By Guy Page
Overhead last week: three very Vermont, very authentic statements by farmer, contractor and Lt. Gov. John Rodgers:
After presiding over the Governor’s swearing-in as well as the Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney General, Rodgers remarked that “I haven’t heard this much swearin’ since I was back on the farm.”
When asked if he’s ready to wield the Senate gavel (moderate Senate floor sessions): “I’ve been swinging a hammer for a lot of years. I think I can handle a gavel.”
When asked by a reporter how he will decorate his office: “Somethin dead’ is going up on that wall.” Just hours earlier, State House staff were seen removing former Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman’s portrait and his poster of ‘banned’ transgender-themed books.
And speaking of a lot of years – Northeast Kingdom Rep. Beth Quimby (R-Lyndon, Wheelock, Newark, Sutton, Sheffield) is a fifth-generation member of the Vermont House of Representatives. Her mom, Connie Quimby, served almost until her death about a year-and-a-half ago. Her grandfather served in the pre-1968 era when every Vermont town and city had its own legislator.
Universal Healthcare caucus formed – Rep. Brian Cina (P-Burlington) rose this morning on the House floor to announce a caucus dedicated to passing universal healthcare.
Universal healthcare advocates point to skyrocketed insurance premiums (20% this year, highest in the nation). “Single-payer health care did not fail in Vermont: It was simply never implemented, never given a chance to work,” according to a handout given to lawmakers by advocates Wednesday, January 8. The flyer doesn’t mention that Gov. Peter Shumlin declined to implement the plan when he saw the eye-popping costs to taxpayer.
Classroom sizes, school consolidation on the table – Newly re-elected House Speaker told the media Thursday afternoon that discussion of changing classroom sizes and school consolidation are up for discussion. When asked by VDC if the House Majority was planning to hold the line on property taxes but markedly increase other taxes to pay for school funding, Krowinski said she hasn’t heard any concerns about that.