Smith: Vermonters have reason to be proud of lawmakers’ work

Editor’s note: This oped is by Rep. Shap Smith, D-Morrisville, the Vermont Speaker of the House.

Vermonters can be proud of the work the legislature did this year under very difficult circumstances. The legislature, working with the administration, put in place policies that will create new jobs and restore our state’s fiscal health while avoiding devastating cuts and new broad-based taxes.

To guide our decisions, we followed the long-held Vermont values that allow our state to remain the safest, greenest and healthiest state, known for being a great place to raise a family. Despite the worst economy in a lifetime, the legislature refused to compromise on the investments that make Vermont a place we are proud to call home.

In year two of a three-year downturn, through collaboration with key stakeholders, including our state’s teachers, state employees, local school boards, and the governor, we were able to close a $155 million budget gap without jeopardizing the health and well-being of Vermonters. Rather than enact the governor’s proposals which would have cut valuable state programs that are seeing unprecedented demand, the legislature’s budget restores protection to our seniors, our neighbors and friends with disabilities, and children with special needs.

The budget maintains affordable health care for the uninsured in a time when health care premiums are skyrocketing. Challenges for Change initiated an effort to make government more effective and responsive to those it serves while saving the state nearly $40 million. The budget was forward-thinking as well, finding significant savings in the future to aid next year’s legislature in what will be another difficult budget year. Furthermore, understanding the tough times facing Vermonters, the legislature held the line on property tax rates, providing much needed statewide tax relief.

Vermonters may most be proud that the legislature was able to keep its commitment to Vermont values while creating much needed jobs for its citizens.

In passing our jobs bill, we answered the call of business leaders and farmers to create greater access to capital and workforce training and gave aid to farms to help purchase seeds. Through the Capital Bill, hundreds of Vermonters will be put to work improving our state’s infrastructure. And in order to continue to foster a strong Vermont economy and local job creation, we granted many Vermont businesses a reduction in capital gains taxes and avoided broad-based tax increases.

While the work of the legislature to grow jobs and address our state’s fiscal challenges in a balanced and responsible manner was no small task, Vermonters have much more to be proud of.

The Unemployment Trust Fund is on a path toward solvency, ensuring that Vermonters will not be forced into poverty if they lose their jobs. The legislature was able to come to an agreement with the governor without making drastic cuts to employee benefits or putting an undue burden on Vermont businesses. In an area where other states are struggling, Vermont can be proud of the agreement that will to protect this vital safety net.

Vermonters can be proud that after forty years of inaction, the legislature—in concert with the executive and judicial branches—took action to unify the judiciary under one umbrella. This move allows Vermont’s judicial system to provide better justice to our citizens.

We kept intact our strong education system and its proud tradition of local control. Rather than mandate school consolidation, the legislature took the stance that streamlining district resources should be done in a way that improves education for our children rather than stifling it.

The legislature moved its best-in-the-nation health care system forward so that it can continue to produce high-quality care at a cost affordable to Vermonters. Through a new health care system design and by expanding successful preventive care programs, Vermont will continue to be a leader in health care reform and our country’s healthiest state. Surely Vermonters can be proud of this too.

Due to the action of the legislature, our roads and highways will soon be safer. No longer will drivers be allowed to text while driving. The law fosters safe and responsible driving practices in our youngest drivers by banning the use of all electronic devices and requiring the primary enforcement of seatbelt use for junior operators.

In these difficult times we made investments in our people and in our infrastructure while balancing the budget in a responsible way. We did so by working together in a tri-partisan manner to get Vermonters the results they deserve.

I am proud of the work we have done. We have protected what Vermonters value most about our state and have set the path for a stronger future and a stronger Vermont.