Erin Brady Announces Re-Election Campaign for House (Chittenden-2)
(Friday, May 24, 2024) - Rep. Brady has served for two terms and is currently the Vice Chair of the House Education Committee.
Brady said, “For the past four years, I have been honored to represent Williston as our state confronts complex challenges in our society and economy. I have sought to collaborate and build relationships with legislators and stakeholders with a wide variety of perspectives. We have made important progress on public safety and historic investments in housing, childcare and climate resiliency. I am especially proud of our work to support children and families, including a robust childcare bill and universal meals in schools, which I took a leadership role in getting passed. Universal meals in schools remove stigma for low-income students but ultimately support all families. Students come to school hungry for many reasons and food is not just nutrition, it is also about community, identity, and belonging.”
Brady noted that the past session was particularly challenging given the “perfect storm” of factors that led to large increases in education spending, projected property tax increases and the instability the budget season created in schools and communities.
Despite the challenges, Brady expressed optimism about the work ahead, “One of the most pronounced lessons I’ve learned as a public school teacher of 18 years is the cumulative effect of inequitable opportunities and experiences on young people and their families. I know schools alone cannot fix everything, but I firmly believe they are the most important institutions we have to close opportunity gaps and they are fundamental to our democracy. We are at an inflection point in education for a variety of complex reasons. I am working everyday in Montpelier to transform our education system (which is really just a complex funding formula currently) in Vermont into a right-sized, strong public education system that supports all students and uses our precious statewide resources sustainably and efficiently. I am deeply committed to this work and bending the cost curve. Our system is over 200 years in the making so coherent change will take time.”
Brady is a public high school teacher and lives in Williston with her husband, Ted Brady, and their two sons, Patrick and Evan. Brady said, “while it is challenging to raise a family, teach and serve in the Legislature, I believe it’s important that we have voices from working families in Montpelier.”