On the opening day of the 2013-2014 biennium Wednesday, Representative Shap Smith, D-Morrisville, was unanimously re-elected to his third term as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives. Upon being sworn in, Speaker Smith presented his goals for the upcoming session and announced assignments to the House Standing Committees. The Speaker identified significant challenges facing the state in education, health care reform, clean energy, and development of infrastructure.
Photos of opening day of the Legislature by vtdigger.org
Highlighting the strengths of Vermonts education system, the Speaker charged the House Committees on Education and Commerce and Economic Development to work together to ensure the State continues to build upon that foundation. (See all committee assignments below).
Our students should, and must be the best prepared in the country. That is the goal that we must hold. Whether graduating from high school, from a college or university, or continuing education after college, we need to ensure that our students have the skills necessary to succeed once they leave school.
Speaker Smith also highlighted the work necessary in the coming years to address the problem of climate change. Speaker Smith stated that the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy will work with the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to take testimony to learn the details of the effects of climate change on businesses and Vermonters, with the goal of moving toward reducing and eliminating carbon-dependent energy use.
In concluding, the Speaker stressed the importance of a cohesive legislative body and the benefits that working together will have for the good of Vermonters.
The intimacy of our democracy protects us from the forces that rend the nations political fabric. It continues to be the source of our strength as body and as a state, said Speaker Smith. As we engage each other, we realize that in spite of our differences, we have, at our very core, the same goal a commitment to each other and a commitment to make the world a better place for all Vermonters.
The Text of Speaker Smiths Acceptance Speech:
Four years ago, this body first elected me to serve as Speaker of the House. I am humbled now, as I was then, by the faith that you have placed in me to serve as your Speaker. I hope to honor that faith over the coming two years as we work together to make Vermont a better place.
In the years since I was first elected Speaker, our state and country has experienced a grave economic downturn and politics have become increasingly polarized on the national level. The political culture in the nations capital has left many discouraged and, quite frankly, disgusted. As the country faces monumental challenges -- huge future fiscal imbalances, crumbling infrastructure and an education system that is not preparing our children for citizenry or the work force, many openly wonder whether our leaders and systems are capable of putting aside their differences, rolling up their sleeves and laying a foundation for a strong future.
I believe that we can set a better example in Vermont. In the past four years, in the wake of great economic and political stress and in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, Vermonters have united both within this body and across the state to face our challenges, see within them possibility, and chart a course for a better future.
So, what are our challenges, as we look out over the next two years? And where do we see possibility?
Vermonts education system is a national leader. A high percentage of our students graduate from high school. A significant number of our adult citizens have college degrees, more, in fact, than most other states. Our test scores are among the best in the country. Yet, too few of our high school students seek a college degree. Many employers tell us how challenging it is to find qualified workers to fill their job vacancies. Most alarming, is that educational attainment is still lagging behind for those on the lower end of the economic ladder.
We have, through many policies we have adopted in this legislature, laid a strong foundation. We commit more resources than almost any other state in the country to our K-12 education system and our scores are among the best. But our students should, and must be the best prepared in the country. That is the goal that we must hold. Whether graduating from high school, from a college or university, or continuing education after college, we need to ensure that our students have the skills necessary to succeed once they leave school. And we need to work together to find innovative ways to reduce the crushing financial burden that many now experience when they complete their college education. Our Committees on Education and Commerce and Economic Development will work together to ensure that we are providing the legislation necessary to meet these goals over the next two years.
For too long the cost of health care in Vermont, as in the rest of the country, has been rising at an unsustainable rate, straining Vermonters finances and making access to health care less attainable. In Vermont, we have recognized this challenge. Vermont is in the midst of transforming its health care system, and by health care system, I mean the whole system, both physical and mental. We may live in the healthiest state in the nation, but we live in a nation that spends more on health care than any other country, while our life expectancy, infant mortality, and percentage of Americans suffering from heart disease and obesity rank worse than many other developed nations-that is unacceptable. We are on the path to an affordable, universal health care system in Vermont, but for the sake of our country we cannot get there fast enough. There is no doubt that the transition to a new system is going to be difficult. There already have been, and there will be bumps in the road. But we understand the importance of moving forward and it is incumbent on us to keep the pressure on reducing costs and push forward to make sure everyone has access to affordable health care.
