Information on their electoral status will be added to this spreadsheet later this week.
Veto Session Roll Call: More data, with more to come
Higley: A perspective on the session
Talk in Montpelier is about how we don’t have nearly enough time to consider all the bills we should, and how we need a doubling of our pay.
Harrison: Overridden!
Clearly the Democratic supermajority in the legislature and Governor Scott are not on the same page and see such issues as affordability differently.
Veto override roll calls, 2024
A comprehensive list of the Legislators involved in the final Veto Override votes, and how they voted.
Keelan: Could oil and gas deliveries be cut off?
It is too bad Vermont and New York legislators can’t be honest. Their states need money to address years of neglect of their infrastructure.
Lawmakers call buying down tax rate “fiscally irresponsible” while overriding vetoes on big spending
During Monday’s veto session, lawmakers vetoed six out of seven bills that were rejected at the governor’s desk, likely to substantially drive up cost of living.
Lawmakers weigh in as Vermont House overrides most of Gov’s vetoes
Vetoes overridden include public education funding, overdose prevention centers, Act 250 modernization, renewable energy legislation.
Breaking: House easily overrides vetoes on school tax, Act 250 reform, safe injection sites, Renewable Energy Standard
Breaking news: House overrides vetoes on Act 250 reform, property tax hike, and safe injection site. More override votes to come….
Data privacy bill prohibits parental monitoring of minor’s data or location
The bill states that a parent shall not “monitor the online activity of a minor consumer or to track the location of the minor consumer without providing a conspicuous signal to the minor consumer when the minor consumer is being monitored or tracked.”
Act 250, housing, future of renewable power, on veto agenda Monday
Safe injection sites’, Act 250, and renewable power mandates and more were vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott. Will the Legislature override?
A single-digit vs. double-digit property tax increase should be a simple choice
“Let me be clear: while the responsibility for rising property taxes rests squarely upon the shoulders of the Democrat supermajority”
Scott vetoes Act 250 reform
Supporters say it will spur much-needed housing construction, but critics (including Gov. Scott) say H.687 will do the opposite.
Dem House Speaker dismisses guv’s plan to cut 13.8% school tax hike as ‘election year politics’
Krowinski dismissed Scott’s proposed $124 million in savings as “nothing more than election year politics” because the governor didn’t deliver them in person.
Veto rally Saturday to precede Monday’s veto session
Activists and a legislator to speak at rally Saturday about veto session Monday.
Roper: Who’s banning books now?
Burlington library won’t share women’s rights advocate Riley Gaines’ “Swimming Against the Current”
Despathy: Details matter
Plain and simple, the supermajority chose REV and VPIRG, special interest groups, and their high cost, impulsive Renewable Energy Standard.
Despathy: Advice from a Vermont environmentalist
The RES Series, Part II: The advice of Annette Smith, Executive Director, Vermonters for a Clean Environment (VCE).
Despathy: Steamrolling Vermonters one law at a time
The RES Series Part I: The interests of renewable energy industrialists versus those of Vermont and the the environment.
Harrison: Back to State House for veto session!
The full legislature will return to Montpelier on June 17 to take up any bills the Governor has vetoed.
Roper: Gemma destroys the Clean Heat Standard
This gem from Gemma: “My electric bill [plus rent increase] could go up ninety dollars a month…. Now I’m willing to pay a little bit more if it means a cleaner environment. But the reality is I don’t want to pay THAT much more.”
Scott vetoes safe injection sites
This ‘first in the nation’ bill prevents police and other authorities from enforcing drug laws at centers where drug addicts could get high.
Gov. Scott let pro-union ‘Card Check’ bill pass without signature
A ‘card check’ provision in the pro-labor bill could lead to higher state and local taxes, Scott warned.
Governor Scott lets Ghost Gun Ban pass without signature, signs drug crime and bail reform bill
Scott lets Ghost Gun bill pass without, signature, signs bail reform and youthful violent/drug offender law.
Roll Call! How YOUR rep, senator voted on vetoed Renewable Energy Standard
“Factoring in all the other taxes, fees and higher costs the Legislature has passed over the last two years, I simply cannot allow this bill to go into law,” Scott said.
Evslin: Tale of two districts
What has the legislature done?
House leaders pledge to override Scott veto of renewable power bill
The guv’s path to 100% carbon free electricity is cheaper and quicker. The Legislature wants to take the longer, more expensive road, paved with solar farms and wind turbines.
New laws shield abortion/transgender care providers from lawsuits
The law forbids police, courts, and other public institutions from cooperating with litigation against abortion/transgender services providers in some circumstances.
Scott opposes methods, not goals, of likely veto bills
“Sometimes the Legislature focuses so much on their goals they don’t consider the unintended consequences. And the reality is, there are almost always some negative consequences as the result of new policies,” Scott said.
Beekeeper abuzz about vetoed neonicotinoid ban
It is increasingly more expensive to keep and repopulate his hives, the vetoed bill’s sponsor said, because colonies are dying at faster rates in recent years.
Pesticide ban won’t help bees but will hurt farmers, Scott veto says
Agreeing that “pollinators are essential,” Gov. Scott said “the same is true of farmers” and that the bill is “more anti-farmer than it is pro-pollinator.”
Taxes the Legislature passed, taxes it didn’t
The Wealth Tax passed the House but not the Senate this year. One tax hike that went through with little notice: landline and postpaid wireless phone use taxes will be assessed differently and collect $3 million more new revenue.
Hairstyle hiring law really about racial discrimination
If someone chose not to hire a person due to their hairstyle, it could be construed as an act of racism.
Professional licensing “regardless of immigration status” becomes state law
The law lets “individuals who meet the requirements for professional licenses to be granted those licenses regardless of their immigration status or lack thereof.”
Scott will veto school funding bill
Scott wonders how many legislators actually read, much less understood, the 60 bills passed in the final week.
Bill calling for psychedelic mushroom research sent to Scott
Initially, the bill would’ve decriminalized psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms. But after a variety of doctors questioned whether there was enough research on the hallucinogenic, the Senate took it out.
2024 session highlights: retail theft reform, 13.8% property tax, new taxes
A high-level overview of what the Legislature did on housing, public safety, and affordability.
Wildlife management bill dead in the water
Part of the bill aimed to ban hunters from using dogs and bait — without a trappers’ license — to hunt coyotes in the state.
13.8% property tax increase passes
On the last day of the 2024 session, the Vermont Legislature passed a state budget, school funding, Act 250 reform, and a slew of lesser-known bills.
Harrison: Veto session a safe bet
While I may have lost the adjournment pool, it is a very safe bet there will be gubernatorial vetoes over the next several weeks.
“Legislature wasted time” helping big shots, not the needy, former senator says
“This is a regressive bill. It will punish working class and poor Vermonters to make millionaires even richer,” Rodgers said.
S.258 a goner
“I think the majority (of Democrats) didn’t want to take it up in an election year with all the sportsmen voters out there defending Vermont traditions,” said Rep. Smith, of Derby.
Galfetti: A legislature on a dangerous course
Vermonters will continue to pay for a mirage that promises effective climate change legislation but yields no discernible results.
Day before today’s rally, House OKs new Act 250
“They have to have a way to build wealth,” Rodgers said. “Home ownership is a way to build equity and wealth which will turn into intergenerational wealth. Without that, people are just working like dogs and they’re handing all their money over to some business or business owner.
With days left is session, Guv bashes Legislature’s housing, school funding efforts
He doesn’t like what he sees in housing and school funding legislation. On public safety and affordability, he sees a glass half full.
Harrison: Big Oil bill a big gamble for Vermont
Not only will Vermont need to front its own legal costs and hire various experts to back up its claims, but the State could also be on the hook for the defendants’ legal bills if it loses the case on constitutional grounds.
Adjournment still on for Friday
Gov. Phil Scott appointed a Democrat to fill the seat vacated by Progressive Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, who was elected mayor of Burlington.
‘Super-pot’ bill in Senate opposed by doctors
Child poisoning from THC has risen 2000 percent and Vermont has one of the highest youth use rates in the nation, Antley said.
Klar: Vermont’s virtue signaling Proposal 4
Here’s the rub – no advocate for Proposal 4 has actually furthered a need for the legislative change aside from a feel-good virtue-signal.
Two first-time school budgets pass on floor votes
South Burlington leads the school districts facing failed school budget revotes today.
