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May, 2008, Huntington/Richmond Times Ink: “Legislative Session Ends”

The 2007-2008 legislative session came to an end on May 3rd – the earliest adjournment date since 1995 (and one that saved taxpayers some $500,000!). As I recover from the intensity and exhaustion of the final weeks, I am struck by both our successes and our ongoing challenges.

A major challenge of the session was facing the sagging economy and making tough spending decisions necessary to maintain a balanced budget. In spite of having to make $24 million in spending cuts half way though the session, the legislature fought hard to protect the most vulnerable Vermonters from the impact of these cuts, and we were able to pass a budget that did not further shift costs onto hospitals, health care premiums, or onto property taxes. Given our economic woes, these fiscal challenges will be with us again when the legislature reconvenes next year.

I am proud of many of the legislature’s accomplishments this biennium.  Legislators focused on what Vermonters are most concerned about:  health care costs, the cost of energy and addressing our energy future, the need for affordable housing and a clean environment, and the strengthening our rural economy. 

We expanded Vermont’s award winning energy efficiency utility (Efficiency Vermont) to include heating fuels. This will save Vermonters money heating their homes, and will create new jobs. We continued health care reform by expanding Catamount Health coverage, removing barriers to insurance, and investing in preventive care and information technology aimed at improving care and lowering costs. 

We passed legislation that creates incentives to build housing that Vermonters can afford.  We increased investment in workforce training, and advanced our telecommunications initiatives to expand broadband access throughout the state.  The legislature also took important steps to protect the quality of our groundwater and to more effectively improve the water quality of Lake Champlain.

On a personal note, I feel most proud of the success we had around funding to fix our roads and bridges. Throughout the session the House Transportation Committee, on which I serve, shined a spotlight on the problems Vermont faces with its crumbling roads and bridges, and pushed for increasing revenue for transportation through a significant bonding package. We received a unanimous vote in the full House calling on the governor to include bonding for bridges in his next budget – a position that the governor had previously resisted.

At the end of the legislative session, the governor reversed himself and endorsed increasing bonding for transportation needs. As part of the economic stimulus package passed by the legislature, an additional $10 million will become available for roads and bridge repair in FY 09, (contingent upon approval by the state debt affordability committee) and a long term program for transportation funding will become a part of the budget-setting process for next year.

Throughout the session I worked hard to be a strong advocate for the towns and constituents I represent, and responded to hundreds of inquiries from constituents. I appreciate the active participation of so many Vermonters; it is what makes our democracy vital.

I am now ready to return to my regular job at the state Department of Housing and Community Affairs. As always I enjoy hearing from you and welcome your comments and concerns. I hope to see many of you around town this spring and summer.

Sincerely,

Rep. Sue Minter

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