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Yesterday my husband and son trekked up Mount Mansfield. I knew that I did not have the stamina nor grit to make what I knew would be an icy climb so stayed home –saddened to miss the experience with them. Thanks to technology I was able to share in the joy my son experienced upon reaching the top – the pure bliss he shared filled my heart. It’s small moments like this that keep me moving forward in these unsettled times. I hope everyone can find their own small moments throughout the holiday season.
As always please reach out to myself or Rep. Dolan on any issues. Rep. Lori Houghton (lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us) or Rep. Karen Dolan (kndolan@leg.state.vt.us). VERMONT HEALTH CONNECT OPEN ENROLLMENT – FINANCIAL HELP AVAILABLE! Have you heard of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021? This new law gives more financial help to people who buy their own health insurance. To get financial help, they must sign up through their state's health insurance marketplace. If you buy direct from a carrier you will need to move to Vermont Health Connect to receive the assistance. The carriers are available to assist with this move. Vermonters in single plans may now qualify for tax credits with incomes up to $105,771 in 2022. Vermonters in family plans may qualify with incomes up to $297,216 in 2022. From November 1 - December 15, 2021, Vermonters can sign up for health and dental insurance that begins January 1, 2022. This year, an extension will also allow Vermonters to sign up between December 16, 2021 - January 15, 2022 for insurance that begins Feb 1, 2022. For more information visit the link below or call 1-855-899-9600 https://portal.healthconnect.vermont.gov/VTHBELand/welcome.action HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AT UVM HEALTH NETWORK The University of Vermont Health Network has developed strong financial assistance policies, providing free and reduced cost care for thousands of patients who are un- and under-insured each year. Recognizing these policies do not cover outpatient prescription drug costs, the Network has come together to launch an additional benefit, the Health Assistance Program, that provides patients who are low- and middle-income prescription medications at no cost, even if they have insurance. Patients can also get assistance with eyeglasses, medical equipment, support in enrolling in state and federal programs, and advocacy and support with obtaining other health care resources. To find out more call 888-739-5183 or visit https://www.uvmhealth.org/health-wellness/health-assistance-program VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD ENCOURAGES BURN PIT REGISTRATION The Vermont National Guard seeks to increase participation in the VA Airborne Hazards and Open Air Burn Pit Registry. Any veteran who qualifies should contact the Vermont National Guard Veteran Outreach Specialist within their respective county by calling 888-607-8773. ‘“Burn-pits” are open air burn sites, most in Southwest Asia, where all manner of trash is incinerated on both large and small military bases,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont adjutant general. “In an effort to increase awareness about the possible risks associated with burn pits, we worked closely with the Vermont Legislature to pass a bill that requires medical providers to educate patients on the risks, as well as to increase participation in the burn pit registry located on the VA website.” Veterans and Service members who have deployed to the Southwest Asia theater of operations on or after August 2, 1990 as well as those who have deployed to Afghanistan or Djibouti after September 2001 qualify to register. LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE/TASK FORCE ON YOUTUBE If you are interested in following any of the off-session legislative committee meetings, you can easily do so through the link below. Remember that because we end the livestream during breaks and start a new one, most meetings have multiple videos to them. These are indicated with a “-01, -02, -03” at the end of the file name. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQXkUCDAVlCkzSdNeipFDkA/playlists Be Well, Lori
