Governor Scott Takes Office ...... 1 Vermont House Committee Members ...... 4 Governor Shumlin Says Good-bye ...... 2 Summary of New Bills ...... 6 House Committees Makeover ...... 2 Advocacy Webinars ...... 6
Governor Scott Takes Office
Inauguration Day in Vermont is always an occasion to celebrate and showcase our state’s history and the pomp and circumstance that recall it. From the procession of four former governors and numerous dignitaries who were escorted by members of the armed services in Vermont to the singing of “America the Beautiful” by Colchester Police Chief Jennifer Morrison, it was an opportunity for the overflow crowd of Vermonters crammed in the House Chamber to witness their state’s peaceful transfer of power.
After Governor Philip Scott took the oath of office, he used his inauguration speech to focus on themes that he had emphasized throughout his campaign for office. He assured Vermonters that he heard their concerns about “struggles to make ends meet as costs and taxes rise and good paying jobs are fewer and fewer.” He committed his administration to strengthening the economy, making living and doing business in Vermont more affordable, and protecting the most vulnerable. He announced that he would sign an executive order that very day directing every state agency to focus on those issues. His purpose in so doing, he said, was to “establish a culture that ensures the focus is always on you: helping you keep more of what you earn, creating better opportunities for your children, and building a future where you can retire with financial security.”
Governor Scott also said that in order to achieve his vision of affordability, a strong economy, and making life safe for vulnerable Vermonters, the state will need to focus on combating the opiate epidemic, revitalizing the approach to economic development, and transforming the education system to provide financial assistance to students from pre-kindergarten through college. Solving the opiate crisis clearly continues the effort that outgoing Governor Shumlin initiated. No matter that the economy booms in Chittenden County despite a crisis of affordability in housing, and unemployment rates are low, jobs are scarce in more rural areas and few tools exist to help towns support business and community development that support a sustainable and inclusive economy. At the beginning of this new biennium, the legislature sounds as if it is committed to addressing economic development in those areas, and the reorganization of several House committees seems to reflect that commitment. Transforming the education system, however, is likely to encounter far stiffer opposition from legislators.
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The details of how the new governor will achieve those goals – which he said are not lofty but are both necessary and complicated – will have to wait for his budget presentation on January 26. However, developing that budget in the tight two-and-a-half month timeframe (since the election) while facing a $70 million shortfall, without raising taxes or fees but at the same time providing access to affordable health care and implementing the Vermont Clean Water Act – as well as other priorities adopted in past legislative sessions – may be an almost impossible undertaking. Additionally, the governor spoke of the uncertainty that the new Trump administration will bring to the federal level of government. Governor Scott, however, has built a career on being ready to listen to new ideas and assembling staffs of knowledgeable people to address problems. He and his administration will need those skills now. With the energy and ideas of a new legislature and new leadership beginning to permeate state government, Vermont is in a strong position to tackle those issues.
Governor Shumlin Says Good-bye
On Wednesday, the same day that the 2017-2018 biennium convened, Vermont’s 81st Governor, Peter Shumlin, bid farewell to the legislature and to Vermonters. In a retrospective and energetic address, the outgoing governor pointed to some of his administration’s accomplishments, including efforts to connect homes and businesses to broadband internet, investments in transportation infrastructure, rebuilding the Waterbury state office complex and a new state hospital that had been devastated by Tropical Storm Irene, increasing the minimum wage, providing for paid leave, and implementing Act 46, the school consolidation law.
He touted his administration’s accomplishment of not raising income, sales, or rooms and meals taxes, but skirted the fact that property taxes have continued to increase every year, due largely to obligations that have shifted from state to local governments, as well as fees that were assessed to support various state programs.
The governor reminded his audience that he started the discussion – now a national priority –of addressing the crisis of opiate and heroin addiction, a problem that involves all sectors of government, no more so than the local governments that deal with the consequences of addiction and where innovative measures to combat it are often developed and implemented.
