Rep. Becca Balint brings Chloe Learey as State of Union address guest

By Chris Mays, Brattleboro Reformer, published, Mar 11, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., invited Chloe Learey to be her guest at the State of the Union address to highlight all the innovative thinking going on at the Winston Prouty Center for Child Development. 

In addition to all the early education services offered by the center, staff are trying to piece together a project to bring as many as 300 units of housing to the campus. They also are about to open up an emergency shelter for families with children. 

“It’s also building off the work that I’ve done in my career on child care and housing,” Balint said in an interview Thursday about her decision to ask Learey to join her for the event. “These are issues that are important to working families, not just in Vermont but across the country.” 

Balint said there have to be many ways to “tackle the housing crisis in Vermont.” 

“I was really excited about Chloe’s willingness to jump into this arena and think about what are the opportunities for this campus that Brattleboro could benefit,” Balint said. “We have known each other for a fair amount of time. We’re both people in the Brattleboro community that care deeply about how we support families. She is somebody who I’ve admired, not just her vision and willingness to roll up her sleeves and get things done but her ability to see possibilities and see an opportunity where others might see a roadblock.”

Brattleboro is Balint’s hometown and where the Winston Prouty center sits on the former Austine School for the Deaf campus purchased in 2016. Different organizations are housed in buildings on the property that spans 184 acres. 

The housing project is seen as a way of painting a picture of possibilities as Balint recently presented a bill, calling for a $500 billion federal investment in housing. 

“These types of investments take multiple years of fruition,” Balint said. “I know that’s something that Chloe also understands.” 

Balint pointed to the need for a vision and hard work to make such projects happen. She described her bill as “a statement of principles and values.”

Flipping the House to Democratic control will help bring the investments to fruition after “a lot chaos and dysfunction” under Republican leadership, Balint said. During his speech, Biden called for bipartisanship especially when it comes to the borders. 

Learey noted the need for collaboration, citing her staff members as examples. Lisa Whitney, director of campus operations, has spearheaded the shelter project.  

Learey also expressed gratitude for being in “a place where people are trying to make something happen.” 

“It’s so great to be here,” Learey said Thursday. “It’s very different from Vermont. A lot of people around, talking about a lot of different things.” 

After arriving back home, Learey told the Reformer the experience was “amazing.” 

“D.C. is fascinating,” she said Monday. 

She spoke with staffers from the offices of Balint, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Peter Welch. She hopes they might remember the housing project if a funding opportunity arises. 

Biden proposed investments that ensure “everyone has a fair shot and we leave no one behind,” including the restoration of the Child Tax Credit which Learey has championed. Learey said she was moved when the president spoke of everyone in America deserving to be treated equally and his mention of the importance of early education. 

“There’s lots of standing up and clapping,” she said of the address. “He was pretty on fire I would say. It was pretty interesting to be in the chamber and watch that unfold. It felt like a political rally on some front.” 

Learey said she has a deeper sense of appreciation for Balint after the trip.

“We have someone who is thoughtful and does research and is serious in a way that maybe we don’t always agree with her or understand what’s going on,” Learey said. “She is digesting so much information, you know, representing us the best she can in an environment that feels relentless.”

Learey said the trip reinforced her appreciation for anyone who serves — from select boards and school boards to the Legislature and Congress. 

“Thank you to people who want to serve because I think it’s a lot,” she said. 

She said she didn’t go to D.C., expecting “a magic answer,” but she hopes the housing project will be more amplified locally afterwards. The trick, she added, will be in finding a way to make it “work for the community.”