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Happy Friday! Hope everyone has been enjoying their fall while staying healthy and safe. I hope these weekly updates from Rep. Dolan and I continue to be helpful. As always please reach out to myself or Rep. Dolan on any issues. Rep. Lori Houghton (lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us) or Rep. Karen Dolan (kndolan@leg.state.vt.us). ESSEX JUNCTION INDEPENDENCE – VOTE NOV 2 We have what I believe is the most important vote of the Village's recent history this fall. This vote asks whether or not to adopt a new charter for the City of Essex Junction. A yes vote will make our municipality independent from the Town of Essex. A no vote will maintain the status quo. For long standing community members you may be asking, why another vote? For new community members you may be asking, what does this mean? You will find answers to your questions at https://www.ourvillageourvoices.org and https://www.essexjunction.org/independence. I encourage everyone to be an informed voter. Ballots have been mailed to all active registered voters and can be returned at the 81 Main St Ballot box or through the mail. Please remember, mail continues to be slow, so I encourage everyone to mail in the next couple days or place in the 81 Main St ballot box to ensure your vote is counted. Polls will also be open November 2nd at the Essex High School. If you need to register to vote you can do so online at https://olvr.vermont.gov/ or at the polling location November 2nd. Rep. Dolan and I express our perspective in this blog post: http://www.lorihoughton.com/legislative-updates/our-perspective-on-upcoming-essex-junction-vote INVITATION FOR VERMONTERS LIVING IN CHITTENDEN CO. Come share your priorities for how to spend record investments that will transform our Green Mountain State. Thursday, November 4, 5:30-6:30 pm via Zoom Thanks to federal stimulus funds, a surge in state revenues, and more potential federal funds on the way, the Vermont Legislature is positioned to make historic investments in Vermont's pandemic recovery, address critical infrastructure needs, support Vermonters' health and well-being, and strengthen Vermont's communities, businesses, environment, and climate. Tell us what's important to you! Pre-register for the Chittenden County session here: https://bit.ly/3nivp1q If you can't make it, complete this online survey to share your input before Nov. 19th: https://bit.ly/3vzvHoi If you'd like to help set up an intentional conversation with a community or group not typically heard in the legislative process, please reach out to cwesley@leg.state.vt.us and ckennedy@leg.state.vt.us VERMONT HEALTH CONNECT OPEN ENROLLMENT – FINANCIAL HELP AVAILABLE! Have you heard of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021? This new law gives more financial help to people who buy their own health insurance. To get financial help, they must sign up through their state's health insurance marketplace. If you buy direct from a carrier you will need to move to Vermont Health Connect to receive the assistance. The carriers are available to assist with this move. Vermonters in single plans may now qualify for tax credits with incomes up to $105,771 in 2022. Vermonters in family plans may qualify with incomes up to $297,216 in 2022. From November 1 - December 15, 2021, Vermonters can sign up for health and dental insurance that begins January 1, 2022. This year, an extension will also allow Vermonters to sign up between December 16, 2021 - January 15, 2022 for insurance that begins Feb 1, 2022. For more information visit the link below or call 1-855-899-9600 https://portal.healthconnect.vermont.gov/VTHBELand/welcome.action MEALS ON WHEELS SEEKING VOLUNTERS Age Well is seeking Meals on Wheels Volunteers for Essex! Meals on Wheels provides so much more than a nutritious meal. The moment you knock on that door, you make a connection. It might be a quick hello or a conversation, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Not just for those receiving the meal, but for you, too. Time commitment is based on your availability--it can vary from one day a week to two days per month (weekdays only). Meals are delivered every weekday morning; a delivery route is typically 2 hours. For more information, please contact the Age Well volunteer team: Email: volunteer@agewellvt.org Phone: 802-662-5249 COMMUNITY HOUSING FORUM – OCTOBER 27TH Join your Essex/Westford State Representatives as we connect with housing leaders to learn about affordable housing initiatives happening at the state and local level. We will explore the gaps and opportunities our communities are facing to create housing that is truly accessible and affordable for all. Bring your thoughts and questions to the forum as we gear up for our next legislative session. We look forward to seeing you there in person or virtually. Registration is now open. Visit this link for more information and please help us spread the word about this upcoming community event: https://tinyurl.com/y86sbc4j Be Well, Lori Ballots are now landing in Village mailboxes and community members are poised to cast a historic vote for Essex Junction. As your state representatives our role is to carry the will of the voters through the legislative process. We are committed to that role and urge residents to use their vote as their voice. We know many are tired of this conversation, but this is not the time to sit out. We all need to vote on and decide this issue once and for all.