Sounding like someone who is not yet prepared to fade into the sunset, Governor Shumlin exhorted Vermonters to continue the work his administration began, including the cleanup of Lake Champlain, pursuing affordable health care coverage – including Vermont’s All-Payer Accountable Care Organization model – and the role of the state to serve as an example for the rest of the nation of tolerance in the face of divisiveness, climate skepticism, and more. He closed by embracing his new status as a regular Vermonter, “demanding that my government stand firm for the values that make this state what it is and has always been.”
House Committees Makeover
Wednesday’s beginning of the 2017-2018 Vermont legislative session was characterized by fresh-faced, enthusiastic, and friendly legislators in the State House and unbridled energy exhibited by its new leadership in the House, Senate, and Governor’s offices. New Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson wasted no time in announcing shifts in the responsibilities and composition of House committees. She
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created a new Energy and Technology Committee, and merged Natural Resources (formerly Natural Resources and Energy) with Fish and Wildlife (formerly Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources). Some changes may seem minor: Agriculture and Forest Products becomes Agriculture and Forestry, but given the discussion around protection of forest blocs, habitat connectors and the forest products industry, the shift will change the context of conversations significantly. As well, she reallocated the jurisdiction of existing committees and asked each of them to start by reviewing the operations and funding of the agencies that fall under their jurisdiction. “I am asking this House to evaluate state government and prioritize what Vermonters most need,” Johnson said in her acceptance speech, “so that we may preserve the long-term health and wellness of our state. We are committed to working with the administration to get this right.”
House committee assignments begin on page 4. The table below details the committees’ areas of jurisdiction.
Committee Considers Matters Relating To Agriculture and Forestry Agriculture, forestry, forest products, state parks and lands. Appropriations Money appropriated from state treasury. Commerce and Business organizations, workforce development, unemployment, workers Economic Development compensation development of state but not telecommunications or energy. Corrections and Department of Corrections, public buildings, state lands, state revolving loan Institutions funds. Education Education needs of Vermonters and funding thereof. Energy and Technology Energy, regulation and siting of power generation, transmission facilities, energy efficiency, natural gas facilities, telecommunications facilities and cellular and broadband services, rates and quality of service for both energy and telecommunications, state information technology systems. Natural Resources, Fish Water resources, land resources, land use, geology, fish and wildlife, habitats, and Wildlife air quality, environmental permitting, climate change, scenery, solid waste and toxic substance management. General Housing and Alcohol, housing, claims against the state, labor relations, military matters, Military Affairs veterans, all other unassigned topics. Government Operations State government, compensations, pensions, law enforcement and public safety, reapportionment, municipalities, suffrage, elections, structure of government, open meeting and public records. Health Care Health care including mental health but excluding finance and administration. Human Services Human services, public health, social and economic security. Judiciary Judicial and legal affairs. Rules Rules adopted by the House membership for conducting business, including adjournment of the body and disclosure of conflicts. Transportation Transportation companies subject to Public Service Board regulation, air and surface transportation, registration, licensing and regulation of operations and users, impact of transportation sector on air pollution and climate change. Ways and Means Revenues of the state, taxation needed to support government, including all matters relating to taxation, local or otherwise, grand list.
Local Government Day in the Legislature Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Capitol Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Montpelier, Vt.
