As I watched the funeral services of
our 41st President, George H.W. Bush, this past week, I
was moved by the remembrance of how this President served our
country. He was a man who believed that the purpose of Government is
to serve the people, to help people. His Presidency, as his life,
was characterized by a concern for others and a desire to help anyone
who needed help. We as a nation thank him for his service and his
example.
Each of us serving in elected office
does so based on the values we hold. As I begin my 5th
term serving my community of Charlotte and the southwest corner of
Hinesburg, I am grateful for the opportunity and hope that the work I
have done and will continue to do will reflect values that make
Vermont a better place. Vermont families should be able to earn a
livable wage, should have access to affordable basic health care, and
should live in a healthy environment. We should be able to provide a
good education for our kids that will prepare them to become
productive members of society, whether they go on to higher education
or become skilled workers. We should be willing to help those who
need extra help in coping with their disabilities or who have taken a
wrong turn in life and need help in recovering. We also have to look
beyond the present and take steps that will help prevent dangerous
climatic changes that threaten to change life not only for our
children and grandchildren but for all life on earth.
Several bills were passed by the
legislature this past year that would raise the minimum wage, allow
employees to take time off for family crises, and protect employees
and communities from toxic exposures from industrial chemicals.
Unfortunately, they did not become law. These bills are being
prioritized for passage in the coming session.
Several years ago we passed legislation
to clean up our lakes and rivers. A source of sustainable funding
for this effort was not included, however. The poor quality issues
we have been experiencing with algae blooms have had an impact on
Vermont's economy, on the health of people and animals, and on
Vermont's reputation as a great place to visit for recreation. The
phosphorous load in Lake Champlain and other lakes and ponds have
built up over decades, and it will take decades to remediate.
Existing funds are running out and it is up to the incoming
Legislature to find a sustainable source of funding to continue the
cleanup effort over a long period of time.
Climate change is one of the most
important policy areas that I will be working on in 2019. The
Department of Environmental Conservation issued its report on
Vermont's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) this summer that showed our
emissions to be 16% higher than 1990 levels, primarily due to
transportation and heating. Our goal has been to reduce emissions to
25% below 1990 levels by 2012 and 50% by 2028. Clearly, we
are going in the wrong direction. The Legislature commissioned the
Joint Fiscal Office to fund a study on how best to reduce GHGs,
including the costs, benefits and impacts on Vermonters. This report
will be submitted to the Legislature in January, and we will develop
legislation to start reducing our dependence on fossil fuels for
transportation and heating based on those recommendations.
As the legislative session progresses I
will again keep you informed through the articles I write. I welcome
your emails (myantachka.dfa@gmail.com),
phone calls (802-233-5238), or in person contacts.
