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.
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Categories: Legislation, Uncategorized
Who will she blame?
Twisted at best, evil at worst – she cannot manage to help veterans because of a perceived, potential loss of funding for suicide prevention programs in VT???
Ms. Black, Vermont bears the distinction for becoming the first state of the Union to allow citizens from out of state to come here to VT to participate in our unholy “medically assisted SUICIDE laws” to enable people to COMMIT suicide.
Ms. Black, approximately 23 VETERANS commit suicide EVERYDAY across this nation constituting a disproportionate number of individuals than in virtually all other demographics.
Ms. Black, those Veterans served this country & this state. You, Ms. Black, serve these Veterans.
Unfortunately, Vermont has become a culture of death. Not only do we welcome women—in whose states it is illegal for them to kill their babies—to come here to pay someone to murder their babies, we are doing this who want to kill themselves.
Assisted murder, assisted suicide. Our brave little state.
And regarding the obsession with suicide: A bill was proposed last January before the legislative session even opened which would permit gun shops to take people’s guns from them (voluntarily, of course) in the hopes that it would prevent more suicides.
But to your point, Kathleen, what are we doing in Vermont to help our veterans, who have given their lives in service for our country, stop taking their own lives? More cutbacks? Doesn’t sound much like a culture of compassion to me.
How do we change this?
Ms. Black, as one who serves and has done so since before you were born, I would like to remind you that no one understands a veteran like another veteran. If I had my way about it, military service would have to be a requirement in order to hold public office. Those of you who never served don’t have a clue as to what we have been through and the family separation our families endure. Of my 36 years of marriage to my wife, at least half of those anniversaries were spent apart.
Kathleen Gaffney is spot on. 23 veterans a day put an end to the pain by suicide. As an instructor of military leadership, I teach Resiliency as one of the many classes I teach. Coping skills, encouragement to reach out for help and that one is not weak when asking for help. We do this through the many images that war has left within us. I have more than once had someone come up to me and tell me that my words made a difference.
Ms. Black, you serve us. I know many Soldiers and Airman in your district and I hope that they see this. You either need to step down so that someone who can serve properly can do so and I would challenge you to enlist and enter the world we live in. Then and only then will you understand…….maybe.
Thank you for your selfless service, John.
May God bless you.
John, truly agree with you. Just extending thoughts. Anyone being elected to a government position should be required to take a competency test. If these people should be required to be in the military their duties should be constant KP’s. I remember when in tech school in the Air Force at Chanute AFB i IL I had KP duty for a week. Got to the mess hall at 2:30 AM and finally got off at 8:00 PM. Went back to the barracks smelling like kitchen grease., cloths saturated. That duty would give these two a mental attitude change. Then was assigned to Altus AFB in OK in SAC (Strategic Air Commend) with KC-135 & B-52’s 24 / 365 constant alert and was close to nuke war with Russia. I was only 18 at the time got work ethics responsibility quick. This was in 1958 to 1962. These two need the same, their brain cells aren’t connecting, hence a competency test for lack of importance.
My son did three tours in Iraq and one in Africa during Ebola outbreak. A retired officer now that does not want to live in Vermont. Good choice.
Why are they even making this an issue? It passed, by a huge margin? Does this make the VTGOP effective?
How about passing some tax relief for everyone?
The most expensive state for education and healthcare, with housing not too far behind.
How much a year is Dame getting paid for these types of antics?
Would be a wise choice to dup her.