Jason's Legislative update, including a call to action

Written by: Kyle Duggan on Jan 5, 2006 11:16 AM EST

This email is a series of periodic updates that Rep. Jason P. Lorber sends as a Citizen Legislator representing Downtown Burlington and the Old North End.

It's begun! The Legislature, after a six month break, is back at work. Yes, it's been wonderful seeing all of my friends and colleagues. But more importantly, I'm proud to say that we've hit the ground running. Unlike last year, in which the first week was mostly ceremony, we've been voting on important issues and hearing testimony on upcoming bills. This email gives you a brief update on issues related to Farmers, Health Care, and Corrections. I also ask you to take action to advocate for the continuation of an important program. Details follow.

Yesterday the big vote was on an amendment that many folks have referred to as "The Farmer Protection Act." It relates to Genetically Modified Organisms (or GMOs), which have many farmers and citizens concerned. I voted for the bill that would have provided the strictest liability protections to protect organic farmers. Unfortunately, the amendment was narrowly defeated; however, another amendment today did pass that provides some of the protections we had hoped for with the first amendment. So, while we didn't get everything we wanted, we made progress.

We also voted today to override the Governor's veto of the impressive "Green Mountain Health Care" plan that called for Universal Health Care for all Vermonters. As was unfortunately anticipated, our vote fell short by around a dozen votes. But our work will continue toward creating a bill that aims to cut costs and give all Vermonters access to a doctor.

Tomorrow, the 42-page report I completed around Corrections will be distributed to key members of the House and Senate. I appreciate the many positive responses and thoughtful comments I've already received from many who've read through it. If you haven't seen the report, you can find it online at Link (just click on the link on the bottom of the page). It stemmed from interviews I had with 53 Vermonters, including Correctional Officers, Parole Officers, Victims' Advocates, Inmates, Mental Health Advocates, and many others. I hope
that the report sparks continued discussions.

The last issue I wanted to discuss with you involves you: please take action on this item. The Governor's Administration recently shut down a program called the ManPhone, a program operated by Planned Parenthood that provides sexual health and reproductive information to young men. This program provides outreach to a group of people that is very difficult to reach and has great potential for making progress in health and safety for themselves and their partners. The concerns that were raised by the Adminstration (see Link) have been addressed but the program is still blocked from continuing. I spoke with a Representative from Planned Parenthood today and she suggested to me that it would be very helpful for those agreeing that
ManPhone should be continued, to make a phone call or send an email saying simply, "Please reinstitute ManPhone." Please email Health Commissioner Dr. Paul Jarris at PJarris@vdh.state.vt.us and call the Governor at 802-828-3333, (toll-free in VT: 800-649-6825) with your thoughts.

And as always, please contact me with your thoughts about any of these matters, or any issues that are on your mind.

Regards,

Jason

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Location: South Burlington, VT 05403