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IN FRIDAY’S FINAL READING…
— Senate Judiciary began taking testimony on a bill that would require law enforcement offices to meet race data reporting requirements in order to receive state grants. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling told senators he was largely on board with the bill, but critiqued one section.
Schirling said he agrees that there should be a statewide use of force policy, which the bill includes. But he thinks departments should be able to follow their own best practices on use of force, as those practices inevitably evolve in months ahead.
“You hear folks say this is the time for action. I agree. I do think you should pass something now,” Schirling said. “This is one where I would temper that a little bit though.”
“If it’s memorialized in a statutory framework, it actually inhibits our ability to improve it on an ongoing basis,” Schirling said. “We are constantly making improvements to policy.” – Grace Elletson
— The Working Vermonters’ Caucus is requesting House leadership establish a Coronavirus Relief Fund for immigrant families in Vermont, many of whom did not receive stimulus checks or unemployment benefits because they did not meet federal or state requirements.
“It is deeply unfair that in issuing ‘Economic Impact Payments’ — also known as stimulus checks — to millions of Americans, the federal government has excluded immigrant families without social security numbers,” they wrote in a letter to House leadership.
The group is requesting the state issue $1,200 to adults and $500 to children. They estimate the program would cover about 4,00 adults and 1,000 children, which would cost the state $5 million. – Grace Elletson
— At his Friday press conference, when Gov. Phil Scott signalled he will not block legislation to give the secretary of state authority to set plans for the general election without his input.
“We’ll see what it looks like in its final form. What I said before was if it was to take me out of the equation and put it in the hands of the Secretary of State, I wouldn’t stand in its way,” Scott said. “So if it continues to do that, I have no problem with it.” – Elizabeth Hewitt
— Senate Econ is signing off on a request to forgo unemployment penalty weeks for the duration of the pandemic. Vermonters who have previously defrauded the unemployment benefit system have been barred from receiving benefits during the pandemic under penalty weeks, which have raised concern among lawmakers.
The committee is signing off on the request despite strong opposition from Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin, who opposed the idea because he felt the punishment was appropriate. But other members of the committee disagreed.
“I wish there was a way to say these really egregious ones, if you haven’t paid your fine, if you’ve really defrauded the state to the tune of six figures then maybe you don’t qualify,” said Sen. Cheryl Hooker, D/P-Rutland. “And I’m not sure we can do that.” – Grace Elletson
