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2019 survey on the #Vermont Legislative session for the Deerfield Valley

On By laurasibiliavtIn Act 46, Climate, Data/Privacy, Economic Development, Education, Election, healthcare, Marijuana, Minimum Wage/Paid Leave, Surveys, Taxes, telecommunications, VotingLeave a comment

This year I’m collaborating with fellow Deerfield Valley legislator Rep. John Gannon on a brief 16 question survey which is designed for you to weigh in on what areas you’d most like the legislature to spend their time on. There are a few additional questions about issues that could emerge during the 2018 Vermont political discussion. We are hoping you will consider giving some brief input prior to the the legislative session which begins January 9th and will likely go through early May.

This survey is intended for our constituents in Dover, Halifax, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro, Whitingham, and Wilmington but our weekend residents and neighbors are free to weigh in.  The only required questions are name and town of residence. The survey should take you about 5 minutes to complete if you choose to answer all of the remaining questions.

Take the survey

A reminder about the Consolidated Communications hearing in Readsboro Monday November 26th:  After a significant increase in repair and new service complaints this summer, the Department of Public Service petitioned the Public Utility Commission for an  investigation to be conducted. There will be two hearings statewide – one in Readsboro at the school on November 26th starting at 6:30 and another in St Albans at BF Academy on December 6th at 6:30. Please share this information with your neighbors and ask them to attend or file comments with the PUC on case #18-3231 if they have experienced a service quality or new installation issue. It seems likely that Vermont’s policymakers are not aware of the extent of the service quality issues, or the results of the billions of dollars of deferred maintenance. While we all want to see more internet and cellular service, unreliable land line phone service in areas without cell or internet poses significant dangers for vulnerable populations and public safety.

Please stay in touch with issues of concern,

Rep. Laura Sibilia

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Rep. Sibilia: Voting, PUC hearings on Consolidated Communications

On By laurasibiliavtIn Act 250, Act 46, Climate, Data/Privacy, Economic Development, Education, Election, energy, Events, Gig Economy, Gun legislation, healthcare, telecommunications, VotingLeave a comment
Good evening/morning,
Election day is Tuesday, November 6th. You must be registered to vote in the town you currently reside in. In Vermont you can register the day of the election. Information on Vermont’s voting laws is available on the Secretary of State’s website.
This year, we have contested elections for U.S. Senator, U.S. Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor and State Senate. I am running uncontested for re-election to represent you in the House of Representatives and ask for your vote. You may write in a name for any office. Just about every election in Vermont we are reminded that the individuals vote counts a lot. Many races have been won with one or two votes and a number of statewide elections have not resulted in a candidate receiving a majority of the votes and required the legislature to choose the winner. Please vote!
Dover Town Hall                              7:00 AM
Readsboro Central School            10:00 AM
Searsburg Town Clerks Office     10:00 AM
Stamford Elementary School          8:00 AM
Wardsboro Town Office                  9:00 AM
Whitingham Municipal Center     10:00 AM
All polls close at 7:00 PM
Results will be posted as they come in at the Secretary of State’s elections results web page.
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Consolidated Communications hearings
 
Southern Vermont: READSBORO November 26th 
Northern Vermont: SAINT ALBANS December 6th
Time and locations TBD 
 
The Vermont Department of Public Service has petitioned the Vermont Public Utilities commission for an investigation into the service quality provided by Consolidated Communications, Inc. In seeking the investigation, the Department noted that the number of consumer complaints received from Consolidated customers related to service outages between July and September of 2018 has increased by 2,760% over the same period in the previous year and that the number of complaints related to installation delays between July and September of 2018 has increased 500% over the same period in 2017. The Department has been conducting an informal inquiry into the complaints and Consolidated is cooperating with the inquiry.
Please share: I personally have received multiple reports of elderly, handicapped or geographically isolated customers safety having been compromised by service quality issues (5 and 10 day repair times for instance). It is important for state regulators to understand the magnitude of the service quality challenges. If you have experienced poor quality telephone service, lengthy repair or installation times please consider testifying in person or you can provide testimony online at the Vermont Public Utility Commission Online Portal for case #18-3231-PET
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Act 46 news 
The State Board of Education has recently accepted the Secretary of Education recommendations for the Searsburg and Stamford Interstate District Alternative Structure proposals. Many many thanks for the countless hours both groups have put forward on behalf of their students and taxpayers in order to fulfill their districts obligations under Act 46.
Congratulations to the new River Valleys Unified School District board  for their recent award from BCTV: Municipal Partner of the Year.

