​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. 

I hope everyone is experiencing some relaxation and fresh air this summer. These FPF updates from Rep. Dolan and I may be off our normal schedule over the next month as we both take some time with our families before school starts backs up and legislative priorities once again become our focus.
​
As always, we welcome hearing from residents so don’t hesitate to reach out. Representative Lori Houghton (lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us) or Representative Dolan (kndolan@leg.state.vt.us).

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:
Vermont State Housing Authority | Emergency Rental Assistance Program (vsha.org)

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://www.vtlegalaid.org/hca-survey

ESSEX JUNCTION INDEPENDENCE
I’m taking a break this week from offering a Q&A from the Our Village, Our Voices website (https://www.ourvillageourvoices.org) to share information about the upcoming Town of Essex public forums. As you read the details below, please remember Village residents are also Town residents and it’s important to have Village voices heard at these public forums.
The Essex Selectboard is hosting three facilitated public forums in August to hear from residents throughout the entire community on how to prepare for the Village of Essex Junction’s upcoming independence vote and subsequent Vermont Legislative decision on the creation of an independent City of Essex Junction.

Wednesday August 4
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Road
Overflow parking at Essex Free Library and Essex Elementary School
 
Friday August 6
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Online only via Microsoft Teams
Meeting link available at www.essexvt.org/publicforums
 
Saturday August 21
9:00 am to 10:30 am
Town Offices, 81 Main Street

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT – Act No. 64 (S.48)
With the session now firmly behind us I will use my bi-weekly update to highlight some of the lesser-known actions taken this past year.

Our state, as most in the country, has a healthcare workforce shortage. The Rural Health Task Force submitted a report to the legislature in January 2020 identifying a need for 5000 nursing related positions in VT. This year we passed Act No. 64 (S.48) an act relating to Vermont’s adoption of the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact. In the simplest terms entering the Compact authorizes Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses/Vocational Nurses to practice in each state that is a party to the Compact without having to obtain a license in each state. 34 states are currently compact members, including NH and ME. A nurse must meet the Compact requirements to obtain a Compact multistate license, including a criminal background check, meeting education and exam requirements, meeting the home state’s qualifications for licensure, and having a valid U.S. social security number.

Entering into the Compact improves Vermonter’s access to care by allowing nurses in NH to provide telehealth services to Vermonters, removing a barrier to those nurses who want to live NH and but work in VT, and it will make recruiting nurses to VT easier by eliminating a licensing barrier.

Act 64 brings Vermont in line with the vast majority of states in licensing nurses and makes Vermont a more attractive home state for nurses. It has the potential to help us keep more of the nurses we graduate from VT nursing schools. 

Each week I hear from residents who have ideas or questions on how to fix a problem, who want to know how to lend a hand to others, and who are just curious about the happenings in Montpelier. I had one of these conversations just this morning. It's these people and conversations that inspire me to dig into our policies and systems to ensure they are really helping Vermonters and that they embrace the values of our community. I welcome hearing from residents on how we can move forward as a community and state. Please feel free to reach out to me (lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us) or Representative Dolan (kndolan@leg.state.vt.us).

HEALTH INSURANCE ACTION
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. You can also join the July 28th Town Hall at noon to learn more. The link to join is on the website provided above.
​
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. Did you or someone in your household get unemployment in 2021? You may get the most help, no matter how much you make.
There's a lot more financial help now. 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. Was someone in your household eligible for regular Unemployment Compensation or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation? Extended Unemployment Compensation or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance? You may qualify for an Enhanced Silver 94 plan. These plans have the lowest out-of-pocket costs. See the Unemployment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.

ESSEX COMMUNITY RESOURCE BROCHURE
Thanks to Essex Chips, the community resource brochure originally created years ago by Bridget Meyer, Liz Subin and myself is still going strong with more resources added this year. The brochure can be found here: http://www.essexchips.org/community-brochure.

