongartz, who spent nine months — before the 2023 session — working with a broad coalition of housing agencies, housing experts, and environmental groups to find a path forward on land use policies. Overall, this section of the bill — which mirrors in large part the bill Seth introduced, H.68, makes it easier to build housing in our downtowns, neighborhoods and areas with water and sewer. There are five foundational changes to municipal zoning and Act 250 contained within the bill:

- Requiring that towns allow density of five units per acre in areas served by municipal water and sewer

- Reducing excess parking requirements so that space and dollars go to build housing, not unnecessary parking spaces

- Allowing developers building affordable housing a 40% density bonus, which may include an extra floor in downtown areas with water and sewer

- Allowing duplexes anywhere a single-family home is allowed

- Prohibiting local zoning boards from paring down a proposal that fully complies with zoning bylaws to appease pressure from neighbors (a “by right” provision)

In passing this bill, the House prioritized solutions that balance the need for smart growth development while preserving our natural environment and unique rural character.

The bill has now passed both the Senate and the House. The Senate will now reconsider the changes the House made.

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I started reading this. So now the power of every town is or can be overruled such as parking. Kathleen why is state government now getting involved in town governments. Our government was founded on from a bottom up approach. What’s the point of local govt if the state determines their town bi laws and what is the point of a state if the federal govt tells states what to do. This is not the intention of the founding fathers or the constitution. Once again a development can’t be stopped being built f do to parking. They could be a huge issue that the town probably knows more than the state. Such as our own town. Then the state steps in and allows it. Say Dep. then the residents are restricted to how many cars. Things like this don’t work. Once again VTere voted in a rep gov which indicated a more conservative value and the house and the senate don’t seem to care about that. What the people want. Less govt in everything.

May 13 Coffee Hour RESCHEDULED: 

With the 2023 legislative session drawing to a close, we may still be in Montpelier — voting out final bills on the floor — on May 13. So were canceling our coffee hour this Saturday. Instead, please join us May 20 at Wayside and June 3 at Bonnie and Clydes! Coffee hours are from 9-10:30 am. Well look forward to discussing the session, providing an update on what we accomplished, and answering questions. 

Plus: Well publish our annual end of session report by early June and distribute it by e-newsletter, on social media and at town halls in Manchester, Arlington, Sandgate and Sunderland. 

Click link for more: 
https://mailchi.mp/leg.state.vt.us/coffee-hour-may-20-and-june-3

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dissappointed there is no meeting this saturday. invited lots of people. lots of questions. would like short answers. There is a lot of talk about the heating bill. i hope the reps are reading all of them. How much money will it cost per homeowner? How stand to profit from this? The gas company,? were there secret meeting about this bill? not seen by the public? The Rep Gov Vetos this and the majority of vermonts from what i have seen are not for it yet the democrats of Montpelier continue to push it forward which is concerning. How will the environment be impacted? how many years will it take to make a difference, keeping in mind using wood for a back up is not environmentally safe. Each meeting I've been at and from listening to both democrats and republicans, i have not heard of one person for this and yet it is being pushed forward. Do the people of Montpelier work for the people of VT or the gas company which seems to be the one who would benefit from it. Certainly not the people, not the oil companies. So what positibes are there in simple answer to the homeowners? and in what time frame and at what cost? its disheartening. And the other day when i told you about Mr. Roper you said you couldn't be there but if you could you wouldn.t As a rep i would think you would search every corner and view all sides to do what is best. Follow the money. Who benefits from this bill?

I just read Governor Scott's veto message. I heard that there is likely enough House votes to override his veto but the Senate overrides are questionable. Specifically, Senator Sears who I emailed yesterday to urge his support. Thanks for all you are doing, Kath.

Maybe everyone should watch the movie "Planet of the Humans" Jeff Gibbs of Essex. Exposing the green industry. You always follow the money and power.

states with the higest and lowest per capita carbon emissions. Wikepedia. in every case i look at on line VT comes in as the lowest. I also keep reading all the comments to how many people have reached out to reps in their town, no response. If a head pump is so efficient and cost effective it should not have to be mandated at the cost of fuel companies and others. this bill is way out of line. We have to follow the money trail to who is making the money that wants this to happen. WHat i keep hearing is reps are not listening to what the people want. Just doing what they want. That is not how our government is suppose to work . we are not a socialist or a monarchy or any other thing where govt has its hand in every aspect of your life but here we are in VT with altamatives and credit scores. Sounds more and more like CH. is that what the govt of VT want. and egos and arogance are definitely getting in the way of following the constituion and less big goverenment.

