By Guy Page

The Vermont House this morning, with a unanimous voice vote, approved the Burlington charter change making permanent the staffing and funding of the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. 

H.956 is sponsored by Rep. Mary Katherine Stone. The measure was approved by city voters and, like all charter changes, requires approval by the Legislature. The bill now moves to third reading and then will proceed to the Senate.

Wreath removal at veterans’s cemetery – Wreath Out Day at the Vermont Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, Vermont is nearly upon us. Volunteers to remove the holiday wreaths placed (for the first time!) on every grave in Vermont’s veterans’ cemeteries will be assembling at the Cemetery at 10 AM this Saturday, April 25th. Wreaths Across America would love your help if you’re available.  We are expecting a pleasant day to work, with highs in the 50’s.  Gloves are encouraged.

Former rep, special educator named to State Board of Education – Speaker Jill Krowinski yesterday appointed former Shelburne representative Kate Webb (D) to the State Board of Education: 

“Kate is an ideal candidate, bringing nearly 30 years of experience as a special educator in Vermont schools, and 14 years in the State Legislature, spending four of those years as Chair of the House Committee on Education. She currently sits on the Champlain Valley School District Board of Directors.”

State revenues higher than expected – Revenue collections March 2026 show the state’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $282.79 million, exceeding the $263.11 million monthly consensus target by $19.68 million, or 7.5%. According to Secretary Clark: “The March revenues represent the first time this fiscal year that all three funds have simultaneously exceeded their monthly targets. Both the General and Education funds are ahead of their cumulative consensus target, while the Transportation Fund remains slightly more than one half of one percent below target.”

Bills become law – on April 20, Governor Scott signed these bills:

• H.84, allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent
• H.540, recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group
• H.694, approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Bennington concerning the Town Manager
• H.733, designating a franchise relationship

To view a complete list of action on bills passed during the 2026 legislative session, click here.

Bernie, Zuckerman aide named Mayor Emma chief of staff – Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak today announced the hiring of Lisa Gerlach as her new Chief of Staff. Lisa brings extensive political experience and most notably served as Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman’s Chief of Staff. 

Following Erin Jacobsen’s departure from the role in February of this year to return to the practice of immigration law, Director of the Community Economic Development Office (CEDO), Kara Alnasrawi, has been filling in as Interim Chief of Staff for the Mayor’s Office. She will now return to her role as Director of CEDO. 

Gerlach brings more than a decade of experience in politics, including working on the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, along with numerous other campaign roles. After working for Lieutenant Governor Zuckerman as his Chief of Staff, Gerlach has served as the Lead Organizer for the American Federation of Teachers Vermont Branch, sharing Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak’s history of union organizing.