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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
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