The buck has a new place to stop.
2023-01-05
Dear friend,
I am pleased to share that the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate met as planned yesterday and open the 77th General Assembly.
In the House, we elected Speaker Jill Krowinski of Burlington, and then it was our turn to take the oath of office:
Rep. Roberts and others taking the oath of office.
Rep. Roberts and others taking the oath of office
Fun fact about our Vermont Constitution!
When taking the oath, you have the option of swearing to God ("so help me God") or affirming one's word "under the pains and penalties of perjury."
I chose the latter, but not for reasons you might expect.
Since filing to run for office in May I've a lot about what kind of leadership I want to offer Vermont and the United States, both of whose Constitutions I swore to uphold yesterday. What I heard from voters last year was that you want to be represented by people who show up, speak up, and take responsibility. Taking the oath on my own word yesterday felt like the vow to tell you that in this Earthly paradise we call Vermont, the buck has a new place to stop.
Text of first part of Vermont’s oath of office
The big news of the day for many of us was receiving our long-awaited committee assignments. I am excited to share that I have joined the Corrections and Institutions committee. I'm proud to be joining a committee chaired by Rep. Alice Emmons, who with over 40 years of service is the longest-serving member, or Dean of the House.
With Rep. Emmons, Vice-Chair Chip Troiano, eleven strong of us are responsible for legislation and budgeting relating to the Vermont Department of Corrections. As of today, there are 1,355 inmates in Vermont, plus another 435 detained. According to rough figures, this costs taxpayers about $60,000/person/year.
Our committee has already begun discussing ways in which we are not serving our prison population or the State's interests very well. Even our newest 20-year-old facility in Springfield is outdated. Basic procedures around transitioning inmates into the working population, such as getting them IDs, are lacking.
However, I was not picked for this committee based on my expertise in Corrections.
With 20+ years of experience in the architecture, design, construction, and building products industry, I know a lot about buildings. How they are designed. How they are built. How they can contribute to our health. And, due to the toxic chemicals and other problems with today's industry, how they can harm us. This and a magic 8-ball could have factored into my selection.
Our committee also covers the capital budget for State lands and property. That will be taking most of my time as of today as we work on the two-year capital budget.
You can read more about Corrections & Institutions, check agendas, and watch the livestream on our page on the Legislature.
I'm off now to Thursday here. Have a great one!
Questions or thoughts, please let me know. You can reach me here or at my legislative email, troberts@state.leg.vt.us.