[D]emocratic gubernatorial hopeful Christine Hallquist called on Gov. Phil Scott to sign a new budget proposal legislative Democrats hope to pass in the coming days.
At a press conference at the Statehouse Thursday, Hallquist slammed the governor for his handling of the state finance legislation.
“This biennium does not represent the Vermont that I know and love,” she said.
Following Scott’s veto of the state budget, legislative leaders put together a new plan that includes most of the state finance bills they passed earlier this year other than the controversial elements.
Democratic legislative leaders say the bill will avert a government shutdown if an agreement is not reached on more contentious issues by July 1. House Republicans delayed debate of the measure on the House floor Wednesday. The chamber is poised to take it up Friday.
Hallquist laid blame for the impasse over the states’ finances and the looming potential of a government shutdown on Scott.
“When you’re in a situation that’s come to this level of disagreement and impasse … there are no good solutions,” she said. “You’ve got to hold your leader accountable for the fact that we’re here.”
She said that if she were elected, she would take a collaborative approach with the Legislature to avoid using vetoes at the end of the session.
“I think a veto is a real symbol of failure of leadership,” she said. “If you’ve got to say no, you didn’t do the right work ahead of time.”
Hallquist issued an ardent endorsement of the proposal the legislative leadership is currently working to advance.
She said that she has been in touch with legislators about the situation, but has not offered suggestions on how to proceed, because she would “never want to second guess” their approach.
“They have a plan and they’re carrying it through, and I support their plan,” she said.
As to education finance in the state, Hallquist said there is a “density” issue in Vermont communities. She called for creating a plan to shift a trend of diminishing demographics in parts of the state.
“Dictates from the top don’t work from my experience. Barking orders and coming up with arbitrary metrics from Montpelier and then beating up the school boards and the teachers is going to be counterproductive,” she said.
Hallquist also swiped at Scott for vetoing S.40, a bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour over six years.
“Gov. Scott decided to veto Vermonters’ raises in the name of affordability,” she said.
Hallquist is one of three candidates vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nod. She’ll face off against environmental activist James Ehlers and middle school student Ethan Sonneberg in the August primary.
