By Guy Page
The Vermont House this morning overrode Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of H.687, the Act 250 reform bill, and H.887, the school funding bill that would fix property taxes at 13.8% and create two new taxes to pay for a $200 million school spending shortfall.
The House this morning also overrode the veto of H.289, the Renewable Energy Standard mandating zero carbon emissions from electricity generation and 70% instate renewable power generation. Gov. Scott and an early legislative study said the RES would cost ratepayers an additional $1 billion over 10 years. Supporters say the added expense is much less.
The four bills now go to the Vermont Senate. If the morning’s three override votes are any indication, the Democratic supermajority intends to stay united this afternoon during consideration of the other four vetoes on today’s agenda.
With 145 members present, 107 voted yes, 38 now on the Act 250 bill. 97 were needed to override. Sponsor Seth Bongartz praised it for updating Vermont land development regulations and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat.
The bill saw only one negative comment during the floor debate, signifying perhaps that the GOP caucus knows it could not effect an override of the bill. Rep. Patti McCoy (R-Poultney) noted that “Vermont is starved for housing” and that this bill does nothing to resolve this crisis.
After the vote, a tearful Rep. Terri Williams (R-Granby), who is not seeking re-election, rebuked fellow House members. She represents most of the towns in Essex County, where housing and other development will remain substantially restricted under the Act 250 reforms.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves …. I am sick and afraid and defeated and sad… you have no idea or care what you are doing to my county.”
On the school funding ‘fix’ bill, H.887, the House voted yes 103, No 42.
Gov. Scott’s veto of H.289, the Renewable Energy Standard bill, was overridden by a vote of 102-43. Rep. McCoy highlighted the Public Utilities Commission plan that would deliver zero carbon electricity sooner at “significantly less” cost than the plan contained in H.289. The plan was discounted by H.289 supporters.
“In a time where Vermonters are struggling just to make ends meet, whether it be school taxes, mortgage payments. cost of housing including rent housing, H289 is only going to severely increase that burden. That’s not even going to take into account the environmental damages, will be massive,” John Brabant of Vermonters for a Clean Environment said at the State House during a break in the veto session.
The House also overrode the governor’s veto of H.72, the ‘safe injection sites’ bill, 104-41. If also overridden by the Senate, the new law will allow the creation of a law-enforcement free zone for illegal drug use. Supporters say it will reduce overdoses, opponents say it will institutionalize harmful drug use.
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