By Guy Page

Gov. Phil Scott and his public safety and human services chiefs today said their Public Safety Omnibus bill will require better drug treatment for offenders – including those still in prison. The administration has a long list of both criminal justice and human service initiatives.

Speaking at a State House press conference, Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison presented a multi-point plan to toughen the criminal justice system (see below), but she stressed that because drug abuse drives crime, treatment and recovery must be part of the solution. 

“We can’t enforce our way out of the problem,” Morrison said. 

At present 70% of all inmates in state prisons are taking substance abuse recovery meds, Agency of Human Services Jennifer Samuelson said. The high rate of recidivism upon release proves this practice does not address root levels of addiction, the officials said. So the administration wants to spend $1.5 million to convert some state prison beds to a dedicated, comprehensive drug treatment program. 

‘Why wait for recidivsm to occur, when we can intervene earlier?” Samuelson said. 

The administration also would expand post-release recovery housing programs to include help with job skills and other barriers to transition from prison.

Pay substance-abusers for sobriety – A new in-prison “contingency management” program would provide incentives to stay sober, Samuelson said. “If someone stays sober, they get an incentive, and that can include money.”

On the law enforcement side, Morrison said the omnibus bill will seek to:

• Repeal of the raise the age law that in April would adjudicate offenders under age 20 as juveniles.
• Grant youthful offender status for juveniles willing to undergo rehab
• Revoke bail more often on repeat offenders
• Seal, not expunge, criminal records
• Repeal judicial discretion for reducing sentences for repeat violent offender
• Streamline extradition of criminals to their home states
• Expand pretrial treatment pilot program in Orleans County
• Repeal the July ‘25 sunset of the law allowing the State to hold noncompliant, incapacitated persons in detox for a set period of time. 

Repeal Budget Adjustment Act? Could happen – Gov. Scott said he’s not ruling out vetoing the Budget Adjustment Act that passed last week. It extended the ‘homeless hotel’ program from March 31 until the end of June, which is also the end of the fiscal year. The Yes vote fell mostly on party lines and lacked the 100 votes needed to override a veto.

‘I’m going to be careful to not use the V word,” Scott said. But it’s spending more money and “moving in the wrong direction,” even apart from the homeless hotel extension, which is regarded as a significant change in policy. 

“We use the BAA to true up our financial issues,” Scott said. “No policy issues, just truing up.”

Repeal GWSA, Clean Heat Standard bills to stay on the wall – The chair of the House Energy & Digital Infrastructure Committee reportedly told her members this week that none of the bills to repeal the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Clean Heat Standard, and the state’s commitment to the California carbon emissions standard will be taken up. 

No word yet on whether, or how, the committee plans to tweak any of the existing climate change bills.

Trump not a factor in Levine resignation – Gov. Scott said the rigors of working with the new Trump administration were not a factor in Health Commissioner Mark Levine’s decision to retire. “He’s 72” and ready to spend more time with family, Scott said in response to VDC’s question after today’s press conference.

The Taxman Leaveth – Governor Phil Scott today announced Commissioner Craig Bolio will be leaving his role leading the Department of Taxes at the end of the week and has named Bill Shouldice as the new commissioner of the Department of Taxes.

Bolio joined the Tax Department in 2011 and was appointed commissioner in 2019. During his time at the Department of Taxes, Bolio prioritized improving accessibility and outcomes for Vermonters when interfacing with the Department.

“Craig has been an effective leader at the Department of Taxes and a valuable member of my team,” said Governor Phil Scott. “As commissioner, he has helped us navigate through many challenges we’ve faced as a state. I’m appreciative of his service to the Tax Department and wish him well.”

Bill Shouldice IV, a lifelong Vermonter, will serve as the next commissioner of the Department of Taxes. Shouldice most recently served as President and CEO of The Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Prior to that, Shouldice served as the president and CEO of The Vermont Country Store. He also served as secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development under Governor Howard Dean. Shouldice’s first job was working at his mother’s business, The Country Store, which was located for many years on Main Street in Montpelier before closing its doors in the early 2000s.

Shouldice earned his Bachelor of Science in political science from Merrimack College. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. His appointment is effective February 18, 2025.