Joe Magee- Ward 3 City Councilor

03/27/2024

Join us in front of City Hall as we raise a Burlington Trans Pride flag in celebration of Trans Day of Visibility.

I want to extend a special thank you to the community member who created the Burlington Trans Pride flag that will fly in front of City Hall, and reached out to offer it for the month of April. Thank you, Primrose!

03/25/2024

Join us for the final City council meeting with the current councilors and mayor. Starting at 5:30, Public Forum 6:30. Hope to see you there or virtually. Learn more at https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/6977/files/agenda/10307

03/23/2024

“Overdose Prevention Centers are a desperately needed intervention in Burlington. Sign the petition in support at the link in my bio, and call your state senators to tell them to support H.72!”

03/07/2024

Research is clear that real safety happens when communities invest in taking care of each other and making sure people have what they need to thrive–affordable housing, strong public schools and supports for youth, vibrant public spaces, and access to healthcare, substance misuse treatment, and mental health resources. Criminalization is hardly the answer; think of what we could achieve if we spent the $57,000 a year that it costs to incarcerate someone on proactive support for struggling community members. By the numbers: According to a 2016 study by the Vera Institute, 49% of people with multiple arrests in 2017 had individual incomes below 10,000 year, 66% of people with multiple arrests had no more than a high school education, Those with multiple arrests were 4 times more likely to be unemployed, and serious offenses make up less than 5% of arrest. And we’ve got new studies showing that this isn’t correlated, but causal - a 2022 study showed that high-levels of adverse community experiences (divorce, poverty, discrimination) was significantly associated with criminal justice contact during young and middle adulthood, having been incarcerated in adulthood, having been incarcerated multiple times, and having spent longer periods of time incarcerated (Academic Pediatric Association by way of Burlington’s CJC). Adverse community experiences are up to us all to address.

02/28/2024

Strong democracy is core to healthy communities. Burlington has made strides in recent years and has a long way to go. The current administration has not been amply communicating with councilors and residents and has prevented transparency and democracy from taking place. The next administration can and must do better.

02/26/2024

Inclusionary zoning is supposed to ensure that affordable housing can be accessible to people with lower- and middle-incomes. Instead, we are providing loopholes and that is not acceptable. Tonight we hope to change that by increasing costs that developers must pay when they do not build housing that is affordable. 

02/22/2024

Research is clear that real safety happens when communities invest in taking care of each other and making sure people have what they need to thrive–affordable housing, strong public schools and supports for youth, vibrant public spaces, and access to healthcare, substance misuse treatment, and mental health resources. Criminalization is hardly the answer; think of what we could achieve if we spent the $57,000 a year that it costs to incarcerate someone on proactive support for struggling community members.
By the numbers: According to a 2016 study by the Vera Institute, 49% of people with multiple arrests in 2017 had individual incomes below 10,000 year, 66% of people with multiple arrests had no more than a high school education, Those with multiple arrests were 4 times more likely to be unemployed, and serious offenses make up less than 5% of arrest. And we’ve got new studies showing that this isn’t correlated, but causal - a 2022 study showed that high-levels of adverse community experiences (divorce, poverty, discrimination) was significantly associated with criminal justice contact during young and middle adulthood, having been incarcerated in adulthood, having been incarcerated multiple times, and having spent longer periods of time incarcerated (Academic Pediatric Association by way of Burlington’s CJC). Adverse community experiences are up to us all to address.

02/16/2024

We know that police are not the answer to every problem. In fact, police have been telling us this for years. When someone is having a medical emergency, we send an ambulance. When there is a fire, we send firefighters. When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, they should have access to trained mental health professionals. When someone is struggling with lack of housing or chaotic substance use, they need access to resources and care workers. These options free police up to focus on serious crimes, doing investigations, and improving response times and follow-up. While the City of Burlington has committed to moving these approaches forward in theory, implementation has taken a back seat. Progressives have been pushing for our city to follow through on these approaches for years and we have yet to effectively implement our previously set goals.

