Dear Constituents –

The first full week of the legislative session began with Committee members receiving trainings and introductions to State agencies and others who are frequently in our rooms. House Appropriations is working on the annual Budget Adjustment Act, and we are all anticipating the Governor’s budget address on Jan 28.

In the House Government Operations & Military Affairs Committee, we heard presentations from the Department of Liquor & Lottery, the State Auditor’s Office, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, the Wildland Fire Program at Forest, Parks, and Rec, the Vermont Retired State Employees Association, and the Regional Planning Commissions and Development Corporations. We also began our work of receiving the Attorney General’s report on the contested election in the Bennington-1 district.

On the House Floor, we held several memorials to past Representatives, including former Governor Thomas Salmon. A number of new bills were introduced and referred to Committees. A bill that I am proud to have co-sponsored that was referred to the House Ways & Means Committee is H.43, exempting military retirees’ pensions from state income tax. This is a bill that has been submitted for several bienniums but has never gained traction because of opposition in the tax committees. This session, we are proud to have 75 members in the House and 21 members in the Senate sponsor this bill. It is the very least that we can do to honor the men and women who have served our country. (Not to mention that we are ranked as one of the worst states for policies to retain military retirees).

On Wednesday, the VT Rural Caucus held its reorganization meeting, and I will continue as a tri-partisan Co-Chair. We were excited to see so many new members from around the state in attendance.

I am pleased to be working with two interns this session, one from a program I helped to establish with Norwich University and one from UVM. I look forward to having these young people assist me with my work, as well as providing mentorship and instruction to them; internships are a win-win for both the mentor and the mentee, and it is a privilege to introduce students to State government.

As always, I welcome questions and comments at [email protected]

Thank you for the honor of serving.

Stay well,

Rep Lisa A Hango, Franklin-5