News & Updates

Legislative Update

March 31, 2022

The House has completed its initial work on next year’s spending plans—the annual budget, capital adjustment, and transportation bills. The state budget is balanced and somewhat bigger than usual, as it includes over $400 million in unspent federal ARPA funds. That funding will pay for targeted one-time investments in areas such as housing, broadband, clean water, workforce development, updates to aging IT systems, and our response to climate change. The intent is to make Vermont stronger and better prepared for the future as we come out of the pandemic.

A Tax Break for Families That Benefits Everyone

February 17, 2022

Last week the House passed and sent to the Senate ground-breaking, bipartisan legislation to support parents and families. As part of H. 510, the new Vermont Child Tax Credit would pay families the equivalent of $100 a month for every child in the household age six and under. All but the wealthiest families would qualify, making this the most far-reaching such legislation in the country.

2022 Legislative Session Gets Underway

January 6, 2022

The Vermont Legislature is officially back at work. On Tuesday we met in Montpelier to start the 2022 session—and promptly voted to return home and work remotely until January 18th. For better or worse, we are reasonably adept at that, having legislated over Zoom for much of the past two years. Read more...

2021 Legislative Wrap-up

June 30, 2021

With summer upon us, the challenging times we’ve been going through are thankfully giving way to more normal routines. It hasn't been easy, and we can be proud of the example Vermont has set by pulling together when it mattered most.

When the legislative session began in January, expectations were modest. With all our work happening remotely, and the primary focus on ensuring a rapid and comprehensive recovery, no one really knew how much we could expect to get done.

As it turned out, we had a fairly productive session. All together the General Assembly sent 81 bills to the governor—just slightly off the pace of a normal year. Some were funded by the unprecedented inflow of federal money coming to Vermont and will have far-reaching impact, some were more technical, and some were symbolic.

Covid Recovery and More

April 19th, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

The Vermont House has been busy over the last several weeks, finalizing a major Covid recovery bill and passing significant tax reform legislation that will help lower property taxes, assist Vermont-based businesses, and recognize the service of retired military personnel. Read More

Town Meeting Day update

March 8th, 2021

The Legislature has been on pause this week, taking its traditional break to attend Town Meeting and check in with constituents. This year, of course, we've been home all along and Town Meeting was modified, but the break from all-day Zoom meetings has been welcome. Read More

Letter: Durfee thanks voters, cheers turnout, civility

Nov. 9, 2020

To the Editor:
I would like to thank everyone in Shaftsbury, Glastenbury, and Sunderland who supported my re-election to the Vermont House. Thanks also to Victor Harwood for running, and to everyone at the Town Clerk’s office, the poll workers, and everyone else who assisted on Tuesday.
Democracy was on display this election, with an historic 80 percent turnout in our district. Civility was on display too, with voters waiting patiently and respectfully for their turn to vote on Tuesday. And thoughtfulness and consideration were also on display, as every last Shaftsbury resident who chose to vote in person — some 700 people — was willing to wear a mask into the polls.
I’m proud to be representing this community in Montpelier, and will continue to do so to the best of my ability during the coming legislative session.
David K. Durfee,
Shaftsbury

Legislative candidates debate in Shaftsbury

June 22, 2018

By Derek Carson, Bennington Banner

SHAFTSBURY — The two candidates running to represent the citizens of the Bennington-3 district in the Vermont Legislature debated on Thursday evening, and while the two Democrats agreed on much, they were able to draw lines to differentiate their campaigns. David Durfee is a member of the Shaftsbury and Mount Anthony Union School Boards and is the general manager of Wild Oats market and co-op in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

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