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Friend,
It’s good to be back! On January 5th, I took the oath of office and officially stepped into my role as Vermont’s 83rd Lieutenant Governor. I am honored that Vermonters have once again put their trust in me to serve. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and doing the hard work that comes with the responsibility you have entrusted in me.
I started my term with an address to the Vermont Senate about the importance of the work ahead of us. I gave each senator a jar of Vermont maple cream from Cary and Main in St. Johnsbury and North Danville. This gift is a product of the iconic Sugar Maple trees of Vermont, beloved in our state, whose survival over the next 50 years is at great risk due to changes in our climate.
We are clearly facing a myriad of challenges: wages that are not keeping up with inflation, a housing crisis that is driving out working Vermonters, a childcare shortage that is restricting our economic opportunities and holding back our kids, a rapidly changing climate, and much more. We face an opioid crisis, our healthcare system is struggling, and our mental health system is failing too many Vermonters. Fixing these problems and the other challenges will take had work, creativity, and courage. I have faith that, with your help, our state’s lawmakers can carve the path to a better and brighter future.
You can read the full text of my speech in the Senate Journal on page 13. You can also watch the recorded livestream here.
As I return to this office, I’m looking forward to some new activities as well as continuing some of the projects and programs that I started during my previous terms as Lt. Governor. These include the Lt. Governor’s Newsletter (Here is the first issue! Please share with friends and encourage them to sign up) and Coffee with Constituents in my office. The first one will be this Friday, January 27th from 8:30 am-10 am. I also plan to travel the state to have coffee hours and other town hall meetings. Follow me on Facebook for updates for when I might be in your part of the state!
Please reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns. And please stop by my office and visit with me or my Chief of Staff, Lisa Gerlach, if you find yourself in the Statehouse. My door is always open, and we want to encourage you to not only visit with us, but also engage with your policy makers (find them here!) as the legislature makes major decisions regarding your lives and the State.
Looking forward to your feedback,
Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman