The 2010 Vermont Legislature has adjourned...

Thanks for the chance to serve you, again !

Check out the Session Updates Page for a Full Report

With the 2010 legislative session ended, legislators headed home to their families and jobs and look back at  hard work in tough times.

Among the headlines is an Energy Bill that opens the door to more hydro-power from Quebec. Since, ENVY does not have legislative approval to continue it’s nuke, this energy is essential…We took another step toward universal health coverage for Vermonters…We also fought the chemical companies and became the 2^nd state to ban the synthetic estrogen, BPA, used in plastics  et al,(despite their claims it was no worse than blueberries!)…and while balancing the huge deficit in the budget ,we maintained our commitment to the  elderly, the disabled,  & our children.

One bill that actually saves lives, is the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. This is a bill Sen. White guided through the Senate and I worked to move through the House. It brings Vermont's law in compliance with other states to make organ donations easier. There are long waiting lists in Vermont (and across the country) for organ/tissue donations. With only 9 organ donations in Vermont in 2009, making donation easier helps.

We did struggle to find the light switch in the dark room of this economy. With most of our culture having to change how they do business because of the recession, state government wasn’t spared. We looked to use the opportunity to effect new strategies to maintain outcomes, with less. For the elderly and disabled, we put in extra ways to follow up, like increased facility inspections and Adult Protective Services. We’ll be watching closely to see what those outcomes are.

While the economic news dominated headlines, we couldn’t forget that Vermonters live here because of the quality of life- and this report highlights many of those concerns. How to address them was not without great conflict with the administration, though. By sessions end, differences were resolved and the legislature and administration came to agreement on the money issues.

The day after the session ended, I came home through the center of Putney. I noticed the historical photos hung on the fence around  the cellar  hole where the General Store was- and will be again. It was reminder that hard times can visit, but we won’t keep a chair for it. The G-Store will rise again from all the many hands working at it-and we will be “re-stored”. Same for Vermont.  Rather than just rail against the dark, Vermonters roll up our sleeves, light a lamp and pass it on. So, thanks for the chance be part of that work. It’s an honor to work on your behalf. As always, if you have questions, comments or suggestions, feel free to contact me. I’m listening.    mike 

                        Democracy for the Next Generation 

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