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April in Vermont is a time of transition - flowers are starting to pop and the sun peeks out every so often - yet the rain, snow and chilly air persist. I keep my eyes focused on the not too distant future when the landscape will burst into that impossibly bright green color that Vermonters cherish.
April is also a transition in the Statehouse as our time is more fully in our committees after long crossover floor sessions. You can track our activity at https://legislature.vermont.gov/. We archive all sessions on YouTube which can also be found by following the link above. Please reach out to me ([email protected]) or Representative Dolan ([email protected]) at any time. We are always happy to answer questions and share perspectives. Your engagement helps ensure we are informed about what is important to you. YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES Please join your Essex House delegation during the legislative session for "Community Conversations," a monthly forum for updates on bills, committees, caucus activities and more. We welcome your concerns, questions and a spirit of open, respectful dialogue. Thanks to all who joined us on Zoom yesterday! Our next conversation is Saturday May 10, 11-12:30 at The Nest. EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION REFORM BILL On Friday the House passed H.454 an act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems on a tripartisan vote of 87-55. The Essex and Essex Junction House Delegation stands in strong support of H.454, a bold and forward-thinking blueprint to modernize and strengthen Vermont’s public education system. We believe this legislation is a major step toward building a more equitable and student-centered public education system and a more stable, resilient financing system. Vermont’s current education structure is showing signs of strain. Declining enrollment, rising costs, aging facilities, and financial complexity all signal the need for a careful but bold transformation. H.454 provides that path—one that is intentional, incremental, and guided by deep public engagement. We are particularly encouraged by several key provisions:
Essex and Essex Junction community members—like those across Vermont—deserve a public education system that is equitable, modern, and sustainably funded where all students have the chance to learn, grow and explore their interests. H.454 takes significant steps in that direction. We appreciate the thoughtful and intentional approach the House took to develop this comprehensive bill, and we look forward to working with our colleagues, stakeholders, and communities to continue moving H.454 through the legislative process to create an education system that sustainably and predictably elevates Vermont’s education system. H.454 now moves to the Senate. Please continue to reach out to us with your thoughts and questions. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community. Rep. Lori Houghton
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It wouldn’t be March in Vermont without a messy snowstorm. It was a bit of a messy week in Montpelier as we spent most of our time on the house floor. You can track our activity at https://legislature.vermont.gov/. We archive all sessions on YouTube which can also be found by following the link above.
Please reach out to me ([email protected]) or Representative Dolan ([email protected]) at any time. We are always happy to answer questions and share perspectives. Your engagement helps ensure we are informed about what is important to you. YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES Please join your Essex House delegation during the legislative session for "Community Conversations," a monthly forum for updates on bills, committees, caucus activities and more. We welcome your concerns, questions and a spirit of open, respectful dialogue. SAVE THE DATES: SAT APR 12 9-10:30 VIRTUAL SAT MAY 10, 11-12:30 THE NEST GOVERNOR SCOTT’S EXECUTIVE ORDER The Governor’s Executive Order issued Friday afternoon will extend the hotel/motel program for families with children and people with acute medical needs. As of March 24, 1439 households are housed. This executive order will allow approximately 424 households to stay until June 30th. Another approximately 700 households have some of their 80 days of benefit left. What do all these numbers mean - approximately 315 households will be unhoused starting April 1st with another 700 households exiting over the days and weeks to come. These numbers are people - pregnant women not in their 3rd trimester, those fleeing domestic violence, veterans. This program had been scaled back significantly to house only our most vulnerable, now we are putting many of them on the streets when the administration has the $1.8m to keep them housed through June 30th. This action isn’t just morally wrong but also financially irresponsible. Our unhoused Vermonters will seek shelter and care in emergency rooms driving up hospital costs and local municipalities will be burdened with additional costs - the human consequences will be visible on the streets of Vermont. We agree with the Governor that the hotel/motel program is not a long-term solution. Our House Human Services Committee this week passed out a bill that begins the shift from motels to a community-based, service-supported housing model—a long-term solution that will truly help Vermonters get back on their feet. Until then we should make the morally right and fiscally sound decision to keep people housed. I’ve linked below several documents if anyone is interested in reading more. https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/EO%2003-25%20General%20Assistance%20Emergency%20Housing.pdf https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z8KLYhIt53pk_JXN71BT1NJCuRLYKvme/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100151631503998736683&rtpof=true&sd=true https://vtdigger.org/2025/03/26/rep-doug-bishop-passage-of-the-budget-adjustment-act-is-fiscally-sound-and-morally-right/ https://dcf.vermont.gov/Addressing-and-Preventing-Unsheltered-Homelessness BUDGET AND HOUSING The House passed the FY26 budget with a vote of 104-38. This year’s budget reflects hard work and compromise that centers some of Vermonter’s most critical needs including investing $26m in primary care providers, preserving universal school meals, transferring $77m to the education fund to reduce property taxes, and investing over $60m to develop affordable, middle income and recovery housing. A budget overview is linked below. https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Uploads/GENERAL-381955-v1-FY_2026_Budget_Highlights_-_House_Appropriations_Committee-3.pdf The House passed H.479 a housing bill with bipartisan support on a voice vote. We have a housing emergency in the state—there’s not enough and what’s available is beyond the reach of most Vermonters. This absence of affordable housing makes it hard for companies, schools, and local governments to find new employees. It contributes to our homeless problem. New young people and families cannot come into the state for lack of housing, exacerbating the cost of our health insurance and school financing problems. The House omnibus housing bill addresses these issues. The legislation makes it easier to permit housing and more difficult to use appeals to delay housing projects. The bill makes it easier to finance housing and related infrastructure, and adds to programs that train carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other members of the building trades. The bill provides funding to assist first-time and first-generation homebuyers and contains funding to develop housing that lower income and middle-income Vermonters can afford to rent and buy. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community. Rep. Lori Houghton Thanks to all who turned out for our community conversation this weekend. The next conversation is Sunday March 16th at 3pm at the Westford Common Hall.
