This panel, the last of five panels, focuses on “Putting the Pieces Together”, a case study of housing development in downtown Manchester, VT, by John O’Keefe, the Manchester Town Manager. The V...
On November 15, members of the Bennington County legislative delegation met via Zoom with Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine and Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith to discuss the h...
Designing an even more fair and equitable education funding system requires that it works for our large urban districts, our small rural districts, and delivers equity to all students, in every and an...
I have read Krowinski and Balint's statements multiple times. I see no specifics about what they are proposing should be done. Just broad brush statements. Can you elaborate what their specific actions would be? Maybe I am missing them.
Vermont’s education funding system is built on fairness to taxpayers, to communities, and to students. The state has two tools to help mitigate variable costs so that all schools can afford to educa...
This panel, the fourth of five panels, focuses on “Community Transformation Strategies”, in a case study of Saint Albans, VT, by Dominic Cloud, the Saint Albans City Manager. The Vermont Housing S...
A UVM study recommended upgrading Vermont’s “pupil weights” — mathematical tools intended to equalize funding across schools. But lawmakers are considering making bigger changes to the system.
A parking area behind three commercial buildings on Depot Street in Manchester could be the site of a 40 unit housing complex designed to address the critical shortage of housing in Manchester.
A great project and opportunity to incorporate "climate action" landscaping, so very important to our ecosystem.
Please! I know that housing for children is important, but there is ALWAYS a shortage of accessible 1 bedroom units. I've been on waiting lists and have been told that when the occupant dies, the next person on the list gets it. A 3-6 month wait became 3+ years!
Can we get part of the housing for Lgbtq people. I want to plan a building for Lgbtq people like Boston, SF, Florida, Philadelphia etc. have done
Thanks Kathleen James. A much needed project!
What happened to the Inn at willow pond project
Kathleen James VT State Representative, Melanie & I would like to talk with you at some point about this proposed development.
Kathleen James VT State Representative
5 days ago
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 ... See MoreSee Less
Grant maker announces Northshire Day School as one of this year's winners
http://www.manchesterjournal.com
MANCHESTER — Northshire Day School is being recognized as one of the best child care centers in the state.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
1 week ago
FYI! ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
MASK POLICY AND TOMORROW'S SPECIAL SESSION:
REP. KATHLEEN JAMES: STATEMENT FOR CONSTITUENTS
November 21, 2021
In recent weeks, Vermont has hit record-high levels of COVID infection rates as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread through our communities. In the last week, Bennington County — along with the Northeast Kingdom and Rutland County — has recorded the highest rates in Vermont.
As I write this, Vermont has the ninth-highest case rate in the nation, according to the New York Times. Our hospitals and ICU units are at capacity, and our schools, students and families continue to suffer from the negative impact of ongoing quarantines. Our state once led the nation for its COVID response, but now we’re breaking all the wrong records.
In a recent meeting with Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine and the Bennington County legislative delegation, Dr. Levine explained that the pandemic is now largely driven by unvaccinated Vermonters. On any given day, roughly 70-plus percent of new cases are occurring among the unvaccinated, with our youngest children — ages 0-9 — leading all age categories for infection rates, followed by ages 10–19. This is because most of our children are not yet fully vaxxed.
I strongly agree with Gov. Scott, Dr. Levine and the overwhelming majority of medical experts that vaccination is safe and effective, and that it should be our first and most important strategy. But in the face of a deadly pandemic that to date has killed 400 Vermonters, we must also be willing to deploy additional, common-sense public-health measures to get COVID under control.
Masks are an effective and scientifically proven way to control the spread of COVID among both vaccinated and unvaccinated Vermonters. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Vermont Department of Health are currently recommending mask-wearing in all indoor public settings. And according to a study published this week in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) — the first global study of its kind — mask-wearing is the single-most effective non-pharmaceutical public-health measure people can take, reducing COVID incidence by 53 percent.
It’s important to understand that vaccinated people can still contract COVID and therefore can spread the virus to others, even if they’re only mildly ill or asymptomatic. And an unvaccinated child can carry the disease to friends or family members. When everyone is masked, the risks of transmission are reduced, by half, for everyone.