While we have passed energy bills that pave the way for a cleaner environment, and a reduced dependency on foreign oil, we have increasingly been witness to dramatic weather events. The drought that engulfed so much of the country last summer, and the second hurricane to ravage the eastern seaboard in as many years are examples of how devastating natural disasters are likely to be the norm in the future.
That is why we must adapt and act swiftly to address the threat of global climate change. Our actions must include efforts to reduce future impacts to our climate, but must also recognize that our climate has been altered and it is likely we cannot do anything about it. And we must acknowledge that those changes will have impacts on Vermonters. During the coming session, the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy will work with the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to take testimony from the businesses and people of the state to learn the details of the effects of climate change, to learn what measures are being taken to adapt to this change and how we can lead the charge to prevent future degradation of our environment by moving toward reducing and eliminating carbon-dependent energy use.
I know that some of us will say it was kind of cold last nightâ ¦it was cold last week. But all you have to do is talk to ski resorts and stores that work in the snow sports industry to learn that there are real economic impacts of climate change.
Like the rest of the country, Vermonts current infrastructure is not sufficient for a strong economic future. We have taken steps to address this challenge, using ARRA monies to improve our roads and bridges, build out our broadband network and modernize our electrical grid.
While our commitment to make long-term investments in the states physical infrastructure and human capital has been a priority, our work is not finished. We must continue to invest in transportation infrastructure and broadband, this will make us most competitive economically and will help to address the problem of demographic decline. We have to address the long term challenges that face our Transportation fund. We must also work to ensure that one of our states most precious resources, our own great Lake Champlain is restored to its natural beauty.
These are not our only challenges. We face an epidemic of opiate abuse and the specter of a similar epidemic of methamphetamines. Our benefit structures can at times discourage Vermonters from economic advancement. With all our good intentions, we have put together a structure that helps people, but sometimes hinders them-we need to fix this. The cost of housing is an issue. Our wages are not growing fast enough.
I believe that, unlike Washington, we are up to facing these challenges. Why? We are a small state with closely knit communities. I, like you, visit with my neighbors at corner stores, coffee shops and community schools, discussing the pros and cons of what we are doing in Vermont and here in Montpelier. The intimacy of our democracy protects us from the forces that rend our nations political fabric. It continues to be the source of our strength as body and as a state. As we engage each other, we realize that in spite of our differences, we have, at our very core, the same goal - a commitment to each other and a commitment to make the world a better place for all Vermonters.
In the end, I believe we, as all Vermonters, are humble enough to admit our challenges, thoughtful enough to consider all possible solutions, responsible enough to work with those with whom we disagree, and brave enough to chart new courses where necessary.
Humility, thoughtfulness, responsibility, and bravery: Americas and Vermonts past success has been possible because its people practiced these principles. Our greatest ideals and ideas flowed from these foundations.
Let us today embrace these principles as we begin our work to build a better Vermont. Let us be servants to Vermonts future and to its very special people.
Let us get to work. Thank you.
