By Guy Page
When the joint session of the Vermont House and Senate convenes today at 10:30 AM to elect an Adjutant and Inspector General (National Guard) and two of its own as Vermont State College trustees, all eyes will be on a senator from Addison County – and a handful of other solons as well.
A breach of decorum during Gov. Phil Scott’s January 23 budget address had the State House buzzing afterwards, and is believed to have spurred Senate leadership to give membership a refresher course on decorum when visiting the House chamber.
Sen. Ruth Hardy (D-Addison), was seated alongside her Senate colleagues on the long podium above the floor of the Vermont House. Unlike her Senate colleagues, who listened (or appeared to listen) to the governor with undivided attention, Hardy was seen typing away on her laptop computer – much to the annoyance of some House members who said it was a distraction and showed a lack of respect for both the Governor and the decorum and rules of the ‘lower’ Chamber of the Vermont House of Representatives.
During one such State House cafeteria discussion of the apparent breach of decorum during the governor’s speech, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman said he had noted such activity and “was not happy with it” and pledged to address the matter.
So, apparently, did Senate Majority Leader Alison Clarkson (D-Windsor). In the Feb. 7 Joint Rules Committee meeting, she raised the question of “decorum.” Without referencing Hardy specifically (or others, including one young state senator who observers say repeatedly flipped her hair in apparent annoyance at Scott’s statements), Clarkson said:
“I think that we do all need a reminder, all 180 of us need a reminder, about what rules apply when we’re in joint assembly. We’re going to undertake that, I, Phil and John, we’re going to undertake that reminder and just review what the rules are in joint assemblies. And I would hope that you would as well, just so that we’re all on the same page,” Clarkson told the House representatives, including Speaker Jill Krowinski, Majority Leader Emily Long, and Minority Leader Patti McCoy.
Wednesday, February 14, as she was walking quickly to a committee meeting, carrying her lunch with her, Clarkson was asked if she had followed through on her plan. The subject will be raised before the next joint meeting of House and Senate, she said.
Senators, and particularly chairs, are extremely busy people. It’s possible that Sen. Hardy had a deadline (self-imposed or otherwise) that justified typing during Scott’s speech. VDC’s email to Sen. Hardy inquiring about the incident has not been returned.
The Vermont Senate is protective of its own rules of decorum. Perhaps because it is a small body and audience activity can be distracting, Members and audience shall not use any electronic devices when the Senate is in session. Also, woe betide the reporter who stands even a foot inside the front doors of the Chamber for a ‘stand up’ shot, even when the Chamber is empty. A Senate administrator is likely to – and recently did – vigorously inform a member of the State House press corps that standups are only permitted outside the entrance to the Senate.
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Categories: State Government
If Nancy Pelosi can rip the then President, Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech to pieces while sitting right behind him in view of all present, and the whole country watching on TV, is there anything that is not fair game ? Once again, Democrats set the low bar as to acceptable behavior. To quote Eric Holder, “When they go low, we kick them.” Holder said. “That’s what this new Democratic Party is about.” In other words, when they go low, we go lower ! So don’t let anything surprise you.
Of course this never happened. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgce06Yw2ro&ab_channel=ABCNews.
A republican yelling ‘you lie’ at Obama during a SOTU address. If it had happened, it might have given Pelosi license to act as a human shredder. But as it is fake news or AI concocted nonsense we have to assume that the tone was not set by the action that actually never happened….
Vermont’s so called elected legislators again show they have “NO” respect for the Governor or the office, as long as he has an ” R ” by his name …………………………..
Progressive DemocRATs, are a cancer within the state !!
There exists a super-majority of legislators that possess extreme hubris, both toward the constituent and the constitution. ms. hardy has shown herself to be at the top of this list- and not just because of her ignorance of decorum. Had the shoe been on the other foot, ms. hardy would have compelled decorum and demanded the attention of all. She continues to show her true elitist colors.
She came here from there, because she didn’t like it there.
Now she wishes to change here to be like there.
“She came here from there, because she didn’t like it there.
Now she wishes to change here to be like there”
Yea, I’ve never been able to figure it out either. The only explanation I can come up with is the old little fish, in a big pond, vs. big fish, in a little pond, and you have to admit, they all smell fishy.
decorum/// accepted standers of conduct///webster dictionary/// crooks who own the golden dome set the rules/// just pay your property taxes and stop complaining///
Zuckerman recorded Scott during his state of the state.
