Friends and neighbors,
This is a longer update than usual. Please find my thoughts on the weekend’s news, a legislative reflection on 2025 and my thoughts going into the 2026 session as well as a few timely updates.
A moment of concern
What we are watching unfold in Venezuela is extraordinary and deeply alarming. The United States has used military force to capture another country’s president, and the President has openly stated that the U.S. will run Venezuela and take control of its oil infrastructure.
This is not normal and raises serious questions about the rule of law and democratic norms.
This action fits a broader pattern, including attempts to use the National Guard for domestic law enforcement over governors’ objections and the refusal to comply with federal law requiring the release of the Epstein files despite a federal law requiring their release. Together, these actions have weakened constitutional limits on executive power and forced courts and lawmakers to step in.
When the rule of law is ignored and Congress fails to provide meaningful oversight, everyday people pay the price through economic uncertainty and pressure on public services. At the same time, fossil fuel interests and large AI and data harvesting companies that profit from collecting and using personal data continue to be protected by a congressional majority that has chosen loyalty over public accountability.
For Vermont, stability really matters. As a small, rural state, we depend on predictable systems to keep schools open, healthcare accessible, infrastructure functioning, and local economies steady. National and international instability does not stay contained. It eventually reaches our communities.
Many of you have asked me “…what can we do?”
History shows that people still have power when they stay engaged. Voting matters, but so does showing up locally by staying in touch with legislators, attending town and school board meetings, supporting pro democracy candidates, helping with campaigns, volunteering in elections, serving on local boards, and reporting on local government through our community newspapers. Our local papers are actively looking for reporters to cover boards and community events. This work strengthens transparency, keeps neighbors informed, and in some cases provides modest pay for important civic service.
In Vermont, civic participation is essential. Our towns rely on volunteers to run local government, manage schools, and respond to emergencies. Each and every one of us has a role to play right now. When you find a way to help your community and your government, you are helping to hold things together.
Reflections on 2025
Throughout 2025, my public writing and speaking focused on civil liberties, civic engagement, and the importance of process, alongside deep engagement in state policy work. Working with the Rural Caucus, I helped define and secure passage of housing tools like the Community Housing Infrastructure Program because housing depends on infrastructure towns can afford, and rural communities should not shoulder disproportionate costs. Working with the National Guard and Veterans Affairs Caucus, I also helped advance targeted tax relief for families, seniors, and veterans, including exemptions for military retirement and survivor benefits, while consistently pressing for transparency and sustainability in addressing property tax pressures. On climate and energy, I pushed back against disinformation and efforts to roll back existing laws, focusing instead on implementation that reflects affordability, equity, and the real capacity of small towns. On education, I supported taking the first step toward comprehensive reform and overhaul of our public education system.
Across this work, I was consistent about one thing: process matters. Clear notice, fairness, meaningful public input, and accountability are what make policy workable. What gave me hope in 2025 were the Vermonters who stayed engaged, asked hard questions, and continued to participate even when they were frustrated.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Session
The 2026 Legislative Session begins on Tuesday January 6th. As we head into session, I am approaching the work with both urgency and restraint. Vermont faces real challenges, but we cannot solve everything at once or ask communities to absorb unlimited change without support. The values that shaped my work in 2025, civil liberties, civic engagement, fair process, and accountability, will continue to guide my priorities in 2026.
Education and local capacity will be front and center. Across rural regions, including southern Vermont, school districts are grappling with declining enrollment, rising costs, and the prospect of elementary school closures. While these decisions are made locally, they are shaped by a statewide system that often lacks the regional capacity to intervene early or provide meaningful support. In 2026, my focus will be on taking the next steps on Act 73, including governance and shared service approaches that stabilize districts, protect students, and ensures state makes its’ financial decisions transparently.
Housing and land use implementation will continue to demand careful attention. As Act 181 moves from policy to implementation, my focus will remain on clear notice, fair valuation, and predictable process. I plan to introduce legislation, supported by the Rural Caucus and endorsed by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, to strengthen notice, valuation, and process protections so housing tools like the Community Housing Infrastructure Program work as intended for small towns and rural communities.