Many may remember our expressed disappointment in April with the outcome of the merger vote. After years of collaboration between the Trustees and Selectboard and with a 12 year transition plan leading to equal taxation and representation, regrettably, the merger failed. In April, we urged community members to support and listen to each other while holding our Village values close and supporting the work of our community as we evaluated a move towards a new Village charter as a standalone community. We, as Villagers, are now at an important decision point, probably our most important decision as a community. Over the past 6 months, the Trustees undertook a transparent process with many opportunities for community input as they navigated the creation of a new charter and a transition plan. They worked as closely as possible with the Town of Essex Selectboard to ensure our entire community's concerns were taken into consideration. We are thankful for their work and leadership, as well as, the work of municipal staff and the volunteers from Our Village, Our Voices. Along with our role as your state representatives, we also live, work and play in Essex Junction and have our own opinions on independence. We want to share why we are voting yes to a new charter creating the City of Essex Junction. "Collaboration, community, and connection are core values that I work from each day. I believed in merger and saw the potential our combined community could hold. Unfortunately, the votes didn't support this vision and it's time to establish a new future. The creation of the City of Essex Junction allows the village to take bold steps in a new direction while remaining on a familiar path of municipal governance. We can now build on our solid foundation as a thriving village and become an independent city ready to foster collaboration, community and connection for our own initiatives and neighborhoods." - Karen "As a Trustee I worked tirelessly to bring our communities together. Although I supported the merger with the Town of Essex, I am now firmly behind our path to creating the City of Essex Junction to ensure a vibrant sustainable community. We know how to run a municipality. We've been doing it since 1892, successfully. With a yes vote on November 2nd and passage by the legislature we can once again focus our attention and all our tax dollars on what we want our community to be now and in the future. For me that is focusing on walkability, traffic calming, economic and infrastructure opportunity and the well-being of all our neighbors." Lori Ballots are in the mail to all active registered voters. You can return via mail, drop at the Town Offices at 81 Main Street, or bring to the Essex High School polling location on November 2nd from 7am to 7pm. If you are not registered to vote or did not receive a ballot, you may contact the Town Clerk or register and vote at the Essex High School polling location on November 2nd. We understand that this vote can raise many questions, emotions and thoughts for the future. While we are solidly grounded in our support for this charter change, we understand that lingering questions may remain. Please check out the resources below or feel free to reach out to us with questions. Our Village, Our Voices: https://www.ourvillageourvoices.org/ Essex Junction Municipal Site: https://www.essexjunction.org/ Vermont Secretary of State Voter Registration Information: https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/voters/registration/ Please vote. We are proud to call all of you our neighbors and Essex Junction our home. Rep. Karen Dolan and Rep. Lori Houghton Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asked by many “how are things are going in Montpelier?” Although we are not in session in Montpelier until January, there is still quite a lot going on – not only at a state level but right here in our wonderful Village.
So, this posting will focus on the legislative task forces, joint committees and study groups that are in full force tackling important state issues. Included is information on how you can stay informed. But first I want to remind everyone we have an important Village vote happening this fall. How can you be an informed voter? Keep on reading. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or Rep. Dolan on any issues. Our contact information is: Rep. Lori Houghton (lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us) or Rep. Karen Dolan (kndolan@leg.state.vt.us). ESSEX JUNCTION INDEPENDENCE We have what I believe is the most important vote of the Village’s recent history on November 2nd. This vote asks whether or not to adopt a new charter for the City of Essex Junction. A yes vote will make our municipality independent from the Town of Essex. A no vote will maintain the status quo. For long standing community members you may be asking, why another vote? For new community members you may be asking, what does this mean? You will find answers to your questions at https://www.ourvillageourvoices.org. Our Village, Our Voices (OVOV) is a citizen-led initiative whose purpose is to educate and inform residents about the upcoming independence vote, listen to residents for input into the vision and values Essex Junction should hold, and to get out the vote. Want to ask questions directly of the Trustees? Coffee chats will be held every Saturday through October 16th from 9am to 10:30am at the Brownell Library Pavilion. Bring your favorite local coffee and your questions for a conversation with a Village Trustee and OVOV volunteers. Each week Rep. Dolan or I will provide one of the questions and answers found at https://www.ourvillageourvoices.org. QUESTION: Will independence affect the school district (EWSD)? Would the school district also have to separate? ANSWER: Separation will not affect the school district or school operations, and the school district would not have to separate. Essex Junction schools are part of the Essex Westford School District, which functions as an entirely separate municipal operation from the Essex Junction, Town of Essex, and Town of Westford governments. I encourage everyone to be an informed voter. Ballots will be mailed in early October, or you can vote in person November 2nd at the Essex High School. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES MEETING NOW Healthcare: Task Force on Affordable, Accessible Health Care shall explore opportunities to make health care, including prescription drugs, more affordable for Vermont residents and employers, including identifying potential opportunities to leverage federal flexibility and financing to expand existing public health care programs. Next Meeting September 29th https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2022/368 Education: Task Force on the Implementation of the Pupil Weighting Factors report will recommend to the General Assembly an action plan and proposed legislation to ensure that all public-school students have equitable access to education opportunities. Next Meeting September 13th https://ljfo.vermont.gov/committees-and-studies/task-force-on-the-implementation-of-the-pupil-weighting-factors Vermont State Employees and Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement Systems: This task force will report on the benefits, design, and funding of retirement and retiree health benefits for the Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System and the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement Systems. Next Meeting September 15th https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2022/367 Joint Fiscal Committee: The Joint Fiscal Committee is a Joint Legislative Committee that reviews fiscal issues and is charged with approval of grants, responsibilities to carry out rescissions under 32 V.S.A 704; and oversight and management of the Legislative Fiscal Staff. Next Meeting September 17th https://ljfo.vermont.gov/committees-and-studies/joint-fiscal-committee Joint Legislative Corrections Oversight Committee: Exercises oversight over the Department of Corrections and works with and aids other legislative committees on matters related to corrections policies. Next Meeting: September 14th https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2022/40 These are only a few of the important committees that are meeting over the summer and fall. You can find the full meeting schedule for all committees at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/meetings/2022#leg-committees The heat has broken, kids are back in school, and I for one am happy for both. Rep. Dolan and I will resume our weekly updates (we may miss some here and there) and, as always, welcome hearing from residents. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. Representative Lori Houghton (lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us) or Representative Dolan (kndolan@leg.state.vt.us).