Well, it looks like it’s amatuer hour at the Capital yet again, thereby please allow me to recommend a much better and a more tried and true alternative. As the “big guys” and your mentors in D.C. well know, it’s always better to simply prosecute your political opponents as opposed to just outwardly disrespecting them.
I’d personally suggest beginning with, say….19 lawsuits that encompass both criminal and civil charges, always being certain that at least one of them includes damages for a sexual battery which never took place, and go from there. In terms of the supposed sexual assault, always remember to claim that the act transpired many decades ago, that no semblance of any police report was ever filed for reasons unknown, and that the crime in question took place within one of the largest department stores in the world where thousands upon thousands of members of the public gather every day — yet none were ever even mildly cognizant of this violent assault taking place in their midsts. Should you discover that the VT governor has no history whatsoever of even stepping foot in Macy’s Herald Square in his life (should that be the shopping destination you so randomly choose) remember not to allow inconsequential details to ever dissuade you.
By utilizing this approach, as opposed to using the more common in-your-face, belligerent methodology which merely serves to highlight your own quackery, gullible constituents are led to instead believe that you are actually protecting their interests against the devilish scofflaws of the opposing party, as you remain appearing ever diligent and never distracted at all as you then skillfully and simultaneously endeavor to continue in your mission to destroy the entire nation. Good luck!
As a reporter in the Statehouse in the mid-60s. Some of us sat at a long table in the center floor of the House. We were – on occasion – sometimes a bit irreverent about decorum. We eventually were moved to the balcony. The press HQ was upstairs above the two chambers, then evicted when that area was, and is. Used for air handling.
I was at a meeting of the Senate committee speaking against the abortion bill (before it passed) and one member was on his computer the entire meeting. That greatly annoyed me.
It’s almost like they have their minds made up, so they don’t have to pay attention, and they really don’t care who they disrespect while doing it .
Seems to be typical for Addison county…at least she wasn’t driving drunk
the ‘honorable’ senator hardy seems more a limousine liberal.
It certainly seems that Addison County has become just what Chittenden, Washington, Windham, Orange and Windsor counties are.
Was she typing while drunk???
So, there is decorum, which is fine. This person could have worked somewhere else and reviewed the taped address at a later date.
So, Vermonters have to realize that people can be very polite, very cordial, and eloquent while at the same time screwing you over, think the British government back in the 1700’s.
So today we have a similar situation. The press is quite respectful, high on decorum, never questioning……pandering actually. This is not decorum, but propagandizing for the those currently in power, those currying favor for a person meet and greet with someone in power.
Is there decorum towards the citizens? Well, they are polite, they are respectful, as long as you don’t ask any questions or go against their agenda.
Know them by their actions, not their words, do not be fooled by silver tongues and sophistry.
At least he’s not screaming ‘Liar!’ During the address
I heard there is a certain member from Bennington who has warn the same jeans for six weeks and is drunk half the time. … And the other members have done nothing about it.
Can you give us a clue? Better yet a name? I am from Bennington.
Now we know who it is, DUI but no date but recent. I’ll bet those jeans can stand alone. The odor?
The voters of Vermont and the people they elect to represent them should read the Vermont constitution.
Article 18. [Regard to fundamental principles and virtues necessary to preserve liberty]
That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free; the people ought, therefore to pay particular attention to these points, in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, in making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State.
Since when do democrats have any respect for anything? And why should ANYONE have any respect for the communist rino named Phil Scott?
Why expect decorum when they have no ethics or morals, or ever held to account for their behavior or violations? Members of the Legislature being rude? C’mon man! They don’t respect their constiuents, let alone anyone else. They are entitled, self-absorded, freaks of misery. Carry on!
When you all receive your property tax bill and have to pay all of the additional taxes imposed by the Democratic Majority, maybe you will think twice about voting for them again. Problem is the Republicans have little organization and very few challengers. Watch even more of our neighbors leave the state. This is a plague upon a beautiful state brought to us by those who moved here with their bankrupt philosophy. The only alternative is to leave. And many of our children are. The Democrats and their supporters continue to be the problem, not the solution.
And the children who do stay are completely indoctrinated our corrupt public education establishment. That includes their parents who are also either equally brainwashed and/or financially benefit from (or employed by) the progressive mafia.
I refuse to leave John. My ancestors are buried here. Soon, the money will run out. As the saying goes, you can’t get blood from a stone. The progressive experiment is failing. Our large cities are failing. S5 is failing. 20% tax for (failing) education is failing. We are one bus load of immigrants away from our sanctuary state failing. Will thge Vermonters left standing, have the strength to pick up the pieces of what was once a beautiful state?
Do we give up, or rally together and change all this?