By Guy Page

A day after House Republicans criticized the high spending and delayed rollout of the House school reform bill passed yesterday, Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington), public education leaders, and legislative leaders will praise the bill at a press conference at 10:30 AM Wednesday morning in the Cedar Creek Room of the Vermont State House. 

Also, the Cedar Creek Room will be the scene of a noontime rally by Vermonters for Vermont Initiative, a statewide educational platform on “Parents’ Rights in Education.” 

At yesterday’s GOP caucus press conference, more than 30 GOP legislators – about half of the entire caucus, which is now able to sustain a governor’s veto – declared that the reform bill passed by the House yesterday would cost several thousand dollars per pupil more than Gov. Scott’s plan, and wouldn’t be implemented until 2030. They caucus members also questioned the wisdom of allowing five appointees to number and draw the boundaries of the new school schools after the Legislature adjourns.

Minority caucus leader Patti McCoy (R-Poultney) said her caucus is ready to stay as long as it takes to hammer out the details of a school reform plan – unlike the Democrats, who would delay key decisions like district number and boundaries until next year. 

Joining Speaker Krowinski will be Sue Ceglowski, Executive Director of the Vermont School Boards Association; Rep. Peter Conlon (D-Cornwall), Chair of the House Committee on Education; Michael Leichliter, Superintendent of the Harwood Unified Union School District; Rep. Emilie Kornheiser (D-Brattleboro), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means; and Jay Nichols, Executive Director of the Vermont Principals’ Association. The group will outline key goals of the proposed education reforms and how they aim to address longstanding challenges in Vermont’s schools.

Earlier this morning, at 9 AM, the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs will hold a joint hearing to examine the impact of tariffs imposed under the Trump administration. The focus will be on economic disruptions within Vermont and strained relations with Canadian trade partners, a press release from Krowinski’s office said. 

“The impact of President Trump’s tariffs on the Vermont economy can be seen across our state, and they are leaving businesses scrambling to retain customers and business partners,” said Krowinski. “The Vermont–Canada relationship is special—one rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and even a little maple syrup rivalry. But the Trump tariffs have put those bonds to the test.”

Rep. Michael Marcotte (R-Coventry), Chair of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, expressed similar concerns: “We are very concerned for our Vermont citizens and our Vermont business community with the extreme disruptions and financial losses the President’s tariffs have caused. We are also distressed by the way our friends and neighbors in Canada are being treated.”

The hearings aim to gather testimony from affected businesses and explore strategies to repair and strengthen Vermont’s cross-border partnerships. Speaker Krowinski emphasized the importance of creativity and collaboration in restoring those relationships, stating, “I refuse to believe these ties cannot be repaired.”

Both the education press event and the trade hearing are open to the public, with remote attendance available upon request by contacting Krowinski aide Molly Moore. The economic hearing proceedings will also be livestreamed for broader access.