Climate, energy, and infrastructure work will focus on implementation and system readiness. That includes grid planning, transmission authorization, resilience, and oversight of emerging large loads such as data centers. Vermont needs clear rules and public oversight to manage growth without overwhelming communities or infrastructure.
The Vermont National Guard will also be at an important moment of transition in 2026. Vermont legislators have a unique responsibility, unlike legislators in any other state, to elect the Adjutant General. This year, that responsibility will be especially significant as Vermont prepares for the retirement of highly respected Adjutant General Greg Knight, who has served the state in various capacities for four decades, including the past seven years as Adjutant General. I expect the National Guard and Veterans Affairs Caucus to play a key role in ensuring all legislators understand the law, the process, and the qualifications of the candidates, so this decision is made thoughtfully and with the seriousness it deserves.
Additional legislation I plan to introduce in 2026
Democracy, transparency, and accountability: Closing a lobbying loophole and strengthening consumer protection and competition laws to prioritize public trust.
Workforce and family stability: Expanding access to childcare subsidies for Vermont workers who live out of state and adding a legislator to the AI and Cybersecurity Advisory Councils to improve coordination and preparedness.
Throughout this session, I will keep focusing on clear process, transparency, and making sure people have a real chance to be heard. Vermont is strongest when we stay connected and support and engage our local institutions.
Vermont Public: Cheaper meds and fewer ‘forever chemicals’: New Vermont laws take effect Jan. 1
Upcoming Events
Governor Phil Scott to Deliver 2026 State of the State Address on Wednesday, highlighting priorities he will ask the legislature focus on Wednesday, January 7, at 2:00 p.m. in the House Chamber – Vermont State House.
Act 250 Tier 3 update: State staff and the Land Use Review Board continue to refine the draft Tier 3 mapping and rule under Act 181, with public comments received through December and further discussion by the 25-member Tier 3 Working Group on December 4. A summary and recording of that meeting are available online. The next draft of the Tier 3 rule is expected by the end of January 2026, followed by additional public outreach and education in February, particularly for municipalities and landowners with Tier 3 areas. A more polished draft and formal public hearings are anticipated in May 2026, ahead of Tier 3 jurisdiction taking effect on December 31, 2026. Separately, the new Road Construction Jurisdiction, sometimes called the Road Rule, will require Act 250 permits for certain new roads beginning July 1, 2026, and the Board is developing guidance to clarify how that rule will be applied, with guidance expected in February 2026. More information is available at
Tier 3 Rulemaking and Report | Act 250 (https://act250.vermont.gov/tier-3-rulemaking-and-report) and Road Construction (road rule) Jurisdiction | Act 250 (https://act250.vermont.gov/road-construction-jurisdiction).
For Road Rule questions, reach out to two of my fellow Board members who are working on guidance – Kirsten Sultan,Kirsten.Sultan@vermont.gov, 802-261-1946, or Sarah Hadd,Sarah.Hadd@vermont.gov, 802-480-1886.
Anxiety and Depression event: Please join the Rotary of Deerfield Valley as we look at how Anxiety and Depression can affect your every day life. Ski towns have been found to have higher rates of depression. Sarah Bush, LICSW, and Shannon McAvoy, Captain of Epic Wellness at Mount Snow will present this important topic – please bring your questions! January 12, 2026 at 7 pm at St. Mary’s in the Mountains – 13 East Main St – Wilmington (Snow date = January 13, 2026 at 7 pm) Seating is limited – refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to rotarydfv@gmail.com
I’m continuing to read responses to the survey I shared in December. If you haven’t had a chance yet, your input is still very helpful as I prepare for the 2026 session and I’ll share some of what I learn later this winter.
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 staying in touch!
Rep. Laura Sibilia
Windham-2 District (Dover, Jamaica, Somerset, Stratton, Wardsboro)
Email: lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us
Phone: (802) 384-0233
Hopped over the border to MASS MOCA with my son over the holidays. Hope you each had moments of peace and joy as we approached the new year.
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Vermont State Representative Laura Sibilia 