Uddate on Housing Efforts
Next week marks Town Meeting Week in Vermont, a time when our legislators return to their districts to engage with their communities across the state. During this week, we take a break from the legislative session, but the work continues behind the scenes.
Currently, all efforts within the House General and Housing Committee are focused on finalizing our recommendations for the Appropriations Committee, due on Wednesday, February 26. Most importantly, we are working to pass the Committee Omnibus Housing Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at addressing Vermont’s ongoing housing crisis.
As we move forward, it's crucial to recognize that there is no "silver bullet" to solve our housing challenges. Instead, we have a robust toolbox, and now it’s time to provide the right tools for the job. Last week, committee members asked for short-term solutions to the housing crisis. While the demand for quick fixes is understandable, the honest truth is that the solution to the housing crisis, in the short-term, is money.
The state has already allocated record funding for housing since the pandemic. However, despite this significant investment, the relief has been slower than anticipated. The path forward requires not just more funding but a long-term policy shift that involves changes in infrastructure, appeals processes, and collaboration with current agencies. While these changes will provide much-needed relief, they will not yield immediate results. The housing issues we face today didn’t develop overnight, and the solution will not come overnight either.
This is why it’s so crucial to act now. We must lay the foundation for development and growth in Vermont, ensuring that we are positioned to support both current and future residents. The actions we take today will shape our state’s future and its ability to meet the housing needs of all Vermonters.
As legislators return to their communities for Town Meeting Week, we continue to remain focused on finding lasting solutions that will serve Vermonters for years to come. The work is challenging, but it is necessary for the future prosperity of our state.
Governor’s Education Funding Proposal Information
Governor Scott’s Education Transformation Proposal aims to strengthen Vermont's education system by addressing rising costs and unequal opportunities for students. The plan focuses on three key areas: funding, governance, and accountability.
The proposal calls for a revised funding formula that ensures equitable distribution of resources, adjusts for district disparities, and prioritizes student needs. It also introduces a simplified statewide property tax system and regional school districts to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Additionally, the plan emphasizes stronger state oversight, improved governance, and standardized educational requirements to enhance quality and consistency.
Expected outcomes include improved education quality, equitable funding, and better resource utilization. The proposal outlines a timeline to stabilize the system by 2025, transition to a new funding model by 2026-27, and fully implement changes by 2027-28.
Governor Scott's plan aims to create a more equitable, transparent, and sustainable education system for all Vermont students.
Please remember that this is just one proposal and does not mean we are necessarily voting on this exact language. Additionally, both bodies are being given an extension to focus specifically on education legislation. Please continue to reach out, as many of you already have, to let us know your thoughts and questions.
Importance of Infrastructure
To ensure smart growth and development in areas where we've already identified the need for expansion, it's crucial that we address our current infrastructure gaps. VTDigger recently highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure, and I am actively working on legislation to support this effort. My proposals include the Infrastructure Sustainability Fund and the Let's Build Homes Housing Infrastructure Initiative, both aimed at improving infrastructure to support housing development and long-term community growth.
For more details, read the full article here: Housing and Infrastructure
Baby Bonds
During the last legislative session, a proposal for baby bonds was introduced on the floor, marking an important step toward addressing economic inequality in Vermont. Last week, I had the opportunity to discuss the significance of baby bonds for rural Vermonters, highlighting how this initiative could create lasting opportunities for economic prosperity and help bridge the wealth gap. As outlined in the recent article on Race & Power Policy, baby bonds have the potential to invest in rural communities, fostering long-term financial stability and equity.
To read my thoughts: Baby Bonds: Investing in Rural Prosperity.
My Testimony in House Committee on Appropriations on Empty Arms Vermont
I want to thank the committee for their time this afternoon, and for allowing me to share my lived experience of loss and ask for the committee’s consideration for the funding request for Empty Arms Vermont. Did you know that one in four pregnancies ends in loss? Two years ago, during the first month of my first legislative session, I experienced a miscarriage in the women’s bathroom right here at the Statehouse.
It wasn’t until almost a year later that I was introduced to the incredible work of Empty Arms Vermont. This organization provides vital peer support to individuals and families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant loss, or pregnancy termination for medical reasons.
Though it is called Empty Arms Vermont, the organization has opened their arms, to Vermont families during their darkest times, offering a wide range of services, including peer support groups, annual remembrance nights, a 5K Run & Walk community event, yoga classes, discussion groups for family and friends, miscarriage support bags, care packages, and weighted teddy bears. Why is this so important?
Individuals who experience pregnancy and early infant loss are at a heightened risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) compared to those without prior loss. Untreated PMADs are responsible for an estimated $48 million in societal costs in Vermont alone.
Empty Arms Vermont is requesting $40,000 in funding for each of the next two years—$80,000 in total—to ensure sustainable growth and continued support for those in need. While this funding request did not make it into the Governor’s budget, it was recommended by Commissioner Mark Levin in the 2025 Maternal Mortality Review Panel Report. Stating, “Empty Arms Vermont is currently the only organization providing perinatal loss support... Additional funding would help expand their workforce capacity and extend their reach into more rural areas of the state.”
This organization is filling a gap in the system of care for pregnancy and infant loss across the state, remember, one in four pregnancies end in loss. A need for support has been identified by the Vermont Department of Health, state legislators and Vermont families. This funding request is to ensure financial self-sufficiency and strengthen occupational capacity. Again, I want to thank the committee for their time today and urge you all consider funding for Empty Arms Vermont.
You can learn more about Empty Arms Vermont at https://www.emptyarmsvermont.org.
Town Meeting Day!
A reminder to all constituents: Town Meeting Day is just around the corner!
In Fairfax, Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 1 beginning at 10:00 AM. This year, our Schools will go first. In Georgia, the Town Meeting will begin at 10:00 AM on March 4th at the Georgia Elementary & Middle School.
Voting will take place from 7 AM to 7 PM on March 4th at the BFA-Fairfax Elementary School Gymnasium in Fairfax and the Georgia Elementary & Middle School gym in Georgia.
I will be attending the “East Housing Summit - Solutions to the Housing Shortage and Affordability Crisis,” hosted by the Council of State Governments in Boston, Massachusetts, an invite only conference with legislative leaders and housing advocates from across New England. I am eager to discuss solutions that have worked in other states, share Vermont’s struggles to solicit feedback and bring them back to Vermont. I will be joining Senator Thomas Chittenden and Representative Marc Mihaly.
Because the conference occurs Friday, February 28th and Saturday, March 1st, I will not be able to attend the Fairfax Town Meeting. Town Meeting is one of my favorite days of the year as we celebrate direct democracy in action and I’m disappointed I will not be able to celebrate with you this year. I will have an update prepared for you at the meeting and as always, remain available to you at abartley@leg.state.vt.us.
Your voice matters, so please make sure to participate! As always if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me or Rep. Branagan; we want to hear from you!
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