Letter to the editor: H.454 offers needed reform

After a two-week glide-path, Gov. Scott and Democrat and Republican leadership skillfully navigated the big H.454 Education bill home to a successful landing on Monday.

The last week of the legislative session was a fireworks grand finale of bills passing back and forth between House and Senate, punctuated with highs, lows, political intrigue, compromise, late-night negotiation and many satisfying resolutions.

As a boss of mine used to tell me, “It’s not an either or, it’s a yes and.” Healthcare costs are out of control AND our education system is in desperate need of reform.

Over the period of just a few miraculous days each spring, billions, if not trillions, of tiny leaves burst forth all around us, quickly becoming full-grown and clothing the naked winter trees in green splendor, all perfectly designed to drink in that nec … (read more)

With leaves springing, we are on the homestretch of the 2025 legislative season. With a bit more balance in the legislature, we accomplished some good but need to do more to improve affordability and public safety.

So far this year, the Vermont House has passed 65 bills. Some, including money bills, supported the necessary functions to keep our state running. A few nibbled at the edges of real problems that we struggle with. The rest are like a lukewarm cup of decaf … (read more)

State Representative from Ferrisburgh updates Addison County residents on money bills being considered in the Legislature.

The three-acre rule in the Clean Water Act is a single paragraph in Vermont statutes. It affects property owners of three or more collective impervious acres, permitted before 2002 or never permitted. They must get a new stormwater permit to remediate the … (read more)

Ninety-four bills have been introduced in the House and 25 in the Senate. Committees are beginning to debate the bills. Of particular interest to me are bills to: repeal the Clean Heat Standard; exempt military retirement income from Vermont state tax; pr … (read more)

New state reps from Addison-4 says he is honored to be one of the 29 Republicans and 23 Democrats in this year’s very large freshman class, clearly reflecting voters’ desire for change.

Is this the year Vermont finally scraps its complex education funding system and creates a model that doesn’t result in double-digit property tax increases? Will the Legislature create more pressure to close rural schools? What does the future hold for th … (read more)

Ferrisburgh Republican Rob North on Tuesday unseated eight-term Democratic Rep. Diane Lanpher, D-Vergennes — the current chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee — on Tuesday. North was the top vote-getter in the four-way race for two seats to … (read more)

Addison-3 voters should think twice about supporting Republican Rob North for the Vermont House.

We cherish diversity in Vermont. Honor and respect for every individual is an important part of our daily lives.

Touting common sense; an engineering and management background, mostly with Collins Aerospace; and a desire to restore party balance to Vermont government, Ferrisburgh resident Rob North has joined fellow Republican candidate Jim McClay on the November Ad … (read more)