The Vermont State Employees Association strongly condemns Senator Steven Heffernan’s remarks on the floor of the Vermont Senate during the debate of H.578, An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses. Senator Heffernan’s comments were dehumanizing and deeply harmful to transgender and gender-diverse Vermonters, including state employees and their families.
VSEA is committed to a workplace and a state where all people—regardless of gender identity or expression—are treated with dignity, respect, and equal protection under the law. We stand in solidarity with Vermonters of all genders and call on elected officials to engage in public debate that reflects our state values of fairness, compassion, and human dignity.
This Memorial Day, VSEA honors and remembers the service members who gave their lives. We also want to recognize and thank the many union members and retirees who have served. You continue to show up every day for Vermonters, your coworkers, and communities.
As union members, we understand the importance of solidarity, sacrifice, and looking out for one another. We honor those we’ve lost not only through remembrance, but by continuing the work to build a country where working people are respected, protected, and given the dignity they deserve.
Today, we remember the fallen, honor our veterans, and stand together in gratitude and solidarity.
May 20, 2026: Governor Scott has signed S.89, An act relating to expanding survivor benefits, into law!
After a long, sustained lobbying effort by your union, S. 89, the Survivor Benefit Bill was signed by Governor Scott yesterday, May 19, 2026.
The Survivor Benefits Bill will provide an $80,000 survivor benefit to the surviving families of:
Facility employees of the Department of Corrections and Department of Corrections employees who provide direct security and treatment services to offenders under supervision in the community
Certified Law Enforcement Officers
Classified family services employees in the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families
Classified medical employees of VPCH and River Valley
This is a significant win for VSEA members, and their families should the worst-case scenario ever come to fruition.
