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The Vermont cold settled in this weekend and weather models are showing a snowstorm (or two) for the week ahead. My son is already hoping for a snow day – a normal hope in an unnormal world. Take care of yourself while shoveling and remember to check on your neighbors.
If you or someone you know needs help during this difficult time, please reach out to Representative Dolan or I and we will do our best to connect you with appropriate services. Contact us at lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us or KNDolan@leg.state.vt.us. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE We continue the hard work of moving Vermont through and out of the health and economic pandemic. We are doing this work through the FY22 budget process, as well as, in committee work addressing systemic issues that were exacerbated with COVID-19. Your House Health Care committee continued hearing testimony this week on health care disparities with testimony from Xusana Davis the State of Vermont’s Executive Director of Racial Equity and Kirsten Murphy the Executive Director from the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council. We also began work on H.210 an act relating to addressing disparities and promoting equity in the health care system – a priority for our committee. I encourage you to read the legislative findings found in H.210 at Bill Status H.210 (vermont.gov) with one guiding our work being “research and experience demonstrate that Vermont residents experience barriers to the equal enjoyment of good health based on race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status.” You can watch all our testimony at Vermont House Committee on Healthcare - YouTube. I hope everyone read the February 5th column in VTDigger by House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President ProTem Becca Balint, responding to hateful acts against women-of-color leaders in our state. There have been a recurring number of BIPOC women stepping down from elected office due to ongoing harassment and racist targeting in their local communities. This must stop! As the Speaker and ProTerm insist “We call on every Vermonter to join us in standing up against prejudice, discrimination and hate-driven conduct” and “commit to having courageous conversations and holding ourselves and our neighbors accountable.” Read the column here: https://vtdigger.org/2021/02/05/krowinski-balint-we-call-on-every-vermonter-to-stand-up-against-prejudice/ SPECIAL HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT Beginning Feb. 16, the State of Vermont will offer a COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period for Vermonters to enroll in a qualified health plan and receive premium and cost-sharing assistance, if eligible. Please apply by CALLING the State’s Customer Support Center at 855-899-9600, M-F, 8 am-4:30 pm, NOT ONLINE. Vermonters declared ineligible in the past are welcome to apply again. More details here: https://dvha.vermont.gov/covid-19 VACCINATIONS UPDATE: Starting 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16, people in Vermont who are age 70 and older will be able to make their appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Going online to healthvermont.gov/myvaccine is the fastest way to make an appointment and provides information on the process. I recommend you visit the site now to create an account to be ready to make the appointment starting Tuesday. If you already have an account because you were tested for COVID-19 through a Health Department site, use the same account to make your appointment. Family members and friends are encouraged to assist their loved ones with the online system as needed. Anyone who is unable to make their appointment online, or who needs to speak with someone in a language other than English can call 855-722-7878. The call center is open Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ESSEX RELATED EVENTS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS TOWN OF ESSEX PUBLIC HEARING ON PLAN OF MERGER and TOWN MEETING The Town of Essex will hold the second of their two public hearings Tuesday Feb. 16 on the proposed Plan of Merger. Town Meeting will occur online this year with an information only meeting Monday March 1st at 7:30pm. In order to keep Vermonters safe, voting on the budget and other articles, including the question of merger, will occur via mailed ballots. In person voting will also be available on Tuesday March 2nd. More details for both meetings can be found on the Town of Essex website: Essexvt.org ESSEX CHIPS ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS CHIPS has ramped up resources to meet the needs of youth in this time of social isolation. Please check out Teen Center activities, a youth mental health series, food bank and TeenLine resources. CHIPS is holding cooking classes, crafts, fitness sessions, STEAM projects, and more-- all free, and with all the materials provided. See the full schedule of activities and sign up here: https://www.essexchips.org CONTACT INFORMATION Please continue wearing masks, washing hands, and practicing physical distancing. Be kind to each other and yourself. Rep. Lori Houghton
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FY21 BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
This week the Vermont House approved a mid-year technical adjustment to keep the state’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget in balance. H.138 passed with strong support and included investments to support the Legislature’s continuing response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Some funding highlights include:
