Lukewarm Coffee or Education Reform?

Apr 12

So far this year, the Vermont State House of Representatives has passed 65 bills. Some of these bills achieved necessary functions to keep our state running, like the several money bills I talked about previously. A few have nibbled at the edges of the real problems we Vermonters are struggling with. Most of the rest of those 65 bills have been like a lukewarm cup of decaf coffee - not really satisfying our needs.

This week we began to turn the corner. H.454 targets one of our major problems: the crisis in our Education system. This bill was originally constructed by the Governor and proposed a comprehensive structure that, while admittedly needed many improvements, boldly achieved the necessary transformation. The version of the bill that came through committees to the House floor for a vote this week was severely watered down removing many of the key features that made it attractive, like a lukewarm cup of coffee.

There are parts of H.454 that I support, such as reestablishing State Aid for School Construction, creating statewide consistency for High School Graduation requirements, and the institution of a foundation formula for funding to ensure student equity and taxpayer predictability.

Unfortunately, H.454 as passed by the House this week, I feel, falls short in several key ways. According to the Joint Fiscal Office review of the bill, the numbers defined in the funding proposal appear to increase spending rather than reduce spending. Many criteria for evaluating new district maps to ensure success are either poorly defined or completely missing. The governance structure of “local advisory boards”, that would have ensured some local control, was removed. A minimum average class size metric is included that could be used to close small rural schools that are otherwise cost efficient, yet all metrics for administrative efficiency are removed. And the timeline offered pushes out the earliest possible date of transformation to 2030. I’m not sure our students and taxpayers can wait that long for the equity and affordability we so desperately need.

I am eager and optimistic that by continuing to work together with the Senate we can craft an Education Reform Bill that we and the Governor will all support.

I also admit that I am increasingly frustrated with our inability to make the changes you asked me to make as your elected representative because House majority party leadership refuses to allow high impact bills to be addressed. All four of the Governor’s high impact bills have been dismantled by House leadership. I implore you to contact the House leadership (Speaker Jill Krowinski) and committee chairpersons to let them know what bills you want to see acted on. Here are some examples that would directly help Vermonters. You can find more HERE.

H.43 - Exempts military retirement from VT state tax (most states do not tax this)

House Ways & Means Chair: Rep. Emilie Kornheiser

Vice Chair: Rep. William Canfield

H.74 - Phases out state taxation on Social Security benefits

House Ways & MeansChair: Rep. Emilie Kornheiser

Vice Chair: Rep. William Canfield

H.65 - Repeals the EV mandate and phase-out of gas/diesel cars

House Energy & Digital Chair: Rep. Kathleen James

Vice Chair: Rep. R. Scott Campbell

I remain honored to be your Representative,

Rob North

www.NorthForVTHouse.com