IN MAY 29’S FINAL READING:
— In a Senate committee chairs meeting, lawmakers expressed angst over how to organize the allocation of the remaining Coronavirus Relief Fund money.
Sen. Jane Kitchel, D-Caledonia, warned that the state is running out of money in the fund to prop up industry bailouts.
“We don’t have money for a $300 million package,” she said, referring to the bailout the Scott administration has proposed for Vermont hospitals. “Or we’d have to take it away from the economic recovery side, or forgo essential workers.”
“I never saw $1.25 billion go so fast,” Sears said. “What that means to me is that it’s really not that much given the size and the scope of the problem that we face. And I am concerned that special interests are going to take over this process.” – Grace Elletson
— The Joint Fiscal Office presented a picture of where the current budgeting of the federal CARES Act money — totalling $1.25 billion — currently stands to Senate Health and Welfare.
In a document that compares how money from the CARES Act has been budgeted for services or programs between the Senate and the Governor’s Office, the document showed that the governor’s wish list for the money puts the state in the red.
All of the governor’s proposals for the money adds up to $1,365,083,500, which puts the state $115,083,500 over budget. This money has largely not yet been approved for spending — this is a culmination of what Gov. Phil Scott has proposed so far.
Sen. Richie Westman, R-Lamoille, raised concerns that this number doesn’t include any substantial broadband funding. “There’s a slight mention,” Westman said, referring to phase two of the governor’s recovery package. “But it’s not in there.” – Grace Elletson
— Fuel and manufacturing industry representatives pushed back on the Global Warming Solutions Act in a Senate Natural Resources Committee meeting. The bill would set emission reduction mandates and allow Vermonters to sue the state if these mandates are not met by a certain time period.
They raised concerns that the climate council established in the bill would undermine the Legislature’s authority and promote the interests of certain sectors. The council would include various officials and industry representatives.
“I think we have to have some faith in the process and faith in ourselves to reach those goals that we have,” Bill Driscoll, vice president of Associated Industries of Vermont, told lawmakers, referring to emissions goals. “Rather than construct artificial constraints.”
Although the state is supposed to have reduced emissions a quarter below 1990 levels by 2012, emissions are 13% higher than that target.
Robert McDougall, chief of the Attorney General’s Environmental Division, also made clear to lawmakers that while Attorney General TJ Donovan supports the bill, the office will still defend the state if it is sued.
“We would defend our client zealously and vigorously,” McDougall said. “As we do with every case. It’s an ethical obligation of our office.” – Grace Elletson
— Rep. Randall Szott, D-Barnard, critiqued the governor’s economic recovery package during a House General committee conversation for not having enough elements of consumer economic stimulus to get people spending out in communities again.
He brought up the idea of instituting a “consumer spending card” disseminated by the state. For example, he said, the card could have $50 loaded on to it and the consumer would make a one-to-one match and spend $100 at a local business. He also said the cards should be made available to low-income consumers who might not have the ability to match funds.
Joan Goldstein, commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, said she wasn’t sure if any consumer stimulus programs are being developed. “I think we have to balance that by making sure there are businesses still around for them to spend their money in,” Goldstein said. – Grace Elletson
— Lawmakers on both House and Senate agriculture committees continued to discuss the Scott administration’s $50 million dairy farm and processor aid package.
Sen. Chris Pearson, D-Chittenden, said that his committee has struggled with figuring out how to support dairy businesses while also getting serious about helping farmers looking to transition away from dairy.
“And the moment we talk about that, people are frustrated because they maybe hear us giving up on farmers who have been giving it their all, to say the least,” he said.
Matt Gladstone, whose family owns a 1,500 milker dairy in Bradford, responded that while he thinks farm diversification is important, the state needs to be cautious about promoting specific crops.
“We grew 32 acres of hemp last year, and still haven’t been paid for 99% of it,” said Gladstone, whose family farm also contains a 200-acre pumpkin patch. – Elizabeth Gribkoff
