Windham 5-Vermont State Representative Mike Mrowicki

2012 Vermont Legislative Report     May 15,2012
We take care of our own, in Vermont.
Just as Bruce Springsteen set the theme for his new recording with those words, the 2012 Vermont Citizens Legislature also worked to " take care of our own".

While the state wide devastation of two major floods last year dominated the agenda, many other vital concerns rose up and I'm pleased to report on what we did-and how we did it.

Washington may be mired in partisan conflict with our economy suffering the consequences, but Vermont looks like a thriving sea of tranquility in comparison. In Vermont, we respect differences and still work together, and we are all the better for it. Perhaps Washington could take a lesson from Montpelier.

Within that work, we recognize that as health care costs continue to soar, they present a barrier to a  sustainable economy. Most Vermonters are paying more and more for health insurance and getting  less and less coverage. These costs challenge personal, municipal and state budgets.

We are clear that health care dollars should be spent on health care - not exorbitant executive salaries, paper pushers or denial of services. We enacted laws this year which require reports from insurance companies on those items. As  we craft our new system of health care, we want these barriers to an effective system to be rendered transparent, documented and preventable.

Around the state we made some telecom progress in lifting Vermont away from our reputation as the "can you hear me now" state. In Windham County there's still work to do, which is why we are bringing ConnectVT head, Karen Marshall to the Putney Firehouse at 5:30 on May 21 to hear from local residents and to share plans for filling the holes in the current system.

While obvious progress was made repairing roads and bridges devastated by the floods of last year, other equally vital aspects of our Vermont quality of life were also served:
-Adult protective services were strengthened for vulnerable senior citizens.
-The quality of early ed and child care will be enhanced by adding more evaluator-licensors.
-Our environment and communities will not be fractured by Fracking, as is happening in other states.
-Young people can be brought into the folds of adulthood in one more way, by allowing 16 year olds to donate blood.
-Our working landscape will be enhanced by incentives to keep it productive and open for us and generations to come.
And, Brattleboro can benefit from a 21st century higher educational facility, as seed money was budgeted for this worthy project the Governor called for in his State of The State speech.

Speaking  of our Governor, he has taught by example, that our bird feeders can quickly become bear feeders - so take them in, come spring. And, for goodness sake, remember to put some clothes on, if you're gonna try and chase the bears away.

In the sixteen weeks of our legislative session a respectable amount of work was accomplished and a comprehensive list can be found on my website; www.windham5.net.

We know there is more to be done, and I look forward to working with Governor Shumlin in his second term to keep moving Vermont forward into a clean, green sustainable  future. A future that  preserves the best of the past while discerning which innovations will do well for us now and for generations to come.

It's great to be back home full time, and I look forward to enjoying the best place and best people on earth, here in Vermont's Southeast kingdom.

As  always feel free to be in touch with me or any of your local legislators,and thanks  for the chance to serve you in the Vermont House and help, " take care of our own".