A small but engaged group of Leaguers from around the state gathered at the Three Stallion Inn in Randolph to adopt a budget, elect leader-ship, adopt a program for the next two years, and celebrate accomplishments.

Three program proposals were considered by the convention, and all were adopted:

Study of the efficacy of a carbon tax for Vermont

The state of Vermont has a goal of 90% renewable energy by 2050.  There are currently four preliminary bills in the Vermont House, calling for a “carbon pollution fee,” or tax on  fossil fuels.  Each one proposes to be revenue neutral by different means.  The LWVUS has strongly supported clean 

air regulations and specified cap and trade and carbon tax as  tools for reducing carbon pollution.  

This study will look into the pros and cons of taxing carbon emisions from fossil fuels at the state level, so that we will be able to weigh in on relevant bills when that conversation starts.

State Action on Civics Education

At our informal meeting in Middlebury last August, several members from around the state expressed an interest in looking into civics education in Vermont, and promoting civic engagement.  Members of the St. Johnsbury unit especially have begun work on this topic. This proposal made it an official statewide effort, looking at how civics and government is taught in Vermont, and how we might enhance it.

Advocacy for and Education on Election Reform:  Ranked Choice Voting

Since 1999, he League of Women Voters of Vermont already has had a position in support of  instant runoff voting (IRV), also known as ranked choice voting, for all statewide elections.  Following the success of League of Women Voters of Maine in getting ranked choice voting for state-wide elections in Maine, the new group of League of Women Voters in St. Johnsbury proposed that we make this position a priority again, teaching Vermonters how it works, and advocating again for its use for statewide elections.

Leadership Team

With this Convention, the board (Leadership Team) has grown from four two years ago to seven:

• Johnna Ferguson (Champlain Valley)
• Ashley Hill (Central Vermont)
• Madeline Motta (Central Vermont)
• Catherine Rader (Central Vermont)
• Sonja Schuyler, Treasurer (Champlain Valley)
• Claudette Sortino (Central Vermont)
• Lynn Wurzburg (Northeast Kingdom)

Budget 

Discussion of the budget revealed a lack of understanding about the relationshp among the state League funds, the Education Fund and the Keyes Trust.  See LWV-Vermont Finances Explained for the discussion.

Guest Speakers

During the morning break, Johanna Miller, Climate and Energy Director for the Vermont Natural Resources Council spoke to us about the carbon tax bills before the Legislature.

Bess O’Brien, producer/director of the documentary The Hungry Heart, spoke about the sources of the continuing epidemic of  opioid abuse.