Although the 6 days available to craft the BAA did not allow time for policies to be crafted related to additional economic recovery grants, this work is continuing through the Senate BAA work and in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. We understand the urgency for continued assistance to our businesses, especially those unable to access previous grants. FY22 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS Now the work turns to the FY22 Budget. Each year Vermonters are invited to weigh in on the Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget about the state programs and services they care about. This year those hearings will take place via videoconference on Monday, Feb. 8, from 1-2 pm and 6-7pm. These meetings are hosted by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. To testify, please register in advance (no later than Feb. 5) through the online form: https://legislature.vermont.gov/links/public-hearing-fy22-budget There may be time limits on testimony, depending on the volume of participants—expect a time range of 2–3 minutes. To view the Governor’s FY 2022 recommended state budget: https://finance.vermont.gov/budget/budget-recommendations/operating-budget/fy2022 The public hearings will be available to watch live on YouTube. More information is located here: https://bit.ly/3ozQ4N5 For more information about the format of these events, contact Theresa Utton-Jerman at tutton@leg.state.vt.us or Chrissy Gilhuly at cgilhuly@leg.state.vt.us or call 802-828-2295 or toll-free within Vermont at 1-800-322-5616 (responses to phone calls may be delayed). Written testimony can be submitted electronically to Theresa or Chrissy through e-mail or mailed to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, c/o Joint Fiscal Office, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT, 05633. ESSEX RELATED EVENTS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS TOWN OF ESSEX BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS and TOWN MEETING DAY The Town of Essex will hold two public hearings – Monday Feb. 1 and Tuesday Feb. 16 – on the proposed Town of Essex budget. Remember if you live in the Village of Essex Junction you are also a resident of the Town of Essex and have a voice in this budget. Please visit the Town of Essex website Essexvt.org for the meeting link and more information. Town Meeting will occur online this year with an information only meeting Monday March 1st at 7:30pm. In order to keep Vermonters safe, voting on the budget and other articles, including the question of merger, will occur via mailed ballots. In person voting will also be available on Tuesday March 2nd. More details will be available on the Town of Essex website: Essexvt.org ESSEX DELEGATION COMMUNITY CONVERSATION Your voice is vital to our work in Montpelier. Each month your Essex Delegation hosts online "Community Conversations" to hear your priorities and thoughts as well as provide updates on bills, committees, and more in a spirit of open, respectful dialogue. Our next online conversation is Sunday February 7th at 2pm. A Zoom link will be provided ahead of each virtual event, accessible on Front Porch Forum, and Facebook. Please contact me if you would like the zoom link via email. FREE EWSD WEEKEND MEAL PICK UP EACH FRIDAY Every Friday EWSD will offer free meals for all children 18 and younger. This service will be available from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Essex High School guidance lobby (to the right of the main entrance). Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. More information can be found at: https://www.ewsd.org/Page/294 CONTACT INFORMATION Please continue wearing masks, washing hands and practicing physical distancing. If you or someone you know needs help during this difficult time, please reach out to Representative Dolan or I and we will do our best to connect you with appropriate services. Contact us at lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us or KNDolan@leg.state.vt.us. Please be kind to each other and yourself. Rep. Lori Houghton LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week 2 of the legislative session continued its accelerated pace with the passage of the first piece of legislation through both the House and the Senate. H.48 provides municipalities flexibility when determining how and when to hold Town Meeting and associated votes to protect the health and safety of Vermonters. The legislation is awaiting the Governor’s signature. I am excited to be serving Essex Junction with Representative Karen Dolan this session. As she indicated in last week’s update, she is serving on the House Corrections and Institutions committee and I remain Ranking Member on the House Healthcare committee. Please reach out if we can answer questions or if you have thoughts on policy as we move through this session. This past week the House Healthcare committee held two joint sessions with the House Human Services committee and the Senate Health & Welfare committee. These joint sessions were extremely productive last year has we worked through the necessary pandemic emergency legislation and I’m grateful we are continuing with these effective meetings. On Wednesday we received an update on the pandemic and vaccinations from Commission Mark Levine of the VT Department of Health. Dr. Levine indicated that we are “completely at the mercy of the federal government.” when it comes to receiving vaccines. We have been receiving only 8,000-9,000 vaccines per week, largely due to delays in distribution (not manufacturing). With the current limited supply of doses, the State has adopted a strategy of focusing on older Vermonters, one of the larger demographics for whom COVID-19 is most deadly. At this rate, with approximately 125,000 Vermonters over the age of 65, we are still many months from completing this next phase of vaccine distribution. On Wednesday staff from the Agency of Human Services and other community organizations provided updates on the distribution of the 2020 COVID relief funds. I’ve linked both sessions below: Testimony Commission of Health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYX-A-ZpbzI&t=1665s Testimony Agency of Human Services: Joint Meeting with Senate Health and Welfare, House Health Care, House Human Services 01-14-2021-01 - YouTube VACCINATION UPDATE Vermonters age 75 + will be able to register for vaccines starting on January 25 through an online registration tool. Although there will also be a call center, Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith is urging people to use the forthcoming online system. During the Governor’s press conference Friday he urged family or friends to help older Vermonters with accessing the online registration tool. Stay updated on vaccine distribution through the VT Dept of Health website at www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine COMMUNITY SUPPORTS FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT on Saturday, January 23 at 12:00 noon in the Champlain Elementary parking lot (800 Pine Street, Burlington). Anyone in need is welcome and encouraged to come. Reusable bags will be filled with a gallon of cool milk, eggs, staples including beans, tuna, pasta, local Vermont bread, tasty treats, fresh produce, and other items. Additionally, each food package includes a GIFT CARD to a local supermarket provided by local sponsors. Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers and generous supporters, including Great Harvest, Full Moon Farm, City Market, Market 32, Cheese & Wine Traders, and the City of Burlington! FREE EWSD WEEKEND MEAL PICK UP EACH FRIDAY Every Friday EWSD will offer free meals for all children 18. This service will be available from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Essex High School guidance lobby (to the right of the main entrance). Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Copy and paste this link for more details https://www.ewsd.org/Page/294 CONTACT INFORMATION Please continue wearing masks, washing hands and practicing physical distancing. If you or someone you know needs help during this difficult time, please reach out to Representative Dolan or I and we will do our best to connect you with appropriate services. Contact us at lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us or KNDolan@leg.state.vt.us. Please be kind to each other and yourself. Rep. Lori Houghton The House adjourned Friday evening after an extended session trying to manage the fallout of COVID-19. This has been an extremely challenging time for Vermonters, and I know many Essex residents have faced hardships. Over the past several months the House moved nearly $1 billion worth of federal aid to Vermont communities and organizations. Unfortunately federal rules prohibited many of the direct to Vermont consumer programs we attempted to fund. Below is a sample list of organizations and programs that will receive this needed funding:
Our healthcare and economic emergencies are not the only emergencies we must address. Vermonters care deeply about justice and equality, and in this time of national outcry for racial justice I am hearing this loudly and clearly from Vermonters. To dismantle systemic racism and centuries of oppression, we must work both individually to educate ourselves and collectively to transform institutions - every Vermonter has an important role in this. Likewise in the Legislature, addressing systemic racism falls within the jurisdiction of every single committee in this body, and we are eyeing our past, present and future policymaking using this expansive lens. Friday we passed S219 - addressing racial bias and excessive use of force by law enforcement. This one single bill will never be a cure-all for systemic racism, but it is the first of many steps that must be taken methodically and continually. Although the legislative body has recessed until August 25th, our work is not done. I will continue working this summer to ensure our neighbors, businesses, and workers have the resources they need. Do not hesitate to contact either of me. I’m available at Houghton.lori@gmail.com or 802-373-0599. Be well. Lori As I’m sure readers have heard, the Governor announced new guidance for indoor dining and an easing of travel restrictions to some parts of New England - both to begin June 8th. He also announced the resumption of driver’s license tests and learner’s permits as DMV begins opening limited services.
We must remember that Coronavirus still exists and continuing to take simple precautions will maintain our progress in staying healthy – make wearing a cloth face mask a habit when you leave your home, wash your hands often and continue physical distancing. It’s great to see everyone outside enjoying this wonderful weather while being vigilant against the disease. I enjoyed walking through the senior portraits at the Five Corners. It was inspiring to see the faces of those who’ve worked so hard to graduate to now be moving on to their next adventure. Congratulations EWSD Seniors! Legislation Update It has been a busy few weeks on the virtual house floor. The House passed legislation that keeps our buildings operating, our infrastructure moving forward and gave preliminary passage to a 1st quarter 2021 fiscal year budget (final vote is Tuesday). H961 is a steady anchor budget for Vermonters, containing specific appropriations and levels of spending authority designed to maintain the basic functions of government while making no change to established or statutorily mandated programs and policies. Those important decisions will be completed with the full fiscal year budget process in August and September after the establishment of new official State revenue forecasts. H961 contains three backstops in the event of unforeseen spending needs: the ability for funds to be moved around within a department as well as the option to present the need to the Emergency Board or the Joint Fiscal Committee. The bill also funds our debt service and retirement obligations. H961 appropriates $47.3 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund in several areas including UVM and the Vermont State Colleges, VSAC, different components of the judicial system, Working Lands, and State Parks, as examples. Emergency Medical Ambulance services are also allocated additional funding. The vote was 142-5 and the full bill can be found here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/Docs/BILLS/H-0961/H-0961%20As%20Introduced.pdf Upcoming on the virtual house floor is Vote by Mail legislation that will allow for a ballot to be mailed to every voter. Not knowing what will happen with Coronavirus between now and election time, we need to take responsible action to address the health and safety of voters as well as those staffing our polling places. Unfortunately due to contracts with vendors, procurement of supplies, training of staff and voter education, we must make the decision now to have a safe system in place for November. Essex had a successful vote by mail experience, let your representatives know you want the same for the general election. Legislative Committee Work All committees are now in the process of determining the allocation of Coronavirus Relief Funds with final policy proposals due mid-week. My committee, healthcare, is starting from a place of deep appreciation for our healthcare workers and system. These dedicated workers stood up our healthcare response system and saved lives. Thank you! |