McGuinness: House committee rejects porn protections for young library users
Rep. Michael Mrowicki, who declined to accept a written copy of VFA’s testimony, stated that public libraries are sacred institutions. VFA told the Committee that families are sacred institutions that no individual, organization, or government entity has a right to undermine.
S.310 to mandate language assistance services for emergency info
Amid a hefty bill focused on the state’s natural disaster response is a provision to better inform Vermonters who can’t hear or speak little English.
As medical cannabis services wane, lawmakers look for solutions
Vermont only has five medical cannabis dispensaries as opposed to at least 51 recreational businesses opening within the last two years.
Bruner: CONS of S.258
Hunters have been the primary force for conservation since it’s inception in the US.
House lawmakers look at hard drug decrim, police interrogations, $6 billion for school upgrades
Vermont aging school buildings need a $6 billion facelift – spending that would be above and beyond the burgeoning sum under fire by taxpayers.
Jablow: PROS of S.258
Misinformation is a threat to our democracy, both nationally and as a state. At least here, being fact-based and credible is important to the bulk of advocates,
Senate ponders clothing tax to pay for public schools
The Senate also is reportedly considering taxing clothing purchases of more than $150, raising taxes on sugared drinks, and dipping into reserve funds and tax surpluses to further reduce the property taxes.
Roper: “Clean” heat mess gets even messier
It was neatly summed up by TAG member Christopher Trombly’s revelation, “We’re taxing the poor so that the rich can benefit.”
Social justice leader calls prominent Prop 4 critic “white and privileged” on House floor
“This is systemic racism, what we’re dealing with right here,” Hughes said. “I mean come on, we’re talking about now sending it back over to the Senate because one person who happens to be white and privileged came in and told you one thing about some civil liberties that could potentially be taken and you got a black man right here telling you about civil liberties that are currently at risk.”
Vision clash in the Senate over housing, Act 250
The Senate will hold a noon-hour caucus today to help its members understand recent amendments to an already complicated housing/Act 250 reform bill.
Missed crossover deadline, but bill banning drone surveillance still viable
Legislators added the original bill’s language to H.878, which deals with “miscellaneous judiciary procedures.”
Shoplifting felony bill faces Senate scrutiny
A bookstore owner and House Democrat co-sponsored the bill.
Bill to create new state division of ‘Animal Welfare’ gets Senate committee review
It further states that the Commissioner of Public Safety will appoint a Director of Animal Welfare to be in charge of the Division.
Criticism of ‘3 cue’ teaching removed from reading reform bill
Vermont 4th grade reading scores have been dropping steadily since 2015.
Harrison: River corridor bill creates 15 new state jobs
Settle into a bumpy ride to scheduled May 10 adjournment.
Senate passes budget without $100 million in new taxes from House
There’s a multi-million gap between the House budget and the more frugal Senate budget. Conference committee time.
Legislature to ‘no’ school budget voters: Three strikes and you’re out!
“There is something, sort of, you know, that might tend towards anti-democratic about this,” Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Chair of Ways & Means, admitted.
Bill would put speed cameras in work zones
If cameras catch you driving more than 10 mph over the limit, the rig takes a photo of your license plate and you’ll get a ticket in the mail.
School funding bill with 15-18% property tax hike, two new taxes moves to Senate
“This bill is not a solution, it is only a Band-Aid that won’t even stop the bleed,” Rep. Ashley Bartley (R-Fairfax) said.
Vermont Values Under ATAX’ rally at State House today
“Politicians threaten our food, water, and shelter. Vermonters rally,” said the announcement for the Vermont Values Under ATAX rally at the Vermont State House today.
Burke: Hunter says coyote activist ‘monitor’ got the story all wrong
Rod Coronado of Orange boasts about his work ‘monitoring’ coyote hunters. One of those hunters said he saw Coronado in the woods.
Roper: More independent schools and more choice are the property tax solution
So, leftist legislators are, of course, trying to shut them down.
Senate holds Education Secretary confirmation hearings today
Senators to have hearing for new education secretary, $130 million for capital repairs, and more
Every senator who received 2022 VPIRG campaign $$ voted for Superfund bill
Every state senator elected with VPIRG campaign contributions has voted yes on S.259, VPIRG’s Superfund bill.