“River Valleys Unified School District Board was created last summer following the unification of Dover and Wardsboro School Districts under Act 46. The River Valleys USD Board turned to BCTV to video its bi-weekly meetings as a way to engage and provide transparency. And, in fact, thanks to the board’s promotional efforts, most of the meetings have received hundreds of views.

‘It’s gratifying to get so many views, and critical that those who can’t attend can get the full flavor of the somewhat complex process,” said Board Chair Richard Werner. “In addition, it’s been a benefit to all of us to be able to review the videos as work progresses.'”

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Open enrollment period is November 1 through December 15th more info 
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Highlights from this summer/fall
 
Ditch School in Wardsboro with Gary Urbanati
 
Readsboro meeting w/Agency of Digital Services & Department of Public Service
 
Community forums in Wardsboro, Dover, Readsboro and Stamford & healthcare forum in Whitingham
Toured Great River Hydro Facilities 

Attended dedication of 
Gold Star Families Memorial
State Board of Education Act 46 Alternative Structures Hearing
 
Grew a contender for World’s Smallest Gilfeather Turnip


A Historic Gathering of Independents at the #UniteSummit
Attended and spoke at: A Historic Gathering of Independents at the #UniteSummit in Denver


Listened to this excellent VPR Podcast series on Jack Sawyer and Vermont’s gun debate


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These posts have been made to my website and to social media since the end of the 2018 session

 Opportunity: #Vermont Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) program

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Please stay engaged and stay in touch via email lhsibilia@gmail.com or phone 802-384-0233. If you’d like to receive updates from my blog as they are posted please check out www.laurasibiliavt.com.
Laura
Rep. Laura Sibilia
State Representative
Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro, Whitingham

Public Forums on a Cost and Benefit Analysis of Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in #Vermont.

On By laurasibiliavtIn ClimateLeave a comment

PRESS RELEASE: Public Forums on a Cost and Benefit Analysis of Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Vermont.

The Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) has finalized a contract for independent professional assistance to complete a study of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont, per Act 11 of 2018.

That contract is with Resources for the Future (RFF), an independent, nonprofit research institution whose mission is to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decision making through impartial economic research and policy engagement. RFF has decades of experience delivering solutions to cost-effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance a reliable and clean energy system.

Two public forums are scheduled to gain an understanding of Vermonters’ interests and concerns regarding policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont. RFF will use the information from these public forums to help inform their study. The general public is invited to participate in these two public forums. The Forums are scheduled from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and details are as follows:

Wednesday September 26, Room 11,Vermont State House, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT.

Thursday, September 27, Theater room, Billings Farm, 69 Old River Road, Woodstock, VT.

Please RSVP here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XF98YTJ

RFF will examine 4 decarbonization policy approaches and will provide qualitative analysis for other options to reduce carbon.  Currently, the plan is to investigate the following policy scenarios:

1   Carbon fee-and-rebate, as in H.791 or S.284 (2018) – The ESSEX Plan;

2   Expanding cap-and-trade if Vermont joined the Western Climate Initiative (WCI);

3   Expanding cap-and-trade if the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) covered transportation fuels as considered in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI); and

4   A carbon pricing policy based on further research and input from stakeholders.

People attending the forum are asked to address the following questions:

A What do you think are two or three things that a study of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont ought to take into consideration, in order to be helpful in answering your questions and in advancing the climate and energy policy dialogue in Vermont?

B  Starting by considering the policy approaches listed above, which approaches do you think RFF ought to focus on?

RFF will be represented by Marc Hafstead and Wesley Look. They will attend both public forums and will be available to answer questions about the study, as appropriate, during the times outlined above.

For those unable to attend, please feel free to email comments by September 28, 2018 to CarbonComments@leg.state.vt.us.