The Rules Committee vote was 4-1. Sen. Peg Flory, R-Rutland, was the only one who supported McAllister’s request for reconsideration and wanted to hold a hearing. She previously opposed suspending McAllister.
The full Senate suspended the Franklin County Republican pending the outcome of his criminal case. McAllister has been charged with several counts of sexual assault. His trial is now scheduled for May.
Sen. John Campbell, D-Windsor, chair of the Rules Committee, said he requested legislative counsel invite McAllister, but made clear no testimony would be allowed. McAllister did not attend.
Flory said McAllister deserved a hearing. Because his criminal trial was postponed, she said he was being suspended for longer than originally intended.
“I understand the vote but I think when we took the vote last time the anticipation was the trial would be in February. There’s a big difference between February and May or June. I would have preferred if we had honored his request,” Flory said.
Flory said she believed the Senate did not have the authority to suspend McAllister for an indefinite period “and the longer that period is the more questionable our action is.”
Sen. Richard Mazza, D-Colchester, who voted against suspending McAllister, said did not support reconsidering the January vote.
“Until he’s proven innocent, I think the resolution passed stay in effect. I would have rather had his (criminal) case come sooner rather than later, but we didn’t have a definite date that it was going to happen, February or March,” Mazza said. “Having said that, it’s only fair that we stick by our original resolution.”
Campbell said he considers the case over.
“If he makes the request again, I think it will be treated the exact same way,” Campbell said.
The Senate leader also said he believed the Senate had the legal authority to suspend.
“I believe we acted within our power and we made a decision that was in the best interests of the Senate and the State of Vermont, in my mind,” Campbell said.
