Observations From the Statehouse- Part 2
by Alison Despathy
As a concerned citizen of Vermont, mother of three children and new grandmother who cares deeply for people and the future of Vermont, I decided I was going to visit the statehouse weekly; Check out the scene, attempt conversations and see how the “sausage was made” so to speak. I share my humble experience and observations here with the hope that for those Vermonters not paying attention, please wake up, it’s time, Vermont needs you.
- The polarization and imbalance in the statehouse is severely problematic. Necessary debate and conversation are desperately lacking. Many go through motions in committee because the supermajority has the numbers and a high percentage will vote lockstep party line regardless of their constituents wants and needs. Maybe a little tweak here or there to a bill but movement is essentially guaranteed. The steamroll over Vermonters is in full effect.
- Many are well aware of the situation we face in Vermont. The statehouse is currently an echochamber greatly suffering from a lack of thought diversity, critical thinking and independent spirit. Legislators outside of the ruling party are trying hard to hold the line and protect Vermonters from the dangerous wave of the supermajority but without the numbers, it is futile.
- Hands down, the Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and Government Operations were the worst echo chambers. No real debate or research came through here. Senate Natural Resources was 100% Democrats, the only real thinking came from those testifying in committee which was easily shut down and ignored. I hold sympathy for Senator Robert Norris(R) in the Senate Committee on Government Operations surrounded by Senators Ruth Hardy, Becca White, Tanya Vyhovsky, Alison Clarkson and Anne Watson. A group think committee if I ever saw one. These were difficult committees rooms to visit, I had to bite my tongue often. Pulitzer Prize Winner Walter Lippmann’s quote often surfaced in my mind while in these committees, “Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.”
- Some legislators would run from me when I attempted respectful debate or offered alternative ideas. Minds were made up, pressure was on and actual processing was nil. I am not sure what happened to collaboration, open minds and good old fashioned arguing. Politics is organized arguing and without real debate, we will not get there. How dare anyone question the plan, or attempt to offer another avenue. I was a wrench in the gears and many did not want to slow down the machine. They were making “progress.” The supermajority collective hive mind brings harm. Can these legislators think and act independently? Can they create legislation that serves instead of burdens and infringes?
- A high percentage of the supermajority “big bills” emphasized restrictions and a loss of options. For example, school options were severely blocked by a bill intended to eliminate public funding for the majority of private and independent schools. This was softened due to a successful counter campaign, however issues and limitations still exist. Senator Ruth Hardy told me they were working to eliminate discrimination in schools. Essentially this bill used the excuse of preventing discrimination to invoke its justification of cutting funding to schools outside the public school system. Monopolized education by the public school system does not serve the children of Vermont. Again, we have lobbyist legislation working to secure their special interests at the expense of Vermonters.
- Additional roadblocks and limitations came in the form of restricting options for heating systems, child care and pregnancy care. More are on the way for transportation, building, and fuel. To think that there is a one size fits all answer for Vermonters is naive and tyrannical. This mentality reflects a myopic move by social engineers who believe they hold the answers and should make decisions for everyone. Access and education are the key, not coercion and limitations. We are not robots to be trained up by the supermajority or poked and prodded down the path the legislators determine is best. People can make their own decisions.
- Many Legislators rely on lobbyists and special interest groups to write legislation. Many legislators are dependent on the lobbyists ‘solving’ the problems and doing legislators’ work. Will this special interest generated legislation hold the people and state of Vermont at the forefront? Of course not. Many times legislators will support these bills crafted by special interests when they are dressed up in faux environmental or social justice language or messaging- Affordable Heat Act, Childcare for All, Suicide Prevention. These bills are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
- The payroll tax (Act 76) for childcare is in a class of its own. Besides the S.5 invasion into your home and wallet, one of the most egregious moves by the supermajority, Act 76 determines how we spend our hard-earned money beyond the taxes already paid. This attempt at a redistribution of wealth is wrong and doesn’t work when most in Vermont do not have wealth. There are options for those struggling to afford childcare. This burden to Vermont citizens and businesses will be hard felt as many struggle to pay loans from covid lockdowns, flooding, increased expenses and inflation. How many businesses will close due to this added expense?
- This payroll tax should tell Vermonters all they need to know about the supermajority- they believe they can spend your money best. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to save for retirement, pay healthcare bills, cover groceries, or do not have children. Money will be taken from you, but it’s only ‘a little bit’. It does not matter how worthy the cause, Act 76 shelters its theft behind social justice. There is a phrase for this form of taxation, it is called legal plunder as best explained by Fredric Bastiat in his book The Law.
Out of control is the best way to describe this past legislative session. Already two laws have been contested as unconstitutional- Act 45 and Act 15. With the supermajority in place, many Vermonters are actually afraid when the legislative session begins. What will they do next? How many more fees, taxes and price increases will be implemented? Will Vermonters be able to continue to afford to live in Vermont? How will businesses take a hit? Vermonters should not suffer anxiety attacks when the session begins. Elected legislators are there to serve the people so why do so many Vermonters feel attacked, ambushed and abused during the legislative session?
The author is a clinical nutritionist in St. Johnsbury.