Rep. Laura Sibilia: Breaking the impasse

This review is by Laura Sibilia of Dover. He is an independent who represents the Windham-2 district in the Vermont House of Representatives.

In October, I announced my campaign to become Vermont’s next House speaker. Now, in the wake of an election that eliminated the House supermajority, I want to acknowledge the challenges we face, share why I am stepping forward, and outline my vision for how the legislature can shift priorities and meet the most pressing needs of Vermonters.

Affordability is a big concern for many Vermonters right now. Inflation, housing costs, rising insurance premiums, and property taxes have become unsustainable. Our education and health systems are severely strained and in need of both stability and reform. These challenges are compounded by climate adaptation resulting from Covid-19, changing demographics and an increasingly global economy. Vermonters deserve responsive leadership. Because voters clearly demand meaningful progress, I am running as speaker to break the current impasse and set an agenda that meets the needs of Vermonters.

Having grown up as the oldest of 12 children living in rural poverty, I have a natural talent for solving problems. I took on responsibilities early; I supported my younger siblings, stood by my siblings throughout the military, and helped my mother keep our family on track. I raised my own daughters while balancing multiple jobs, then met my husband and raised our family.

I took a managerial position at the Chamber of Commerce and led a revitalization effort that resulted in increased revenue, membership and staff. These experiences challenged me to my core, pushed me to seek support when needed, persevere, and work hard with everyone who was determined to make things better.

My life has taught me that problem solving is not just about having the right answers; It’s about having the right mindset. Progress requires focus, discomfort, and persistence; It also requires creating space for others to participate and put forward solutions. Positive change is possible through focused hard work and intentional collaboration.

Currently the leadership has come to a political standstill. While the governor’s focus on affordability is important, his administration’s cautious approach has left some of our biggest problems unresolved. Current House leaders, on the other hand, have been hesitant on complex issues, waiting for the political winds to change rather than working with all the public officials elected by Vermonters to solve the problems that need to be solved.

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The gains we saw for Republicans in the House on Election Day show that Vermonters are demanding the same change I sought when I started this campaign in October: leadership that prioritizes progress on our priorities over partisanship.

My work inside and outside the Legislature has always focused on real, concrete issues. From support for deployed military families to responding to natural disasters, from expanding broadband internet access to advancing climate change adaptation, I worked closely with former House leaders and the governor to help develop statewide strategy and build broad consensus. As an independent and co-leader of the tripartisan Rural Caucus, I have advocated for policies that cross party lines and benefit Vermonters.

As speaker, I will bring these diverse perspectives to the table and work directly with the governor and all members of the House to focus on practical solutions to pressing problems. I will push for significant improvements in affordability, housing, healthcare, and education. This includes identifying multiple options for property tax relief and initiatives that could help stabilize the health care and public education systems. My goal is to break the impasse, set a clear direction, and work with everyone who is ready to make progress to move Vermont forward.

As Speaker, I will ensure that our House committees are structured to focus on effective, strategic policy that delivers real results for our communities. Each committee needs to have clear, achievable priorities and committee leaders with adequate resources and technical capacity. Each committee is asked to deepen their knowledge of their administrative counterparts during the first year of the two-year term and to fulfill their constitutional role of ensuring oversight of the significant federal investments flowing into our state through the executive branch so that those funds are used effectively and reach the people they are supposed to support. I will work to create committees that are not only reactive but also proactive.

As speaker, I will work with legislators from all walks of life, from newly elected members to long-serving representatives, to craft a legislative agenda based on what Vermonters clearly demand. We need a House that collaborates across party lines, producing fewer but more meaningful bills to serve our communities.

This election underscores the need for a new approach across party lines. Our public institutions need strong leadership. I look to support from my newly elected and re-elected colleagues for speaker of the House this January because I am ready to lead the House in a new direction—collaborative, focused, and transparent—to ensure that Vermont moves toward a more affordable, sustainable structure. and we prepared the future.