Also, Senate majority leader open to removing ‘right to sue’ from energy law

By Rep. Jim Harrison

Last week the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced their version of the annual Budget Adjustment Act (BAA) on a party line 4-3 vote (4 Democrats, 3 Republicans). Previously, the House passed their version on a partisan vote as well.

The major obstacles continue to be the extension of the hotel voucher winter rules to June 30 and reallocating $20 million of funds that were previously earmarked to reduce state bonds.

The full senate will vote on the measure this week, where it is likely to once again be approved along party lines. It appears that Democratic leaders may be “daring” Governor Phil Scott to veto the bill. If that were to happen, they do not have the votes to override and they will be faced with making changes to satisfy the Governor or risk not passing other important funding in the bill, such as emergency nursing home assistance.

With the session now seven weeks old, Senate Republicans are getting impatient with lack of consideration to changes to any of the previously passed energy bills that had been enacted by overriding gubernatorial vetoes. One such measure is a proposed repeal of the Clean Heat Standard that the Public Utilities Commission indicated would increase the cost of heating fuel in Vermont. The expectation is that Senate Republicans will make a move on Tuesday to pull the Clean Heat repeal out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

Such a move rarely succeeds, however, senators who vote against pulling the repeal bill from the committee could be seen as against the repeal and for proceeding with the Clean Heat law. Certainly, the Republican “Dare” could make for some interesting theater in the Senate this week.

Other issues of interest:

Potential alternative education reform plans to the administration’s are starting to emerge. Democrats have unveiled a plan that would set minimum class sizes, a move that could force the closure of small schools.

The House Agriculture Committee unanimously gave a thumbs-up in favor of continuing to support universal school meals. The cost to the Education Fund, while less than the original estimates, is about $18-20 million annually. According to the committee there has only been a 10% increase in the per student use of school meals (51% to 61%).

The Governor’s proposed changes to last year’s renewable energy law and the Global Warming Solutions Act to help mitigate costs to Vermonters are drawing the ire of environmental groups. The Chair of the House Energy & Digital Committee expressed support for keeping the “right to sue” provision of the GWSA that was enacted over a veto by Scott. It is unclear how much that provision will ultimately cost the state. Meanwhile, the Senate Majority leader, Kesha Ram-Hinsdale, appeared open to removing the “right to sue” provision, which she likened to holding a gun to your head in an interview with Vermont Public.

The rising cost of health care continues to be a concern of many in the legislature. However, it is unclear what action the pertinent committees might propose at this point. Vermont’s private health insurance rates are the highest in the country.

H.35, which continues keeping small group and individual health plans separate, was signed into law by the Governor. The insurance plans were separated for rating purposes on a temporary basis in 2021 to allow Vermonters to take advantage of broader eligibility for federal subsidies for those buying in the individual market

The House Human Services Committee continues to focus on legislation, H.91, that would set up a long-term program for shelters and hotel rooms for homeless. It is unclear whether they will be able to reach consensus on this difficult issue.

The legislature will be on recess for Town Meeting week (March 3 – 7).

The author, a Republican, is the representative for several Rutland County towns and is vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee.