Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services Legislative Update for January 13, 2015

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services Legislative Update for January 13, 2015 Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services Legislative Update for January 13, 2015 House Human Services Committee Hears Overview from the Department of Mental Health On Thursday January 8 th the House Human Services received an overview of the Department of Mental Health from Commissioner Paul Dupre, Deputy Commissioner Frank Reed, Medical Director Jaskanwar Batra, and Adult Mental Health Director Susan Onderwyser. Ann Pugh pointed out that other than VPCH and the secure residential, all the work is contracted out to non-profit organizations. Jascanwar Batra and Frank Reed described the designated agencies and our programs. A particularly important fact shared was that crisis calls have risen to 30,000 per year compared to previous years when there were 13,000 – 17,000 calls. To view the full presentation please go to: http://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2016/WorkGroups/House%20Human%20Services/De partment%20of%20Mental%20Health/W~Paul%20Dupre~Department%20of%20Mental%20Health%20 Overview~1-8-2015.pdf House Appropriations Receives Governor Shumlin’s Proposal for Budget Adjustment On January 12 th the House Appropriations Committee received the Governor’s proposal for a $12 million general fund reduction in the fiscal year 2015 budget adjustment act. During this week Administration officials will provide more specific information to the Committee. The following numbers are in global commitment dollars which is both state general fund and federal Medicaid match. Department of Disability Aging and Independent Living: Severely Functional Impairment Caseload Savings (-$200K); Integrated Family Services Family managed respite (-$1.2M); Developmental Services Caseload and utilization savings (-$646.5K). This is due to underutilization of caseload funds. Department of Mental Health: vacancy savings (-$2.2K GF, -$202.9K GC); Decrease operating (-$4.2K GF, -$56.8K GC); Revised start-up projection for Second Spring North (-$571.5K GC); Children's non- categorical underutilization(-$68K GC); Decrease in children's ABA costs (-$925.8K GC); Decrease housing vouchers (-$437K GC). Department of Health, Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs: $180,000 added for Opiate Treatment in Bennington. Key Legislative Committees Listed with Local Agency House Committees Approproiations Rep. Mitzi Johnson, Chair - NCSS Rep. Peter J. Fagan, Vice Chair - RMH Rep. Kathleen C. Keenan, Ranking Member - NCSS Rep. Bob Helm -RMH Rep. Marty Feltus - NKHS Rep. Mary S. Hooper - WCMHS Rep. Diane Lanpher - CSAC Rep. Anne Theresa O'Brien - HC, CCS Rep. Albert "Chuck" Pearce - NCSS Rep. Kitty Beattie Toll - NKHS Rep. Matthew Trieber – HCRS, FF Health Care Rep. William J. Lippert, Chair - CSAC Rep. Christopher Pearson, Vice Chair - HC, CCS Rep. Anne B. Donahue, Ranking Member - WCMHS Rep. Robert Bancroft - HC CCS Rep. Timothy Briglin - HCRS, CMC LSI Rep. Leigh Dakin, Clerk - HCRS, LSI Rep. Doug Gage - RMH Rep. Kiah Morris - UCS Rep. Avram Patt - LCMH, SAS, WCMHS Rep. Paul N. Poirier - WCMHS Rep. Mark Woodward - LCMH, SAS Human Services Rep. Ann Pugh, Chair - HC CCS Rep. Sandy Haas, Vice Chair - CMC Rep. Francis "Topper" McFaun, Ranking Member - WCMHS Rep. Steven Berry - UCS Rep. Paul Dame - HC, CCS Rep. Larry Fiske, Clerk - NCSS Rep. Patsy French - CMC Rep. Jill Krowinski - HC CCS Rep. Patricia McCoy - RMH Rep. Michael Mrowicki - HCRS, FF Rep. Chip Troiano - LCMH, NKHS Senate Committees Appropriations Sen. Jane Kitchel, Chair Sen. Alice W. Nitka, Vice Chair Sen. Dick McCormack Sen. Dick Sears Sen. Diane Snelling Sen. Robert Starr Sen. John F. Campbell Health & Welfare Sen. Claire Ayer, Chair - CSAC Sen. Virginia "Ginny" Lyons, Vice Chair - HC CCS Sen. Brian Collamore - RMH Sen. Dick McCormack - HCRS LSI Sen. Anthony Pollina - WCMHS Names in Red indicates Freshmen To take action or for more information, including the weekly committee schedules: • Legislative home page: http://www.leg.state.vt.us • Sergeant-at-Arms Office: (802) 828-2228 or (800) 322-5616 • State House fax (to reach any member): (802) 828-2424 • State House mailing address (to reach any member): Your Legislator State House 115 State Street, Drawer 33 Montpelier, VT 05633-5501 • Email, home address and phone: Legislators' email addresses and home contacts may be found on the Legislature home page at http://www.leg.state.vt.us • Governor Peter Shumlin (802) 828-3333 or http://governor.vermont.gov/ The purpose of the legislative update is to inform individuals who are interested in developmental, mental health and substance abuse services about legislative advocacy, policy development and activities that occur in the State Legislature. The Vermont Council is a non-profit trade association whose membership consists of 16 designated developmental and mental health agencies. Julie Tessler Executive Director Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services 137 Elm Street Montpelier, VT 05602 Office: 802 223-1773 Cell: 802 279-0464 .
Recommended publications
  • CLIMATE CAUCUS Rep
    115 STATE STREET MONTPELIER, VT 05633-5201 PHONE: (802) 828-2228 Rep. John Bartholomew FAX: (802) 828-2424 Rep. Mollie Burke Rep. Steve Berry STATE OF VERMONT Rep. Steve Carr GENERAL ASSEMBLY Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman Rep. Joanna Cole CLIMATE CAUCUS Rep. Dan Connor Rep. Alison Clarkson FEBRUARY 24,2016 Rep. Rachel Fields Rep. Diana Gonzalez Dear Committees on Appropriations and Ways & Means, Rep. Sandy Haas Rep. Mary Hooper We urge you to regain lost ground for the low-income Weatherization Rep. Willem Jewett Assistance Programs (WAPs). As you know, it is estimated we have Rep. Martin LaLonde 125,000 Vermonters living in "fuel poverty." The average household that gets weatherized saves $400 — $600 a year, every year. For every $1 Rep. Diane Lanpher invested in this program $2.51 is returned to the household and Sen. Mark MacDonald community. Rep. Linda Martin Rep. Jim Masland Since ARRA and GMP merger money have dried up, funding for the Rep. Curt McCormack program has been a scramble. In FY16 the total funding dropped from $12 million to $9 million. With lower fuel prices and reduced Sen. Dick McCormack consumption thanks to a mild winter, a straight re-authorization of the Rep. Jim McCullough gross receipts tax wouldn't even keep pace with the governor's Rep. Kiah Morris recommended appropriation. Rep. Betty Nuovo Rep. Jean O'Sullivan As you are likely aware, last year's drop in funding resulted in a loss of Rep. Avram Patt 65 highly skilled, good-paying jobs and greatly reduced capacity. Furthermore, we are failing to use the investments Vermont has made in Rep.
    [Show full text]
  • Transmittal Email to House and Senate Members
    Sent: Monday, March 5, 2018 1:47 PM To: David Ainsworth; Robert Bancroft; John Bartholomew; Fred Baser; Lynn Batchelor; Scott Beck; Paul Belaski; Steve Beyor; Clem Bissonnette; Thomas Bock; Bill Botzow; Patrick Brennan; Tim Briglin; Cynthia Browning; Jessica Brumsted; Susan Buckholz; Tom Burditt; Mollie Burke; William Canfield; Stephen Carr; Robin Chesnut-Tangerman; Annmarie Christensen; Kevin Christie; Brian Cina; Selene Colburn; Jim Condon; Peter Conlon; Daniel Connor; Chip Conquest; Sarah CopelandHanzas; Timothy Corcoran; Larry Cupoli; Maureen Dakin; David Deen; Dennis Devereux; Eileen Dickinson; Anne Donahue; Johannah Donovan; Betsy Dunn; Alyson Eastman; Alice Emmons; Peter Fagan; Rachael Fields; Robert Forguites; Robert Frenier; Douglas Gage; Marianna Gamache; John Gannon; Marcia Gardner; Dylan Giambatista; Diana Gonzalez; Maxine Grad; Rodney Graham; Adam Greshin; Sandy Haas; James Harrison; Mike Hebert; Robert Helm; Mark Higley; Matthew Hill; Mary Hooper; Jay Hooper; Lori Houghton; Mary Howard; Ronald Hubert; Kimberly Jessup; Ben Jickling; Mitzi Johnson; Ben Joseph; Bernie Juskiewicz; Brian Keefe; Kathleen Keenan; Charlie Kimbell; Warren Kitzmiller; Jill Krowinski; Rob LaClair; Martin LaLonde; Diane Lanpher; Richard Lawrence; Paul Lefebvre; Patti Lewis; William Lippert; Emily Long; Gabrielle Lucke; Terence Macaig; Michael Marcotte; Marcia Martel; Jim Masland; Christopher Mattos; Curt McCormack; Patricia McCoy; Francis McFaun; Alice Miller; Kiah Morris; Mary Morrissey; Mike Mrowicki; Barbara Murphy; Linda Myers; Gary Nolan; Terry
    [Show full text]
  • Proposed 2017 Proposed Budget Amendment
    115 STATE STREET REP. CATHERINE TOLL, CHAIR MONTPELIER, VT 05633 REP. PETER J. FAGAN, VICE CHAIR TEL: (802) 828-5767 REP. KATHLEEN C. KEENAN, RANKING FAX: (802) 828-2424 MEMBER REP. MATTHEW TRIEBER, CLERK REP. MAUREEN DAKIN REP. MARTY FELTUS REP. BOB HELM REP. MARY S. HOOPER REP. BERNARD JUSKIEWICZ REP. DIANE LANPHER REP. DAVID YACOVONE STATE OF VERMONT GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS MEMORANDUM To: Representative Ann Pugh, Chair, House Committee on Human Services From: Representative Kitty Toll, Chair, House Committee on Appropriations Date: January 11, 2017 Subject: Provisions in the Governor's Proposed FY 2017 Budget Adjustment The House Appropriations Committee has