The Education Transformation conversation continues, with legislators reviewing the Redistricting Task Force Report and its more robust Appendix E, which lays out Task Force-recommended next steps. This will continue to be a primary focus for us as we grapple with ever-increasing education costs (almost $3 billion in FY2027) that consume all sales-tax, lottery, and property-tax revenue, as well as a portion of automotive purchase-and-use revenue, and a quarter of rooms-and-meals tax revenues.
Transportation revenues continue to decline as we receive less gas tax revenue while facing extraordinary increases in construction costs for highway maintenance. The Agency of Transportation was forced to cut $7.5 million this past fall based on lower-than-projected revenues. AOT is forecasting a $33 million deficit in 2027, which translates to $163 million in federal funds we may not be able to access (much of transportation funding comes from large federal matches linked to smaller state contributions (often 80/20).
The Department of Motor Vehicles finished a multi-year modernization project in the fall, replacing a 50-year old main frame computer system. The new and improved DMV system offers much-improved customer service for license and registration renewal, checking your driving record, and more. Visit mydmv.vermont.gov.
In other transportation news: The incidence of wrong-way drivers in Vermont has increased –117 instances in 2025, half of which occurred on Route 89. The Agency of Transportation is researching an emerging technology that notifies wrong-way drivers on exit/entrance ramps, and sends an instant message to police dispatch of the driver’s presence on the highway. Our community knows far too well the devastation this situation can create. We will learn more about this technology, and I will be advocating for its adoption in key areas.
There are approximately 60 highway fatalities in Vermont annually, and half of those killed are not wearing a seat belt – a secondary offense in Vermont. States where non-use of seat belts is a primary offense have lower per capita fatalities of unbelted drivers than Vermont. This seems like an opportunity for change.
Safe Driving/Cycling:Town select board members have asked for help accessing resources to educate the public on safe driving and safe cycling. While I am still working on locating signage resources, I have learned of an AOT website, Drivewell Vermont (drivewell.vermont.gov/), that offers media kits (social media, posters) in support of safe driving and cycling.
Public Transit: Green Mountain Transit will be replaced by Tri Valley Transit beginning July 1, 2026. GMT will focus solely on urban transit, while TVT specializes in rural transit. This should be a good change. Additionally, I am introducing a bill that would require public transit and school-bus transit to meet during their planning period to explore efficiencies and expanded customer service.
Property Taxes:The Governor is proposing to use $105 million to buy down property taxes this year. I am in support of a buy-down again, but House Appropriations is holding off on this decision in the Budget Adjustment Act so they can get a fuller picture of the state budget and federal impacts. The House will address this issue in the Yield Bill a bit later in the session.
At Duxbury’s Have Your Say Day earlier this month, two questions came up I want to address:
General Pilot (or Building Pilot) –what is it? Pilot stands for General Payment in Lieu of Taxes, and is a fund designed to compensate towns for state-owned buildings or land the towns do not receive tax revenue from. In fiscal year 2026, just over $12 million was available in the Pilot. Payments to towns go out around November 1.
Route 100 winter storm management: Several constituents voiced concern over the winter storm maintenance of the section of Route 100 between Waitsfield and Duxbury. Greg Smith, Capital District transportation manager for the Agency of Transportation, shared that his team has followed the agency’s Snow and Ice Control Plan for winter maintenance for many years. This year, winter started about a month early. An ice storm followed by cold temperatures caused challenges in their ability to break the bond between ice and pavement in several areas. This section of Route 100 follows a “Green Route” maintenance plan, which aims for “full width of bare pavement as soon as practical the next working day following a storm.” It is best to stay home if possible, but if we must drive, we need to be prepared to drive slowly and safely during and immediately after a storm, and recognize that sometimes the weather presents challenges (like ice) that may cause a delay in clearing roads.
Inauguration of Vermont’s first Kid Governor and Cabinet, and recognition of John Lewis Leadership Award winners and finalists. I attended this event last week to support Harwood Union senior Cashel Higgins, one of my two former campaign interns, who was a finalist for the John Lewis Leadership Award. Congratulations Cashel! I also feel confident our fifth graders can produce some excellent candidates for Kid Governor and Cabinet next year.
We passed out of the House:
S.60—an act relating to establishing the Farm & Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide grants to farms impacted by severe weather.
We will be voting in the House:
H.545-a bill addressing immunizations that allows Vermont to set their own vaccine guidelines, irrespective of current federal recommendations. This bill is intended to allow Vermonters to continue to receive immunizations recommended by a health panel led by Vermont’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Rick Hildebrant.
I’ll be hosting a noon-time Zoom on Monday, January 26 to catch up with constituents. Details are on my website and on the Front Porch Forum calendar. Please reach out with any comments/questions to
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