We all want the pandemic to be over. But it’s not. Right now, 82 percent of Vermonters ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated. That’s promising. But until we hit high vaccination rates across all age groups — and until our case numbers drop below an agreed-upon threshold — Gov. Scott should enact a statewide, data-driven indoor mask policy. He has always had the authority to do so. Legislative action is not required.
Masks can help us avoid the dire outcomes we all want to avoid: more infections, more serious illness, more people struggling with long COVID, more deaths. And a data-driven indoor mask policy —one that switches indoor masking on and off based on case rates—could help us to keep our schools, businesses, restaurants and lodging facilities open and keep our economy moving forward.
When Vermont ranks ninth in the nation for COVID case rates, it harms our communities and undermines our recovery. And there are many times — in the life of a nation and in our own lives — when we must make choices that advance the collective good. Data-driven mask policies allow us to avoid more-restrictive measures, like lockdowns and business closures, that no one wants to return to — and can help us move more quickly to a time when masks are no longer necessary.
Gov. Scott has declined to enact a statewide approach. So I support the town-by-town option, which is the only step the Governor has said he will allow the legislature to take. He has said very clearly that he will veto anything broader. And when the legislature is not in regular session, attempting an override is not an option.
The municipal approach won’t have the same impact — a contagious virus doesn’t pump the brakes at town borders — but it will give local communities the power to debate and enact their own, more-protective public-health policies. A number of Vermont communities are asking for this authority, and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns has endorsed this approach.
Tomorrow, the legislature will meet in special session to consider masking policy for Vermont. Though it was a hard decision, I won’t be there to vote — I’ll be with my family on holiday plans made months ago. Through this statement, I want to be sure constituents know where I stand and why I won’t be in the statehouse on November 22.
The legislature will return to session on January 4, and relevant committees will take testimony from medical experts and review the latest scientific data and research to consider the best evidence-driven course of action for our state. I look forward to that important work.
I am happy to answer any questions. Email is the best way to reach me: KJames@leg.state.vt.us. ... See MoreSee Less
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No mask mandates!
Congratulations!
Tourists are noticing and bookings are down.
With the large influx of tourists the state is seeing, a mask mandate is going to be key.
Thank you, Kathleen. Happy Thanksgiving.
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
The fifth and final panel from our October housing summit. This one, led by town manager John O’Keefe, talks about Manchester’s plan to develop a mixed-income housing project on Depot Street.
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The Vermont Housing Summit 2021 – Panel 5: Case Study: Manchester, VT
gnat-tv.org
This panel, the last of five panels, focuses on “Putting the Pieces Together”, a case study of housing development in downtown Manchester, VT, by John O’Keefe, the Manchester Town Manager. The V...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Please join us at our constituent coffee hour this morning from 9 to 10:15. PM me for the Zoom link! ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
The Vermont National Guard wants to increase participation in the VA Airborne Hazards and Open Air Burn Pit Registry. Veterans who qualify should contact the Vermont National Guard Veteran Outreach Specialist in their respective county. Call 888.607.8773 or see the link below:
https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegis… ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Hot off the press: November legislative newsletter, with updates on COVID case rates in Bennington County, the housing summit, education, climate action and upcoming coffee hours.
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November Update: Housing, education, climate and more
mailchi.mp
On November 15, members of the Bennington County legislative delegation met via Zoom with Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine and Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith to discuss the h...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Published today in VTDigger, my op-ed on education finance explains why the 2021 task force needs to take a broader look:
"The UVM-led weighting study offers a thoughtful, empirical look at one key facet of our education finance system. But its scope was narrow, by legislative request. In Act 173 of 2018, the General Assembly asked three focused questions: whether the current weights should be modified; whether new weights should be added; and whether we should further adjust the way we help school districts cover the cost of special education.
The study aptly answered these questions with clear policy recommendations — while also posing policy options. It’s an excellent road map that offers several routes to reach the shared goal of greater educational equity.