started work on the Governor's proposed FY 2017 Budget Adjustment bill and would like to inform you about proposals related to appropriations from the Department of Mental Health on vocational rehabilitation funding in Section B.314, the Department for Children and Families on various changes within the Department; and the Vermont Veteran's Home relating to the FY2016 RFR of nurses and additional temporary nurses. In addition, there is language on the fund balance to Agency of Human Services Central Office earned federal receipts to support the FY2017 Budget Adjustment bill from sources related to health care in section 60; the repeal of the Home Heating Fuel Assistance Fund no longer in use in section 62; a language revision to the Human Services Caseload Reserve in section 73; and annual language with updated revenue estimates to establish certified state fund match in the Global Commitment waiver in section 75. The House Appropriations Committee welcomes and appreciates your input and would like to give you the opportunity to comment on any of the proposals; however, it is not necessary to respond to all of the proposals unless you have concerns or recommendations.
    [Show full text]
  • Citizen Initiatives Teacher Training Gas Taxes
    DEFENDING AGAINST SECURITY BREACHES PAGE 5 March 2015 Citizen Initiatives Teacher Training Gas Taxes AmericA’s innovAtors believe in nuclear energy’s future. DR. LESLIE DEWAN technology innovAtor Forbes 30 under 30 I’m developing innovative technology that takes used nuclear fuel and generates electricity to power our future and protect the environment. America’s innovators are discovering advanced nuclear energy supplies nearly one-fifth nuclear energy technologies to smartly and of our electricity. in a recent poll, 85% of safely meet our growing electricity needs Americans believe nuclear energy should play while preventing greenhouse gases. the same or greater future role. bill gates and Jose reyes are also advancing nuclear energy options that are scalable and incorporate new safety approaches. these designs will power future generations and solve global challenges, such as water desalination. Get the facts at nei.org/future #futureofenergy CLIENT: NEI (Nuclear Energy Institute) PUB: State Legislatures Magazine RUN DATE: February SIZE: 7.5” x 9.875” Full Page VER.: Future/Leslie - Full Page Ad 4CP: Executive Director MARCH 2015 VOL. 41 NO. 3 | CONTENTS William T. Pound Director of Communications Karen Hansen Editor Julie Lays STATE LEGISLATURES Contributing Editors Jane Carroll Andrade Mary Winter NCSL’s national magazine of policy and politics Web Editors Edward P. Smith Mark Wolf Copy Editor Leann Stelzer Advertising Sales FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Manager LeAnn Hoff (303) 364-7700 Contributors 14 A LACK OF INITIATIVE 4 SHORT TAKES ON
    [Show full text]
  • Refer to This List for Area Legislators and Candidates
    CURRENT LEGISLATORS Name District Role Email Daytime Phone Evening Phone Sen. Richard Westman Lamoille County [email protected] Rep. Dan Noyes Lamoille-2 [email protected] (802) 730-7171 (802) 644-2297 Speaker Mitzi Johnson Grand Isle-Chittenden Speaker of the House [email protected] (802) 363-4448 Sen. Tim Ashe Chittenden County Senate President [email protected] (802) 318-0903 Rep. Kitty Toll Caledona-Washington Chair, House Appropriations Committee [email protected] Sen. Jane Kitchel Caledonia County Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee [email protected] (802) 684-3482 Rep. Mary Hooper Washington-4 Vice Chair, House Appropriations Committee [email protected] (802) 793-9512 Rep. Marty Feltus Caledonia-4 Member, House Appropriations Committee [email protected] (802) 626-9516 Rep. Patrick Seymour Caledonia-4 [email protected] (802) 274-5000 Sen. Joe Benning Caledonia County [email protected] (802) 626-3600 (802) 274-1346 Rep. Matt Hill Lamoille 2 *NOT RUNNING IN 2020 [email protected] Sen. Phil Baruth Chittenden County Chair, Senate Education Committee [email protected] (802) 503-5266 Sen. Corey Parent Franklin County Member, Senate Education Committee [email protected] 802-370-0494 Sen. Randy Brock Franklin County [email protected] Rep. Kate Webb Chittenden 5-1 Chair, House Education Committee [email protected] (802) 233-7798 Rep. Dylan Giambatista Chittenden 8-2 House Leadership/Education Committee [email protected] (802) 734-8841 Sen. Bobby Starr Essex-Orleans Member, Senate Appropriations Committee [email protected] (802) 988-2877 (802) 309-3354 Sen.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 VT LCV Scorecard
