Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Political Issues/Comments => Topic started by: Carolyn Branagan on May 26, 2005, 05:51:40 PM

Title: legislative work continues
Post by: Carolyn Branagan on May 26, 2005, 05:51:40 PM
Hi  Everyone,

We lost  the Civil Commitment fight. I worked hard on it this week, along with several other legislators,  but the majority of members in the House thought  the issue should be studied more before we established a system of treatment for sexually violent and violent offenders. We had tons of information, but were unable to presuade them.  I really gave this my all,  as did several others, but we were in the minority.

I  got a chance to work closely with Public Safety Commissioner Kerry  Sleeper and members of his staff as well as the Deputy  Secretary  for  Human  Services. They were extremely helpful, and I  was impressed with  the   competence and drive  Commissioner Sleeper has for keeping  Vermont a safe place to live.

The good news is that the study  will progress through the summer and the  commmittee plans to  bring  back recommendations  when we reconvene  next  January.  So there is hope!  

Otherwise,  we're hearing that adjournment may come next  week. Speaker  Symngton told us to plan on attending session Saturday,  June  4th. Since we  don't  usually meet on Saturdays,  I'm thinking we maybe getting ready  to break  for the summer and fall.

thanks,


Representative Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives