Dear friends and neighbors,
As we observe Veterans Day this coming week, I want to recognize those who have served our country and the families who have stood beside them. We are grateful.
The federal government remains shut down in what is now the longest shutdown in U.S. history. For many, this feels like political theater, but the impacts on our neighbors are real. Many federal workers have missed paychecks. Air traffic controllers are working unpaid, and the Thanksgiving holiday could bring the worst day of travel in the history of flight if this shutdown is not resolved soon. Commercial flights are already seeing delays and cancellations mandated by the Trump Administration as staffing strains grow.
Families are also facing uncertainty around food assistance. SNAP benefits were set to lapse during the shutdown. A federal judge ordered full funding, but the Trump administration is trying to block that order. Vermont has stepped in. More than 36,000 households received roughly half of their November 3SquaresVT benefits through state dollars this week, and those funds have been loaded onto EBT cards or direct-deposited. The Legislature and Governor also directed additional 250K in support to the Vermont Foodbank and local food shelves.
This shutdown began over health care. The dispute centers on expiring Affordable Care Act premium subsidies that makes coverage more affordable for people who buy insurance on the marketplace. Open enrollment began November 1 (see more below), and without action on subsidies some households could see sharp increases. I am already hearing from Vermonters in our region whose premiums are rising by hundreds of dollars a month, and some households could see annual costs approach thirty thousand dollars.
As a state legislator, my job is to focus on what we can control here in Vermont and to be clear about the impacts of what we cannot. That means helping Vermonters through this federal shutdown and staying focused on the work here at home: fair and practical implementation of Act 181 and Tier 3 mapping, making sure broadband companies deliver on service and public dollars, continuing steady work on education reform for our students and taxpayers, and working towards more resilient local infrastructure. Below you will find information on health coverage, food access, education engagement opportunities, land-use notices, broadband reporting, and climate resources. This is a time for level heads and steady hands. Stay informed, plan ahead where you can, and show up for your community as you are able.
Medicare Advantage changes for 2026
Most Medicare Advantage plans in Vermont end December 31, 2025. Vermonters losing these plans will return to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) on January 1, 2026, and will need to sign up separately for a Part D plan to keep prescription coverage.
To avoid a gap in coverage, sign up for a Part D plan by December 31. The Special Enrollment Period runs until February 28, but January 1 enrollment requires action before the end of the year.
Only Humana will offer Medicare Advantage plans in five counties, including Windham County. If you get coverage through a current or former employer, check for changes.
If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you qualify for Guaranteed Issue Rights for most Medigap plans (except Plan N). Learn more: https://www.vtlawhelp.org/2026-medicare-advantage-plans
Need help? Office of the Health Care Advocate 1-800-917-7787 or vtlawhelp.org/health
Vermont Health Connect Open Enrollment
Open enrollment runs November 1 to January 15. The cost of health insurance will increase for many Vermonters in 2026. Federal premium help is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts, affecting households above 400 percent of the federal poverty level the most. Learn more: https://www.vtlawhelp.org/vhc-open-enrollment-2026
Need help? Office of the Health Care Advocate 1-800-917-7787 or vtlawhelp.org/health
Community Food Shelves and Help
Thank you to the volunteers who make sure neighbors have support when they need it.
Jamaica-Wardsboro Community Food Pantry
Second and last Wednesday monthly, 6:30-8:00 PM
Vestry Building, Wardsboro
(802) 874-7234
Deerfield Valley Food Pantry — Wilmington
Third Saturday (9-11 AM) and preceding Thursday (1-3 PM)
7 Church Street, Wilmington
(802) 464-0148
Help lines
• SEVCA crisis fuel, utilities, shelter: (800) 464-9951
• 3SquaresVT: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT
• LIHEAP fuel assistance: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/fuel
Share your views on Vermont’s education future
The Commission on the Future of Public Education is holding virtual listening sessions. These conversations will help shape proposals coming to the Legislature in 2026. Your voice matters. Upcoming sessions:
• Monday, November 10, 2-3 PM register here for Zoom link
• Tuesday, November 11, 10-11 AM register here for Zoom link
• Wednesday, November 12, 5-6 PM register here for Zoom link
• Tuesday, November 18, 5-6 PM register here for Zoom link
• Wednesday, November 19, 12-1 PM register here for Zoom link
This is different then the School Redistricting Task Force work which is tasked with bringing the legislature maps to consider in 2026. I provided a major update on that work in my last newsletter.
