Vermont Business Magazine Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson and several advocacy organizations reacted to Governor Phil Scott's vetoes of several pieces of legislation Tuesday afternoon. Some, like Johnson's revealed disappointment, while others were supportive. All were strongly worded. Below are responses sent to Vermont Business Magazine soon after the governor announced his actions, which included his signing some bills into law and letting others become law without his signature. You may view all the bills he dealt with HERE.
Vermont House Speaker Mitzi Johnson's Statement on Governor's Veto of Paid Family Leave Legislation
Over the last two years, members of the House worked across party lines to put forward tri-partisan legislation that gives Vermonters access to paid family and medical leave. Earlier this month, the legislature gave final approval to H.196, the Paid Family Leave Insurance Bill on a strong, tri-partisan vote of 90-53 in the House and 23-7 in the Senate.
“As we look to the future of our state, I believe we must build a Vermont that works for all of us, not just the wealthy," said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson. "Too many Vermonters live paycheck to paycheck and are unable afford to take leave when a new child is welcomed to their family or when tragedy strikes a loved one. Unfortunately, the Governor today ignored the needs of working families and vetoed a bill that would sustain Vermonters against hard times. I believe that Vermonters shouldn’t have to choose between their paycheck and caring for a new child or close relative. Ninety members of the House and twenty-three members of the Senate agree that this bill will make Vermont a better, more attractive home for families. It’s unfortunate that the Governor does not support a policy that will grow our economy and attract young families.”
Vermont Insurance Agents Association Applauds Governor Scott’s Veto of S.197
The Vermont Insurance Agents Association (VIAA) praises Governor Scott for vetoing S. 197, a bill that would have made Vermont businesses liable for the costs of “medical monitoring” associated with the release of chemicals, even where a release has not been shown to cause harm to an individual.
“S.197 could have made insurance for Vermont Businesses unaffordable or unavailable to many companies in the state,” said Mary Eversole, VIAA executive director.
No other state has adopted such expansive medical monitoring legislation. The bill would have a potential negative impact on the insurance market and business operations in Vermont compared to other states.
“We appreciate the Governor taking the negative consequences of this bill into consideration and are grateful that he vetoed this legislation,” continued Eversole.
Vermont Insurance Agents Association is a statewide trade association representing 150 independent insurance agencies in Vermont, with nearly 900 employees. VIAA member independent insurance agents represent more than one insurance company, and as a result, can offer clients a wider choice of auto, home, business, life and employee benefits. Founded in 1906, VIAA’s mission is to be an advocate for independent insurance agents and to satisfy the professional needs of its members. VIAA is affiliated with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America. VIAA is here to help our members succeed in today’s competitive insurance industry
James Haslam, Rights & Democracy
"With these vetoes, Gov. Phil Scott made it clear he does not represent the interests of working families in Vermont, and is more interested in maintaining an economy that benefits the wealthy few while increasingly leaving tens of thousands of us behind," said James Haslam, Executive Director for Rights & Democracy, a community-based membership group that strongly supported both bills.
"It would be generous to say that Governor Scott is simply out of touch with the everyday struggles of families in today's economy. The fact is, he is simply more interested in representing powerful corporate lobbying interests than he is the working folks he claims to care about. If we are going to have a state where everyone can thrive, Vermont will need to veto Phil Scott and elect someone who has not been bought and sold by Wall Street and the likes of Koch Brothers. Vermont can no longer afford Gov. Phil Scott."
Vermont Outdoor Guide Association (VOGA)
Friends and Members of VOGA,
I want to thank Governor Scott for vetoing S. 105.I also thank all of the individuals, businesses and organizations who supported VOGA in our movement against it. We had 76 businesses and individuals, including 9 statewide organizations sign our letter to Governor Scott and many sent their own letters urging him to veto this waiver busting bill.
S.105 was a regulation regarding consumer justice enforcement and prohibited unconscionable terms in contracts.
If passed, Vermont would be the first in the nation to implement this regulation. While other states support their recreation based industry with laws supporting waivers and release forms, our elected officials seem oblivious to the needs of our industry.
Recreation providers use contracts called waivers or release agreements to allow people to participate in outdoor activities. These forms are used in the guiding industry, summer camps, outdoor training & educational programs, college outdoor programs, fund raising events for charities, recreation based venues and competitions involving sports to name a few.
If S. 105 had passed, a perfectly legal contract or waiver might be considered unconscionable and thus unenforceable based on the way that one party obtained the other’s signature.
The Vermont Supreme Court has applied a common-sense test in determining whether waiver clauses are enforceable. Contracts and waivers are already subject to contract law judgements and S. 105 would have added a new level of scrutiny, making Vermont businesses more vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits.
If Vermont wants to pass legislation that is first in the nation, let us be first in protecting small businesses, our citizens and their jobs as well as we in the recreation industry try to protect our visitors and customers.
The irony here of course is that when judged by it's own content, S 105 might be considered unconscionable itself and thus be rendered unenforceable.
You can thank the Governor by going to: http://governor.vermont.gov/contact-us/message
Thank you all,
Gray
Sincerely,
Graydon B Stevens
Vermont Natural Resources Council & Vermont Conservation Voters
Tuesday, Governor Scott vetoedS.197, a bill that would allow Vermonters to recover costs of medical testing from a polluter who caused a toxic release that resulted in high levelsof a harmful chemical in their body.The bill was prepared as part of the response to the release of PFOA in Bennington, where Vermonters are faced with this very problem.
