Wishing you good health, peace and loving companions in the new year!

2022 was an eventful year in the legislature and I was honored to represent the Windham/Bennington District and the towns of Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro and Whitingham for an 8th year.

• Last year a coalition of towns (led by long time efforts from the boards and taxpayers in Dover, Wilmington and Whitingham) FINALLY broke through 20 years of ideological roadblocks to correct our education financing mechanism and rectify a long standing injustice for our students and taxpayers 🎉
• The legislature returned to in person work at the statehouse while keeping remote participation and video of the proceedings in place – exponentially increasing citizen access and legislator accountability.
• The first ever Climate Action Plan for Vermont was produced, a result of the Global Warming Solutions Act which I helped lead passage of in the Vermont House. I am so glad we have established our first roadmap for protecting Vermonters and helping all communities adapt to a changing climate.
• In 2022 Vermont’s legislative districts were realigned with the population counts from the 2020 census. This was a largely partisan endeavor that protected the major party incumbents. The efforts that Readsboro, Stamford and Dover put forward successfully prevented the complete disenfranchisement of the voters in Stamford, Readsboro and Searsburg. Removing the legislature from directing the redistricting process after the next census is a top priority for me in the coming years.
• Vermonters spoke just in time, overwhelmingly voting to add reproductive freedom to our constitution shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe.
• Vermont elected our first ever Congresswoman! Windham County’s Becca Balint will be sworn in in Washington D.C. on January 4th!
• In November I was reelected to a fifth term in the Vermont House – the first term representing the new Windham – 2 District and the towns of Dover, Jamaica, Somerset, Stratton and Wardsboro! Thank you!

Looking back on 2022 and the last year representing the Windham/Bennington District in the Vermont House

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I’m excited to be sworn in on January 4th in Montpelier to represent our district in the 2023 session. Three things will be top of mind for me as we start this biennium:

First, that Vermonter’s and Americans want to see elected officials work together to solve problems. Even though the Democrats have a supermajority in both the House and Senate, Vermonters also reelected Republican Phil Scott – I am very hopeful to see continued bipartisanship at work in this session.

Second, we must ensure all Vermonters are able to be connected to a smart (connected to the internet) electric grid in order for all communities to have the ability to adapt to climate change, stronger storms and global energy markets.

Third, many Vermont communities do not have the capacity to access the tremendous amount of federal funding that has been made available through pandemic relief and the Inflation Reduction Act for infrastructure modernization. I am very much looking forward to working with Vermont’s Legislative Rural Caucus, the Scott Administration and many state and regional partners to mobilize as much capacity as we can in as methodical way as we can this session.

Look for regular weekly legislative session updates to begin on Friday afternoons! Happy New Year to you all!

As always, if you have suggestions, concerns or critiques please be in touch so we can schedule time to discuss. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us. Follow my regular posts online at http://www.laurasibiliavt.com

Rep. Laura Sibilia – Dover, Jamaica, Somerset, Stratton, Wardsboro