If your organization would like printed copies of the brochure to distribute, please send an email to sarah@essexchips.org with how many you'd like. If you know other organizations that could benefit from receiving the brochure, please let me know.
Let's get this resource guide out into the Essex community! Please share!

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 separation 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: Does the Village of Essex Junction government have the expertise and resources to become a city?

Short answer: Yes. The Village has been operating as a full service, self-governing, and self-sustaining municipality since 1893. The only hurdles for becoming a city are (1) voter approval and (2) legislative approval at the state level and its related political challenges (see the question about what happens after we vote on the charter). There are no financial, operational, or technical barriers preventing Essex Junction's transition from village to city.

For a longer answer please visit www.ourvillageourvoices.org. There are also two great events coming up to learn more. Again, check out their website under events for more information.
 

​Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. In our house we celebrated high school graduations and our country’s independence with family and friends. We also talked about our country's continued quest to firmly instill in our culture and our systems that all people are created equal. We have much work to be done and I’m honored that residents in Essex Junction have put their faith in me to help craft and implement policies that embrace this fundamental value in all Vermont’s systems. I welcome hearing from residents on how we can move forward as a community and state.
 
Please feel free to reach out to me (lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us) or Representative Dolan (kndolan@leg.state.vt.us).
 
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 separation 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 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: Other than possible tax savings, what might be some of the other benefits of becoming a city?
 
Answer: The people of Essex Junction will be served by a government focused solely on their needs. All the municipal tax revenues collected from Essex Junction taxpayers will go directly to helping provide and improve most of the services they use and depend on, such as parks and recreation, water and sewer services, public works and street maintenance, community planning, library services, and fire safety.
 
I want to also draw your attention to the blog section on their website. The first article is a timeline of all the various merger and separation votes in our community dating back to 1958. You can also follow the Trustees work at www.essexjunction.org/independence. 
 
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: TELEHEALTH FOCUS - ACT 21
With the session now firmly behind us I will use my bi-weekly update to highlight some of the lesser known actions taken this past year. This featured piece of legislation requires a bit of context. In January 2020 I introduced a bill to expand Vermont’s telehealth policies. As we took testimony that year it was evident that opening up the medical professions that could operate via telehealth and by ensuring that doctor’s receive equal reimbursement for a telehealth visit as an inpatient visit, with the appropriate patient protections, that we could  increase accessibility. Days before the Statehouse shutdown due to COVID-19 the House passed this legislation with a 5 year sunset of the equal reimbursement. We felt it would take that long for doctor’s offices to build the technology and for both doctors and patients to feel comfortable with telehealth visits.
 
This telehealth legislation (House bill 723) became a key component in our COVID emergency legislation (House bill 742) signed by the Governor on March 30, 2020.  As people reached out during the pandemic to share their stories, it became evident that telehealth allowed some people to receive health treatment for the first time, opened more opportunities for youth and adults to receive mental health care and as we moved out of the pandemic ensured transportation and day-care issues were not an impediment to receiving care. Since some of the provisions of the expanded telehealth policies would end with the pandemic, this session I co-sponsored H104 to facilitate the interstate practice of health care professionals using telehealth.
 
The legislation that passed and became Act 21 formed a Telehealth Working Group to compile and evaluate methods for facilitating the interstate practice of health care professionals using telehealth modalities, including through the creation of telehealth licenses, waiver of licensure, national licensure compacts, and regional reciprocity agreements. The working group also must consider the impacts and ethical considerations related to patient care, whether to limit the practice to preexisting patient relationships, the effects of prescribing medications and other issues relevant to the interstate practice of health care professionals. The working group will provide their findings and recommendations by December 15th, 2021.
 
During testimony this session we heard from many Vermonters, particularly related to mental health treatment, how the opening of opportunities for care provided by telehealth during the pandemic needed to be continued. Accessibility is key in our quest to build a better healthcare system.  I look forward to following the working group this summer and digging into the recommendations next session.