by Scott Beck

By the time you read this, Town Meeting Week will be in the rear-view mirror. For all Vermont legislators, the first week in March serves as a vacation from Montpelier and an opportunity to spend quality time in the communities we represent. March means Maple syrup, but it also means that the 2025 legislative session is almost half over.

Senate Republican gains in the recent general election were historic and we are working diligently to address the issues that were at the forefront of voter minds on November 5th: public safety, housing, energy, education funding, and healthcare costs. We are committed to this work and pledge to remain in contact with our constituents as the work on these issues unfolds.

These problems cannot be solved without substantial change, and everyone must come to terms with this reality. Effecting change while keeping everything the same is impossible and may be worse than doing nothing at all. The Legislature must be bold and propose considered change that will advance Vermont. A rising tide lifts all boats, but the change in current will affect everyone differently and will not be perceived positively by all.

All of these problems are complex, and I cannot report that any have been solved at the end of the eighth week of the session. However, none of the problems have gone away, and the canaries that have been warning us are getting louder. Many do not feel safe in their community, housing is scarce and expensive, the Clean Heat Standard has not been repealed, education cost increases continue to significantly outstrip inflation, and healthcare insurance premiums are exploding.

Senate Republicans are committed to making progress on every one of these issues this year; Vermonters should not be satisfied if we don’t. This may require the session to extend beyond normal adjournment and it will require compromise, cooperation, and coordination with Gov. Scott’s Administration, Lt. Gov. Rodgers, Senate Democrats, and our House colleagues. The work is very difficult and at times overwhelming, but it is what every elected official signed up for when they asked Vermonters for their vote. Vermonters should not let us forget that.