Please reach out to me ([email protected]) or Representative Dolan ([email protected]) at any time. We are always happy to answer questions and share perspectives. Your engagement helps ensure we are informed about what is important to you. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON FY26 BUDGET The House and Senate Committees on Appropriations will hold a joint public hearing on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via in person or videoconference. Anyone interested in testifying should sign up in advance of the hearing through the following online form: https://legislature.vermont.gov/links/joint-public-hearings-on-the-fy26-budget Instructions on how to access and participate in the hearing will be sent once you have signed up for the hearing. The hearing will be available to watch live on YouTube at the following link: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-appropriations EDUCATION TAX WORKSHOP Your House Ways and Means committee is holding four educational tax workshops for legislative members. All are streamed live and available for the public to watch. The first workshop was February 7th about the Principles of a High Quality Tax System. February 14th was on Education Finance. Both can be watched via the Ways and Means YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1akzzVH35AlFalPl5LmYfQ/featured The presentations can also be found on their webpage under the Additional Information section: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2026/21 The remaining two workshops will be February 21st and 28th with viewing at the same YouTube channel. EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION - AGENCY OF EDUCATION CONTACT We have been working with the Agency of Education to make sure that Vermonters have a place to provide feedback, questions, and comments on the Governor’s proposed education transformation plan. Please feel free to email [email protected] with your thoughts. We want to make sure we hear your voices as we undertake this work. EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION UPDATE The Administration is slowly rolling out the details of their education transformation plan. While we wait for the policy details, the Education Committee is working on governance reform, school construction, and the drivers of cost in the education fund. The Ways and Means Committee is diving into tax credit and appraisal policy. Additionally, the Health Care Committee is working on insurance costs, the Transportation Committee on bussing, and the Commerce Committee is working on Career and Technical Education. YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES Please join your Essex House delegation during the legislative session for "Community Conversations," a monthly forum for updates on bills, committees, caucus activities and more. We welcome your concerns, questions and a spirit of open, respectful dialogue. SAVE-THE-DATES SUN MAR 16, 3-4:30 WESTFORD COMMON HALL SAT APR 12 9-10:30 VIRTUAL SAT MAY 10, 11-12:30 THE NEST Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community. Rep. Lori Houghton While I love the snow, I am anxiously awaiting Punxsutawney Phil’s day to know when spring will be here! It is an honor to continue to represent the City of Essex Junction along with Representative Dolan. Please reach out to me ([email protected]) or Representative Dolan ([email protected]) at any time. We are always happy to answer questions and share perspectives. Your engagement helps ensure we are informed about what is important to you.
GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL On Tuesday the Governor presented his FY2026 budget proposal. Below are links to his address to the General Assembly and his budget language. Now that we have the administration’s proposal, the House is responsible for generating the budget to be voted on to pass to the Senate. The House policy committees review the Administration's proposal as well as proposals that come in from advocates and other organizations to determine the policies and funding we should be moving forward. All committees make recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee who then prioritizes the final budget proposal that will be voted on normally in mid-March to pass to the Senate for their work to begin. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Appropriations/FY%202026%20Budget/1.%20Governor's%20Recommended%20Budget%20Documents/W~Adam%20Greshin~FY26%20Budget%20Summary~1-28-2025.pdf https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Appropriations/FY%202026%20Budget/1.%20Governor's%20Recommended%20Budget%20Documents/W~Adam%20Greshin~FY26%20Budget%20Language~1-28-2025.pdf GOVERNOR’S EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION PROPOSAL As Rep. Dolan provided in last week’s update, the Governor presented his education transformation proposal to the legislature. His high level overview (links below) included broad education governance and quality changes and the recommendation to move from our current financial structure to a foundation formula. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=586SIn2JPg4 https://drive.google.com/.../1srAdDzWjgDulJ5J1Vvl.../view... Friday the Secretary of the Agency of Education presented more details on the proposed foundation formula. The proposed foundation formula, that would be established by the state, includes a base amount per student with weights based on student need. Information on the proposal can be found here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Ways%20and%20Means/Education%20Finance/W~Zoie%20Saunders~Education%20Transformation%20Proposal%20-%20%20Foundation%20Formula%20Explained~1-31-2025.pdf https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Ways%20and%20Means/Education%20Finance/W~Zoie%20Saunders~Education%20Transformation%20-%20Funding%20Presentation~1-31-2025.pdf The Governor’s Education Transformation Proposal is a multi-year plan outlined as: 2025-26 School Year: Stabilize the system & support early transition planning 2026-27 School Year: Transition to new funding formula and provide on-the-ground support 2027-28 School Year: Fully move to new funding and governance system 2028-2029 and Out Years: Rescale school portfolio to achieve quality and financial indicators The Legislative committees of jurisdiction, including House Education and House Ways & Means, are doing their work diving into the details (that they have), hearing from national and local experts to determine the policy changes that will protect our public education by ensuring a high-quality education for all students through a sustainable funding system. Much more to come in our weekly updates. HOUSE HEALTHCARE UPDATES Your House healthcare committee has been hearing from the many Vermont agencies and organizations that provide care to Vermonters and regulate our health care system. We have so many amazing organizations helping Vermonters, including SASH (Support and Services at Home), Blueprint, and all our hospital and community support providers. Yet we all know our health care costs are increasing at an unsustainable rate. The healthcare committee will continue the important oversight of the Agency of Human Services, the Green Mountain Care Board and other entities to ensure they are focused on short, medium and long term system transformation goals to ensure Vermonters receive the care they need, when they need it, where they need it and at a price they can afford. YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES Please join your Essex House delegation during the legislative session for "Community Conversations," a monthly forum for updates on bills, committees, caucus activities and more. The next one is being held on Saturday, February 15th at 9am. We welcome your concerns, questions and a spirit of open, respectful dialogue. SAVE-THE-DATES SAT FEB 15, 9-10:30 THE NEST SUN MAR 16, 3-4:30 WESTFORD COMMON HALL SAT APR 12 9-10:30 VIRTUAL SAT MAY 10, 11-12:30 THE NEST Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community. Rep. Lori Houghton  It’s been a chaotic couple weeks and that is the Trump administration’s goal. Chaos is expected to weaken our resolve and while I know it’s causing deep stress for people - we want you to know we are working together to ensure we’ve got Vermonters backs and we will work together on creative policy solutions for anything this administration throws our way. Myself and my colleagues want to remind Vermonters that we will hold strong on our shared values, including the value that a person’s medical decisions are between that person and their provider, not with the government. That our youth should have the opportunity to be their authentic selves and that population health policies help all Vermonters. When we lift up one community, we are lifting up all communities. These executive orders represent an all-out assault on our state’s values. The executive order aimed at prohibiting gender-affirming care for transgender minors across the country is an unprecedented overreach in executive power in its attempt to shape medical policy, sparking widespread concern and alarm among medical professionals. Shutting down federal funding, even for just a day, causes unnecessary chaos amongst the vital nonprofits helping our most vulnerable communities. Remember, these EO have to be lawful - and organizations all over the country and in Vermont are watching and acting. We all know health care and health insurance systems are in a fragile state here in Vermont and across the country. We also know the Trump administration’s project 2025 plan calls for slashing many of the programs that help Vermonters–programs like Medicaid, health care for seniors, reproductive and gender affirming health care, research, and so much more. With help from our colleagues in the Senate, Treasurer Pieciak and other statewide officers, and our federal delegation, we want all Vermonters, especially our LGBTQ+ youth, to know that we will do everything we can to protect Vermonters' access to the care they need and deserve and protect our health care providers providing that care. It’s at times like this that I’m proud to live in Vermont. We will rally around our neighbors, and I encourage people to connect and stay connected to their community. To our LGBTQ+ community and all communities impacted by these decisions - no executive order will ever invalidate you as individuals - you are loved and valued. |
