This Wednesday, January 9th, when the Vermont General Assembly convenes for its 2019-20 session, I’ll be sworn in as your newest state senator. The Senate will be called into session at 10:00am, and I will take the oath of office along with my 29 senate colleagues from around Vermont.
My husband and two of my children, as well as several close friends, will be there to see me become a state senator. If you’d like to come, I’d be honored to have you there. You can also listen to a livestream of the proceedings of the day on Vermont Public Radio (vpr.net).
Later in the week, senators will each receive their two standing committee assignments and the first bills of the session will be officially introduced. I’m excited to be co-sponsoring several. The important work of the Vermont Legislature will have begun.
I want you to be in the loop and involved in that important work. I will be emailing periodic updates like this one, posting on my website and social media, and be available via my new legislative email address (rhardy@leg.state.vt.us). You can also follow my bills and voting record on my page of the Vermont General Assembly website, which is an excellent source for information about the legislature as a whole.
Tuesday through Friday I will be living up in Montpelier, and would love visitors from my district at the Statehouse. Please let me know if you’d like to visit, testify on a specific topic or bill, or bring a group for a tour. The Vermont Statehouse is truly the People’s House – it is open, accessible, and friendly. Please come to visit any time!
Saturday through Monday, I’ll be back home in our district. I’ll need time to be with my family and catch up on some work, but I’ll also take time to connect with constituents. In collaboration with my colleagues in the Addison County and Huntington/Buels Gore delegations, I’ll be at as many coffees, breakfasts, luncheons, and meetings as I can fit in my schedule.
For example, many Saturday mornings I’ll be having coffee with constituents in Vergennes, conversations with people at the library in Middlebury, breaking bread with folks in Bristol, or chatting with customers at Beaudry’s in Huntington. Most Monday mornings, you’ll find me at a legislative breakfast somewhere in Addison County.
I also hope to see many of you at school and community events, local meetings, in the grocery store, and out and about our towns. I’ll try to keep you posted about where I will be, and please let me know if there is a meeting or gathering you’d like me to attend.
After the campaign ended on November 6th, I didn’t stop seeking out the stories and opinions of constituents. I’ve spent the past two months meeting with hundreds of citizens and advocates, and learning more in-depth about their lives and work. I want to continue to hear from you; please stay in touch.
It is a privilege to represent you and our community, and an honor to work in the People’s House. Thank you for sending me to Montpelier as your senator. I look forward to working for you.
My very best,
Ruth Hardy
State Senator-Elect, Addison District
Ruth for Vermont 