THis is worth the listen. If the people who created the bill back it they should be able to come out in public and address this man. Open forum so the public knows the truth.

End of capitalism in VT. Starting in July fuel dealers must report to the reps of the state and they will tell you what to charge whom. The state will now dictate based on credit. (I believe I heard they use a credit system in CH). We aren’t far behind. When the been the power goes out and you have to use propane/natural. Yiu can still burn wood even though that is the worse thing for the environment. But soon to sell wood you will have to feistier with the state. The state will have a cc system soon. You won’t be able to have a tag sale. The state of VT is going to dictate what heating systems yiu can have for your home. The same people who get everything for free will continue. Guess who this will effect. So we have no choices. And this is a bill the democrats are proud of. I got quoted for a heat pump. In VT yiu still need a back up. This is not capitalism or small government. This is the government / monarchy telling people what they will do and how they will live with no options. So much for respect for your Govenor. No sense suing for one of those. The bigger govt gets the more freedoms people loose. Welcome to VT.

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HEY, 2023 COLLEGE GRADS! STAY IN THE GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE AND APPLY FOR $5,000 IN LOAN REPAYMENT:

Last year, the legislature created and funded a new program to encourage Vermont college students to stay in the Green Mountain State after graduation. That program is now up and running! Heres the official announcement:

The State of Vermont, in collaboration with the University of Vermont and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), is offering a $5,000 loan repayment program to incentivize and retain new graduates from Vermont colleges and universities. Any graduate during the spring 2023 academic year with a bachelors degree can apply. Recipients will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis based on regional, employer, and institutional distribution criteria, as long as funding is available. Applicants must submit proof of employment when applying. Employment will be verified with the Vermont-based employer at two points: after one year of employment and after the second year of employment.

Click here to see the list of eligible colleges and universities and find out how to apply.

https://www.uvm.edu/engagement/greenmountainjobs

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Emily Cho Roache!

AFFORDABLE HEAT: LEARN FOR YOURSELF! (NEW WEBPAGE)

Yesterday I added a new page to my website on S.5, the Affordable Heat Act. I hope you will give it a read. 

It walks through the key points of the bill — the points that have generated the most confusion and controversy — and includes links to read the bill for yourself, understand what will and wont happen in the next two years, watch our April 20 floor debate, see five scenarios about how Vermonters could take advantage of the incentives (not mandates!) that the program could offer in the future, and a lot more.

Please feel free to share this page:
https://kathjamesforstaterep.com/get-the-facts-affordable-heat-act-s-5/

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Will you be at this to hear alternative views. I have heard he is really a very good knowledgeable speaker. The good thing about a diversified govt is hearing all sides I’d it’s only one side you never get objective views or you may miss out on things not thought of. Recommend reps attending.

Heres where if you can't be transparent on here i take issue. If one believes in somthing and its transparent this is the perfect place to back what you believe. in open forum. WHen more than 1/2 the people of VT either are opposed or concerned and the Voted in Rep Gove Vetos it and the majority senate/house of montpelier still decide to push this thru it is no longer about what the people of the state want but govert overreach pushing an agenda on the people without their consent. Put this out for vote on ballot if you are all so sure VTers want it. Even some dem have had concerns. Dick Sears voted for it but has concerns. That tells me that someone is voting about a political party and not about the people. THis should concern everyone. Big government is not what VT is about otherwise or we a free state or free country. more and more VT is putting its hands inj every corner of life in VT. Do we want a dictatorship told what we will do because a group of people being lobbied by people with an agenda for power or money? Just please tell me one benenfit of this for the people of VT. The people, taxpayers of VT.

FACTS on AFFORDABLE HEAT:

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of inaccurate — and I think harmful — misinformation swirling about S.5, the Affordable Heat Act. The Governor opposes the bill and has said he will veto it.

I don’t agree with him, and neither do the many local Bennington County reps who took time to understand the bill, to improve it, and to support it.

Essentially, S5 would require fossil fuel dealers to earn a certain number of “credits” based on the gallons of fuel they sell. To earn these credits, they’d have to deliver a wide range of affordable, lower-cost clean heat measures to Vermonters.

