Rep. Sibilia: Fall updates from the trails

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you well as we move deeper into fall in Vermont and the first snowfall. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at Dover Day this coming Saturday. The couple in the photo above is our daughter and her fiancé just after he popped the question this Fall. We are so excited for their future!

As we approach the next legislative biennium, I continue to reflect on the challenges Vermonters are facing and the opportunities we have to take deliberate action for our future. There is significant potential within our communities and state to tackle urgent issues—whether in education, healthcare, property taxes, or climate change. However, I’m concerned about whether our current leadership can foster the collaboration needed to effectively address these complex challenges. I’m also evaluating how I can best contribute to finding solutions, and your input is always welcome!

Following are some important updates and an invitation to a significant community event.

Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital Community Forum
Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital will hold an open Community Forum on Thursday, October 24, at 5 PM at the Townshend Town Hall. This is a important opportunity to hear from Grace Cottage CEO Olivia Sweetnam, who will discuss the recent recommendations from the Green Mountain Care Board’s consulting firm, Oliver Wyman. She will also be available to answer any questions we may have. Refreshments will be served, so please come and engage in this important conversation about our local healthcare services.

Key Legislative Updates
As we approach the next legislative session, I want to ensure you are aware of some pressing issues affecting our communities:

Education and Funding: The Commission on the Future of Public Education is working on solutions to address the challenges our schools face, including potential school closures. Your feedback is essential as we strive for effective solutions.
Healthcare System Reform: Recent healthcare recommendations highlight critical areas targeted for reform by the Green Mountain Care Board. I encourage you to attend the forum above and engage with the healthcare leaders directly. I’m undecided about whether or not these reforms are enough to address the major cost shifts we have seen since pursuing Universal Healthcare as a single aging state.
Electrification Incentives for Diesel Vehicles: The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has opened applications for the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust incentive funding. This funding supports vehicle electrification projects aimed at reducing emissions from diesel-powered vehicles, specifically for 1992-2009 Class 4-8 Local Freight Trucks and Class 4-8 School, Shuttle, or Transit Buses. Applications are open until November 25, 2024, at 4:00 PM EDT. For more details, visit the Request for Applications or the DEC’s website. There’s also a non-obligatory Microsoft Teams meeting on October 17, 2024, at 12:30 PM EDT to discuss the application process. For queries, contact anr.decgms@vermont.gov.

Addressing Disinformation

“disinformation” – information that is intentionally deceptive and spread with malicious motives, and
“misinformation” – information that is outdated or false, but not necessarily spread with the intent to deceive.

As we approach the election season, it’s important that Vermonters are vigilant about disinformation and scams that seek to disrupt our democratic process and exploit voters’. To help you discern fact from fiction, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and Attorney General Charity Clark have collaborated to create a new webpage that highlights common scams and methods of spreading false information, including AI-generated “deepfakes.”

On this resource, you can learn how to avoid being tricked and find reputable sources of information. The webpage is available on the Vermont Secretary of State’s website.

Reflections on Fall and Climate Change
As we take in the beautiful colors of Fall, have you considered how climate change impacts the changing leaves? Environmental stress like drought and heat can affect the colors of fall leaves, but Vermont’s iconic maple trees remain a symbol of resilience and beauty. According to Ella Ruehsen in her article, “The Science of Fall Foliage and Climate Change, Among Vermont’s Maple Trees and Beyond,” these trees adapt to their environment, showcasing stunning colors each year.

Housing Needs Assessment
Here is a link to the recently released Vermont 2025-2029 Statewide Housing Needs Assessment. This important document indicates that Vermont will need an additional 24,000 to 36,000 homes by 2029, as the housing shortage and affordability crisis continue to strain our communities. In order to successfully grow our economy and address the challenges in our healthcare and education systems we need to have an adequate supply of housing. Understanding these needs is vital as we work together to address housing challenges in our region.

Vermont’s August Tax Revenues: A Mixed Bag
Here are some key insights from the September tax revenue report for August 2024. While Vermont’s financial picture shows positive trends, there are weak spots, particularly with the Meals and Rooms Tax.

Both the General Fund and the Education Fund exceeded their cash flow targets, bringing in a combined $242.6 million—about $4.4 million over expectations.
Unfortunately, the Meals and Rooms Tax fell short for the second consecutive month, missing its target by $2.2 million, impacting both the General and Education Funds.
Total General Fund revenues reached $160.8 million, exceeding expectations, while Education Fund revenues were slightly above target at $61.5 million, though the shortfall from the Meals and Rooms Tax and Lottery Receipts offset some gains.

Addressing Regional Governance
Recent flooding events have underscored the need many communities have for additional capacity to adapt and recover to our changing climate. Corey McDonald’s article in VTDigger, Does Vermont need regional government? Flooding brings new urgency to a perennial question, discusses the challenges small towns face when relying on volunteer boards to manage significant projects have become evident. The legislative study committee established under S.159 aims to explore how regional governance could enhance public safety and resource allocation. As we move forward, it is essential that we consider how potential solutions interact with local control and if they have the ability to better support our towns.

There is a lot of this work being explored in and around our district right now. I look forward to hearing from you and working collaboratively with you to strengthen our ability to adapt.

Upcoming Office Hours:

Please note that my Wardsboro office hours scheduled for Thursday, October 17th will be rescheduled. Instead, I will hold virtual office hours on Saturday, October 19th at 10 AM via Zoom. This is a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, or share your thoughts. My next in person Office Hours are on Saturday November 2nd at 11 am at the Dover Free Library.

Latest Op-Eds and Releases from Rep. Sibilia:

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