"S.197 gave the Governor a clear choice: help make polluters responsible for contamination caused byatoxic release, or force victims of contamination, and taxpayers, to bear the costs. With today's veto, he proved that he does not have Vermonters' best interests in mind, and we're extremely disappointed," said Brian Shupe, Executive Director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council.
"It’s frankly unconscionable that Governor Scott chose to protect toxic polluters over Vermont families and taxpayers," said Lauren Hierl, Executive Director of Vermont Conservation Voters. "He had the opportunity to hold polluters accountable for the harm they cause. Instead, innocent Vermonters will be forced to carry the burden of expensive medical bills due to toxic contamination. This veto flies in the face of the Governor’s pledge to help the most vulnerable."
The enclosed imagesdepict Bennington residents, including children, who have elevatedlevels of PFOA in their bloodstream. S.197 would have simply given Vermonters like them the right tomake claims to recover medical costs from polluters if they've been exposed to toxic chemicals, before being diagnosed with an illness.
Main Street Alliance of Vermont Statement on Gov. Scott’s veto of H.196
“Main Street Alliance of Vermont represents some of Vermont’s smallest employers, many of whom cannot afford to provide paid family leave on their own. A statewide family leave insurance program would make it possible for all Vermont employers to provide a paid family leave benefit, regardless of their size.
“Governor Phil Scott’s veto of H.196 is a step away from building stronger small businesses, healthier families, and a better future for our state.
“Small businesses are a vital piece of Vermont's economy. Roughly 90% of our state's businesses have fewer than 20 employees and these are the businesses that are least likely to be able to offer paid medical leave on their own.
“Vermont’s small business owners spend countless hours and dollars interviewing and training employees with the hope that they will become a valuable asset to the business. Many small business owners pay competitive wages and are eager to help their employees learn new skills, but one area where we just cannot compete is benefits. With modest bottom lines, most small businesses aren’t able to provide extended paid parental or caregiving leave. A statewide family leave insurance program is an opportunity for Vermont because it will help level the playing field for small businesses like ours and provide a much needed support for our employees.
“A statewide family leave insurance program is an effective recruitment and retainment tool for local, small businesses that are struggling to find ways to compete with larger corporations. This is also a great recruitment tool for the state of Vermont, and has the potential to help make Vermont more appealing to the young professionals and businesses we are trying to attract and retain.
“Throughout the governor’s campaign and time in office he expressed a commitment to growing Vermont’s economy, attracting new workers to Vermont, and making workforce development a priority. The governor’s actions today stand in clear defiance to those words and show he is not serious about growing small businesses in the state of Vermont.”
SiX Condemns Vermont Governor’s Vetoes of Legislation to Raise the Minimum Wage and Provide Paid Family Leave
On Tuesday, the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) condemned Gov. Scott’s vetoes of legislation to raise the minimum wage and give Vermonters access to paid family leave.
“By passing these bills, the legislature stood up for working families because they believe no one should have to choose between their paycheck and caring for a loved one, and no one working 40 hours a week should be forced to live in poverty,” said Sam Munger, Senior Director of External Affairs for SiX. “Gov. Scott says he wants to make the state more affordable,but by killing these important pieces of legislation, he just made the lives of working Vermonters harder.”
The Vermont legislature approved the paid family leave bill, H.196, which was sponsored by Sen. Michael Sirotkin, D-Chittenden; Rep. Matthew Trieber, D-Windham; Rep. Samuel Young, D- Orleans-Caledonia; and Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, D-Orange.
“I was hoping the governor would realize that a paid family leave program would directly work toward his goal of attracting young families to Vermont,” said Rep. Young. “Now, all he has is marketing and slogans rather than a tangible policy that would help everyday working Vermonters and show this state’s commitment to our families.”
The bill would direct the state to create an insurance program that would provide Vermonters up to 12 weeks of leave to welcome a newborn child and up to six weeks of leave to care for an ill or injured family member. The insurance program would offer Vermonters 70 percent wage replacement—up to $1,042.40 each week—during their leave. This would have been the highest wage replacement amount in the country.
The program would be funded by a 0.136% employee payroll deduction — just under $70 a year for a person making $50,000 — and would give employers the option to pay the contribution on behalf of employees. Workers that have earned at least $10,710 in Vermont during the last 12 months would be eligible for the program.
The minimum wage bill, S.40, was sponsored by Sen. Sirotkin and Sen. Deborah Ingram, D-Chittenden. It would have raised the minimum wage from its current level of $10.50 to $15 an hour over the next six years.
The Vermont legislature adjourned May 13. Gov. Scott has called back legislators for a special session to address the state budget and tax legislation; however, the General Assembly will likely be unable to override any of his vetoes.
TheState Innovation Exchange (SiX)is a national resource and strategy center that supports state legislators who seek to strengthen our democracy, fight for working families, defend civil rights and liberties, and protect the environment. We do this by providing training, emphasizing leadership development, amplifying legislators’ voices, and forging strategic alliances between our legislative network and grassroots movements.