by Guy Page
Call it “The Michael Reynolds Effect.”
Lawmakers gave their biggest, most bipartisan cheer during Gov. Phil Scott’s annual budget address Tuesday, January 28 to representatives of the UVM National Championship soccer team.
But aside from that feel-good applause, by far the most raucous, sustained applause (IMHO) for Scott came after he decried the criminal justice system’s lack of accountability for repeat offenders.
By far the best known repeat offender is Michael Reynolds, the Burlington homeless man who has had more than 1,850 police encounters, has numerous felony convictions, and yet continues to be released into the general public.
“We’ve all seen the headlines,” Scott said. “There are far too many people with hundreds of law enforcement encounters, dozens of arrests and many active criminal court cases. Yet they’re still walking free. This wastes time and resources, adds to the court backlog, and erodes faith in law enforcement, the courts, and us.”
Scott concluded: “Enough is enough. Let’s fix it.”
At those words almost all of the Republicans rose and sustained a lengthy, almost rowdy round of applause. Some Democrats joined them. Most didn’t.
As reported earlier today in VDC, House Democrat leaders acknowledge the public safety problem of the revolving courthouse door. But unlike the governor, they want to get ‘er done without getting tougher on bail and sentencing. Scott’s plan includes several initiatives, including more incarceration if necessary and tighter, tougher bail in some circumstances.
In broad strokes, the two approaches seem to be the dividing line, early on in this session, between Democrats’ and Republicans’ approach to criminal justice reform.
Bill about process for electing town officials by Australian ballot proceeds – H.78, authorizing a formal process for towns to elect town officials (selectboard, etc.) by Australian (voting booth) ballot, was given preliminary approval on the House floor today and is scheduled for final approval tomorrow.
Towns may still elect town officials at a traditional Town Meeting. The bill says a vote on whether to use the Australian ballot system to elect officers shall be in substantially the following form: “Shall (name of municipality) elect its (specify the municipal officer or officers to be elected) by Australian ballot?” or (2) “Shall (name of municipality) elect all municipal officers by Australian ballot?”
The bill was sponsored by the entire House Government Operations committee. Prompt passage will allow towns to employ the new process at upcoming March town meetings.
Judges up for confirmation – the Vermont Senate today is scheduled this week to vote to confirm the appointment of five Superior Court judges and a magistrate: Bonnie Badgewick, Woodstock, Superior Court; Joseph McLean, South Burlington, Superior Court; Timothy Doherrty of Burlington, Superior Court; Laura Rowntree of South Burlington, Superior Court; Dana Marianna Di Sano, South Burlington, Superior Court Judge; and Jessica Seman of Reading, Magistrate. According to state law, magistrates handle proceedings for the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support.
It looks like universal school meals will still be in the state budget – at least for now. In the press conference following the governor’s speech, Ways and Means Chair Emilie Kornheiser spoke glowingly of feeding all schoolchildren at no cost to them. The cost is dropping and the benefit to children is established, she said. The cost dropped from $20 million to $17 million last year, with more cuts proposed in the budget adjustment.