But to design a lasting solution, it’s not enough to simply update the weights. We need to take a broader look — to ensure we’re also considering questions the UVM researchers were not asked to explore."
Read the rest at the link below:
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Rep. Kathleen James: Educational equity: Asking the questions that follow - VTDigger
vtdigger.org
Designing an even more fair and equitable education funding system requires that it works for our large urban districts, our small rural districts, and delivers equity to all students, in every and an...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Very well explained and written, Kath. Thanks for working to solve such a complex issue.
Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Fun to spend time today with BBA sophomores studying government and civics. Great questions for me and Rep. Kelly MacLaury Pajala. And the new Founders Hall, designed by BBA grad Kyle Murphy, is truly remarkable. The future is bright! ... See MoreSee Less
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Omg that looks like a college! WOW
Very impressive!
Very impressive
Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
STATEMENT FROM SPEAKER KROWINSKI, PRESIDENT PRO TEM BALINT ON GOVERNOR SCOTT’S CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION
Montpelier, Vt. – Today, House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem issued the following statement:
“We appreciated meeting with the Governor and discussing ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and the differences of opinion in the ways that we believe we should move forward. In our meeting today, the Governor told us that he would support the passage of legislation, similar to a proposal made by the League of Cities and Towns last week, granting limited authority to municipalities to mandate masks in their communities. While we appreciate this step toward giving Vermonters more tools to promote public health, we are deeply disappointed that there is not a broader approach to keeping Vermonters safe and our health care system afloat.
“Under current law, the Governor has the authority to approve local public health measures without the need for the legislature to reconvene, but at this point, we believe that taking any action is better than continuing down the path that we are currently on when it comes to preventing the spread of disease.
The Governor has the authority to act now and he has also made it very clear that if the legislature attempted to pass any legislation other than what he has proposed during this special session, he would veto it. We are still discussing all policy options and will work with public health experts to help us evaluate alternative public health actions.
“Again, while this it is not what we had envisioned as a response to this moment in the pandemic, when Vermont has one of the highest case rates in the country, if it takes the legislature reconvening to step in on behalf of Vermonters, we are more than happy to provide a tool to help mitigate the spread of the virus in our communities.”
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Scott to call lawmakers back into session to allow town mask mandates - VTDigger
vtdigger.org
The Republican told top lawmakers he would allow them to pass a measure clearing the way for time-limited municipal mask mandates.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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I have read Krowinski and Balint's statements multiple times. I see no specifics about what they are proposing should be done. Just broad brush statements. Can you elaborate what their specific actions would be? Maybe I am missing them.
Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
CONSTITUENT COFFEE HOUR: SATURDAY
Seth and I are hosting two online constituent coffee hours as we gear up for the 2022 legislative session. Join us on Zoom from 9 to 10:30 am:
Saturday, November 20
Saturday, December 18
Please email KJames@leg.state.vt.us at least 30 minutes prior to each meeting for the link. We looking forward to hearing your questions, concerns and ideas.
We'll also be hosting regular coffee hours in 2022 — look for the schedule in a future email and in the local papers. The session starts on January 4. ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
As our task force moves into its final three meetings, we're developing an action plan to deliver to our colleagues in the legislature for consideration in 2022. Our conversations this summer and fall have all centered on equity — for students, schools and taxpayers — and how best to ensure that our education finance system delivers on that fundamental commitment. Two key equity tools are weighting and categorical aid, and this article does a good job of explaining the difference.
