Good evening,

This past weekend, I attended a Rodel Fellowship | Council on Foreign Relations forum in New York City. The event brought together a diverse group of leaders and policymakers of all political persuasions for discussions on democracy, global security, and digital privacy.

Why would a state legislator from rural Vermont care about foreign policy?

The experience was an opportunity to pause and reflect on the role America’s foreign policy plays in American democracy, and how the effects of global activity and what is happening in American democracy make its way to rural Vermont. A perfect example of this are fuel prices and data security.

It was surreal to be at a bipartisan conference on threats to American democracy when we learned news of the assassination attempt on a former president and major party candidate for President. Political violence is never okay. However, there are reports that support for political violence has jumped in U.S., and that raises real concerns about the health and stability of our government. I am thinking hard about how we can turn down the temperature and how to create opportunities to really listen to one another and start rebuilding connections that have been lost in our communities and families. I’d love to hear from you about this.

This newsletter includes a few important opportunities to weigh in on state healthcare policies and the heath of our hospitals.

A quick reminder about upcoming office hours in July – please come! These are opportunities to ask questions, seek assistance or provide feedback. I am also organizing an event in August related to a number of climate bills with data and regulatory specialists to help answer questions about some of Vermont’s climate policies.

Jamaica Town Office

• Date: Saturday, July 20th
• Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Location: 28 Town Office Road Jamaica, VT 05343

Stratton Town Hall

• Date: Saturday, July 20th
• Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Location: 9 W Jamaica Road, Stratton, VT 05360

Wardsboro Library

• Date: Thursday, July 25th
• Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Location: 170 Main Street, Wardsboro, VT 05355

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Education Property Tax Rates: Detailed information on property tax rates here. You can scroll through to see the change year over year on Homestead and non Homestead as well as changes to the Common Level of Appraisal which is a significant factor in tax rates.

Residents: Maximizing Property Tax Reductions:

• More info from VT Legal Aid on available tax credits, including for renters here.
• Many residents with household incomes of $128,000 or less are overpaying property taxes.
• Beyond the homestead declaration, the income sensitivity program offers significant reductions.
• Key information on the income sensitivity program can be found here.
• Deadline for filing for income sensitivity: October 15 (late fee: $15).
• No additional late fee charged by municipalities in Laura’s legislative district.
• Only 20% of eligible Vermonters take part in the income sensitivity property tax pre-bate.
• Confidentiality of property tax adjustment amounts details.

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Healthcare Affordability

Healthcare access and affordability affects every single Vermonter—regardless of your insurance. Join local community leaders, hospital leaders, legislators, state officials, and your neighbors at your local Healthcare Community Meeting to discuss the options your community has for supporting the future of healthcare in Vermont.

Brattleboro / Brattleboro Memorial Hospital

• Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
• Location: Brooks Memorial Library
• View closed captioning
• RSVP here

Townshend / Grace Cottage Hospital

• Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
• Location: Leland and Gray High School
• View closed captioning
• RSVP here

Bennington / Southwest Vermont Medical Center

• August 1 at 7 p.m.
• Location: Bennington Fire House
• View closed captioning 
• RSVP here

State-wide / All Hospitals

• Monday, August 5, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
• Location: ONLINE/Microsoft Teams
• RSVP here

For a complete schedule of meetings and links to further information, see: 
https://gmcboard.vermont.gov/Act-167-Community-Meetings

The purpose of these meetings is to review the findings of Community Meetings held in Round 1, as outlined in this presentation to the Green Mountain Care Board and hopefully develop specific recommendations. 

In his presentation to the Board, the consultant on this project, Dr. Bruce Hamory, “called for an urgent — if not yet specific — transformation of the state’s hospital and broader health care system” according to an article, Consultant deems Vermont health care system ‘badly broken’ [VT Digger, by Peter D’Auria June 20, 2024].  Dr. Hamory also “called for the creation of ‘alternative sites of care and mobile clinics’ and ‘regional referral centers’ to help patients get care locally.”

Feedback can also be made through GMCB’s public comment form.

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Please watch for additional details on the other bills passed this session and dates for sessions on the Act 250 bill, the education finance structure, and energy transition bills.

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