The 2010 Vermont Legislature is now in session.

Feb. 6, 2010 Update -

With the session having shifted into high gear, alongside setting polcy for the regular workings of the state, the legislature is also faced  now with the extraordinary issue of monitoring the latest events at the Entergy Nuclear plant in Vernon.

Wherever the leak(s) are occurring that are letting radioactive tritium intoour environment, it needs  to be found and repaired ASAP.While we trust repairs can be made to the pipes, I'm not so sure the same can be said of the management team at VY. There is no good  explanation as to why information with unquestioned veracity about a  nuclear  reactor was not forthcoming.

This scenario feels like it's been played out too many times in our  recent past with the kind of corporate duplicity that brought us Enron, Lehman Brothers  and the chemical company scandals  that led to the taxpayer bailout/cleanup known as the Superfund.

The best interests of all Vermonters for the near and long term must be paramount here, and your state legislators  are working to include that in the already jam packed  agenda we are undertaking this session.

Concurrent to the VY events, we are working hard  to maintain the regular  business of the state. The declning state revenues complicate our work and we are challenged to provide the same level of services, with less resources.

We are clear  that we will maintain  our commitment to helping all Vermonters with a  special eye on those who are most vulnerable; the elderly, the disabled  and women and young children placed in poverty by the failure of their children's fathers to shoulder their responsibility.

On the Leg. Report Page is a copy of the letter local legislators are proffering to state and federal  authorities regarding VY.

                                            -mike

Also;

Here are some links for more information of particular interest this session here and in Washington.

Some helpful health care links looking  at national legislation;

Fiscal updates: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/default.htm

Have an idea you feel will help Vermont be a better place?

If you have an idea you'd like considered , feel free to contact me or any of the local legislative delegation.

 It's a long, ardurous and thorough process a bill takes before it can become a law- just the way Vermont's founders designed it to be. Ill considered, frivoulus ideas were not suffered easily by Vermont's founders and the same is still true. To enact a law or change current statute is not something done lightly but with comprehensive vetting process.In 2009 , we passed  74 of the 600 bills  submitted  for consideration.

From agriculture to palliative care, alternative energy to balancing the budget-and yes, Marriage Equality, the 2009 Vermont Legislature has accomplished a long list of how to move Vermont forward.

The end of session report on the work of your "part-time citizen legislature",offers a look back at the 2009 Session.

For details ,visit the 2009 Legislative Reports page.

                        Democracy for the Next Generation

 On 3-18-09, a group of 7th & 8th graders  from Putney Central School visited the statehouse. That night many local residents joined over 1,000 for a hearing on Marriage Equality.

 Where To Find Help?

Vermont 2-1-1 provides all people in Vermont with free access to community resources through information and referral (I&R) . 

This access includes personal assistance by telephone and online through a searchable database of services, including the following:

• Child Care Resource and Referral
• Clothing and Thrift Shops
• Consumer Services
• Crisis Services
• Discrimination Assistance
• Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
• Education—GED Instruction, Computer Classes
• Employment Services
• Food Shelves and Nutrition Programs
• Health Care Services
• Alcohol and Drug Programs
• Housing—Homeless Prevention, Shelter, Tenants’ Rights
• Independent Living Services
• Legal Assistance
• Mental Health Care and Counseling
• Mentoring
• Military, Family and Community Network
• Parenting Programs
• Senior Information & Assistance
• Stop Smoking Programs
• Support Groups
• Transportation
• Utility Assistance
• Youth and Family Services
• Veteran Services
• Volunteering
• Wellness Programs
• And More...

Just dial 2-1-1

Or  visit their website at

www. vermont 211.org