    2009-2010 LEGISLATIVE BIENNIUM VERMONT environmental scorecard KNOW THE SCORE T he Vermont League of Conservation Voters is a nonpartisan political organization working to turn your environmental values into state priorities. We seek to make environmental protection a top priority for elected officials, candidates, and voters. HOW THE VOTES WERE SELECTED T his scorecard is based on the legislative priorities of the environmental and conservation organizations that form the Vermont Environmental Collaborative as well as other environmental issues. Determining factors in the decision to list particular votes include whether the vote was substantive or procedural in nature, and which vote had the greatest effect on the outcome of the legislation. Please note the limitations of this report. Only roll call votes have been included, as voice votes are not recorded by name. A simple numeric score beside a legislator’s name cannot convey the depth of discussions about the issues, nor can it clearly indicate which legislators worked to protect the environment and which legislators worked to undermine environmental protections. This is particularly true when it comes to work done in the committee room. HOW THE VOTES WERE SCORED T he scores were calculated by dividing the number of pro-environmental votes made by the number of votes the legislator had the opportunity to cast. Absences were counted as a negative vote. Votes during which the Speaker of the House or the President Pro-Tem of the Senate presided over their bodies, were not counted either way. HOW TO USE THIS SCORECARD VT LCV has prepared this legislative scorecard to highlight legislators’ voting records on environmental issues.
    [Show full text]
  • HOUSE COMMITTEES 2019 - 2020 Legislative Session
    HOUSE COMMITTEES 2019 - 2020 Legislative Session Agriculture & Forestry Education Health Care Rep. Carolyn W. Partridge, Chair Rep. Kathryn Webb, Chair Rep. William J. Lippert Jr., Chair Rep. Rodney Graham, Vice Chair Rep. Lawrence Cupoli, Vice Chair Rep. Anne B. Donahue, Vice Chair Rep. John L. Bartholomew, Ranking Mbr Rep. Peter Conlon, Ranking Member Rep. Lori Houghton, Ranking Member Rep. Thomas Bock Rep. Sarita Austin Rep. Annmarie Christensen Rep. Charen Fegard Rep. Lynn Batchelor Rep. Brian Cina Rep. Terry Norris Rep. Caleb Elder Rep. Mari Cordes Rep. John O'Brien Rep. Dylan Giambatista Rep. David Durfee Rep. Vicki Strong Rep. Kathleen James Rep. Benjamin Jickling Rep. Philip Jay Hooper Rep. Woodman Page Appropriations Rep. Christopher Mattos Rep. Lucy Rogers Rep. Catherine Toll, Chair Rep. Casey Toof Rep. Brian Smith Rep. Mary S. Hooper, Vice Chair Rep. Peter J. Fagan, Ranking Member Energy & Technology Human Services Rep. Charles Conquest Rep. Timothy Briglin, Chair Rep. Ann Pugh, Chair Rep. Martha Feltus Rep. Laura Sibilia, Vice Chair Rep. Sandy Haas, Vice Chair Rep. Robert Helm Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman, Rep. Francis McFaun, Ranking Member Rep. Diane Lanpher Ranking Member Rep. Jessica Brumsted Rep. Linda K. Myers Rep. R. Scott Campbell Rep. James Gregoire Rep. Maida Townsend Rep. Seth Chase Rep. Logan Nicoll Rep. Matthew Trieber Rep. Mark Higley Rep. Daniel Noyes Rep. David Yacovone Rep. Avram Patt Rep. Kelly Pajala Rep. Heidi E. Scheuermann Rep. Marybeth Redmond Commerce & Rep. Michael Yantachka Rep. Carl Rosenquist Rep. Theresa Wood Economic Development General, Housing, & Military Affairs Rep. Michael Marcotte, Chair Judiciary Rep. Thomas Stevens, Chair Rep. Jean O'Sullivan, Vice Chair Rep.
