Leaders chime in with remarks, reactions to Scott’s address
January 6, 2022 | By Waterbury Roundabout Following Gov. Phil Scott’s State of the State address on Wednesday, other elected state leaders offered their responses and thoughts looking ahead to the legislative session that got underway this week.
Below is a video link to remarks from House Speaker Jill Krowinski, a Burlington Democrat, and Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, a Windham County senator and Brattleboro Democrat. Balint begins and Krowinski’s remarks start at about the 11:30 mark.
In addition, Lt. Gov. Molly Gray issued a short statement in reference to Scott’s address. Waterbury Roundabout also checked in with Waterbury’s two state representatives, Democrats Tom Stevens and Theresa Wood.
Remarks from legislative leaders
Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint
“This is the third legislative session in which the pandemic is swirling around us and I know I speak for so many Vermonters when I say I thought we'd all be at the end of the emergency by now. But yesterday was another record-breaking day of infections and we are not at all through the crisis…We must prioritize Vermonters’ health and well-being and support all the working families who are having such a tough time right now.”
House Speaker Jill Krowinski
"The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us and I know Vermonters are exhausted and looking for support in their day-to-day lives. We have lost 482 Vermonters to COVID-19. Countless others are facing the long-term impacts from contracting the virus and disruptions continue for everyone everywhere. ... We are all working hard together. This is our time and our moment to make Vermont an even better place for our working families small businesses and communities."
Statement from Lt. Gov. Molly Gray
Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, courtesy photo
“Over the last 7 months, I spent a day per week in a different county in our state meeting directly with Vermonters. Vermonters spoke, and I listened. When it comes to this pandemic and a stronger recovery we must be laser focused on the most pressing needs of Vermonters.
In November, I shared a Recover Stronger Agenda for Vermont with the Governor and legislative leaders. I’m glad to see some of the priorities outlined in my report included in today’s State of the State: workforce development, affordable housing, accessible and affordable child care, adequate mental health and support services, and universal access to broadband.
At no time in our history has Vermont been so well positioned to make historically significant investments in our infrastructure and working families.
Working together, we can provide families the resources and support they need to not only survive but thrive. We can also make investments in infrastructure that will have a lasting effect on future generations. We must be united in swift action to provide the framework and assistance necessary for all Vermonters to be healthy, safe, and secure. I will continue to work to elevate the voices of Vermonters I’ve met with and heard from statewide and to urge focused and cooperative action.”
Local legislators
State Rep. Tom Stevens, D-Waterbury
“I’m supportive of a number of the policies mentioned in the Governor’s speech, from housing to increased resources for providing necessary services to our most vulnerable—these are what we should be using the ARPA money for, along with supports to education and hospitals.
It’s important to recognize the stress we are all under, and I think we need to say it out loud. No matter how much money is out there, and how much promise it holds in helping us invest in our future, we are still faced with the grief of fear, illness and death that affects us all. No amount of soldiering on takes away from the continued pressure the pandemic has on us systematically and personally. It would have been reassuring for a lot of Vermonters to hear that acknowledgment from the Governor.”
State Rep. Theresa Wood, D-Waterbury
“I appreciate Governor Scott’s focus on the strength of Vermont’s future and the ability to make investments with federal funds that have the potential to be transformative for our state.
However, Vermonters are continuing to struggle with the realities of the pandemic that impact their daily lives. Loved ones are being hospitalized, health care workers are stretched to their limits and beyond, families are dealing with school closures, child care providers don’t have access to testing, etc.
We are still deep in the throes of this pandemic, and while it’s helpful to be focused on Vermont’s future, we also need to deal with the realities we are all experiencing right now.”