The writer represents the Windham-3 district in the Vermont House of Representatives.
WESTMINSTER-I have been a state representative for the past six years. I am looking forward to working in the Legislature with a new governor who will help us bring universal primary care to our state, who will support raising revenue to fund needed programs and reduce taxes through raising the tax rate on the 1%, and who will do so much more!
That person should be Amanda Janoo, an economist with nearly two decades of experience addressing complex situations, both around the world and here in Vermont.
Over the time I have served, Gov. Phil Scott has vetoed 70 bills, more than any governor in Vermont history. Just in the last year, he vetoed important legislation that would have controlled hospitalization costs for Vermonters and legislation that would have protected our state from damaging AI data centers.
When Scott vetoes legislation, he usually kills it. Republicans who supported bills the governor vetoes often switch their votes to support the governor. (Only 12 of Scott's vetoes were overridden during the two 2023-24 Democratic supermajority years.)
Committees in both the House and the Senate work very hard to craft legislation that is agreeable to both sides. Many of our bills pass with bipartisan support. When Scott decides something isn't to his liking, he is disregarding not only the hard work of the lawmakers who were elected to carefully craft legislation needed by the state, but also he is disregarding the will of the voters we represent. He vetoes with disregard to what most Vermonters want.
I saw Janoo speak twice when she was in Windham County. On both occasions she inspired the crowd with her bold vision of what is possible. She gave her full attention to each person who asked a question, and she gave thoughtful answers about how to move Vermont forward.
It is with great joy and anticipation I encourage my fellow Vermonters to support a governor who will work with the Legislature, not against it.
With hope for the future,
Michelle Bos-Lun
Westminster
The writer represents the Windham-3 district in the Vermont House of Representatives.
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