Representing Dover, Jamaica, Somerset, Stratton and Wardsboro
The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, which I serve on has worked very hard to vote out a bill, UNANIMOUSLY, that clarifies the laws governing employers, employees, and independent contractors with regard to worker's compensation and unemployment insurance. For years, the legislature has attempted to address this issue to ensure the many protections for workers …
Continue reading 21st century workforce and contemplating a Plan B for rural connectivity
Town meeting is next week! I hope to see many of you at your town meeting. It's not too late to register to vote. Register by this Wednesday, February 24th, to vote in the Presidential primaries and your town ballots. The link above will allow you to register online. Wardsboro Connectivity meeting A community wide …
Continue reading Register to vote and details on paid sick leave
We are three weeks in to the session, and a number of items are seeing some legislative action. GILFEATHER TURNIP Of local importance, this week Wardsboro's native Gilfeather Turnip made a significant step towards being named the Vermont State Vegetable after passing the House. Congratulations to the Wardsboro students who have testified in support …
For those monitoring the Marijuana Legalization issue: Work is happening mostly in the Senate right now. Below is a white paper that the Commerce Committee has been asked to review regarding financial regulation we will need to consider prior to legalizing. Department of Financial and Regulation White Paper on Marijuana Legalization in Vermont - Implications for …
This week I’m packing to head back up to Montpelier for the legislative session which starts on January 5th and will likely go through some unknown date in May. I’ve also been catching up with folks who have reached out to me on various issues they care about or problems they are trying to fix. …
One of the pieces of legislation I was particularly proud of working on last year was the creation of the Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone and the Southern Vermont Zone Committee. Over the course of much of the session, Rep. Oliver Olsen of Londonderry, Rep. Kiah Morris of Bennington, Senator Becca Balint and I worked …
Thank you to those who attended the Act 46 information session Rep. Ann Manwaring and I hosted on November 6th in Wilmington. Rep. Dave Sharpe, Chair of the Vermont House of Representatives Committee on Education presented. Links to his presentation and tuitioning map. This meeting was also videotaped - I will send out a link …
Continue reading November 6th presentations and first thoughts on the upcoming session
The Senate voted out their big economic development bill S.138 last week. This "promotion of economic development" bill, developed by the Economic Development Housing & General Affairs Committee, had a rough trip through the Senate with a number of provisions stripped out, including Windham County Senator Becca Balint's innovative Millennial Enterprise Zones. This zone would …
The Sugar Tax Things are pretty serious in Montpelier, so let me start with "the laugh". As many of you know, I've supported my family by working in a number of small food service establishments for almost 20 years. It's very often the owners of those little restaurants and bars that I think of first …
Town Meeting Legislative Update March 3, 2015 Dear Friends and Neighbors: It is an honor to represent you in our State Legislature and communicate the activities of the General Assembly to you in this newsletter. I have been busy since the beginning of the session working in my committee, researching issues and developing legislation. …
Continue reading Rep. Sibilia 2015 Town Meeting Legislative Update
Vermont State Representative Laura Sibilia 