This posting has repeats from previous updates – but all important even to post again. I’ve included information on a new homeowner assistance program and a new Essex Junction independence Q&A. HEALTH INSURANCE ACTION THROUGH OCTOBER 1 Vermonters can now pay less for health insurance purchased through Vermont's health insurance marketplace thanks to the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Whether you are enrolled in insurance through Vermont's health insurance marketplace, Vermont Health Connect, are enrolled directly with an insurance company, or don't currently have insurance, you can learn more at HTTPS://INFO.HEALTHCONNECT.VERMONT.GOV/ARPA or call 1-855-899-9600. Don't assume your income is too high to get help. Income eligibility thresholds are much higher now. People in single plans with incomes up to $94,500 and those in family plans with incomes up to $265,000 may qualify for financial help. Don't assume health insurance is too expensive just because you looked in the past. Individuals with income up to $38,000 per year and couples with income up to nearly $60,000 may qualify for plans with $0 monthly premiums. Is your income higher? Want to see your costs? Visit the Plan Comparison Tool. The law gives extra benefits to people who were eligible for unemployment compensation in 2021. VERMONT EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VERAP) What is VERAP? This program was created to help renters dealing with financial challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For eligible households, the program offers rental and utility assistance to help Vermonters avoid eviction or loss of utility service. ERAP was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021. What does VERAP include? VERAP helps tenant households with paying rent, past-due rent balances (also known as arrears), utility and home energy costs, utility and home energy cost arrears, and other expenses related to housing. Rent expenses include rent, rent arrears. Utilities include separately stated electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash removal and energy costs, such as fuel oil. VERAP will be accepting applications for rental assistance through 12/31/2021 or until the funds are depleted. Find out eligibility requirements, benefits and how to apply at: HTTPS://ERAP.VSHA.ORG VERMONT HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The federal American Rescue Plan Act provides up to $50 million for Vermont to provide relief for homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020. Using these funds, VHFA will launch the Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program this fall to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacement. Although this program is not yet available, you can read more and subscribe to receive email notifications when the program opens at HTTPS://WWW.VHFA.ORG/NEWS/HAP MEDICAL DEBT PROJECT NEEDS YOUR STORIES The Office of Health Care Advocate (HCA), a project of Vermont Legal Aid, assists thousands of Vermonters each year with questions and problems related to health insurance and access to care. Through this work, they have identified medical debt as a major challenge facing many Vermonters. They have launched a story collection project to deepen their understanding of medical debt and how it impacts Vermont families’ health care decisions. Please complete their online survey to share how the cost of health care impacts your life. Participants will be entered into a raffle for $25 VISA gift cards to thank them for their time. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. If you prefer to verbally share your story or if you would like a printed copy of the survey, please call: 1-800-917-7787 ext. 297. The survey can be found at: HTTPS://VTLEGALAID.ORG/HCA-SURVEY ESSEX JUNCTION INDEPENDENCE Our Village, Our Voices is a citizen-led initiative to create a vision for the future of Essex Junction. This group's purpose is to educate and inform residents about the upcoming independence vote, listen to residents for input into the vision and values Essex Junction should hold, and to get out the vote for the upcoming November vote. In our weekly legislative updates, Representative Dolan and I will be posting one of the facts from their website https://www.ourvillageourvoices.org. Have a question about the why, the process or the history? The website has a contact section for asking your questions. QUESTION: When do we vote on separation? Is it in person at the polls or will we vote by mail? Answer: The vote will be Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021, at Essex High School. Along with in person voting, the Trustees voted unanimously at their August 24th meeting to mail ballots to all active registered voters. We will be voting to adopt a new charter for the City of Essex Junction which will make our municipality independent from the Town of Essex. |