These measures would include weatherizing homes, installing heat pumps (to replace or supplement a furnace, for example), installing advanced wood heat or solar-powered water heaters, etc. Vermonters wouldn’t be required to do anything at all. The bill would ensure that a lot of these options — which would save people significant money on their fuel bills over time — would be much more affordable and widely available for more people.

The debate has centered around whether fuel dealers, who’d be charged with making these choices available to customers at an affordable price, would pass along these costs by raising the price of fuel. That seems likely, and that’s one of the reasons people are debating the bill. Though many people will benefit from having a wide array of clean-heat choices, will fuel prices go up for everyone? If so, how much? That's a really important question and it needs to be answered.

That’s why we changed the bill, in a very significant way, by adding detailed reports and something called a “check back.”

Essentially, this year’s “yes” vote kicks off an intensive two-year process of fact-finding and rule-writing. If we pass the bill this year, the Public Utility Commission will spend the next two years writing the detailed regulations that would govern the program — getting into the nuts and bolts of how it would impact fuel dealers and how it will play out on the ground. But it will not go into effect.

This two-year fact-finding process will include two extensive economic impact studies that will look at the cost of the program, any potential impact on price of fuel, and how much Vermonters are expected to save if the program moves forward. There’s also a study that looks at things like heat pumps (how many Vermonters would install them if they were more affordable? Is the technology getting better? Do we have enough workforce to weatherize a lot more homes)?

All of this information, plus the detailed regs that would govern the program, will come back to the legislature in 2025. At that point, we’ll create another bill, take testimony, run it through the full legislative process. We can amend, change or revise the program … and then vote to approve it or even stop it in its tracks. The Affordable Heat Act can’t go into effect until both the House and Senate vote “yes” and the Gov signs in 2025. If all of that happens, it’ll start its gradual rollout in 2026. If it doesn't pass in 2025, it won't move foward.

To be sure, I offered a successful floor amendment to lock down this check-back language in the bill.

This is complicated bill and hard to explain, but it’s good policy and I’m sorry it’s gotten caught up in such a heated political battle.

In short, nothing will happen to the price of fuel as a result of voting “yes” this year. And the program won’t be rolled out until we’ve had a chance to take a hard look at this important question in 2025.

I'm happy to talk to anyone about S.5, the Affordable Heat Act.
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FACTS on AFFORDABLE HEAT:

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of inaccurate — and I think harmful — misinformation swirling about S.5, the Affordable Heat Act. The Governor opposes the bill and has said he will veto it. 

I don’t agree with him, and neither do the many local Bennington County reps who took time to understand the bill, to improve it, and to support it. 
 
Essentially, S5 would require fossil fuel dealers to earn a certain number of “credits” based on the gallons of fuel they sell. To earn these credits, they’d have to deliver a wide range of affordable, lower-cost clean heat measures to Vermonters. 

These measures would include weatherizing homes, installing heat pumps (to replace or supplement a furnace, for example), installing advanced wood heat or solar-powered water heaters, etc. Vermonters wouldn’t be required to do anything at all. The bill would ensure that a lot of these options — which would save people significant money on their fuel bills over time — would be much more affordable and widely available for more people.
 
The debate has centered around whether fuel dealers, who’d be charged with making these choices available to customers at an affordable price, would pass along these costs by raising the price of fuel. That seems likely, and that’s one of the reasons people are debating the bill. Though many people will benefit from having a wide array of clean-heat choices, will fuel prices go up for everyone? If so, how much? Thats a really important question and it needs to be answered.
 
That’s why we changed the bill, in a very significant way, by adding detailed reports and something called a “check back.” 

Essentially, this year’s “yes” vote kicks off an intensive two-year process of fact-finding and rule-writing. If we pass the bill this year, the Public Utility Commission will spend the next two years writing the detailed regulations that would govern the program — getting into the nuts and bolts of how it would impact fuel dealers and how it will play out on the ground. But it will not go into effect.

This two-year fact-finding process will include two extensive economic impact studies that will look at the cost of the program, any potential impact on price of fuel, and how much Vermonters are expected to save if the program moves forward. There’s also a study that looks at things like heat pumps (how many Vermonters would install them if they were more affordable? Is the technology getting better? Do we have enough workforce to weatherize a lot more homes)?
 
