Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The legislative session has begun and is marked by significant changes in the House. With 50 new members and fewer than 40 who served before 2020, we’ve lost a great deal of institutional knowledge. While rebuilding this memory will take time, it also presents new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

The House now comprises:

• 87 Democrats
• 4 Progressives
• 3 Independents (including me!)
• 56 Republicans

This shift in balance underscores the need for bipartisan cooperation. Nothing will move forward this year without collaboration between the House, Senate, and Administration. I am committed to working towards these partnerships to ensure Vermonters’ needs are prioritized and that we take appropriate action on our most urgent priorities.

Speaker’s Race Results

The Speaker’s race ended in a vote of 111-35. I want to thank all who supported my candidacy, both from around the state and across the political spectrum.

Here’s my reflection on the race:

“This challenge to the partisan power structure in the House was both appropriate and reasonable. I am honored to have received support from around the state and across the political spectrum, and I want to assure my supporters that we are channeling that energy into this biennium.

As members continue to express their appreciation for my courage in taking this stand, I remind them that Vermonters expect all members to be prepared to demonstrate their courage.”

I am already seeing a number of positive changes in the House to start this biennium, including a nonpartisan weekly update to all members from the Speaker’s Office which we received this afternoon.

Committee Assignment: Energy and Digital Infrastructure

I am excited to once again serve on a standalone committee for Energy and Digital Infrastructure. This includes oversight of energy, broadband and IT—critical areas for our state, our communities and economy. I’m happy to be able to put my energy and telecommunications policy experience to work for the House and Vermont.

The Deerfield Valley’s two new reps, Emily Carris-Duncan and Jonathan Cooper, were both placed on the Commerce and Economic Development Committee and Newfane Representative Emily Long has returned to the House Education Committee.

Governor’s Inaugural Speech

The Governor’s inaugural speech focused on education and housing. It also started on an uncharacteristically divisive note – I was surprised to hear the speech contain language pitting different regions of the state against one another.

I also heard good intentions regarding education, and acknowledgement that we need to look at both the governance and finance aspects of the system. The details will come with the budget address in a few weeks on January 22nd.

My experience has been that education policy evokes strong and emotional responses from Vermonters – elected and voters alike. It is my hope that the Governor, Pro Tem and Speaker will work together to promote a shared outcome for our education system and that they will also work together to vocally and visibly reassure Vermonters – and the House and Senate – as we work on needed substantial changes. This is difficult work.

New Senate Developments

The Vermont Senate is undergoing significant leadership changes, with nine of 11 standing committees gaining new chairs and three now led by Republicans following GOP gains in the November elections. Nearly two-thirds of senators are new in the past two years.

Windham County Senators Nader Hashim will chair the Senate Judiciary Committee and sit on Senate Education while Senator Wendy Harrison will chair the Institutions committee and sit on Senate Transportation.

Bennington County Senators Seth Bongartz will chair Senate Education and sit on Senate Natural Resources while Senator Rob Plunkett will serve as Vice Chair of the Institutions Committee and on the Agriculture Committee

Four-Town Housing Report

A collaborative project with four towns—Jamaica, Londonderry, Weston, and Winhall—used state funding and expert assistance to assess regional housing needs and design potential solutions, emphasizing the need for local champions and community capacity to implement projects. The recent Four-Town Housing Study offers important insights and strategies. You can read it here.

Land Use Review Board (LRB) Set

Governor Scott appointed Chair Janet Hurley and members Alex Weinhagen, L. Brooke Dingledine, Kirsten Sultan, and Sarah Hadd to the new Land Use Review Board (LRB). This board replaces the Natural Resources Board and is tasked with administering Act 250, Vermont’s land use and development law.

The LRB’s mission includes transitioning to location-based jurisdiction for Act 250, creating new exemption areas for development, and protecting our natural resources. Their first meeting will be at the end of January, and I’ll be closely watching their work as it impacts housing, development, and our environment. Notably, the entire state, outside of the exemption areas, is now under Act 250 jurisdiction and will need to meet the required criteria.

---

During the 2025 legislative session from January through May I will continue to meet on the 1st Saturday of the month at the Dover Free Library from 11-noon and at your group’s invitation as schedules allow.

Monitor my votes and the bills I am sponsoring at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2026/24023

As always, if you have suggestions, concerns or critiques please be in touch so we can schedule one on one 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