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October 3, 2016 Dear friends and neighbors, A few legislative updates and some upcoming candidate events: Act 46 The WCSU elementary school study committee has a website to track materials being considered, agendas and minutes http://wcsu-committee.blogspot.com/ Draft all-payer waiver agreement On Wednesday of last week the Shumlin Administration announced they had reached an agreement with the federal government on a draft all-payer model for delivering healthcare. In the current healthcare system, providers get paid for each service they give. In an all-payer system, doctors will be paid monthly based on the health of the people they treat.
This is not the same as “single-payer” which references the number of entities (one public entity) paying healthcare providers. On Friday the locations for three public forums were announced for this coming week, with Gov. Peter Shumlin, Human Services Secretary Hal Cohen and Al Gobeille, Chairman of the Green Mountain Care Board, to present a draft of the All-Payer Model. The draft proposal is under review and is expected to be amended before it receives the final approval of the Governor, Secretary Cohen, Chairman Gobeille, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) . The hearings are designed to present the plan to the public and those involved in Vermont’s health care system, and to take questions and comments from the audience.
When these dates for public comment were announced on Friday at 2:40 pm, I placed a call to the Governor’s office inquiring about the lack of notice, and also accessibility to Southern Vermonters. If any new dates should be noticed, I will send those out. If recent history has taught us anything it is that we should be thorough and thoughtful about changes to Vermonters healthcare.
Meet with Laura It has been wonderful talking with you as I have been going out door to door during this campaign season, thank you for the time you are taking to tell me your concerns and hear from me about why I want to be re-elected as your state representative.
Questions at recent sessions have ranged from marijuana legalization to community policing, healthcare, school choice and taxes. Next meet up sessions are:Wednesday October 5th in Wardsboro at 7 pm – Wardsboro Town Hall
Wednesday October 12th in Stamford at 7 pm at the Stamford Elementary School gym Candidates Forums
The Deerfield Valley Rotary and the Wardsboro Public Library have arranged two candidate forums where both I and my challenger will appear and answer questions from the audience. This is an important opportunity to ask questions and hear the answers from both candidates. Voters from Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro, Whitingham should feel welcome to attend either or both of these forums.
Support Laura’s re-election
Thank you very much for the financial, volunteer, sign hosting and letters to the editor support to date as I seek re-election to continue representing Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro and Whitingham.
Unfortunately, special interests, political parties and political action committees are once again funding opposition to my campaign. And that is going to increase now with the end of the campaign in sight. I appreciate any level of support my constituents might be able to provide – every $10, $25 or $50 helps a lot! Donating is easy online here:https://laurasibiliavt.com/help-send-lauras-voice-to-montpelier/ Letter’s to the Editor are also a great way to show support and tell other voters why they should re-elect me. Most of our towns read the Deerfield Valley News where support letters go to editor@vermontmedia.com with the exception of Stamford where folks would send support letters to the Berkshire Eagle directed to news@berkshireeagle.com As always, if you need help or assistance don’t hesitate to call me at 384-0233 or email at lhsibilia@gmail.com. Kind regards,
Rep. Laura Sibilia
State Representative
Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro, Whitingham
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place in the Valley. This post includes links to the law, guidance from the AOE, and updates from other parts of Vermont, and so I am posting it again to maintain that link to information for voters, taxpayers and parents. Readers may have recently read in this past weeks Deerfield Valley News that the draft articles of agreement submitted by the WSSU have been sent back for further development. I have been in touch with the Agency of Education, the Vermont School Boards Association and elected and contracted supervisory leadership regarding next steps for the districts. There are significant untapped resources that are still available to provide assistance to the districts as they work to comply with the requirements of Act 46. I am working to help the supervisory union’s districts access them. Please stay involved in these historic and important conversations about the future of education in the valley.
I have been out making my way through the district, and have also scheduled additional times for voters to talk with me in person. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and also tell me about issues or priorities you, your business or your town may have.
I have had to turn campaign contributions away because as your independent state representative I continue to choose not to accept support from special interests, political parties or political action committees.
October 22, 2016 — Saturday 14th Annual Gilfeather Turnip Festival
All Day Live entertainment in Town Hall and outdoors and Gilfeather Turnip Contest SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 9AM Gilfeather Turnip Art show opens at the Library, 170 Main Street, closes at 1 PM 10 AM Festival Opens – Indoor & Outdoor Vendors Booths, Farmers Market
10 AM Turnip Cart Selling Fresh Turnips 10 to 11 AM Coffee & Donut Kiosk 10 AM to Noon Register Turnips for the Turnip Contest 11 AM Cafe & outdoor kiosk open for lunch & soup take-out Noon Deadline to Enter and Judging of Turnip Contest 1 PM Turnip Contest Awards announced in Town Hall |
Vermont State Representative Laura Sibilia 