02/08/2024

Burlington is facing a public safety crisis. Last year, my Progressive colleagues and I formulated a list of detailed proposals for how to move forward to a safer, more inclusive city. I wanted to reshare the details of the proposals beyond front-porch-forum here so stay tuned for detailed posts on each proposal in the weeks ahead.

We are disappointed at last month’s vote to delay initiatives for community oversight of police yet again - especially as the proposal that was on the table was so bureaucratic and marginal that it could not really be controversial.. We re-share these proposals, in the spirit of imagining what true community safety might look like for the city of Burlington. Thanks .citycouncilor for being a contributor on this.

01/06/2024

Yesterday I traveled to Montpelier to talk to legislators about the urgent need for overdose prevention centers. I also attended the House Appropriations Committee as they discussed H.72, the bill that will authorize OPCs and provide $2 million in funding for two pilot sites.

I will be back in the State House next week when the bill is debated on the floor of the house.

We have come a long way in this movement for a more compassionate, evidence based, public health response to the overdose crisis. There’s a long way to go, but so much good work happening.

Deep gratitude to and Rep. Theresa Wood, two of the biggest advocates for H. 72. And to and who gave moving remarks prior to the committee vote.

Onward.

12/21/2023

New profile pic courtesy of my newest troll. Long but necessary caption…

You need a pretty thick skin to serve in public office these days. It’s unfortunate that our public discourse has devolved to this degree.

I can take it. And I know my colleagues who endure some of the same misguided attacks can, too. But why should we?

If you disagree with a politician, fine. That’s what democracy is about. But if you choose to hurl attacks and insults instead of reaching out and asking what role you can play in addressing the issues, then ask yourself what benefit that has to your community.

Human suffering on our streets has reached a dire level- one we’ve never seen before. This is causing many people, who maybe didn’t care or pay attention to politics and government in the past, to get involved. Many are choosing to engage in open and constructive conversations about the issues. Others just spend their time trolling online.

If we’re going to create a society where everyone is housed and has their basic needs met, it will require deep collaboration and thoughtful debate. That can’t happen online.

Show up. Do research. Ask what you can do to help shift the narrative in a more forward looking direction. And to borrow a line from - “get curious.”

11/09/2023

Dear Neighbors,

After careful consideration, I have decided not to seek another term on the City Council this coming Town Meeting Day.

This is not a decision I made lightly. I didn’t run for office out of a desire to engage in bitter partisan fights. I ran because I believed, and still do, that there are collaborative solutions to the crises facing our City and I wanted to be a voice for those who are often left out of the policymaking process.

Governments are at their best when the people impacted by policy decisions are invited into the earliest stages of decision making. Throughout my time on the City Council, I have seen a process that excludes community members from decisions until it’s too late to make substantial changes, which has caused an erosion of trust from residents. Every elected official who takes an oath of service next April will be tasked with rebuilding that trust, and I commit to working with our next Mayor and City Council to do that.

Over these past two years, I have done my best to advocate for a more compassionate and just society – a society where everyone is housed, fed, and cared for – not one where those who are suffering are incarcerated. It’s my hope that the Council will continue pushing for this change, and I will remain involved to ensure they do.

As I reflect on my time in office, I feel grateful to have worked with thoughtful and dedicated City employees and department heads. They do incredible work with limited resources in service to our community.

Lastly, I’m deeply grateful to the residents of the Old North End and Downtown who elected me twice to represent our neighborhoods on the Council. I’ll continue to seek out ways to serve our community, and remain engaged in policy conversations.

With gratitude and in solidarity,

Joe Magee

10/12/2023

Yesterday I had the opportunity along with Councilor Mark Barlow to join members of the for a live fire training at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.

We were fitted in full fire PPE and headed into the simulation space to experience first hand what firefighters face when battling a structure fire. We learned about fire behavior, how the environment changes with variables like oxygen and water. We learned how to run the hoses, and had the chance to simulate putting water on a fire. And we even ran a rescue drill, learning best practices for getting a victim out safely. This entire experience only deepened my appreciation for our firefighters.