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Vermont’s tools for education funding equity: Weighting and categorical aid | Public Assets Institute
publicassets.org
Vermont’s education funding system is built on fairness to taxpayers, to communities, and to students. The state has two tools to help mitigate variable costs so that all schools can afford to educa...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
The fourth of five panels from the housing summit: St. Albans town manager Dominic Cloud offers a case study on how communities can take the lead to build housing and mixed-use buildings to boost the economy and provide locals with more options.
https://gnat-tv.org/the-vermont-housing-summit-202… ... See MoreSee Less
The Vermont Housing Summit 2021 – Panel 4: Case Study: St. Albans
gnat-tv.org
This panel, the fourth of five panels, focuses on “Community Transformation Strategies”, in a case study of Saint Albans, VT, by Dominic Cloud, the Saint Albans City Manager. The Vermont Housing S...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Thank you for your leadership, Becca Balint, State Senator and Jill Krowinski. >>>
VERMONT SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE BALINT'S STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO RECORD HIGH COVID CASE COUNT
Montpelier, Vt. – Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint issued the following statement:
“Earlier today I requested a meeting with Governor Phil Scott to discuss the Covid-19 infection numbers that were released today. I conveyed to his staff that it’s long past time for his administration to pivot in their approach to the pandemic. Four weeks ago I made the same request. Today, 591 new cases were reported, the highest number to date, we have 53 Vermonters hospitalized, and 14 of those are in intensive care units. These numbers speak for themselves--this is unacceptable and we cannot continue this way. Although the governor was not able to accommodate my request today, I sincerely hope we are able to meet tomorrow and together begin to map out a better path forward for Vermonters. We cannot afford to wait another day. The administration’s plan is not working.
As far back as August, when the Speaker of the House and I reached out with concerns about the Delta variant we were told by the administration that the covid infection rates would plateau in a few weeks time. This didn’t happen--not in September or October. We continued to press for a shift in strategy and asked the tough questions about why that was not being done. Now we are seeing our highest numbers yet and our greatest community spread, and his team is still not using all the tools at our disposal. This is taking a terrible toll on families.They do not have the support they need to ride out this crisis.
I am one of many parents across Vermont whose child is home from school and is quarantining this week because she was potentially exposed to a positive case in her school. My spouse and I are juggling childcare while also doing our jobs. We are far from the only ones, but we are fortunate to have resources that other families don’t. Neither of us have to sacrifice a shift, or a paycheck, or a job to stay home with our children. Many Vermont families are at a breaking point; this surge in infections is crushing them. Staying the course on a failing strategy doesn’t make sense. We must be using every tool we have to help reduce the community spread of the disease.
It isn’t too late to change course. We can re-institute a masking mandate, and it can be tied to rates of infection in hot spots. Other states have already done this. We can still reduce the number of infections, the number of hospitalizations, and the number of Vermonters who will die from this highly contagious virus.
When things aren’t working, strong leaders do not stick their heads in the sand. They re-evaluate, pivot, and commit to a new path. This virus is unpredictable. We all hoped infection rates would drop as more Vermonters got vaccinated, but clearly that hasn’t happened, and we are overdue for a reassessment of strategy and a course correction. It has to happen now. I look forward to talking with the administration about how to get this done.” ... See MoreSee Less
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Now is the eminent time with cold weather upon us and lock down indoors
Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Thank you, Speaker Krowinski! I'm behind you 100 percent. Vermont led the nation earlier in the pandemic. Now we're setting all the wrong records. It's long past time to get this done.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SPEAKER KROWINSKI CALLS ON GOVERNOR SCOTT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT OF VERMONT’S HIGHEST RECORDED CASE COUNT SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC
Montpelier, Vt. – Speaker Jill Krowinski today issued the following statement:
“The first thing that came to mind when I saw today’s case count of 591 was, ‘Why? Why is more action not being taken to protect Vermonters and keep our communities safe? Why don’t we implement the strategies we know work, like a mask mandate, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19?’ The Governor has stated that he has the tools available to support our communities, but has yet to utilize those tools and has not articulated when the appropriate time is to roll out the mitigation strategies we know work. That time is now. That time was yesterday. That time was a month ago.
