With the return of Rep. Emily Long of Newfane as House majority leader, Windham County will again be represented in the leadership of the Vermont House of Representatives for the coming 2023–24 biennium.
Democratic members of the House selected their leadership slate during a public caucus held on Dec. 3 at the State House in Montpelier.
Rep. Jill Krowinski of Burlington was elected by the 104-member caucus to return for her second term as Speaker of the House. Krowinski's nomination must come before the full House of Representatives for full confirmation on Wednesday, Jan. 4, the first day of the 2023 session, after she is sworn in for her seventh term.
As majority leader, Long, elected to the Legislature in 2014, will continue to hold the No. 2 leadership spot. She also held this position during the 2021–22 biennium and, before that, served as assistant majority leader (whip). She was recently re-elected by her constituents to a fifth term.
A strong supporter of public education, Long has served since 1994 on local school boards. She was a longtime member and president of the Vermont School Boards Association and a member of the board of directors of the Vermont School Boards Insurance Trust.
Rounding out the leadership team are three assistant majority leaders: Rep. Kathleen James of Manchester (whip); Rep. Will Notte of Rutland (leadership development); and Rep. Jana Brown of Richmond (communications).
Rep. John L. Bartholomew of Hartland was re-elected at-large Rules Committee member, responsible for overseeing rules and parliamentary procedures on the House floor and training new members in their use.
Krowinski said that, in the upcoming session, Vermonters are counting on lawmakers “to continue investments in building housing opportunities for all walks of life, expand access to affordable high-quality child care, increase workforce and educational opportunities, pass legislation to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our state's natural resources, pass legislation to protect us from gun violence, and so much more.”