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Vermont House Committee Members
Agriculture and Forestry Rep. Carolyn Partridge of Windham, Chair Rep. Rodney Graham of Williamstown Rep. Richard Lawrence of Lyndon, Vice Chair Rep. Mark Higley of Lowell Rep. John Bartholomew of Hartland Rep. Jay Hooper of Brookfield Rep. Thomas Bock of Chester Rep. Amy Sheldon of Middlebury Rep. Susan Buckholz of Hartford Rep. Harvey Smith of New Haven Rep. Alyson Eastman of Orwell
Appropriations Rep. Catherine Toll of Danville, Chair Rep. Bernard Juskiewicz of Cambridge Rep. Peter Fagan of Rutland City, Vice Chair Rep. Kathleen Keenan of St. Albans City Rep. Maureen Dakin of Colchester Rep. Diane Lanpher of Vergennes Rep. Martha Feltus of Lyndon Rep. Matthew Trieber of Rockingham Rep. Robert Helm of Fair Haven Rep. David Yacovone of Morristown Rep. Mary Hooper of Montpelier
Commerce and Economic Development Rep. William Botzow of Pownal, Chair Rep. Linda Myers of Essex Rep. Michael Marcotte of Coventry, Vice Chair Rep. Jean O’Sullivan of Burlington Rep. Bob Frenier of Chelsea Rep. Paul Poirier of Barre City Rep. Matt Hill of Wolcott Rep. Valerie Stuart of Brattleboro Rep. Charlie Kimbell of Woodstock Rep. Linda Sullivan of Dorset Rep. Patricia McCoy of Poultney
Corrections and Institutions Rep. Alice Emmons of Springfield, Chair Rep. Marcia Martel of Waterford Rep. Butch Shaw of Pittsford, Vice Chair Rep. Mary Morrissey of Bennington Rep. Lynn Batchelor of Derby Rep. Robin Scheu of Middlebury Rep. Paul Belaski of Windsor Rep. Curt Taylor of Colchester Rep. Daniel Connor of Fairfield Rep. Donald Turner, Jr., of Milton Rep. Terence Macaig of Williston
Education Rep. David Sharpe of Bristol, Chair Rep. Adam Greshin of Warren Rep. Albert Pearce of Richford, Vice Chair Rep. Ben W. Joseph of North Hero Rep. Scott Beck St. Johnsbury Rep. Emily Long of Newfane Rep. Peter Conlon of Cornwall Rep. Alice Miller of Shaftsbury Rep. Lawrence Cupoli of Rutland City Rep. Kathryn Webb of Shelburne Rep. Dylan Giambatista of Essex
Energy and Technology Rep. Stephen Carr of Brandon, Chair Rep. Corey Parent of St. Albans Town Rep. Curt McCormack of Burlington, Vice Chair Rep. Laura Sibilia of Dover Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman of Middletown Spgs. Rep. Warren Van Wyck of Ferrisburgh Rep. Robert Forguites of Springfield Rep. Michael Yantachka of Charlotte
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General, Housing, and Military Affairs Rep. Helen Head of South Burlington, Chair Rep. Heidi Scheuermann of Stowe Rep. Thomas Stevens of Waterbury, Vice Chair Rep. Brian Smith of Derby Rep. Kevin Christie of Hartland Rep. Vicki Strong of Albany Rep. Rachael Fields of Bennington Rep. Job Tate of Mendon Rep. Diana Gonzalez of Winooski Rep. Tommy Walz of Barre City Rep. Mary Howard of Rutland City
Government Operations Rep. Maida Townsend of South Burlington, Chair Rep. Marcia Gardner of Richmond Rep. Ronald Hubert of Milton, Vice Chair Rep. Robert LaClair of Barre Town Rep. Warren Kitzmiller of Montpelier Rep. Patti Lewis of Berlin Rep. Jessica Brumsted of Shelburne Rep. Tristan Toleno of Brattleboro Rep. Dennis Devereux of Mount Holly Rep. Cindy Weed of Enosburgh Rep. John Gannon of Wilmington
Health Care Rep. William Lippert, Jr., of Hinesburg, Chair Rep. Betsy Dunn of Essex Rep. Anne Donahue of Northfield, Vice Chair Rep. Douglas Gage of Rutland City Rep. Timothy Briglin of Thetford Rep. Michael Hebert of Vernon Rep. Annmarie Christensen of Weathersfield Rep. Lori Houghton of Essex Rep. Brian Cina of Burlington Rep. Ben Jickling of Brookfield Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford
Human Services Rep. Ann Pugh of South Burlington, Chair Rep. Daniel Noyes of Wolcott Rep. Sandy Haas of Rochester, Vice Chair Rep. Oliver Olsen of Londonderry Rep. Marianna Gamache of Swanton Rep. Carl Rosenquist of Georgia Rep. Brian Keefe of Manchester Rep. Joseph Troiano of Stannard Rep. Francis McFaun of Barre Town Rep. Theresa Wood of Waterbury Rep. Michael Mrowicki of Putney