“Parents, students, business owners, health care providers, educators, and local officials are exhausted and looking for the Governor and his administration to take steps to support them in their day to day lives. Early on in the pandemic, Vermont was heralded as a leader in our response to the pandemic and the tremendous effort that went into collaborating and finding collaborative solutions to support our families, friends, and neighbors. Our communities are still making sacrifices to support each other, but they need the Governor and his team to take state action to give them some relief. We are not talking about shutting down businesses or implementing travel restrictions. A statewide masking policy, reminding Vermonters of the effective ways that we can protect ourselves and others - like staying home when you are sick, and increasing the availability of testing are all ways we can bend the curve like we did in the beginning. The data presented at the most recent press conference shows that we are on track to have this level of community spread for the next four weeks, and it is unfathomable to me that nothing is being done to address this unprecedented spread of the virus in every county in the state.
Vermonters are absolutely burned out and cannot understand why more is not being done to mitigate the spread in our communities. The Governor has the power and authority to take immediate action, he has before, and I know he can do it again. This is not a political decision; this is a decision that should be made based on following the data and the science. Governor Scott, please take action today to implement a statewide masking policy and utilize other strategies we know will make a difference in protecting Vermonters.” ... See MoreSee Less
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Yeah like mandatory vaccines to travel and must show card for proof.
On top of this, this alarming story from NPR about deer infected with covid! www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/11/10/1054224204/how-sars-cov-2-in-american-deer-could-alt...
Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
Gratitude and thanks today, and every day, for those who serve. ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
I've spent a lot of time this summer and fall serving on this task force, which is taking a hard look at our education finance system. As the article explains, we're figuring out the best way to implement the recommendations in a 2019 peer-reviewed, UVM-led study regarding our "weights," which is how Vermont accounts for the fact that different categories of students — high-school students, English learners, and students living in poverty, for example — cost more to educate. We're also taking a step back to see if there might be a better and even more equitable way to address this fact ... a question that the study authors were not asked to answer. We have a report due to the legislature in December and it'll contain our proposals and ideas. From there, it will be off to the legislature for action in 2022.
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2 years after landmark study, state task force considers overhaul of school funding system - VTDigger
vtdigger.org
A UVM study recommended upgrading Vermont’s “pupil weights” — mathematical tools intended to equalize funding across schools. But lawmakers are considering making bigger changes to the system.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
3 weeks ago
This exciting project has the potential to add 40 units of mixed-income housing right downtown on Depot Street — in the big parking lot behind J.Crew. Town manager John O'Keefe, planning and zoning director Janet Hurley, and other town leaders have been laying the groundwork for a long time, and Seth and I are both now serving on the subcommittee that is developing detailed plans. To learn more, read about it in today's Banner and watch the detailed GNAT interview!
https://benningtonbanner.com/local-news/…
https://gnat-tv.org/the-news-project-housing-plann… ... See MoreSee Less
The News Project – Housing Planned For Parking Lot
gnat-tv.org
A parking area behind three commercial buildings on Depot Street in Manchester could be the site of a 40 unit housing complex designed to address the critical shortage of housing in Manchester.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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This is very exciting!
Sounds like a great project!!!
A great project and opportunity to incorporate "climate action" landscaping, so very important to our ecosystem.
Please! I know that housing for children is important, but there is ALWAYS a shortage of accessible 1 bedroom units. I've been on waiting lists and have been told that when the occupant dies, the next person on the list gets it. A 3-6 month wait became 3+ years!
Can we get part of the housing for Lgbtq people. I want to plan a building for Lgbtq people like Boston, SF, Florida, Philadelphia etc. have done
Thanks Kathleen James. A much needed project!
What happened to the Inn at willow pond project
Kathleen James VT State Representative, Melanie & I would like to talk with you at some point about this proposed development.
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
4 weeks ago
Tough loss to Proctor but props to the Arlington girls soccer team for making it all the way to the state championship game! Congrats on a fantastic season and Go Eagles! 🦅💥🙌🦅💥🙌 ... See MoreSee Less
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Arlington played a great game
Fabulous
Awe I saw the balloons
Kathleen James VT State Representative
4 weeks ago
Questions about COVID vaccines for children? Join Dr. Judy Orton of Green Mountain Pediatrics in Bennington and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for a live FAQ event on November 10 at 6 pm. Register and submit your questions at the link below.
https://vtdigger.org/2021/11/… ... See MoreSee Less
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