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State House Report: A contested week

Submitted by tim on

Through a special arrangement with VBM, Leonine Public Affairs(link is external)provides a summary of legislative activity in Montpelier for week ending February 3. 2017.

A CONTESTED WEEK

Significant political attention in Vermont this week focused on the executive order President Trump signed concerning immigration. That’s not to say that there wasn’t other activity in the Statehouse this week--there was actually quite a bit. But, by far-and-away our statewide elected leaders were focused on better understanding the ramifications of the President’s order banning immigration from seven Muslim nations on residents of Vermont.

Governor Scott released five steps that his administration plans on taking in response to President Trump’s order. You can review his press release and the five steps he outlined here:
Governor Scott Details Response to Federal Executive Orders

Attorney General TJ Donovan also outlined his plans to work with the Vermont Bar Association to recruit attorneys to provide pro bono representation for immigrants.

You can learn more about Attorney General Donovan’s plan here:
Attorney General Donovan Calls On Lawyers To Represent Immigrants

Two Vermont specific issues that were the topic of activity in the Legislature this week were also very political in nature. Those issues, discussed in more detail below, are Governor Scott’s proposal to push the date on which the Vermonters vote on school budgets from town meeting day toMay 23and the contested election in the Orange-1 House District.

LEGISLATURE SIGNALS OPPOSITION TO MOVING SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE DATE
On Friday, the House took up S.1, which deals with determining the average daily memberships for the 2016-17 school year and equalized pupil count for FY18. Rep. Paul Poirier, I-Barre City, introduced an amendment that would require towns to wait untilMay 23rdto vote on school budgets, rather than on Town Meeting Day, as is tradition. This amendment would allow school boards to adjust their FY18 budgets to reflect the changes proposed by Governor Scott in his Budget Address last week, specifically the mandate that budgets be level-funded and that teachers contribute 20 percent of their healthcare costs. After a lengthy debate, the amendment was voted down 47-87.

Earlier in the week, both the House and Senate Education Committees took straw votes on theMay 23rdproposal and both committees chose not to support the idea. In effect, the actions taken by the education committees and the House this week are a significant roadblock to Governor Scott’s education proposal.
HOUSE VOTES TO RECOUNT CONTESTED ELECTION
On Wednesdayevening, after hours of contentious debate, the Vermont House approved a resolution to require a recount in the Orange-1 House District by a 76-59 vote. The recount involves the contested race between Representative Bob Frenier, R-Chelsea, and former Representative Susan Hatch Davis, P-Washington. While not unprecedented, it is rare for the House to order a recount. The Vermont Municipal Clerks’ and Treasurers’ Association released a statement objecting to the recount. House Republicans also strongly objected. The resolution, H.R. 8, establishes a 23 member “special recount panel” made up of Progressive, Democratic and Republican House members. The House Government Operations Committee is directed to come up with “policies and procedures” to govern the panel’s recount. There are reports the recount might happen next week.
TECHNICAL TAX
The House Ways and Means committee is considering atechnical tax billthat makes changes to the tax code without raising new revenue. Provisions include procedural changes at the department of taxes and revised definitions in the tax code. The committee is also considering a judiciary fee bill. Governor Phil Scott has not proposed a miscellaneous tax bill or administrative fee bill, which are typically proposed by the administration every year.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Planned Parenthood supporters flooded the State Houseon Tuesdayfor the reading of a resolution supporting a woman’s right to choose and commemorating the 44th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade.

MARIJUANA
Marijuana policy was back in the spotlight this week with both the House and Senate Judiciary committees considering legislation that would legalize small amounts of marijuana and expand access to medical marijuana.

The House bill,H.170, is sponsored by three members of the Judiciary committee – chairwoman Maxine Grad and Chip Conquest, both Democrats, and Tom Burditt, a Republican. H.170 would allow for at the possession and growing of small amounts a marijuana. It does not establish a regulated market for marijuana.

The Senate Judiciary committee is considering S.16, a bill that would expand the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Vermont and allow customers to purchase larger amounts. The bill was introduced by Senate Judiciary chairman Dick Sears, a Democrat.
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