Week 4 of the Legislative Session

Activity in committees and on the house floor picked up this week.  House bills that passed out included:

• H47 imposes the same tobacco tax of 92% of the wholesale price on other tobacco  products including electronic cigarettes.  This is in response to a large increase in the number of students using e-cigarettes.  In one year high school students usage increased by 78% and 48% by middle school students.  The voice vote passed 134 - 6 and is now on the way to the Senate.  The Governor's referenced this tax in his budget address as well.  
• H3 also passed this week in by voice vote of 140.  This bill is a collaborative approach amongst ethnic and social groups to advise the State Board of Education on the adoption of ethnic and social equity studies standards into statewide education standards.  This is a very important step towards equity studies in our schools
• H97, our budget adjustment bill, passed on a voice vote of 137-0.  One aspect of this bill is the use of one-time revenues to pay off a $22.2m inter fund loan for the State Treasurer's retirement fund.  I will continue to support the use of one-time funds to pay down our underfunded liability.

Also of interest this week was the press conference outlining childcare financial assistance legislation that will be introduced this coming week.  This legislation is a multi year approach to ensure we have a system of high-quality child care that is affordable and accessible for all families.  The core elements include transforming Vermont's child care financial assistance program (CCFAP), sustaining and growing our early care and learning workforce, engaging employers in providing quality child care and establishing an early care and education fund.  I'll provide additional information as this bill progresses through the legislative process. 

Wednesday was Mental Health Advocacy Day and in the health care committee we had various organizations provide testimony on what is happening in our communities.  Mental health will be a continued focus of our committee this year with an emphasis on community based programs.  On Friday we watched the movie "Faces of ACEs". I came away with a new understanding of how the trauma we experience as a youngster effects our adult life.  We must integrate this learning in all health care discussions.

In the health care committee we ended the week hearing testimony from the Individual Mandate Working Group.  In 2018 Act 182 established an individual mandate for Vermont residents to maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage beginning January 1, 2020.  The act created a working group to develop recommendations regarding the administration and enforcement of an individual mandate.  We will continue hearing from the working group on their recommendations to determine how we move forward to ensure the stability of the Vermont health care market.

Public Hearing has been set for Wednesday Feb 6th on H57 an act relating to preserving the right to abortion.  In Vermont we follow Roe vs Wade but that law is not codified in state law.  H57 will codify Roe Vs Wade into state law.  This hearing will take place at the Statehouse from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.  If you wish to provide testimony sign ups will begin at 4:00pm.  We are expecting a large crowd so please arrive early.  

As always, please reach out with questions, comments or concerns.

​Lori