Community Spotlight: VAAP
The Vermont Asylum Assistance Project provides no- and low-cost legal support for immigrants, trains pro bono attorneys, and protects due process. Their work changes lives, including reuniting families here in Vermont. If you can, support them at vaapvt.org.
VTDigger: As cases surge, the few immigration attorneys in Vermont struggle to keep pace
Telephone and Broadband Service Issues
I continue to hear from residents and Vermonters across rural Vermont who are experiencing outages, long repair wait times, disconnected help lines and sales calls in person after dark with Consolidated/Fidium. These companies get significant public funding, and Vermonters need reliable service and accountability.
This is unacceptable.
If you are having trouble with Consolidated/Fidium service, please report it to all three agencies below (in order) and PLEASE copy me. Each office plays a different role:
- Department of Public Service: Handles consumer complaints and works directly with utilities. Reporting here helps get problems fixed.
- Attorney General Consumer Assistance Program Addresses unfair business practices and consumer rights issues. Report here if you feel you are not being treated fairly or honestly.
- Public Utility Commission Oversees utility regulation and can require changes in service or practices. Public comment here helps shape formal oversight.
Sharing these concerns helps ensure Vermonters get the service we are paying for. Please help elderly or isolated neighbors file these complaints and make these contacts.
Act 250 Expansion in Act 181 and Rural Notice legislation
Tier 2 and Tier 3 mapping and rulemaking under Act 181 continues. These decisions will determine where Act 250 automatically applies and will shape housing, property use, and local tax bases going forward.
• Direct mailed notice to landowners in Tier 2 and Tier 3
• Informed participation before rules take effect
• Continued housing progress in planned growth areas
• Fair property valuation if development rights change
Rural Vermonters and their communities are the caretakers of our land. They expect clear information and a real seat at the table as rules evolve. The Rural Caucus proposal does not roll back Act 181 or weaken Act 250. It ensures Vermonters are informed and involved before location-based rules take effect on their land and roads.
In our region, the Windham Regional Commission is grounding this statewide mapping work in adopted town plans. Please review the maps and attend regional and community discussions: https://www.windhamregional.org/programs/environmental/tier3
Climate and resilience resources
I rely on the Annual Progress Report for Vermont for clear, grounded data on where Vermont stands related to energy and affordability as the global energy transition proceeds. The 2025 report has just been released. More Vermonters are making this shift, and with the right support more families can benefit. Doing nothing costs more.
I’m sharing two charts from the new report: one showing Vermont’s electric rates continue to be among the lowest and most stable in New England because of our regulated system, and another showing where our heating dollars go.
Be sure to check out this article from the Washington Post: Deadly rivers in the sky which explains why we are seeing more intense rain storms.
Office Hours
Wardsboro: Thursday, November 20, 6–7 PM | Wardsboro Library
Dover: Saturday, December 6, 11 AM–12 PM | Dover Free Library
If you need help with state services, please reach out. I do not have staff and I work year-round, so if you do not hear back in a day or two, please follow up or send a text. If you find my work useful and are able to support it, you can do that here.
Thank you for staying engaged and looking out for one another. That is how Vermont gets through hard times and solves problems.
Rep. Laura Sibilia
Windham-2 District (Dover, Jamaica, Somerset, Stratton, Wardsboro)
Email: lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us
Phone: (802) 384-0233
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Vermont State Representative Laura Sibilia 