Montpelier Update

Phew! What a week! Things are really humming in Montpelier!

This past week in the House of Representatives we worked through the Transportation Bill (it is now in the Senate) and began discussion on an Advance Directives bill. I'm serving on the Ways and Means Committee this session, and in committee we're talking about local option taxes. Seventy or so towns including Fairfax have the authority to levy a 1% local sales tax . We're also talking about tax incentives for businesses, and expect to receive a bill about VEPC from the Senate next week. Our Education funding bill is going to the floor of the House next week. It contains several things, but the most important in my view is a part that will set up much needed training for town listers.

I'm glad many of you saw the news conference I held last week with Rep. Kurt Wright from Burlington. I appreciate your calls. I am very concerned about the release from jail of offenders who are known to be sexual predators and violent. In addition to encouraging judges to sentence these people for longer sentences, Civil Committment is one way we can help get them treatment they need, especially if they have not receive the treatment in jail. And we keep the public safe in the meantime! Insuring the safety of its citizens is one of the primary obligations of government. The US Supreme Court has ruled Civil Committment constitutional, 18 other states use it. Law enforcement officials agree with us that it is effective. There is still time to pass a Civil Committment bill, and I continue to talk to as many peole as I can to get this going.

Contact me at the cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us

Have a good weekend!

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