March 28, 2024
VERMONT HOUSE PASSES KEY LEGISLATION ON HEALTH CARE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
Montpelier, VT - This week the Vermont House passed three key bills that will make Vermont safer and more affordable. H.721 expands access to health care. H.880 makes an historic investment in our criminal justice system. And H.871 takes a critical step to revitalize our state’s school-construction aid program and manage education spending.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
Championed by Rep. Lori Houghton, chair of the House Health Care Committee, H.721 tackles the pressing health care challenges facing Vermonters by expanding access to essential medical services and putting money back into people’s pockets. Key highlights of H.721 include:
- The Dr. Dynasaur program, which provides free or low-cost health coverage for children and teenagers under the age of 19, will be extended up to the age of 21, benefiting more than 1,500 youth in the initial year of expansion.
- Expands access to healthcare for pregnant individuals.
- Assists Vermonters transitioning from Medicaid to Medicare coverage at the age of 65. Close to 20,000 older Vermonters will have their Part B premiums covered - that’s $2,069 a year in savings for individuals.
"For too long, many Vermonters have struggled with unaffordable health care costs, hindering their access to essential medical services," stated Rep. Jill Krowinski, Speaker of the House. "We hear from Vermonters every day, and concerns around health care access and affordability are always top issues. This bill will save Vermonters on Medicare thousands of dollars at a time when those on fixed incomes need support. This bill will help a lot of Vermonters by expanding coverage and making it more affordable.
“A state investment of $15 million will deliver just shy of $100 million in benefits by reducing the ‘Medicaid cliff’ for our most vulnerable older Vermonters and decreasing hospital uncompensated care. That benefits all Vermonters in the long run,” said Health Care Committee chair Houghton.
INVESTING IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE
H.880 represents the culmination of collaborative efforts to address the public safety issues we are seeing in communities across Vermont, and makes a significant investment to ensure the effectiveness of the state's criminal justice system.
Key highlights of H.880 include:
- Establishment of a two-year plan to provide resources to the courts, prosecutors, defenders, and victim advocates, ensuring prompt and fair resolution of the currently pending 16,000 cases.
- Provides funding to community justice centers to divert appropriate cases from the criminal justice system, alleviating pressure on the courts.
- Implementation of metrics to track progress towards resolving court backlog and improving the efficiency and fairness of the criminal justice system.
"This legislation is a testament to our commitment to public safety, despite the administration’s reluctance to make much-needed investments. By addressing the backlog of cases and providing necessary resources to the under-funded criminal justice system, we are working towards a safer Vermont for all," said Vermont Speaker of the House, Rep. Jill Krowinski. "Unfortunately, although the Governor claimed in his budget address that public safety is one of the administration’s priorities, his proposed budget does not align with this priority. This bill is our way of delivering access to the timely justice that Vermonters need and deserve.”
“Witnesses representing a wide spectrum of the criminal justice system have testified that effective deterrence of crime requires certain and quick consequences for criminal activity,” said Chair of House Judiciary, Rep. Martin LaLonde. “In Vermont, consequences for criminal activity have become uncertain and slow. To ensure accountability, we need to provide the courts, prosecutors, defenders, victim advocates, and community justice centers the resources they need to resolve cases. H.880 does this. We believe that Vermonters support raising revenues to be used for making Vermont a safer state.”
MANAGING EDUCATION SPENDING THROUGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AID: TAKING THE NEXT STEP
The Vermont House has also advanced H.871, taking a critical step in revitalizing Vermont's state-level school construction aid program.
"Many school districts across the state are facing dramatic costs to keep up with deferred maintenance or make necessary improvements to aging buildings,” stated Vermont Speaker of the House, Rep. Jill Krowinski. “This bill shows our commitment to giving districts access to funding for capital projects. The end goal is to shift school construction costs away from local budgets which are a dramatic driver in property taxes. I am proud of this work and the message it sends to Vermonters that we are committed to investing in the future of our students and communities."
"H. 871 will help school districts create robust facilities planning for the future, and prepare them for projects that will improve student learning, and increase opportunities for kids with technical and financial help from a state aid program. A state construction program is long overdue and will be welcome in our school districts,” said Chair of House Education, Rep. Peter Conlon.