2026 Forecast

As we move into the legislative session, the coming months will bring some of the most consequential decisions of the year— especially in education, health care, human services, and the judiciary. Daily issues we face in Winooski are all deeply connected, and the choices we make in Montpelier shape affordability, access, and opportunity for solutions--for years to come.

Education will remain front and center. There are hard conversations ahead about education. Rising costs, declining enrollment and inequities between districts are driving us to confront how we fund and structure public education. It’s important that Winooski is not burdened by decisions made without local context so expect continued debate and a real need for transparency and accountability of the state.

Health care reform will also take major legislative bandwidth. Whether as patients, providers, or employers, we are all feeling the strain of a health care system that is broken and entirely unaffordable. This session we’ll be addressing cost containment, insurance dynamics, and access to mental health and primary care. My focus will remain on protecting access to reproductive and gender affirming care, pushing for regulatory reforms that move us closer to universal care, and serving up more accountability and transparency measures for the entities with the biggest bottom lines in Vermont.

Human services are under pressure—and need structural solutions. From child welfare and disability services to substance use treatment and housing supports, our human services system is stretched thin. Providers face workforce shortages and funding instability, while families are navigating long waits and disconnected care. I will be looking at how we can oversee these dynamics to ensure care is safe, reliable and coordinated—especially for children and families who rely on them the most.

Judiciary and public safety issues will demand attention as well. Access to justice, and the intersection of the justice system with mental health and substance use remain pressing challenges. We have legislation aimed at improving court efficiency, protecting due process, and reducing the ways our justice system becomes the default response to unmet health and social needs. This work is complex and necessary but I am going to focus on very practical solutions. I’ll also continue to ask hard questions and center your experiences in these conversations.

In recent months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many of you in your professional roles, and I’ve been struck by how many Winooski residents are helping lead positive change across our state—from expanding licensure for internationally trained physicians, to shaping the Rural Health Transformation Plan, representing union workers, and even stewarding the state treasury. Winooski is full of change-makers at a moment when Vermont truly needs them. Thank you all for your service.

To see bills I’ve introduced or that I’ve co-sponsored please go to https://legislature.vermont. gov/people/single/2026/37391.