Rep. Sibilia: Crossroads

On By Rep. Laura SibiliaIn Uncategorized

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

September, 2024 – I hope you’ve been able to enjoy these last days of Summer and the beginning days of Fall. We’ve been able to spend time with all of our children, catch some beautiful sunrises and have taken Chewie on some good hikes.

As we move closer to the next legislative biennium, I want to share my reflections on the urgent issues facing our communities and our state. Over the summer and fall, I’ve had extensive conversations with Vermonters about the challenges in education, healthcare, property taxes, and climate change. I’ve also engaged in discussions with my colleagues in the House about how we can make real progress. While the issues in education and healthcare have been developing for some time, they have now reached a point that requires our immediate attention.

These challenges have developed over time due to various policy choices made by current and previous governors and legislatures, and they are being further complicated by demographic change as we get older and have fewer children. As a Vermonter with a lot of experience in problem solving, I’m always optimistic about the potential we have to make meaningful progress; however, I am worried about whether we have the collaborative leadership necessary to bring stakeholders together and work effectively. This collaboration is really important as we head into the next legislative session.

In this newsletter, you’ll find important updates on voting information for the upcoming election, a key healthcare report, and an overview of some of the work underway within Vermont’s education system. I’m committed to finding solutions that balance the needs in our communities and state in a way we can afford. We need to consider significant changes.

I look forward to hearing from you, and working with you on stabilizing and strengthening these critical community systems.

Important Voting Information:

The Vermont General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Key positions up for election include U.S. President, U.S. Senator, and Governor. Thanks to Act 60, all active registered voters will automatically receive their ballots by mid-October.

Registration:

  • You can register to vote at any time, including on Election Day.
  • Register online at Vermont Online Voter Registration, by mail, or in person at your Town or City Clerk’s Office during regular business hours.
  • Important: Online registrations can take a couple of business days to be approved, so register online by the Friday before Election Day. If not, you may need to register in person on Election Day to vote.

Voting Options:

  1. In-Person Voting: Polling places open between 5 AM and 10 AM and close at 7 PM on Election Day. Find your polling place on My Voter Page.
  2. Absentee Voting: Request a ballot on My Voter Page or in person at your town clerk’s office by 5 PM the day before the election. Submit your ballot by mail or drop it in a drop box by 7 PM on Election Day.

Additional Resources:

Renewable Energy Heating Funds Available for Working Lands Businesses

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation has received a $300,000 Wood Innovations Grant from the U.S. Forest Service to support advanced wood heating (AWH) systems for working lands businesses. Applications are open on a rolling basis, with grants reimbursing up to 50% of project costs (max $25,000). AWH systems use renewable wood fuel to reduce energy costs and promote sustainable forest management, aligning with Vermont’s renewable energy goals. For more information, visit the Wood Energy, Small Business Incentives webpage:  Wood Energy, Small Business Incentives webpage.

Summary of Vermont Education Funding and Infrastructure Challenges

Vermont’s education system is facing multiple challenges that require urgent attention. Governor Scott has highlighted the risk of rising property taxes and failed school budgets if we don’t take decisive action. A commission on the future of public education in Vermont is exploring both short- and long-term solutions for the legislature to enact this year. However, I have ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of the governor’s office and the legislative commission in addressing these pressing issues.

Title 16 of Vermont’s education law underscores that the right to public education is integral to our constitutional form of government and essential for the political and civil rights of our citizens. This right is fundamental for the success of Vermont’s children in a rapidly changing society and global marketplace, as well as for the state’s economic and social prosperity. In our district, the West River Education District is considering closing schools in Jamaica and Townshend to consolidate classes at NewBrook Elementary, driven by declining enrollment and budget constraints. This type of consideration is happening across the state. While it showcases the hard work and community involvement in decision-making to right-size and control costs, the overwhelming need for expansive and innovative solutions across a state-funded system—providing constitutionally protected education—requires much more support from the executive branch.

Take North Country Union High in the Northeast Kingdom, which is preparing to educate students in tents due to high PCB levels detected in the school. This situation reflects the disruptive impact of state-mandated testing and remediation. With nearly $6 million already spent on cleanup, the ongoing uncertainty threatens both student safety and learning continuity.

Additionally, since 2021, there has been a troubling increase in public funding for religious schools, particularly following a 2022 Supreme Court decision that broadened access to taxpayer dollars for these institutions. While funding for religious schools has risen dramatically, concerns persist about transparency and fairness, as some schools charge public districts significantly more than their advertised tuition rates. This trend diverts vital resources from our public education system, exacerbating the funding issues we face.

