Good evening,

Tomorrow we are expecting to hear a lot more detail on the Governor’s plans to reopen economic activity in the state even as the emergency order will be extended. Yesterday details were provided on reopening of childcare facilitates and retail and drive in establishments. To the left you can get a sense of what is happening across New England.

I am hearing business owners frustrations and impatience to open, understand the broader plan, have more certainty beginning to grow. We are in a time of great uncertainty. Having risked your capital to start a business, employ your neighbors, pay taxes I understand that this time is fraught with risk, loss and emotion. I am aware that employees – essential or otherwise – everyone who works for someone else is also facing risk to their health, their families and their future. As our economy slowly begins to open back up, if you can work, you will be needed. For some types of skilled and unskilled jobs, there are employers who can hire you now.

My encouragement to all is this – trust that the governor Vermonters have repeatedly re-elected, and his administration, are acting within the law and without malice. But the government that you have elected is not infallible. Your job as a citizen who elects the government is to question the government, and help identify how things can be done with greater success or more efficiency. Time and time again I have seen Vermonters with experience and knowledge to share, communicate suggestions effectively and help bring about change. I have done that myself prior to being elected. This is really hard for everyone – we need to keep hanging in there and working together to get through this time. Hope to chat with folks in the am!

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Quarantine Guidance for People Returning to Vermont

If you are returning to Vermont ─ including those who spend winter outside of Vermont, second home owners and college students ─ you are required to self-quarantine for 14 days. If, during your quarantine, you have not had symptoms of COVID-19: On or after Day 7 you can be tested at one of the pop-up testing sites. If your test is negative, you can end your quarantine period, as long as you continue to have no symptoms. Learn more at https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.

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Joint Fiscal Office legislative updates

The Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) was created in 1973. The primary mission of the office is to provide non-partisan financial analyses to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the House Ways & Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House and Senate Transportation Committees, and the Joint Fiscal Committee. The Office also provides additional non-partisan staff support to committees in a variety of fiscal areas including health care, education finance, institutions and general fiscal analysis. Here are a few of ther recent reports posted to their website:

• COVID-19 Revenue Risk to the January 2020 Consensus Forecast as of April 28, 2020
• Education Finance Issues Raised by the COVID-19 Pandemic
• New Boston Fed studies see grim economic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic in New England

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Meal Distribution for Those in Need

Meals will be distributed to those in need throughout the month of May. Food will include FEMA meal boxes, along with produce, chicken, and dairy products.

Site Schedule, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day:

• Fri May 15 – Edward F Knapp State Airport, 1979 Airport Rd, Barre (Berlin)
• Tue May 19 – Bromley Mountain, 3984 VT Route 11, Peru
• Wed May 20 – Middlebury State Airport, 467 Airport Rd, Middlebury
• Thu May 21 – Thetford Academy, 304 Academy Road, Thetford
• Fri May 22 – Morrisville-Stowe State Airport, 2305 Laporte Rd, Morristown
• Tue May 26 – Burlington Area TBD
• Wed May 27 – Brattleboro Area TBD
• Thu May 28 – Franklin County State Airport, 629 Airport Rd, Swanton
• Fri May 29 – Caledonia County State Airport, 2107 Pudding Hill Rd, Lyndonville

Each household will receive:

• 2 gallons of milk
• 1 box of meat (10lbs of grilled chicken filet/strip and 10lbs of breaded chicken tenders/patties)
• 1 box of produce (15-25lbs of assorted seasonal vegetables, mostly local)
• 1 box of Cabot dairy products (4lbs cheddar cheese, 1.5lbs American cheese, 2lbs butter
• 1 box of 10-15 FEMA box meals

Pull up in your car, open your trunk, and the appropriate amount of food will be loaded by members of the Vermont National Guard.

Please be sure there is plenty of space available in your car for the boxes of food. The National Guard requests that you please not bring your pet to ensure their safety while loading MREs into vehicles.

Those who are ill, have been advised to quarantine, or lack transportation can send a friend or relative to pick up meals for them.

There will be further events around the state in the coming weeks.

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• Waitlists filling up at Covid-19 test sites for Vermonters without symptoms
• State: magazine ban constitutional, upholds public safety
• Under Social Distancing, Rural Regions Push For More Broadband

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Will tourists be welcome in Vermont this summer?

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Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, or if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us 

Kind regards, 

Rep. Laura Sibilia 
Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro, Whitingham