By Guy Page

A bill expanding the right to collective bargaining was approved in the House this morning, May 13, along a mostly party-line vote.

S.125, already approved by the Senate, passed 81-51 on a roll call vote – a large enough No vote to support a veto by Gov. Scott. The bill now goes to third and final reading tomorrow.

Republicans objected to a provision requiring a decertification vote to be based on a petition signed by 50% plus 1 members of the union. Current law allows an election to be called based on a petition signed by just 30% of the union membership.

$1.5 million to extend Legislature explained – a House member informed VDC today that the $1.5 million in added funding for this session of the Legislature is for 1) two added weeks, probably running through May, 2) a veto session in June, if needed, and 3) a late summer/fall session to address catastrophic federal spending cuts, if needed.

Two-time hoop champs not recognized at State House – A snafu of some sort must have been responsible for the House’s failure to recognize the Thetford Academy boys basketball team, who were assembled in the House of Representatives gallery awaiting recognition, along with several other notables. When the lengthy list of introducteees had followed the request to “stand and be recognized,” House Speaker Jill Krowinski asked if there were any other announcements. There weren’t. She moved on to other business, leaving the team looking around and shaking their heads.

The final buzzer had sounded and the outcome was not to their likely. Snatching a tiny victory from the jaws of defeat, VDC followed them downstairs and offered to take their photo (see above). We also sent it off to the estimable Journal-Opinion, Thetford’s community newspaper. 

Pro-Lifers in the House – also present in both the chamber and in the cardroom were the stalwarts of Vermont Right to Life, holding their annual Pro-Life Day. They too were recognized from the floor.