Lawmaker voted no to save funding for Medicaid, she said
On Veterans Day, the Vermont Republican Party (VTGOP) used its social media platforms to criticize Essex Rep. Alyssa Black for voting against a bill that provided tax relief to Vermont veterans, retirees, and families with children.
In a Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) post published Monday, the VTGOP highlighted that Black was one of only two lawmakers to oppose the measure, which passed overwhelmingly with 142 votes in favor. The only other “no” vote came from Rep. Amy Sheldon (D–Middlebury).
“This was an issue that was overwhelmingly supported by legislators from all parties,” said VTGOP Chair Paul Dame in a statement accompanying the post. “And it was something Republicans had been working on for several years. For Rep. Black to turn her back on the veterans in her community and around the state was incredibly disappointing. We think this makes her very vulnerable because there are many honorable veterans in her community that she failed to support when she cast this vote in her own interests—instead of the interests of the people of Essex.”
The bill in question expanded tax exemptions for veterans and retirees, part of a broader effort to make Vermont more affordable for military families and those living on fixed incomes. It received what Dame described as “tri-partisan support,” meaning it was backed by Republicans, Democrats, and Progressives alike.
Black explained her no vote on the House floor: “Knowing that we are facing catastrophic Federal Medicaid cuts, I cannot in good conscience vote to forgo revenue from pensioners that I know goes to support all the suicide prevention programs we have worked so hard to expand in Vermont. I’m voting no for all the veterans who will die by suicide without those supports and programs.”
The party’s post, which appeared on both its Facebook page and X account, underscored the VTGOP’s ongoing effort to contrast Republican economic and veterans’ policies with those of Democratic lawmakers.
Rep. Black, a Democrat representing Essex, has not yet publicly commented on the criticism.
The full statement was distributed via the VTGOP’s Substack page, VTGOP Press Releases.