Now that we have dropped the final gavel on the 2007 legislative session, I would like to share my thoughts on where it has taken us.
Despite the many different viewpoints in play in the State House this year, each legislator came to Montpelier with a commitment to making life better in our state. That shared commitment enabled us to form consensus and make some important progress on some important issues.

When we first met in January, Governor Jim Douglas called upon us to revolutionize our telecommunications infrastructure by making Vermont the nation's first "e-state" where quality cell coverage and broadband internet are available to every Vermonter everywhere, anytime.

I am pleased that we did reach agreement on the establishment of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA). The VTA will be the driving force in our effort to deliver broadband and cell phone service to every corner of our state -- even to the most remote, rural Vermont community. I would like to thank, in particular, Senator Vincent Illuzzi (Essex-Orleans) for his leadership and dedication to making this vision a reality. I am also looking forward to being directly involved in developing a pilot project to identify the cost, obstacles and effectiveness of a satellite-enabled, interoperable wireless communication system to serve rural areas in northeastern Vermont, northwestern New Hampshire, and the southern portions of the Province of Quebec. This pilot project could help to develop cutting edge telecommunications solutions for our state.

The governor also asked the General Assembly to adopt the findings of the Next Generation Commission and launch a comprehensive package of initiatives this year. The Next Generation bill we have passed will provide opportunities for so many Vermonters, who, until now, believed that a college education was out of their reach.

The bill also provides funding for workforce development programs that deliver job-skills training to Vermonters and open the door to good paying jobs. It also provides for alternative education programs for young people who are at risk of dropping out of school.

We also made progress on maintaining our roads, bridges and highways. We passed this year’s transportation bill, which focuses on critically needed maintenance of existing roads, bridges and culverts and sets Vermont on the road to affordability in the years ahead. In particular, I'd like to thank Senator Richard Mazza (Grand Isle) for his strong commitment to Vermont's transportation infrastructure.

The legislature passed a bill this year to create a new energy-efficiency utility, the goals of which I applaud. However, it included a tax on Vermont Yankee, which I oppose. I would prefer to see an efficiency and conservation effort with funding and implementation based on collaboration with our energy providers, not coercion.

Protecting Vermont's children has been a priority for me as your Lt. Governor. So while I was pleased that Jessica's Law (H.418) was introduced in the House this year, I was disappointed that the legislature did not take it up. At the same time, I am encouraged that after years of debate, we have enacted a sex offender bill that will address the population of very dangerous and untreated sexual predators. This bill will give law enforcement the tools it needs to protect our neighborhoods. I want to extend my appreciation to Public Safety Commissioner Sleeper and Senator Richard Sears (Bennington) for leading the charge. I will continue to advocate the passage of Jessica’s law in our state.

Sustainability is a word that applies to farming, the environment, and the economy – to a family budget or a state budget. The high cost of living impacts a working family's ability to pay its property taxes in the face of unsustainable increases. That’s why stemming the growth of property taxes has been a top priority for me. Vermonters are finding it more difficult to make ends meet, as government demands more from them. I am pleased to say that this General Assembly reached an agreement on school funding reforms. I believe the education finance reform plan will be a tool that school boards and communities will find helpful as they continue to make local decisions about their schools. I also believe that this plan will help to insure our schools continue to be funded in a sustainable way.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.