By Guy Page

If House Democrats were hoping the governor would appoint a young, progressive Burlingtonian to fill the North End Burlington seat long held by Rep. Bob Hooper, they are likely disappointed. 

Governor Phil Scott yesterday announced his appointment of Kevin Scully of Burlington to fill the vacant Chittenden-18 seat in the House of Representatives. Scully, a Democrat, is a member of the 111th Class of the FBI National Academy and served as Chief of the Burlington Police Department from 1986 to 1998. After his retirement he worked as the General Manager of Ready Funeral Home and for the Catholic Diocese of Burlington. He previously served on the Burlington Youth Council and lives in the New North End with his wife Mary. They have two adult children and four grandchildren.

“Kevin Scully has spent his life dedicated to public service and the Burlington community. I am thankful for his willingness to step up once again for his neighbors and fill this vacancy through the end of the session,” said Governor Scott.

An aide to Gov. Scott confirmed that Scully has no intention of running for election. He was not on the list of candidates presented to Gov. Scott by the Burlington Democrat Committee. 

“We heard there was some drama on the committee, so we reached out to (former GOP Rep.) Kurt Wright and former councilor Dave Hartnett,” about a good seat-filler Democrat, he said. He emphasized that the governor doesn’t always appoint a legislator from the slate of nominated candidates. 

True that. Neither Sen. John Morley (Orleans) or John Benson (R-Orange) were on the list recommended by their county Republican committees.

The governor was looking for “a lion of the community” – and in Burlington, Scully definitely fits that description.

 “I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to my neighbors,” Scully said. “While this is a short appointment, there are many important issues that will come before the House in the next few weeks, and I look forward to representing the district.”

Hooper, a Vietnam-era veteran and long-serving legislator, was bounced from his committee assignment and successfully pressured to resign after a House panel found he had harassed a female committee member. Hooper said he photographed the complainant rolling on the floor while demonstrating that her dress matched the committee room rug. 

A failed attempt to photoshop the image removed the rug background but replaced it with a black background. She complained of harrassment and the panel agreed. Hooper said he did nothing wrong but botch the photoshopping. The image was only distributed to other committee members. 

Constitutional amendment on gender, etc. hearing April 21 – The House Committee on Judiciary will hold a public hearing on Proposal 4 – Equal Rights April 21 from 5-7 PM in Room 11 of the State House. Those interested in testifying may attend the hearing  in person or virtually.

The Committee will take testimony on Proposal 4, a proposed amendment to the Vermont  Constitution to specify that the government must not deny equal treatment under the law on  account of a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity,  gender expression, or national origin. 

The proposed amendment adds gender identity, gender expression, and national origin to the list of protected classes. Supporters say it recognizes for marginalized communities the same freedoms now provided to others. Critics say it could prevent legal challenges to (for example)  illegal immigrants receiving services and transgender youth receiving surgery, puberty blockers, and other medical procedures. 

If approved by the Legislature this session, the proposed constitutional amendment will go to voters in November. 

Anyone interested in testifying must sign up in advance of the hearing through the following online form no later than 5 PM on April 20.The online sign-up form to testify is here.

Road salt bill passes House – S.218, a bill to establish the accepted standards of care for the application of salt and salt alternatives in an effective and efficient manner….while also reducing the impacts of salt and salt alternatives on the quality of the waters of the State” passed the House 85-54.

The mostly party-line vote followed a failed amendment to hold towns harmless for accidents caused by road salt applications.

Food dye bill dies – S.26, banning artificial dyes in foods in schools, has been ‘ordered to lie’ in the Senate. I.e., it’s not going anywhere, unless Senate leadership opts to resurrect it (unlikely).