All of this information, plus the detailed regs that would govern the program, will come back to the legislature in 2025. At that point, we’ll create another bill, take testimony, run it through the full legislative process. We can amend, change or revise the program … and then vote to approve it or even stop it in its tracks. The Affordable Heat Act can’t go into effect until both the House and Senate vote “yes” and the Gov signs in 2025. If all of that happens, it’ll start its gradual rollout in 2026. If it doesnt pass in 2025, it wont move foward.

To be sure, I offered a successful floor amendment to lock down this check-back language in the bill. 
 
This is complicated bill and hard to explain, but it’s good policy and I’m sorry it’s gotten caught up in such a heated political battle.
 
In short, nothing will happen to the price of fuel as a result of voting “yes” this year. And the program won’t be rolled out until we’ve had a chance to take a hard look at this important question in 2025.
 
Im happy to talk to anyone about S.5, the Affordable Heat Act.

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Sad it says my comments may have been filtered out? Guess it didn’t like my view. If there is a study that is going to happen then as the gov said nothing will start to be implement until the study is done and all the costs can be told but what is starting in July. Is it true that the state loses money federal funding if it doesn’t reach goals. Fed gov goals. Not goals we the taxpayer vote on. Isn’t this a case if you don’t do this you don’t get that. Maybe we shouldn’t count on the federal gov so they can’t tell us what to do. Less govt would mean more money in everyone’s pocket. It’s doesn’t seem like a free control with the gov in everything. Childcare. In heating. Everything. Seems like govt control and we are considered a welfare state. These are not things to be proud of. Come here we give give give. Middle class pays. Rich are rich. You will have rich and ooor and no middle class. Seems like things we don’t like about other countries.

Keep govt hands out of private business. Free market capitalism and competition lowers the cost for everyone. Unrealistic regulations against unreliable energy sources is headed to a disaster. What happen when there is a huge power outage. Jordan Peterson says the best way to pull people out of poverty is inexpensive energy The best way for that is free markets without the govt hand in it. Until proven reliable renewable energy is a joke and without govt substitutes it would not exist. Except for very small scale they do not work at this time. Why are we not investing in nuclear power. It is the cleanest safest energy there is for the earth. Typed by tc but words from KC.

Things seemed to be forced these days. You have not choice. No wood no oil no gas. It’s this or nothing. Doesn’t seem right. And incentives to do so use to exist now it’s penalties. You don’t get this. Seems like we are going in a way wrong direction. It’s like with electric cars. No body wants to talk about where and how the batteries come from. It just feels good once it gets here and that other stuff doesn’t matter. For everything there is an environmental effect. People should Have options not forced or else.

Thanks for spending the time to explain the workings of this bill, and for adding the check back language. It will be interesting to see what the studies show,

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HOUSE PASSES S.37, A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER SHIELD BILL, ON A 114-24 ROLL CALL VOTE

With final approval of S.37, a bill to protect clinicians who are providing legally protected health care services, the House continues to support Vermont health care professionals providing reproductive health care or gender affirming health care. This bill is critical to maintaining access to legally protected health care services for people and protecting the rights of health care professionals.

S.37 does the following:
- Protects licensed providers from medical malpractice insurance premium increases due to the provision of reproductive health care or gender affirming health care.
- Protects licensed providers practicing within their scope of practice within Vermont’s borders regardless of the patient’s location when the service is rendered.
- Codifies health insurance practices currently in place and eliminates cost sharing for abortion services for some categories of patients.
- Prohibits false and misleading advertising for free services in pregnancy centers.
- Extends legally protected health care protections to abortion medications approved by the FDA regardless of their current FDA approval status.

In every city and town in Vermont, voters supported a constitutional amendment, Article 22, which enshrines the right to reproductive liberty in the Vermont Constitution. S.37 protects access to reproductive and gender affirming health care for patients and shields licensed heath care providers from attempts to impede critical and necessary care. S.37 takes legally protected health care out of the realm of politics and keeps it grounded in medical and scientific evidence.

The bill has now passed both the Senate and the House. The Senate will now reconsider the changes the House made.
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HOUSE PASSES S.37, A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER SHIELD BILL, ON A 114-24  ROLL CALL VOTE

With final approval of S.37, a bill to protect clinicians who are providing legally protected health care services, the House continues to support Vermont health care professionals providing reproductive health care or gender affirming health care.  This bill is critical to maintaining access to legally protected health care services for people and protecting the rights of health care professionals.

