BF-area lawmakers to hear constituent concerns

BELLOWS FALLS — Legislators representing Rockingham and Westminster will meet with constituents to find out what's on their minds before they head back to Montpelier in January.

The informal get-together takes place Saturday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Rockingham Free Public Library and is free and open to all.

Scheduled to be on hand are Windham County Senators Jeanette White and Becca Balint and state Reps. Matthew Trieber and Carolyn Partridge (Windham-3), and Michael Mrowicki and newly-elected Nader Hashim (Windham-4).

The event is being organized by the Rockingham and Westminster town Democratic committees.

Issues expected to be covered include affordable health care, increases to the minimum wage, environmental proposals, family medical leave, abortion rights, and the state's overall economy.

“With a woman's right to choose under attack federally, the state legislature will push to pass legislation that will guarantee that right in statute,” Balint said in a news release. “The federal government should not control women's bodies.”

She also listed Family Medical Leave Insurance and a minimum wage increase as important issues the legislature will address, both of which were vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott in the last session.

Also in the legislative mix will be a look at how the state can address the changing climate.

“Vermonters are rightly demanding a more robust conversation about our renewable energy goals in a fossil fuel-free future,” she said. “We are looking forward to getting the Joint Fiscal Report in January on carbon pricing and hope it will be a road map forward to help us meet our goals.”

Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly updates