Notes from Montpelier
by Rep. Bill Frank

On January 5^th I was sworn in for my fourth term as one of Underhill, Jericho and Bolton’s two representatives to the Vermont Legislature.   It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the Legislature.  There was plenty of pomp and ceremony for the inauguration of Governor Peter Shumlin and I was excited to have a front row seat.

            Speaker Smith announced committee assignments the first day and I am very pleased to again be assigned to the Human Services Committee.  Committee members elected me clerk of the committee.  It was then time to get to work.  The budget shortfall has grown to $150 million and Governor Shumlin will present his budget on January 25^th; the Blue Ribbon Tax Structure Commission report was presented January 13^th;  a briefing on the fiscal outlook was held on January 14^th; a draft of the Health Care report from Dr. William Hsiao was presented  January 19^th; the saga of replacing the State Hospital continues; multiple bills addressing campaign finance reform are expected; bridge and road care will have to be cared for without federal economic stimulus dollars; and Vermont Yankee will most likely still be discussed. 

The Blue Ribbon Tax Structure Commission report recommends broadening the base of the income tax and the sales tax so that both rates can be lowered.  Items that are currently not subject to the sales tax would be taxed, for example some services and clothing.  The Commission’s report can be found at www.vermonttaxreform.org/library.  The Web site contains two starting points to learn about the Commission’s work.  The tab “Taxes in Vermont” is a guide to information about the taxes currently levied by the State of Vermont.   “Reform Library” contains the Commission’s report and many of the documents they examined.

            Thursday evening, February 3^rd from 6:30-8:00pm Rep. Till and I will be at the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library to discuss these and any other item under consideration in the current session.   Please join us for an informal discussion.  We will be having this type of discussion about every 5 weeks alternating between Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Our local Food Shelf is housed at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Route 15 (between Clark's Truck Center and JeriHill Hardware). Food and clothing are distributed the third Saturday of each month from 9:00-11:30am.  Groceries are available for people living in Jericho, Underhill, W. Bolton, and Essex Center.  No appointment is necessary.  Sometimes donations drop off after the holiday season, so please keep the food shelf needs in mind. Donations of staples such as tuna, canned fruit, soup, breakfast cereal, spaghetti sauce, tomato products, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, peanut butter, canned vegetables, and pasta are always needed and greatly appreciated. Also needed are personal care items. There is definitely a continuing food need in our community.

Donations can be dropped off at the church on the Friday before distribution.  To set up other times to drop off donations call the church at 899-3932. Donations are also collected at all the Jericho and Underhill churches and the Covenant Community Church on Route 15 in Essex.  If you prefer to give a monetary donation, checks may be sent to The Ecumenical Ministry, P.O. Box 65, Jericho 05465.