IN JAN. 24’S FINAL READING…
Democratic leadership urge their colleagues to support a veto override on paid leave and minimum wage, a homeless bill of rights gets taken up again by House General, and if you saw some kilts in the Statehouse today, we can explain.
THE TOP TAKE
In the past two days, the House has passed S.23, which would raise the minimum wage, and H.107, which would establish a paid family leave program. The margins were substantial, but not enough for a two-thirds majority to override expected vetoes by Gov. Phil Scott.
House Democratic leadership has already begun to work on convincing a few “no” voters to switch sides. They would need at least four more votes for minimum wage from a group of moderate Democrats. On paid leave, they need to convince at least eight lawmakers from the center and the left.
House Majority Leader Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, knows a hard road lies ahead, but is optimistic nonetheless. “The dynamics of an override vote are very different than a vote on a bill,” she said.
For an override, members would weigh the wishes of the governor against those of the Democratic majority. At stake? Siding with a Republican governor against their own caucus.
“I would urge the ‘left’ as well as ‘moderates’ to come on board if the governor vetoes the bills,” said Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive/Democratic. As a candidate for governor, he has an interest in seeing Scott on the losing side.
The other Democrat in the race, former education secretary Rebecca Holcombe, sees the situation the same way. “It’s important to recognize that this is only the beginning of the work,” she said, arguing that passage of a flawed leave program sets the stage for future improvement.
Many of those who voted “no” did so on principle. “I’m 100 percent dug in on the issue,” said Rep. Randall Szott, D-Barnard, of the paid leave bill. He compared the idea of compromise to a “shruggy emoticon — whatever we can get is good enough.”
House leadership may have an even harder time wrangling centrist members such as Rep. Cynthia Browning, D-Arlington, and two Bennington County colleagues, Reps. Linda Joy Sullivan, D-Dorset, and Chris Bates, D-Bennington. They have been staunchly opposed to paid leave throughout this biennium.
Whatever happens, will happen soon. After he receives the bills, Scott has up to five days to sign, veto, or allow them to become law without his signature. If he vetoes one or both, Krowinski said the override votes will quickly follow — perhaps as soon as the end of next week, and more likely the week following.
“It’s important to turn these around quickly,” she said. “We have other priorities to get to.” – John Walters
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
— House General began taking testimony Friday about a proposed Homeless Bill of Rights. If enacted, the bill would protect homeless people from discrimination and ensure they can access public spaces and apply for employment, among other protections.
Bor Yang, executive director of the Human Rights Commission, cautioned that the bill of rights could have various legal interpretations, causing some discrimination cases to be more difficult to prove. But she supports its passage. – Grace Elletson
— The Vermont State Employees’ Association voiced support Friday for a bill that would allow probation and parole office to carry firearms. The union, which represents corrections staff, has long backed similar legislation though it has failed to gain traction.
Sen. Joe Benning, R-Caledonia and a sponsor the legislation, said the bill, S.289, would likely face an uphill battle this year as well based on past results. It would need to pass a total of three Senate panels before crossing the finish line this session. – Alan Keays
— A proposal to turn the Department of Public Safety into a “super agency” overseeing all law enforcement officers got off to a rough start Thursday in Senate Gov Ops, with two commissioners and the state employees union raising concerns about the restructuring.
At one point, Louis Porter, the fish and wildlife commissioner, and Jake Elovirta, director of enforcement at the DMV, couldn’t decide who would testify first. “We’ve got a lot of law enforcement here so don’t get into a scuffle,” said Sen. Jeanette White, D-Windham. – Colin Meyn
— On the House floor, Rep. Brian Cina, P/D-Burlington, drew on his experience as a DJ in the Queen City while speaking in support of minimum wage legislation. He told his colleagues bouncers and others working in the service industry could do with the pay increase. – Kit Norton
— House Human Services heard testimony this week on H.663, a bill that would require all forms of contraceptives to be covered by insurance plans. It would also require that over-the-counter contraceptives and birth control be available in all high schools in the state.
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England supports the bill in an effort to limit unwanted pregnancies. Sharon Toburg, an advocate with Vermont Right to Life, shared Friday that she doesn’t support the legislation, which does not require parental consent. – Grace Elletson
— A new exhibition called “Women in the Statehouse” will go up in the Golden Dome’s lobby on Feb. 5, documenting the history of women in Vermont politics, from suffrage activist Clarina Howard Nichols in the 19th century to today’s female lawmakers. – Grace Elletson
— There were far more white jackets being sported in the Statehouse than usual today. That’s because the Vermont Pharmacists Association was visiting to compel lawmakers to enact legislation that would give pharmacists prescribing rights.
Pharmacy student Alexa D’Andrea said the change would help address the state’s doctor shortage, easing access to drugs like contraceptives and tobacco cessation medication. “It would streamline the prescribing process,” she said. – Grace Elletson
— Rep. Patrick Seymour, R-Sutton, does more than lawmaking — he also brews his own beer, a hobby he’s been pursuing since he was 14. He’s recently been testing out a colonial era recipe, specifically a brew that George Washington fancied called a “small beer.”
“It was a term for beers with less than 3% alcohol, because back in the day, if you were out working in the field but you couldn’t trust the water, you wanted something clean to drink but wouldn’t get you drunk,” Seymour said. He’s still coming up with a name for his beer, which he said has gotten a “mostly” good reception. – Grace Elletson
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK
This morning’s House devotional was led by Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman, P-Middletown Springs, in an outfit far from his typical Statehouse style. He was dressed in a traditional kilt to celebrate tomorrow’s Scotsman Robert Burns.
VTDigger’s Grace Elletson caught up with Chesnut-Tangerman to learn more about the holiday and the outfit.
GE: Why are you wearing this today?
RCT: So, tomorrow is Robert Burns Night. Which is when the Scottish celebrate all things Scottish. And last year, as well, on Robert Burns Night I asked to do the devotional to talk about the parallels between Vermont and Scotland, both sort of being the northern, rustic neighbors of the richer, more heavily populated south. And yet both are occupied by strong, resilient, stubborn people.
GE: How is this holiday celebrated?
RCT: He was a poet in Scotland, and usually people sing his songs and get drunk you know it’s sort of like the Cinco de Mayo of Scotland. So last year I read one of his poems, this year I did more of a thoughts about tribalism, tribal identity and the pros and cons of how that relates to our state. And then I ended with Burn’s Grace, which is: “Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be Thankit!”
GE: Is the kilt comfortable?
RCT: This is my grandfather’s kilt, and it is!
