Committee Updates

This week we continued receiving updates from Vermont’s economic development and workforce ecosystem. We are staying aware of our national politics. The closure of critical departments like education and freezing of funds requires thoughtful planning and deep thinking about our goals going forward. On the positive side our Treasurer Mike Pieciak has done a great job managing our funds. We remain AA+ bond rating from the major rating agencies meaning that we have access to more favorable rates when borrowing. We have some very savvy minds that will leverage what we have in Brave Little State little state to ensure we remain on solid footing.

H.99

We’re working on H.99 a bill relating earned wage access. We hear testimony from ewa companies like Earnin, DailyPay and PayActiv about their desire to be exempt from existing loan regulations given that their products offer a free options for consumers.

We also heard from consumer advocates like AARP Vermont, The Center for Responsible Lending, and The National Consumer Law Center about the prevalence of customers using the rush fee option over the free option because they often need their earned funds immediately. There is also concern about the short terms of the loan locking borrowers into a repeat lending cycle. We continue to discuss the bill and will take our final vote soon.

Education

Education Secretary Zoie Saunders revealed the Governor’s plan for overhauling our the education system. House Ways and Means and House Education committees are working in coordination with the Senates colleagues are taking testimonies on the details of the plan. They are hearing from both local and national experts on what an ideal structures for our education system. Here are some key highlights from the presentation (which can be found on the House Youtube Page):

1. Revise the Funding Formula

• Create an evidence-based funding model that prioritizes opportunity and equity, ensuring that students with similar needs will receive the same funding, regardless of geography.

• Address school and district disparities and characteristics such as district sparsity, district scale, school scale, etc.

• Adjustments (weights) are made for student needs, including for economically disadvantaged students and English learners (ELs).

2. Supported by an Easy-to-Understand Property Tax System

• A single statewide Education Property Tax rate for both homestead and non- homestead property.

• Income-eligible homesteads can file to exempt a portion of their home value from the statewide Education Property Tax.

• Communities could choose to raise limited additional funds, and a state guarantee would equalize each district’s ability to raise revenue, up to a capped amount.

3. Improve Governance

• Establish five regional school districts to increase efficiency and reduce costs, while maintaining local community input.

• Elected, part-time school boards (one for each district).

• Local school advisory councils will allow for local input on budget development and district strategic planning.

Initial Thoughts

Health Care

Modern students and families have a variety of complex needs. This can be seen in the rising healthcare costs reflected in our school budgets. I would like to see healthcare costs removed from our school budgets and placed into our established healthcare management system.

To help with the delivery of health care services I would like to see the co locating of social, community health, and mental health services within our schools to deliver services where students and families already gather.

Funding/county alignment

I do agree that there needs to be governance + administrative alignment. Vermont is one of three states that does not have a formal county based governance structure. While our state agencies and local administrators are often able to work around this, it can limit our eligibility for some funding opportunities, potentially leaving money on the table. Our lack of formal county governance adds to the administrative weight for many of our town and state administrators who work hard to ensure that we are able to support our community.

I would like to see a county equivalent system with a development department to write and manage grants for our schools and community development at large. This county structure would also offer the technical assistance to our municipal staff with an ability to access a variety of state resources. I would also like to see smart districting aligned with our CTE (career training centers) service area and designated county service area to better coordinate programs, funding, and resources.

Please let me know if you have any thoughts on this or other issues.

You’re doing a great job. Remember to breathe.

Warmly

Emily