    [Show full text]
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez People Power Meme Co-Op 9/17/18, 719 AM
    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez People Power Meme Co-Op 9/17/18, 719 AM The names of all 626 Berniecrats who have won primaries so far in 2018! WARREN LYNCH · WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018 For all ye doubters (especially those working at NPR) who keep saying that the Berniecrats and progressives are “losing” the 2018 primaries! There are 626 names here, and 82 of them in FEDERAL races! The number of seated progressives is about to at least TRIPLE this November, so don’t believe the hype! (updated 9/16/18) The list is now annotated! People have been asking me for ages: “WHY do these people count as Berniecrats?” So now there’s a key, from most left-leaning to most moderate: (DSA) - endorsed by Democratic Socialists of America, the leftist group that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a member of. (even to the left of Bernie!) (Bernie) - endorsed by Bernie personally (LB) - endorsed by Local Berniecrats, a grassroots group with no money that started on the Internet with the goal of making Bernie’s down-ballot dream come true (OR) - endorsed by Our Revolution, either national or a local branch. The organization started by Bernie Sanders. (W) - personally endorsed by me, Warren Lynch. This candidate is a person I know personally, and I vouch for them that they are a progressive. (JD) - endorsed by Justice Democrats, the group run by The Young Turks (PCCC) - endorsed by, or my friend from, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, the progressive group which sent me to DC to learn stuff. Some of their candidates are a bit moderate or not Berniecrats per se, but all are strong bold progressives.
    [Show full text]
  • Vermont Environmental Scorecard 2013-2014 Legislative Biennium Vermont Environmental Scorecard
    Vermont Environmental Scorecard 2013-2014 Legislative Biennium Vermont Environmental Scorecard Dear Vermonter, We have prepared this Scorecard to let you know how your state legislators voted on environmental issues in 2013-2014. The legislative process can be complicated, and our objective is to distill the results so you, as a voter, can see which lawmakers are representing your interests – and which are not. The legislature made some notable progress on environmental priorities Vermont Conservation Voters this session. Positive steps included new protections for our shorelands, (VCV) is the non-partisan reducing children’s exposure to toxic chemicals, and helping more political action arm of Vermont’s Vermonters to go solar. However, significant work remains to be done on key priorities – including the need to take bolder action on climate change and environmental community. cleaning up Lake Champlain. Since 1982, our mission has been to defend and strengthen the laws that The votes included in this Scorecard represent a range of priorities of the environmental community, and were selected after consulting with partner safeguard our environment. We work organizations, including the Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont to elect environmentally responsible Public Interest Research Group, Conservation Law Foundation, Vermont candidates. We then hold legislators Chapter of the Sierra Club, and others. The particular votes included were accountable for the decisions based on whether the vote was substantive or procedural, and which vote had the greatest effect on the outcome of the legislation. they make affecting our air, water, communities, land, and wildlife. The scorecard does have limitations. For example, we can only score “roll call” votes where individual lawmakers vote yes or no on a given bill.