S.37 does the following:
-       Protects licensed providers from medical malpractice insurance premium increases due to the provision of reproductive health care or gender affirming health care.
-       Protects licensed providers practicing within their scope of practice within Vermont’s borders regardless of the patient’s location when the service is rendered. 
-       Codifies health insurance practices currently in place and eliminates cost sharing for abortion services for some categories of patients.
-       Prohibits false and misleading advertising for free services in pregnancy centers.
-    Extends legally protected health care protections to abortion medications approved by the FDA regardless of their current FDA approval status.

In every city and town in Vermont, voters supported a constitutional amendment, Article 22, which enshrines the right to reproductive liberty in the Vermont Constitution.  S.37 protects access to reproductive and gender affirming health care for patients and shields licensed heath care providers from attempts to impede critical and necessary care. S.37 takes legally protected health care out of the realm of politics and keeps it grounded in medical and scientific evidence. 

The bill has now passed both the Senate and the House. The Senate will now reconsider the changes the House made.

HOUSE PASSES AFFORDABLE HEAT ACT BY OVERWHELMING ROLL-CALL VOTE

With final approval of S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, the Vermont House moves forward one of our biggest priority climate bills. The bill passed by an overwhelming roll-call vote of 98-46 during two days of thoughtful debate.

The goal of the AHA is to help Vermonters transition away from fossil fuels — and save money on heating bills — by making options like weatherization and heat pumps much more affordable for many more people. The bill prioritizes Vermonters at risk of being left behind in the global transition to clean energy, including rural Vermonters, older Vermonters living on fixed incomes, Vermonters living in mobile homes, and Vermonters of low and moderate income. These community members are the most impacted by rising and volatile fuel prices — $2 a gallon in the last year alone — folks who right now are least able to afford to make the switch.

Importantly, the bill lays out a careful two-year process for research and public input. This includes reports on the estimated impact of the AHA on fuel prices, the potential savings to Vermonters across the state, and the nuts and bolts of how the program will be implemented gradually over time. In 2025, the proposed rules will return to the legislature — with this detailed information in hand — with the option for the House and Senate to approve the program, revise it, or even to stop the idea. The program can’t take effect in 2026 without full legislative review and approval.

The bill has now passed both the Senate and the House. The Senate will now reconsider the changes the House made.
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HOUSE PASSES AFFORDABLE HEAT ACT BY OVERWHELMING ROLL-CALL VOTE 
 
With final approval of S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, the Vermont House moves forward one of our biggest priority climate bills. The bill passed by an overwhelming roll-call vote of 98-46 during two days of thoughtful debate.
 
The goal of the AHA is to help Vermonters transition away from fossil fuels — and save money on heating bills — by making options like weatherization and heat pumps much more affordable for many more people. The bill prioritizes Vermonters at risk of being left behind in the global transition to clean energy, including rural Vermonters, older Vermonters living on fixed incomes, Vermonters living in mobile homes, and Vermonters of low and moderate income. These community members are the most impacted by rising and volatile fuel prices — $2 a gallon in the last year alone — folks who right now are least able to afford to make the switch. 
 
Importantly, the bill lays out a careful two-year process for research and public input. This includes reports on the estimated impact of the AHA on fuel prices, the potential savings to Vermonters across the state, and the nuts and bolts of how the program will be implemented gradually over time. In 2025, the proposed rules will return to the legislature — with this detailed information in hand — with the option for the House and Senate to approve the program, revise it, or even to stop the idea. The program can’t take effect in 2026 without full legislative review and approval.
 
The bill has now passed both the Senate and the House. The Senate will now reconsider the changes the House made.
THE GREATEST GENERATION (PART 2)

Hundreds of students from across Vermont rallied for climate action on Friday at the statehouse! Kallen Fenster led the charge for Burr and Burton Academy and our own Rabbi Michael Cohen addressed the crowd. Heres an excerpt from his powerful speech:

We often hear about the Greatest Generation, those individuals born in the first decades of the last century who fought in World War II against huge odds to save the world for democracy. Their self-sacrifice was their hallmark. 

Today, we see democracy, at home and abroad, once again threatened…success is neither linear nor short term. That generation was also defined by the 1930s’ economic Depression. 

Every generation has its challenges. You are no different. You will be defined by how you meet today’s challenges. This is your time to become the Greatest Generation ... and I mean really the Greatest Generation. For your, and our,  task is simply to save our planet.Image attachment