News from Montpelier 2018 week 3

Committee work in Transportation focused on receiving testimony on the Highway Safety Bill as well as hearing updates of several transportation projects such as the North Hero-Grand Isle Bridge project, Canadian border area projects and Middlebury Tunnel. The Highway Safety bill was voted out of Committee on Friday which could allow it to be considered by the House next week. Sections of the bill deal with issues ranging from drivers slowing their speed when encountering vulnerable users in their path, to enforcing seatbelt usage as a primary offense. Current law only permits law enforcement to ticket a driver if there is another reason for the stop.

The Budget Adjustment Act was read on the floor Thursday and was amended by the Appropriations committee to reflect the most recent revenue forecast. To quote directly from the committees summary, “With Federal Tax Reform creating revenue uncertainty and unknown levels of federal funding, the House Appropriations Committee Budget Adjustment focuses on FY 2018 funding needs, and includes strong reserves, while leaving policy decisions for the FY 2019 budget process.” The vote was taken by Roll Call and passed with only one vote in opposition.

The Franklin County delegation has reserved the Ethan Allen room for the noon hour on the third Thursday of each month during Session. This Thursday officers from NWMC shared information concerning the progress of health goals in our county and the RiseVT endeavor. “OneCare Vermont, the statewide Accountable Care Organization, has adopted RiseVT as a prime strategy for helping keep healthy people healthy and improving the wellness of all Vermonters.”

Last week I had the honor of starting the week with a resident of Fairfax in the State House. This week it was my pleasure to meet Fairfax resident Staff Sergeant Megan Byrne of the Vermont National Guard on Friday. Members of the Guard and representatives from Office of Veterans affairs were recognized by the House during Floor Announcements.

For more information or to contact me please email me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or call 802-849-6545 or mail to 7 Lily Rd Fairfax VT 05454. The Sergeant at Arms at the State House will also relay messages.