Rep. Wood: Update from the State House
February 9, 2025 | By Theresa Wood The 2025 legislative session has already entered its second month and committees are busy with a multitude of bills. Here are some highlights from the first few weeks and links to some key measures you may want to follow in the weeks ahead.
The session began with its usual ceremonies as lawmakers and constitutional officers were sworn in. One unusual step taken this year was the legislature’s vote to confirm the election of the lieutenant governor. This was necessary because neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the November election, therefore the Vermont Constitution requires the legislature to make the final decision. Republican John Rodgers, who won the plurality of votes, was confirmed. Also, in a contested race, the House voted to retain last session's Speaker of the House, Burlington Democratic Rep. Jill Krowinski.
All representatives and senators received their committee assignments and I was reappointed as chair of the House Human Services Committee which has six new members this year.
Our work began with researching, reviewing, and making recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee on the governor’s FY25 Budget Adjustment, where we focused on services that impact young families, older Vermonters and individuals with disabilities, and people who are homeless. That legislation cleared the House on Friday and heads to the Senate next week.
Some of you may have received an action alert regarding the child care program that talked about cuts to the budget. This information is a bit confusing, but to be clear, any family who applies for and is eligible for child care assistance will receive it. There is no cut to the base level of funding.
In a joint information session on Jan. 22, the House and Senate were briefed on Gov. Phil Scott’s plan to address the quality, cost and governance of the education system in Vermont. There is a very long way to go between now and seeing what the details entail. I will share updates as we learn more. To begin, here are relevant links to the information presented: YouTube recording, PowerPoint slide presentation, Policy Brief.
Last week, the House started to see some bills come the floor for a full vote. Here is a brief description of several of those bills:
H.78: Updates the use of Australian (paper) ballot system in local elections.
H.27: Contains updates to the domestic violence fatality review commission.
H.35: This bill would permanently unmerge the individual and small-group health insurance markets.
In House Human Services, we began testimony on H.13, a bill that seeks to address Medicaid rates for home and community-based service providers.
If you are looking for something to watch on these cold, snowy days, the House deliberations can be viewed on YouTube here. And there is a wealth of information online about the above bills and many other items of interest on the legislature's home page.
Two final notes: If you get a chance to visit, you might like to view the art exhibit in the Supreme Court Gallery by Huntington artist Renee Greenlee. Details can be found here.
And as always, I can be reached by email at twood@leg.state.vt.us.
Thanks for reading!
Rep. Theresa Wood, D-Waterbury, represents the Washington-Chittenden House district which covers Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington and Buels Gore. She chairs the House Human Services Committee.