[T]he first two days of the 2018 legislative session saw lawmakers getting quickly back to work. Contentious legislation to legalize marijuana passed in the House, while legislative leaders and the governor laid out their priorities for the coming months.
Gov. Phil Scott, House Speaker Mitzi Johnson and Senate leader Tim Ashe all share concerns about residents who have trouble keeping up with the cost of living in Vermont. But in comments this week, their views on affordability diverged.
Speaker Johnson’s remarks focused on the challenges Vermonters face, including the threat of climate change and deepening income inequality. Ashe, along with Progressive party leaders, continued to advocate for an increased minimum wage to boost incomes.
In contrast, Scott’s State of the State address maintained the governor’s calls for lawmakers to rein in spending and hold off on increasing any taxes or fees, leaving open the question of how the state will cover a projected gap in the education fund.
On this week’s podcast, VTDigger’s Anne Galloway recaps the rhetoric of the session’s opening week.
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