Vermont State Representative Lisa Hango announced on April 17 that recent activity at the Statehouse has focused on Act 181 and the Education Transformation bill.
These legislative efforts are significant for residents, as they address both environmental regulations affecting rural communities and ongoing concerns about the cost and quality of pre-K through grade 12 education in Vermont.
Hango said that the Speaker of the House released a response to the Rural Caucus’ position regarding Act 181, which seeks to repeal the Road Rule and Tier 3 mapping. She stated that after additional testimony in committee, support has grown for including repeal language in S.325, though a final vote had not yet occurred at the time of her update. Hango thanked local selectboards and individuals who contacted legislators about this issue.
The House also debated H.955, known as the Education Transformation bill. According to Hango, “the bill as passed leaves us in much the same place as we were a year ago.” She noted uncertainty about how this legislation might change when considered by the Senate but anticipated it would likely go to a Committee of Conference due to differing approaches between chambers.
Hango reported that she continues working with Franklin County’s delegation to make sure students receive an academically excellent and equitable education at an affordable cost.
Other activities included meetings of both the National Guard & Veterans Affairs Caucus—where updates were given by Adjutant General Hank Harder—and presentations from organizations such as VT Housing & Finance Agency (VHFA). Hango highlighted concerns with VHFA’s draft rules for rental housing funding eligibility, especially their impact on rural development due to siting requirements near essential services. She encouraged constituents to submit comments by April 24.
