Drawing The Lines...

Young Legislators Applaud Bipartisan Reapportionment Plan

MONTPEILER – On Wednesday, the Vermont House passed with bipartisan support, H.629, a bill that fulfills the legislature's constitutional mandate to realign house districts to reflect population shifts reported by 2010 census numbers.

This year, due to rising populations in the north, the House Government Operations Committee was charged with adding a district in Burlington and collapsing one in the Rutland - Windsor area, where the greatest population losses were felt. To avoid packing three minority-party members in a single two-member district, the Committee worked with two current members from opposing parties to form a new district that would place them in opposition.

Rep. Dennis Devereaux and Rep. Elderd French agreed to the plan because it was “best for the state of Vermont.”

Rep. Dustin Degree, (R-St. Albans City) who observed much of the proceedings on behalf of the minority, lauded the Members' sacrifice and the Committee's work. “Vermonters should be proud that at a time in history when our nation is mired in partisanship, in this body, we still put Vermonters first.

Degree, 26, was joined by Rep. Sarah Buxton (D-Tunbridge) 33, in praise of the new legislative map and the process that brought the bill to the floor.

“Many other states use legislative reorganization as a tool to further party agendas or strengthen electoral positions. This map signals that our government will continue to be guided first and foremost by the people we represent.”

The two may not always agree on everything, but they do share similar backgrounds and resumes. Buxton, served as an aide to Governor Dean from 2000-2004, while Degree worked for Governor Douglas from 2008-2010. Both are native Vermonters and attended Vermont high schools and the University of Vermont.

They concur that it was Vermont’s tradition of an open, inclusive and accessible government that pushed them to run for office. “Young Vermonters who choose to stay in Vermont, or have moved here to start their life, face many challenges. Dustin and I invite them to join us in public service and a tradition of bipartisanship to help build a stronger Vermont,” Buxton said.

“It’s a matter of fact, our state needs the input and involvement of young people in order to ensure the promise of Vermont isn’t lost on this or any generation. We walk into this house with a very different perspective then many members and we’re asking other young Vermonters to join us in the conversation," Degree added.