    [Show full text]
  • Bi-State Primary Care Association, January 2020
    Vermont 2020January 2020 Primary Care Sourcebook Bi-State Primary Care Association 61 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802) 229-0002 www.bistatepca.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to Bi-State Page 3 Overcoming Transpiration Barriers Page 18 Bi-State PCA Vermont Members Page 4 Helping Patients Experiencing Homelessness Page 19 Key Elements of Bi-State’s Work Page 5 Accessing Nutritious Food Page 19 FQHC’s, AHEC, PPNNE, and VCCU Page 7 Reducing Isolation for Farmworkers Page 20 Member Map Page 8 Other Elements of Comprehensive Care Page 21 Payer Mix Page 9 Vermont Rural Health Alliance (VRHA) Page 24 Bi-States 2019-2020 Vermont Public Policy 1 in 3 Vermonters in over 88 Sites Page 10 Page 27 Principles Investing in Primary Care Page 11 FQHC Funding Page 28 Workforce Development Supports Primary Care Page 13 FQHC and ACO Participation Page 28 Bi-State Workforce Recruitment Center Page 14 FQHC Federal Requirements Page 29 Workforce & Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Page 15 Member Sites by Organization Page 30 Addressing All the Factors of Wellness Page 17 Member Sites by County Page 31 Legislative Representation List Biennium 2019 – Tracking Social Determinants of Health Page 18 Page 33 2020 2 What is a Primary Care Association? Each of the 50 states (or in Bi-State’s case, a pair of states) has one nonprofit Primary Care Association (PCA) to serve as the voice for Community Health Centers. These health centers were born out of the civil rights and social justice movements of the 1960’s with a clear mission that prevails today: to provide health care to communities with a scarcity of providers and services.
    [Show full text]
  • Meet Dean Corren Anti-Union 'Think Tank' Wrong About Vermont
    Meet Dean Corren Dean Corren talks to board of directors recently. When your board of directors voted single payer health care.” ourselves,” he said in a recent interview to recommend Dean Corren for at Vermont-NEA headquarters. “If Corren, a Progressive who also has the lieutenant governor, the decision we are going to have a functioning backing of Democrats, wants to be a was easy. democracy, we need to restore the lieutenant governor who “will work to meaning of politics.” “He really gets it,” President Martha restore the meaning of politics.” By that, Allen said. “Dean is an unabashed he wants to transform “politics” from This is not Corren’s first stab at elected union supporter. He is a believer in angry, partisan wrangling to a platform office. He served four terms in the the importance of public education. where people of differing views House from 1993-2000; he also was And he, alone among all of the exchange ideas, debate, and agree on an aide to then-Congressman Bernie statewide candidates out there, is a course of action that serves only one Sanders. For more than a decade, dedicated to ensuring our members purpose: to better the lives of everyone. he’s been the chief technology officer are treated fairly in the transition to “Politics, at its core, is how we govern continued on p. 7 Vol. 81 No. 2 • Oct., 2013 www.vtnea.orgThe Official Publication of the Vermont-National EducationAssociation Anti-Union ‘Think Tank’ Wrong About Vermont Vermont-NEA Vermont-NEA Editor’s Note: Vermont-NEA President course let alone reality.
    [Show full text]
  • S.122: Letter from Rep. Briglin and Others
    115 STATE STREET PHONE: (802) 828-2228 MONTPELIER, VT 05633-5201 FAX: (802) 828-2424 STATE OF VERMONT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 12, 2017 House Committee on Education Vermont State House, Room 32 115 State Street Montpelier, VT 05633-5301 Via email to: Marjorie Zunder, [email protected] RE: suggested additions to S.122 Dear Chairman Sharpe and Committee Members: Thank you for continuing to take testimony and consider revisions to S.122. While the House Education Committee has decided to set aside H.15, we believe that specific components of that bill will enhance compliance with Act 46 for many communities around the state, including some of the towns that we represent. There are three specific components embedded in H.15 that we request the House Education Committee include in your revisions to S.122: • Sec. 8(c) of H.15 which states: "The State Board may adopt rules designed to implement this act [Act 461 but shall not by rule or otherwise impose additional requirements to those envisioned by this act." This section addresses the rulemaking that the State Board of Education began to pursue in 2016 that would have raised the bar on the requirements for approval of an Alternative Structure. • Sec. 1(c)(6) of H.15 which states: "The combined average daily membership, as defined in 16 V.S.A. § 4001(1), of all member districts is not less than 500." This section would allow groups of small districts that otherwise would not be able to meet the numerical requirements of Act 46 to combine using an Alternative Structure.
    [Show full text]