Legislative Update: First Week of the 2025 Session
As we kick off the 2025 legislative session, I’m pleased to share some highlights from the first week and give you a glimpse into what lies ahead for the coming months. It's been a busy start, and while we've focused on ceremonial matters, next week the real work begins.
Sworn Into Second Term
It is an honor to have been sworn into my second term in the House of Representatives. Serving our community is a responsibility I take seriously, and I look forward to continuing the work we’ve started, advancing the issues that matter most to our constituents, and addressing the challenges we face as a state.
Committee Assignments
I am proud to have been appointed Vice Chair of the House General and Housing Committee. This committee will be central to addressing housing affordability, zoning reforms, and other critical issues that have impacted our housing crisis. I’m committed to working across the aisle to develop practical, bipartisan solutions that will make a meaningful difference for families and communities.
This week, our committee began with introductions from important stakeholders including the Public Asset Institute, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Association of Realtors, and the Champlain Housing Trust
Representative Carolyn Branagan has been reassigned to the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Branagan’s expertise in fiscal policy will be invaluable as we work to ensure the tax burden in our state lessens, for all.
Carolyn and I communicate daily. I continue to be inspired by her wealth of institutional knowledge. Together, we are in a great place to collaborate and work on your behalf.
Lieutenant Governor John Rogers
The Vermont Constitution states that in order to be elected as Lieutenant Governor an individual must receive 50% plus 1 of the vote. Seeing as neither John Rogers or the incumbent, David Zuckerman received a majority vote the General Assembly was responsible for electing our next Lieutenant Governor. In a 158 - 18 vote, John Rogers was officially elected Vermont’s Lieutenant Governor.
Governor Scott’s Inaugural Address
Governor Scott addressed both bodies on Thursday afternoon, as per tradition. In his inaugural speech the Governor spoke on the importance of collaboration. If you missed it, you can watch the speech here.
Priorities for the Session
Next week, the real work begins as we dive into the issues that are critical to the future of our state. This session, we will focus on several key priorities:
Education Funding Formula: The current education funding system needs significant reform to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, has access to a high-quality education. We will work toward a more equitable and sustainable system.
Property Taxes: Addressing property taxes will be a major focus this session. We are committed to finding solutions that provide tax relief for homeowners while ensuring that local governments have the resources they need to serve their communities.
Housing: Affordable housing continues to be one of the most urgent challenges we face. We will be working on solutions that increase housing availability, reduce costs, and make homeownership accessible to more families.
Public Safety: We must ensure that our communities remain safe and that law enforcement has the tools and support necessary to protect citizens. This will be a key focus of our work this session.
Healthcare: Access to affordable healthcare remains a priority. We will work to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to quality care for all residents of our state.
Carbon Tax
As promised during the campaign, I would work to stop the Carbon Tax from being fully enacted. H.16 is “An act relating to repealing the Affordable Heat Act,” and I co-sponsored the legislation. Nearly all House GOP members signed on to the legislation. It is currently in the newly formed House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure. I will keep you posted on how this piece of legislation moves. It is highly anticipated Montpelier will not vote to move forward with the plan after a report stated it could cost Vermonters billions if enacted.
Looking Ahead
While this first week has been focused on ceremonial events and setting the stage for the work to come, next week marks the real start of legislative business. Committees will begin meeting, bills will be introduced, and we will begin the important work of moving our state forward.
Next week’s schedule is still in the works. On Tuesday, all members will attend a Sexual Harassment Training on the floor of the House. I will then attend the Let’s Grow Homes press conference. In the evening, committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs will meet for a few hours to lay the framework for our work.
My committee will take up discussions on Housing Production and will hear testimony Tuesday and Wednesday from the Twin Pines Housing Trust, Vermont State Housing Authority, Two River-sOttauquechee Regional Commission, the State of Vermont, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, and Vermont Association of Planning and Development. You will always find our committee agenda and work here. Our meetings are always streamed here as well.
Legislator for a Day Program
Thank you to the high school Juniors and Seniors who have applied! I’ve decided to keep the program open to applications anytime so please apply! I’d love to bring you to Montpelier and introduce you to the legislative process!
Ashley in the News
Krowinski holds onto speaker’s gavel on opening day of legislative session (WCAX)
https://www.wcax.com/2025/01/08/krowinski-holds-onto-speakers-gavel-opening-day-legislative-session/
Bartley: Balancing reform, affordability, and Vermont’s future (Vermont Business Magazine)
I will continue to keep you updated as the session progresses. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make a lasting difference in our state.
The following update from Rep. Carolyn Branagan was added after the post was first published.
First week message
It was a busy first week in Montpelier. Legislators and the Speaker of the Vermont House were sworn in and committees assigned.
Thursday was inaugural day for Gov. Phil Scott and the other Vermont constitutional officers were sworn in too: Treasurer, Auditor, Secretary of State and Attorney General. But most of the attention and applause was on Gov. Scott.
Like every elected official in the room, Gov Scott shared his humble appreciation in receiving support from the voters for another term.
It is indeed an honor to represent our neighbors and to make sure their voices are heard at state level. Ashley and I are committed to making sure Georgia and Fairfax are heard.
The Governor reminded us that listening to our constituents and being a voice for the people back home is essential. We absolutely understand that. I was listening when he said that Chittenden County and FRANKLIN County were flourishing! More on that later.
Working with the Governor’s office, Ashley and I aim to focus together to pass bills that fix problems without the need for veto. We will strive to benefit all Vermonters, to do what is right for Vermonters and particularly the people in Franklin-1 . Ashley and I heard the very loud and clear message sent on Election Day.
I have again been assigned to the Ways and Means Committee. This is the committee that oversees revenue coming in to the state. The 11 member committee has already started working. A joint meeting with the Senate Finance committee on Friday afternoon was particularly productive in helping new members understand the revenue sources for the Education Fund.
Please feel free to contact me at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
Rep.Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Georgia and Fairfax
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