Committee Assignments:
AGRICULTURE
Partridge, Chair of Windham
Lawrence, Vice-Chair of Lyndon
Stevens ® of Shoreham
Bartholomew of Hartland
Connor of Fairfield
Martin of Springfield
Michelsen of Hardwick
Taylor of Barre City
Toleno of Brattleboro
Smith of New Haven
Zagar of Barnard
APPROPRIATIONS
Heath, Chair of Westford
Johnson, Vice-Chair of South Hero
Helm ® of Castleton
Fagan of Rutland City
Keenan of St. Albans City
Manwaring of Wilmington
Miller of Shaftsbury
OBrien of Richmond
Pearce of Richford
Toll of Danville
Winters of Williamstown
COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Botzow, Chair of Pownal
Marcotte, Vice-Chair of Coventry
Kitzmiller ® of Montpelier
Bouchard of Colchester
Carr of Brandon
Cross of Winooski
Dickinson of St. Albans Town
Kupersmith of South Burlington
Ralston of Middlebury
Scheuermann of Stowe
Young of Glover
CORRECTIONS & INSTITUTIONS
Emmons, Chair of Springfield
Myers, Vice-Chair of Essex
Lenes ® of Shelburne
Browning of Arlington
Hatch Davis of Washington
Hooper of Montpelier
Larocque of Barnet
Macaig of Williston
Shaw of Pittsford
Shaw of Derby
South of St. Johnsbury
EDUCATION
Donovan, Chair of Burlington
Peltz, Vice-Chair of Woodbury
Lewis ® of Berlin
Buxton of Tunbridge
Campion of Bennington
Christie of Hartford
Cupoli of Rutland City
Juskiewicz of Cambridge
Rachelson of Burlington
Stuart of Brattleboro
Turner of Milton
FISH, WILDLIFE & WATER RESOURCES
Deen, Chair of Westminster
McCullough, Vice-Chair of Williston
Beyor ® of Highgate
Jewett of Ripton
Krebs of South Hero
Huntley of Cavendish
Quimby of Concord
Terenzini of Rutland Town
Webb of Shelburne
GENERAL, HOUSING & MILITARY AFFAIRS
Head, Chair of South Burlington
Moran, Vice-Chair of Wardsboro
Savage ® of Swanton
OSullivan of Burlington
Stevens of Waterbury
Vowinkel of Hartford
Weed of Enosburgh
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Sweaney, Chair of Windsor
Evans, Vice-Chair of Essex
Devereux ® of Mount Holly
Cole of Burlington
Consejo of Sheldon
Higley of Lowell
Hubert of Milton
Martin of Wolcott
Mook of Bennington
Townsend of Randolph
Townsend of South Burlington
HEALTH CARE
Fisher, Chair of Lincoln
Copeland-Hanzas, Vice-Chair of Bradford
Poirier ® of Barre City
Dakin of Chester
Gage of Rutland City
Mitchell of Fairfax
Morrissey of Bennington
Pearson of Burlington
Spengler of Colchester
Till of Jericho
Woodward of Johnson
HUMAN SERVICES
Pugh, Chair of South Burlington
Haas, Vice-Chair of Rochester
Donahue ® of Northfield
Batchelor of Derby
Burditt of West Rutland
Frank of Underhill
French of Randolph
Krowinski of Burlington
McFaun of Barre Town
Mrowicki of Putney
Trieber of Rockingham
JUDICIARY
Lippert, Chair of Hinesburg
Grad, Vice-Chair of Moretown
Koch ® of Barre Town
Conquest of Newbury
Donaghy of Poultney
Fay of St. Johnsbury
Goodwin of Weston
Marek of Newfane
Strong of Albany
Waite-Simpson of Essex
Wizowaty of Burlington
NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY
Klein, Chair of East Montpelier
Cheney, Vice-Chair of Norwich
Canfield ® of Fair Haven
Ellis of Waterbury
Feltus of Lyndon
Hebert of Vernon
Malcolm of Pawlet
McCormack of Burlington
Jerman of Essex
Nuovo of Middlebury
Yantachka of Charlotte
TRANSPORTATION
Brennan, Chair of Colchester
Potter, Vice-Chair of Clarendon
Corcoran ® of Bennington
Bissonnette of Winooski
Burke of Brattleboro
Gallivan of Chittenden
Kilmartin of Newport City
Lanpher of Vergennes
McCarthy of St. Albans City
Russell of Rutland City
Wright of Burlington
WAYS & MEANS
Ancel, Chair of Calais
Branagan, Vice-Chair of Georgia
Sharpe ® of Bristol
Clarkson of Woodstock
Condon of Colchester
Greshin of Warren
Johnson of Canaan
Komline of Dorset
Masland of Thetford
Ram of Burlington
Wilson of Manchester
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