Representative
Steve Howard
is fighting for change !
“It is truly an honor to represent you in the Vermont House of Representatives. I prepared this summary of some of the highlights of our work to advance our State and our City. Please feel free to contact me. Thank you once again.”
OUR BATTLE TO GET THE RIPLEY ROAD BRIDGE ADDED TO THE STATE TRANSPORATION PLAN FOR REPLACEMENT WAS SUCCESSFUL! Thank you to those who called and wrote!
Getting Tough on Illegal Drugs
· Successfully secured a $50,000 earmark for the Rutland City Police Department for increased drug investigations.
· Fought for the passage of a tougher drug trafficking statute that makes knowingly allowing the use of one’s home, apartment, vehicle etc for the sale of illegal drugs punishable with prison time
· Strengthened landlord tenant laws to help landlords evict tenants who are selling drugs
Strengthening Vermont’s Economy
· We passed significant new support for job training and workforce development
· We passed Increased access to low cost capital for businesses
· Adopted energy efficiency legislation to reduce the cost of energy, making business more profitable & increasing job opportunities
· Passed health care reforms that will slow the growth of health care costs by investing in new technology
· Expanded Tax Credits for employers creating new well paying jobs
· Adopted a sales tax holiday this July
· Increased funding for construction of affordable housing & passed low cost financing for homeowners
· Expedited eviction proceedings for non-payment of rent and other issues.
· Advanced first in the nation legal structure for “Digital Corporations” & created a new corporate structure for slow growth mission driven companies
Improving our Roads, Rail & Bridges
· Successfully Pushed for new funding for road, bridge & rail upgrades, including the Western Rail Corridor
Standing up for Survivors of Domestic Violence
· Increased funding for violence prevention education for children
· Strengthened sentencing for offenders who prevent survivors from accessing emergency services
· Increased funding for training of law enforcement officers
Honoring the Service of our Soldiers in the Vermont National Guard
STANDING UP FOR THE VT NATIONAL GUARD
· Last Year, We expanded access to death benefits for members of the National Guard who died while in service to the State of Vermont
· Expanded funding for education and training for Guard members who seek to advance in rank
· Expanded The Vermont Medal to all Vermont Veterans
· Provided a limited number of free moose hunting permits for veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan
· Expanded qualifications for a Gold Star License Plate to veterans of Pearl Harbor, former POWS, recipients of the Purple Heart & Disabled Veterans
