Last week I wrote about the Senate Economic Development Committee’s work to restructure the Unemployment Insurance fund in the face of push back from all sides.

This week it would inconceivable not to write about the work of the Senate Appropriations Committee and their support of the Vermont Convention Bureau. Some may question why supporting an enterprise that brings thousands of room nights to Vermont that otherwise would go to other states takes courage. Well, the unexplainable reality is that the Department of Tourism and Agency of Commerce have for the past two years refused to provide any support to the Bureau making Vermont the only state that, in some way, does not support its Convention Bureau.

Last year the legislature appropriated the money requested by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber for the support of the VT Convention Bureau. This year, Representative Heath of Westford, who is the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, once again got the ball rolling by putting in half of the necessary funds. Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee led by Senators Shumlin and Bartlett, in the midst of the toughest recession that this state has ever seen, found and added the remaining money. These Senators understood that the ability to fill hotel beds, to fill seats in restaurants and to fill tourist venues directly returns real tax money to the state coffers. These Senators did this in the face of opposition from the administration and in light of the many others who were clamoring for money.

Please take the time to drop each member of the Senate committee and Representative Heath a note of thanks. Far too often we only take time to tell them when we disagree with their actions. Fair is fair. They really deserve kudos this time.