Those who know me, know my family has a long history in the fire service. I met a few longtime firefighters at the academy yesterday who were familiar with the Hotel Vendome fire, and one who happened to be seated close to the front at the unveiling of the memorial 26 years ago. ()

Feeling deep gratitude for Burlington’s firefighters today, and special thanks to Chief Mike LaChance and Lt. Kyle Blake for making this opportunity available.

10/07/2023

Reposted to reflect correct day- Tuesday!

Below is my preview (and some editorial comments) of the City Council meeting on Tuesday, 10/10. The full agenda is linked in my bio.

I ask that those committed to a more compassionate, health-focused approach to the overdose epidemic please come and speak at the public forum (7:30) on Tuesday. You will be able to speak in person or on Zoom.

6.1 - A presentation from the BPD Drug Unit (I assume related to the next item, though we haven’t been told)

6.2 - A resolution related to the drug crisis in Burlington
This resolution has evolved quite a bit since it was first discussed at the public safety committee earlier in September. At the time, it framed the drug crisis almost entirely centered around law enforcement, leaving out harm reduction and health strategies that myself and others have advocated for repeatedly. The current version of the resolution is far better, but still promotes law enforcement as a solution to this epidemic, which I believe is flawed. We have 50 years of evidence to show us that law enforcement is not efficient or effective at removing drugs from the streets. And even though this resolution says a lot, it carries very little meaningful action. My strong belief is that the City Council should use our voice to advocate for evidence based harm reduction strategies at the regional and statewide levels, to begin to address the root causes of our overdose epidemic. This crisis is only worsening, and putting more people in prison is short-sighted, harmful, and ineffective.

6.3 - BFD Community Response Team
Thanks to the leadership of Chief LaChance at the Fire Department, in collaboration with members of the Fire Union, BFD will be creating a team charged with building relationships in the community and responding to calls for suspected overdose. The department has responded to 398 overdose calls through October 1, which has far outpaced the number for the entirety of 2022.

6.4 - City Of Burlington Seasonal Warming Shelter Project
The City recently received state funding to create a low-barrier overnight warming shelter to operate in the old VFW from mid-December 2023 to mid-March 2024.

10/06/2023

Below is my preview of the City Council meeting on Tuesday, 10/10. The full agenda can be found at the link in my bio.

I ask that those committed to a more compassionate approach to the overdose epidemic please come and speak at the public forum (7:30) on Tuesday. You will be able to speak in person or on Zoom.

6.1 - A presentation from the Burlington Police Department Drug Unit (I assume related to the next item, though we haven’t been told)

6.2 - A resolution related to the drug crisis in Burlington
This resolution has evolved quite a bit since it was first discussed at the public safety committee earlier in September. At the time, it framed the drug crisis almost entirely centered around law enforcement, leaving out harm reduction and health strategies that myself and others have advocated for repeatedly. The current version of the resolution is far better, but still promotes law enforcement as a solution to this epidemic, which I believe is flawed. We have 50 years of evidence to show us that law enforcement is not efficient or effective at removing drugs from the streets. And even though this resolution says a lot, it carries very little meaningful action. My strong belief is that the City Council should use our voice to advocate for evidence based harm reduction strategies at the regional and statewide levels, to begin to address the root causes of our overdose epidemic. This crisis is only worsening, and putting more people in prison is short-sighted, harmful, and ineffective.

6.3 - BFD Community Response Team

Thanks to the leadership of Chief LaChance at the Fire Department, in collaboration with members of the Fire Union, BFD will be creating a team charged with building relationships in the community and responding to calls for suspected overdose. The department has responded to 398 overdose calls through October 1, which has far outpaced the number for the entirety of 2022.

6.4 - Seasonal Warming Shelter Project
The City recently received state funding to create a low-barrier overnight warming shelter to operate in the old VFW from mid-December 2023 to mid-March 2024.

09/06/2023

08/26/2023

It was heartening to gather with folks from the community at their Rave for Recovery this afternoon.

Elected leaders throughout the state are finally beginning to recognize that criminalization will not help people get better, but investing in harm reduction and recovery can.

And with that recognition comes much needed funding for recovery centers and harm reduction services.

Earlier this year, I worked with Turning Point’s executive director to increase Burlington’s monetary commitment to their work.

Thank you for having me, !