by Rep. Arthur Peterson (Rutland-2 House District)

A couple days ago Governor Scott vetoed S.39, the general assembly pay raise bill. It passed the House on a 102-44 roll call vote. I voted NO because the FY2024 budget burdens Vermont taxpayers with far too many raised taxes and fees.

Here are the provisions of the bill:

S.39 legislative pay increases:

S.39 additional pay not currently allowed:

*Adjournment pay (see above)= 1/5^th of weekly pay for 34 weeks not in session, this is optional, not mandated

Other salary enhancements: Newly elected members will be paid 1/5^th the weekly salary for every day they attend an orientation training for new legislators.

S.39 legislative health insurance coverage:

Members of the legislature will now be considered employees and thus eligible for the health insurance plans offered to other state employees. Premiums paid by legislators will be the same as paid by the Governor.

I proposed an amendment to the bill that would shorten the legislative session from the current 18 weeks to 12 weeks, thus saving the taxpayer money. The amendment was rejected on a roll call vote of 34-112. 

As I mentioned earlier, not only has the legislature established additional payroll taxes and raised fees on Vermonters, but you will now pay more for the privilege of having us do this to you! A course correction is needed in 2024.

The author is Vermont House of Representatives member for Clarendon, West Rutland, Wallingford, Tinmouth, and Proctor. He is a United States Military Academy (West Point) graduate, class of 1973 and has resided in Clarendon since 1978. He is married, has four grown children and twelve grandchildren.