The challenges confronting Vermont’s education system require immediate and collaborative efforts from locals, legislators, and the administration. With rising property taxes and potential school closures on the horizon, it’s imperative that we work together to create solutions that prioritize the needs of our students and the Vermont communities that support them.

Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont

The Commission on the Future of Public Education, established by  H.887, Sect. 1(a), is tasked with studying Vermont’s public education system. Its goal is to ensure that all students have access to quality educational opportunities within an efficient, sustainable, and equitable framework. The Commission will develop a statewide vision for Vermont’s public education system, along with policy recommendations to realize this vision.

For updates and more information, please visit the Commission on the Future of Public Education webpage. Your engagement in this process is vital for shaping the future of education in our state.

Please send public comment to Chair Meagan Roy: Meagan.Roy@partner.vermont.gov or  AOE.FutureofPublicEdVTPublicComment@vermont.gov 

Maximize Your Property Tax Reductions

Many Vermonters are not receiving the full property tax reductions they qualify for, especially those with a combined household income of $128,000 or less. Here’s how to ensure you get the maximum benefit:

Key Steps:

  1. File the Homestead Declaration: This is the first step, but it only provides a partial reduction.
  2. Apply for the Income Sensitivity Program: This program can offer significant additional savings.

Important Information:

  • Program Overview: For details, see the Income Sensitivity Program Fact Sheet.
  • Filing Deadlines:
    • Regular filing deadline: April 15
    • Final deadline: October 15 (the same day property taxes are due). A $15 late fee applies, which is a small price for potential savings.
  • Municipal Late Fees: Towns may charge an additional late fee of up to 3%, but none in my district currently do.

Participation Rates:

  • As of a 2018 study, only 20% of eligible Vermonters utilized the income sensitivity pre-bate, while nearly 70% qualified. View the study here.

Benefits and Confidentiality:

  • The income sensitivity pre-bate is budgeted into the Education Fund, which helps cover these costs. Learn more about the funding process in the study linked above.
  • Confidentiality: Property tax adjustment amounts are confidential. More info can be found here.

Additional Resources:

For comprehensive information on available tax credits, including for renters, visit VT Legal Aid.

Introduction to the Report on Vermont’s Healthcare Transformation

Vermont’s healthcare system is in crisis, facing high costs and declining hospital revenues. A report by Bruce Hamory of Oliver Wyman recommends significant restructuring for four at-risk hospitals, including Grace Cottage, advocating for repurposed inpatient units and the creation of “centers of excellence” for specialty care.

Local hospitals, including Grace Cottage, are engaging with state officials, the report’s author, and legislators on these recommendations. The goal of any reform efforts must be to ensure that any changes support community access and enhance the quality of care, while maintaining a sustainable healthcare system for all Vermonters.

The report highlights three key topics for systemic transformation:

1. Build Infrastructure and Improve Transportation
Enhancing infrastructure, including affordable housing and transportation, is critical for reducing hospital congestion and improving care delivery. Legislative support is needed for developing these infrastructures and reorganizing the Agency of Human Services to better align health and social services.

2. Transition to New Payment Models
Implementing reference-based pricing and moving toward global budgets and capitation models will help stabilize hospital finances. This transition is vital, as most hospitals are currently operating at a loss, with projections indicating that 13 out of 14 hospitals will face deficits by 2028.

3. Shift Care Away from Hospitals
A significant portion of care should move to community-based settings. Establishing regional specialized centers for acute care and expanding primary and mental health services can help divert patients from hospitals, reducing costs and improving access.

Addressing Affordability and Sustainability

Healthcare affordability is a pressing issue, with insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs rising dramatically. By 2040, over 30% of Vermont’s population will be over 65, increasing the demand for complex healthcare services amid a declining working-age demographic.

Enhancing Access and Equity

Access to timely healthcare is hindered by long wait times and barriers faced by rural and low-income populations, including inadequate transportation and housing. Addressing social determinants of health and ensuring culturally competent care is crucial for promoting equity.

Recommended Policy Changes

Vermont legislators should prioritize reforms in 2025 to facilitate an orderly transformation by 2028. Key recommendations include removing barriers to affordable housing, expanding broadband access, and regionalizing specialty care services. Enhanced care coordination for high-utilization populations will further improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.

The report claims that implementing these transformations could yield over $400 million in savings within five years, which can be reinvested into community-based care and social programs, ultimately promoting better health outcomes for all Vermonters.

For further details, visit Vermont Healthcare Report.

More about the data privacy fight happening nationally and Vermont’s recent efforts.

Latest Op-Eds and Releases from Rep. Sibilia:

Upcoming Office Hours:

  • Saturday, October 5th 11-noon at the Dover Free Library

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

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