Judiciary Rep. Maxine Grad of Moretown, Chair Rep. Martin LaLonde of South Burlington Rep. Charles Conquest of Newbury, Vice Chair Rep. Ruqaiyah Morris of Bennington Rep. Thomas Burditt, of West Rutland Rep. Barbara Rachelson of Burlington Rep. Selene Colburn of Burlington Rep. Gary Viens of Newport City Rep. Eileen Dickinson of St. Albans Town Rep. Janssen Willhoit of St. Johnsbury Rep. Kimberly Jessup of Middlesex
Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Rep. David Deen of Westminster, Chair Rep. James McCullough of Williston Rep. Mary Sullivan of Burlington, Vice Chair Rep. Carol Ode of Burlington Rep. David Ainsworth of Royalton Rep. Trevor Squirrell of Underhill Rep. Steve Beyor of Highgate Rep. Thomas Terenzini of Rutland Town Rep. Paul Lefebvre of Newark
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Transportation Rep. Patrick Brennan of Colchester, Chair Rep. Jill Krowinski of Burlington Rep. David Potter of Clarendon, Vice Chair Rep. Barbara Murphy of Fairfax Rep. Robert Bancroft of Westford Rep. Gary Nolan of Morristown Rep. Clement Bissonnette of Winooski Rep. Constance Quimby of Concord Rep. Mollie Burke of Brattleboro Rep. Brian Savage of Swanton Rep. Timothy Corcoran II of Bennington
Ways and Means Rep. Janet Ancel of Calais, Chair Rep. Johannah Donovan of Burlington Rep. Samuel Young of Glover, Vice Chair Rep. Gabrielle Lucke of Hartford Rep. Fred Baser of Bristol Rep. James Masland of Thetford Rep. Cynthia Browning of Arlington Rep. George Till of Jericho Rep. William Canfield of Fair Haven Rep. Kurt Wright of Burlington Rep. James Condon of Colchester
BILL SUMMARY OF NEW BILLS CURRENT NUMBER LOCATION H.3 Would change the required minimum burial depth in cemeteries to three and one- House Gen., Housing half feet for both children and adults. and Military Affairs H.5 Would allow trustees of public funds to invest town cemetery funds in securities that House Government are prudent under the standards established by the Uniform Prudent Management of Operations Institutional Funds Act. H.6 Would approve an amendment to the charter of the City of Montpelier to allow House Government Montpelier to regulate its public water supply and public water sources, which Operations includes Berlin Pond. S.1 Would direct the Secretary of Education to determine average daily membership for Not yet assigned. the 2016-2017 school year and the equalized pupil count for FY 2018 by dates that are later than required by statute so students in prekindergarten programs that did not timely complete required employee criminal record checks would be included in these determinations. S.6 Would require that a background check be conducted on the proposed transferee Not yet assigned. before a firearm may be transferred unless the transfer is between immediate family members, by or to a law enforcement agency, or by or to a law enforcement officer or member of the U.S. Armed Forces acting within the course of official duties.
Advocacy Webinars
At noon on Monday, January 9, VLCT’s Advocacy staff will begin a series of monthly one-hour webinars. In the first one, we’ll update the changes in the Governor’s Office and the Administration, in the House of Representatives, and in the Senate. We will also report on the issues that we believe will take center stage during this legislative session. Topics for other noon-to-1 p.m. webinars – scheduled for February 6, March 6, April 3, and May 1 – include water quality, education funding, transportation, public safety, open meeting, and stormwater. Other issues will arise as State House action pertaining to them develops. Each webinar will include sufficient time for Advocacy staff to answer your questions.
Register online at www.vlct.org/eventscalendar. You only need to register once to be signed up for each of the monthly webinars. We will send an email with instructions and the link to join 24 hours in advance (as well as one hour in advance) of each webinar. If you do not see the email in your inbox, please check your spam filter.
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