by Rep. Jim Harrison

By the end of the week, it was clear that the Senate was moving on a different track from the House and the Governor on a couple of major bills. The beginning of some strong winds, not necessarily in the same direction.

At his weekly press conference on Wednesday, Scott made it clear that the Senate Appropriations Committee was moving further away from his position on spending with its version of the state budget bill. The Senate committee version increased spending and added at least 10 new positions over the House version of the budget. And this comes when there is a backdrop of uncertainty in federal funds or grants coming to the state. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to kiddingly refer to one of my Republican colleagues on the Senate committee as “Big Government Joe” in reference to their more expansive spending plan.

At the same time, the Senate Education Committee appeared to be moving closer to the Governor’s version of education reform efforts and away from the spread-out timeline in the House version. It’s too early to know where the committee will end up on reform efforts, but right now they are giving the appearance of moving in a different direction than Senate Appropriations is on the budget plan for the state. You can almost feel the crosswinds in the State House.

Other issues of interest:

• The Vermont Senate approved a change to Burlington’s Charter that would prohibit firearms in that city’s bars. The legislation was approved on a 17-12 vote. The legislature has typically refrained from allowing various communities to enact gun laws that are not uniform statewide. The measure will now move to the House for consideration.
   
• Lawmakers are hearing growing concerns over the implementation of new EV mandates on cars and trucks at Vermont dealerships. Vermont followed California’s lead in 2022 and adopted a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. It requires 35% of new vehicle sales in 2026 to be EVs and increases it to 100% by 2035.  Currently 12% of new vehicles sold in Vermont can plug in, which has dealers saying the higher percentages are unrealistic at this time. 
   
• The Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) proposal to help communities finance infrastructure (such as water and sewer), for new housing developments is garnering attention. CHIP is often seen as a small-scale version of the state’s limited Tax Increment Financing program (TIF), being utilized in Killington currently and planned for downtown Rutland. S.127 would allow borrowing against the future tax revenue of the new development for the necessary infrastructure.
   
• The House Education Committee is reviewing a proposal (H.54) to limit student cell phone usage during school hours with many educators citing concerns over digital addiction and the negative impacts of social media. 14 states have already passed some form of smartphone ban in schools.
   
• The House Health Care Committee continues to review S.126, which adds new oversight authority to the Green Mountain Care Board. With some health care facilities struggling financially and the state’s largest insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, losing money, there is wide agreement that some things need to change. Health care rates are expected to increase once again by double digits.

 
The next few weeks will be critical to see if the winds of education reform, the state budget and other initiatives can end up in the same direction.

Other News

Some Lawmakers Want to Revamp How Real Estate Is Assessed as Part of Vermont’s Education Funding Transformation 
Seven Days

State leaders decry arrests of eight migrant farmworkers at Berkshire dairy
Vermont Public

Plan would overhaul Vermont’s response to homelessness, dissolving statewide motel program
Vermont Public

Rutland TIF Master Plan receives approval from Vermont Economic Progress Council
Vermont Business Magazine

Why Vermont’s health care costs are highest in the country
Guest Perspective | Gov. Jim Douglas & Lisa Ventriss

Veterans Hearing April 30
The House and Senate Committees on Government Operations and Military Affairs are holding a joint public hearing on Wednesday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. to hear from Vermonters about veteran housing, mental health, access to services, and the Vermont Veterans Home. If you’re a veteran, family member, or advocate with input to share, you can sign up to testify. You can participate in person or virtually, and written testimony is also welcome. For more details or to sign up, visit here.

Author is the state representative for the Rutland-11 district, which includes Chittenden, Killington, Mendon & Pittsfield.