Bernie Buzz

As work begins on the 2023 Appropriations Bill, it is once again time for my office to hear from Vermonters and local organizations about local projects they would like to see funded. I wish I could tell you that all of the requests will be approved. They won’t. We will receive hundreds of submissions and only a small fraction will end up being accepted. But it is worth trying.

You may not know it but Richmond, Vermont is the home of one of the most successful ski families in the country – the Cochrans. This is a family that has, for generations, not only produced an unbelievable number of champion skiers, but has also helped teach thousands of Vermont kids the joy of skiing at their Cochran’s Ski Area.

Earlier this month, I held a Vermont Telephone Town Meeting and I have to say, the response was extraordinary. During the call, I answered many questions from across the state on a range of issues, but I could only respond to a fraction of the questions asked. What I’d like to do now is answer a few more questions that were asked on topics of wide concern. Let me thank all those who joined us for the town meeting, and those of you who asked questions.

It is important, especially in these difficult times, that we remember to celebrate what makes Vermont so special: our people, our history, our way of life. Today, we’re going to meet Ann Chandler of Orange, a real trailblazer who just celebrated her 100th birthday. Among many other attributes, Ann was flying planes at a time when that wasn’t a very “womanly” thing to do. You can read our full interview with Ann below.

Last year, I asked you to submit ideas and proposals to my office for projects that would improve our communities and address long-neglected needs of Vermonters. I have good news: thanks to those submissions, covering a wide range of issues, we were able to secure over $38 million in funding for Vermont communities. This federal appropriations bill is expected to pass Congress and be signed into law by the end of the week.

When you think about the typical work of a U.S. Senator, you might think about introducing legislation and casting votes in Washington. But the reality is that some of the most important work my office does happens right here in Vermont. And that is thanks to having a great staff whose entire job it is to work directly with individual Vermonters like you to find solutions to the challenges you face each and every day.