Dear Constituents – 

Since the Legislature’s adjournment at the end of May, your Representatives and Senators have continued to work locally on your behalf. As we spend the majority of the winter and Spring in Montpelier, there is a lot to catch up with once we are back fulltime in our home districts.  While cellphones, email, and Zoom make communication seamless, public events and meetings give us the opportunity to interact face to face with constituents and hear the immediate needs of each community on a more personal basis.

Examples of what your local legislators have been participating in on your behalf: commemorating Memorial Day; celebrating America’s 250th anniversary on 4th of July weekend at parades and ceremonies from Fairfax to Alburgh to Richford and at June Dairy Day in Enosburg; attending meetings on healthcare challenges with Northwestern Medical Center leaders; participating in a roundtable about farm processor closings with Agency of Ag officials and farmers from across the State; touring Northwest Counseling and Support Services and hearing from integrated wellness entities at the monthly Community Partnerships meeting (Franklin-Grand Isle is the only group that still holds these county-wide meetings after other counties disbanded theirs); attending an event hosted by our local Natural Resources Conservation District celebrating 80 years of conservation work in our area; and participating in meetings on public safety, healthcare, economic and environmental concerns across the county with the Governor and his Cabinet during his Capital for a Day in Franklin County.

Additionally, we field inquiries from the media, advocates, trade associations, and constituents who have issues with regulations, new legislation or changes to existing legislation. We are always listening, learning, and helping to problem-solve with individuals, business entities, and communities across Franklin and Grand Isle Counties and in partnership with our colleagues on statewide matters that pertain to our committees of jurisdiction in the Legislature. When we don’t have the answers, we connect them with the appropriate agencies and organizations who do.

With no staff to rely on, much of our time is spent returning phone calls, emails, and responding to invitations to meet with constituents. With an area as large as Franklin and Grand Isle counties, we cover a lot of ground in the off-session, as many of our efforts are county- and region-wide.

It is an honor to represent our districts. We strive to restore affordability, a sense of safety, and resilience in the face of adversity, to our communities, and assurance that when you call on us, we will work to assist you.

Enjoy a safe summer!

Stay well,

Rep Lisa Hango, Franklin-5