By Guy Page

Curt McCormack, a long-sitting House representative for both Rutland and Burlington, Vermont’s two largest cities, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer.  

A Democrat, McCormack’s legislative legacy includes sponsoring and championing major environmental legislation. Famously supportive of alternative transportation, he did not drive a car. As chairman of the House Transportation Committee, he visited committee members all over the state traveling only by bus, bicycle, and/or on foot. 

Reporters found McCormack cheerful, accessible, and forthcoming – traits not always in evidence in legislative-press relationships, especially with committee chairs. 

The brother of Sen. Richard McCormack (D-Windsor) was a member of the Vermont House representing the City of Rutland from 1983 until 1996 and representing the Old North End and Downtown of Burlington since 2013. He also chaired the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy for five years in the 1990’s; was chair of the Joint House/Senate Energy Committee; vice chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Environment Committee and representative on the NCSL High Level Radioactive Waste Repository Task Force; co-chair of the New England Recycling Council; House representative of the Vermont Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission; vice chair Vermont Rail Council. 

He was the sponsor of Act 78, Vermont’s comprehensive solid waste law; the first-in-the-nation 1989 law that regulated Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and the creation of the Ethan Allen Express Amtrak train service.

“Curt dedicated over two decades to the Vermont legislature representing Rutland and Burlington, championing crucial environmental and transportation initiatives, and he leaves behind a legacy of service to Vermont and beyond that will not be forgotten,” House Speaker Jill Krowinski – elected from the same Chittenden 6-3 New North End district of Burlington as McCormack – said. 

“Curt’s innovative spirit and dedication to Vermont can be seen in his many legislative contributions to environmental policy and public infrastructure. He practiced what he advocated for, he was the only Chair of Transportation not to own a car. He was fierce in his climate advocacy, from championing our first comprehensive solid waste law to creating the Ethan Allen express Amtrak train service.” 

A public celebration of life will be announced in the coming weeks.