Rep. Branagan on working with daily chemo
2023-04-21
Dear friend,
Here are a few updates at the end of the fourth-to-last week of this legislative session.
***
S.5: The Affordable Heat Act passed the House today (see why I voted “Yes” to a Clean Heat future).
Since the House voted to amend a Senate bill, the next step for this bill is to see if the Senate accepts our changes, or if a committee of conference is needed to iron out any differences.
I have received emails from residents with questions about how the Clean Heat Standard would affect their households. I will compile these questions and more information in a future Q&A. Briefly for today, S.5:
Creates a new policy framework, the "Clean Heat Standard"
Directs the PUC to draft rules for implementing a Clean Heat Standard through a public process utilizing technical and equity experts
Reports back to the 2025 legislature and governor with draft rules to implement the Clean Heat Standard
This bill is a study. After the report, your Legislature can change, pass, or repeal the statutory provisions of S.5. We have passed nothing that would affect the cost of Vermonters’ fuel. The bill does not require Vermonters to rip out their fuel systems nor install heat pumps.
***
I wrote about the pros and cons of increasing legislative pay -- see The legislative pay issue.
There has been some misinformation about S.39. It would not change the Legislature from part- to full-time. The main thing the bill would do is gradually increase legislative pay to match the average Vermont salary, pro-rated to part-time.
While I think this is reasonable, I am not ready to support a pay increase for legislators and am a "No" on S.39 as currently proposed.
I would like to see increased diversity in the Legislature, particularly in the professional and socioeconomic background of Representatives and Senators. Low legislative pay is one reason that retirees and landlords are disproportionately represented in Montpelier. (For a useful investigative series on the ethics and financial disclosures of your elected leaders, read VTDigger’s unfolding legislative ethics series.)
However, as is often the case, my feeling is that increased pay would make the job more palatable, but not more accessible. The very specific working schedule of the Legislature (January through May, Tuesday morning to Friday afternoon) isn't a fit for most typical jobs. (Employers are not allowed to fire you for serving in the Legislature, but some make it hard in various ways for employees to stay on.)
Or most family situations -- most legislators stay in a hotel room or rent an apartment for weekdays during the session, rather than commute every day. We make it work but stress is often reported. Early in this biennium, a Representative abruptly resigned, citing being stretched too thin by the job.
Vermont's Legislature is a part-time "citizen legislature," and I would like it to stay that way. I don't see any likelihood or means of changing the schedule to work better for working parents, those caring for a loved one at home, or folks juggling multiple jobs.
Being in the Legislature is a job with a lot of responsibility under the Vermont Constitution. I would not want to see people get too comfortable in the job. Turnover keeps things fresh. I gave a lot of thought to running, and constantly consider whether it's worth it. The system is better that way.
Please keep your perspectives coming. Would you be more likely to run for office if the pay and benefits were improved? Why or why not? And how should we decide on legislative pay? This is the kind of issue that voters need to weigh in on directly.
***
Many residents have written me on the topic of trapping. Following the recent hearing in the Energy & Environment committee on this topic, I've been by committee members that they don't have time to work on this bill further this year.
A colleague referred to this as "hate and despair season" in the Legislature. We all know going in that most bills will remain "on the wall," and that big bills that do get passed out of committee may not have everything in them that we want. Now is when that reality comes to roost.
With the "E&E" committee focused on S.5 and now on potential Act 250 development reforms, they don't have the bandwidth to take up trapping.
I heard the same from the Vice Chair of the General & Housing committee about my bill to end twice-daily clock changes.
He said the committee considered the idea worthy of consideration, but they have other problems on their hands. Like what?
"Housing," he told me.
"Good luck!" I replied.
***
I asked for help from Rep. Carolyn Branagan in responding to a comment from a resident.
In the legislative pay post, I gave some background on the personal lives of legislators. I wrote:
"We have more than one State Rep currently undergoing daily chemo or struggling with other health issues. Many Reps are more private about mental health issues, but in private conversation, stress and other issues are prevalent. I know of several in recovery from alcoholism. Parenting kids from babies to grownups is common, and children of all ages are sources both of joy and stress."
A resident commented, "Why are you surprised that a lawmaker would continue to work while on chemo? Or any other health concern? And you mention parenting... d'uh. Almost every parent in this country has to deal with this. That's just, I dunno, dumbfoundingly obvious."
Fact check -- I didn't say I was surprised. I'm impressed. I'm impressed with every Vermonter who shows up for their family or shows up for work despite all of life's obstacles. And when I'm impressed with somebody, I try to say it out loud.
Is that worth remarking on? I asked Rep. Branagan, who has been undergoing daily chemo before coming into work.
What she said might surprise you: (one-minute video)
How are you doing?