Rep. Arsenault and I recently published a summary of the legislative session as a guest column in The Observer (https://www.willistonobserver.com/forum/guest_columns/guest-column-notes-from-the-legislatur[...]tml), and we're hosting another community conversation on Wednesday, June 14 at 7pm at the new R.E.C. Zone (94 Harvest Lane). Come check out this new community resource with us! We want to hear what issues matter most to you, answer questions, and share our perspective on the legislative session. As we look back on the session and look ahead to the veto session starting on June 20, we intend to provide a short series of updates here. Today, we would like to focus on supporting families:

Making Universal School Meals permanent (H.165): Universal meals in schools remove stigma for low-income students and ultimately support all families. Food is not just nutrition, it is also about community, identity, and belonging. This passed the House with broad support and we are hopeful the Governor will sign it into law soon.

Robust child care legislation (H.217): We're disappointed that the governor vetoed this important bill. Families, child care providers, and businesses have been asking lawmakers to address our beleaguered system for years. This investment will make child care more affordable for families, raise rates to provide financial stability for centers, and boost pay for our valued early childhood workforce. The early years are essential for children's well-being and access to affordable, high-quality child care has positive ripple effects throughout our state.

Starting July 1, 2024, the child care bill puts a payroll tax in place. Not all Vermonters will be impacted by this tax – it's paid by employers and employees. The contribution rate will be 0.44%, with employers paying 0.33% and employees paying 0.11%. (For someone earning $50,000, the employer would pay $165 and the employee $55 for the year, for a total contribution of $220). Self-employed Vermonters will pay only the employee share of 0.11%.

Failure to spend money to fix systemic problems can be financially irresponsible. Allowing our childcare system to slowly collapse would cost Vermont far more than the money we've dedicated to keeping it solvent. Thanks to Vermont's earned income tax credit for working Vermonters and the child tax credit for young families, many families earning $50,000 and under won't have any personal income tax liability, and many will see refunds. Middle-income families will now qualify for a child care subsidy and could save up to $24K per year. We've received hundreds of emails from Willistonians asking us to support this bill, and we're prepared to vote to override the governor's veto.

Please reach out to us anytime at ebrady@leg.state.vt.us and aarsenault@leg.state.vt.us

May 15, 2024, 5:30 to 6:30 PM

May 18, 8 AM to 4 PM, May 19, 2024

May 18, 2024, 10 AM to 5 PM