Biz on the hook for fixing PCBs in schools
The bill says companies that distribute PCBs must pay for the testing and removal of the chemicals in Vermont’s schools.
House lawmakers may vote on retroactive carbon tax, consider ‘just cause’ firing
Should an employer be limited only to ‘just cause’ firing of employees? Will the House pursue the Senate notion of a Big Oil Superfund?
House passes data protection bill with help from Harvard
Under the bill, companies would be barred from sale, lease, or disclosure of people’s biometric info unless necessary for the service or the person consents.
Lawmakers moving bills on private govt. meetings, work permits for undocumented immigrants, and gun serialization
Work permits for undocumented workers, ghost guns, and government meeting in private all progressing thru Legislature.
House GOP pans new school tax plan, suggests spending cuts
A 15% property tax increase and the creation of two new taxes isn’t the solution to Vermont’s school funding crisis, GOP leaders said Thursday.
Legislators shorten Homeless Bill of Rights
The Homeless Bill of Rights made it through the House, but only after the Controversial ‘right’ to panhandle in public was removed.
Act 250/housing merger bill must move quickly to build housing, guv says
Any bill that takes years to allow more housing construction under Act 250 faces a veto, Gov. Phil Scott said.
Advocates press for Universal Holocaust Education
Can history be taught in Vermont schools without teaching the Holocaust?
Roper: Clean Heat Standard too complicated to implement
Nearly a year after passage the most basic concepts around “the plan” remain unaddressed.
Homes for sale down 86% since 2016/ Crumbling schools need $6 billion
Faced with an 86% shrinkage in homes for sale, the Legislature is looking at Act 250 reforms and increasing temporary housing funding.
Harrison: Now you see it, now you don’t
The House Ways & Means Committee proposed significant changes to Vermont’s education financing system, incl. limits on
future school budget increases.
Fish & Wildlife/coyote bill, ghost guns, fossil fuel divestment in House committees
A hunting ‘reform’ bill that passed with tepid support in the Senate will be discussed in a House committee this week.
Collective bargaining constitutional amendment hearing Tuesday night
Should the right to collective bargaining be enshrined in the Constitution?
Senate passes bill banning ‘stealthing’ — tampering with condoms without consent
The bill says if people agree to use protection before or during sex, neither party can remove or tamper with the condom without the other’s consent.
Legislators avoid pro-S.258 press conference
Bills with legs usually have a dozen or so legislators proudly standing in support at press conferences. Then, there’s S.258.
Senators look to draft “Officers’ Code of Conduct,” support adult education, attract new workers
Do Vermont police need a code of conduct?
Police interrogation bill faces veto risk
The bill would limit Vermont police interrogators from lying to detainees. But lawmakers doubled down on details that got last year’s version shot down.
Roper: Left-wing logic: Nothing in Vermont Is affordable, why should energy be?
The bizarre testimony of the Renewable Energy Vermont executive director.
Klar: New ‘green’ building code to dominate housing construction
Consumers and local governments must bow to more government overreach.
House considers Superfund carbon tax, fossil fuel divestment, conditions of release
The House will consider this week a Senate-backed bill to create a Superfund to make oil companies pay for expensive renewable power and efficiency upgrades in Vermont.
Roper: Another dumb Constitutional Amendment…
Our Constitution is leaning more to the Left… “Right to collectively bargain” would exacerbate our public pension crisis, tax crisis, and job flight.
United Nations references abound in House Agriculture Committee
The House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry has “United Nations” referenced in at least six committee documents.
Scott vetoes flavored tobacco ban
“People lose faith in government when policies have these inconsistencies,” Scott said.
Satcowitz: Updating Act 250 to meet the changing times
This cherished landscape is going away. We are blotting it out bit by bit, and once those bits are gone, we can’t get them back
‘Homeless hotel’ program expanded, becomes state law
By a 105-37 roll call vote, the House made the pandemic-era state emergency housing program (sometimes known as the ‘homeless hotel’ program) permanent in statute, and expanded its services.
VT Senate declares overdose state of emergency
Senators look to address police Code of Conduct, declare overdoses an emergency, new protections for the homeless, and more
Stack: When the taxpayer just stops paying
When Rep. Brian Cina (P-Burlington) told the House to “Read My Lips: Yes! New taxes!,” he proved that “belligerence is the truest sign of lack of ability.”
