INotes from Montpelier
by Rep. Bill Frank
The first bill voted out of the Human Services Committee this year was rather straightforward, it was to change the date members are appointed to the Tobacco Evaluation and Review Board. I reported this bill and used the opportunity to remind House members of the proceeds Vermont receives annually from the Tobacco Settlement Fund. The Board works with the Agency of Human Services and the Department of Health in establishing an annual budget, program criteria and review and evaluation of Vermont's comprehensive tobacco control program. Vermont has received $25 million a year from the settlement fund. This money has been used exclusively for programs for tobacco prevention and to improve the health of Vermonters. We spend $5.2 million a year on smoking cessation programs in all of Vermont's 14 counties. Tobacco companies spend 5 times that amount in marketing tobacco products in Vermont. The Tobacco Evaluation and Review Board has recommended increasing the $5.2 million to $8.4 million for 2009. Gov. Douglass budget calls for level funding. In 2008, we will receive an additional $10-13 million from another provision of the tobacco settlement fund. As with any new money there are many suggestions of how best to use it. The Legislature stood firm in using it for only health related projects. Another responsibility of the Board is to review and score applications for Community Grants and to recommend to the Commissioner of Health which grants should be funded. There are currently 19 community coalition grants across the state totaling over $1 million. The grants range from $20,000 to $65,000 per coalition.
More than 330 student members of Vermont Kids Against Tobacco held their 13th annual rally at the Statehouse on January 23rd. I was pleased to be present when they heard from Speaker Symington, Representative Pugh, Chair of the Human Services Committee and Governor Douglas. I enjoyed having lunch with Browns River and Camels Hump Middle School Students Ethan Spier, Dayle Brosam, Taylor Sirois, Shalyn Bouffard and Spencer Griggs and their advisor Lynn Butler-Dube. The students told me smoking rates for Vermont youths have been cut in half during the past decade. When I asked them what they thought the tax on a pack of cigarettes should be, they all answered "$100".
Ethan Spier, Dayle Brosam, Taylor Sirois, Rep. Bill Frank, Shalyn Bouffard, Spencer Griggs
Photo by Lynn Butler-Dube
On March 4 voters in the Jericho Elementary School district will be voting for two new school directors. The incumbents, Beth Hopwood and Sarah Ward, will not be seeking re-election. Only one resident has filed for a position leaving no candidate for a 3-year term. I served on a school board for 15 years and recommend it to everyone. I think it is extremely important to have a balance of board members with children in school with those who do not currently have children in the school system. If you have any questions about Jericho Elementary board membership contact any board members or the chair, Karen Glitman at 899-1877 or kglitman@comcast.net.
On our way to the United Church of Underhill Sunday morning my wife and I were surprised to see a flock of pink flamingos on the front lawn of the parsonage on Park Street. Our new minister, Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen was more surprised when he viewed the flock but found a note on his door with a number to call for "Pink Flamingo Removal". This is a very clever and creative fundraiser by our Youth Group to raise money for a mission trip to Provenience, Rhode Island in a couple of months. So be on the lookout for where the flock of flamingos may land next. Youth Group members were offering "Pink Flamingo Insurance" to church members after the service to assure they would not migrate to their lawn.
I enjoy hearing from you; contact me at Rep.BillFrank@verizon.net,
899-3136 or 19 Pokerhill Rd, Underhill 05489.
