This past Friday was the final day for the first group of legislative pages. Always nice to see the recognition the eighth graders receive for their service with their families present at the State House. Pages serve for six weeks, with three groups comprising the scheduled 18-week session. The Legislature would normally be one-third of the way done at this point.
However, plans for a major overhaul of school governance and financing could derail the normal flow of business for the 2025 session. Both the governor and legislative leaders have agreed up to this point that education changes are the No. 1 priority. Increasing property taxes were a major factor in the change of the political makeup of the Vermont Legislature last November.
With more details coming forth on the administration’s education proposal, the criticisms are increasing from various groups, including superintendents, the NEA, school boards, principals and others. Senate leader Phil Baruth, D-Chittenden-Central, has already declared his opposition to the governor’s proposal to allow a limited amount of school choice in all school districts. He has even hinted that education changes could wait and just work on the financing issue this session.
House Speaker Krowinski, while also not a fan of expanding school choice options, continues to believe we need to make transformational changes to our education system, and not just tinker with the financing.
Others argue that without reducing the costs of K-12 education, already one of the highest in the country, financing costs will continue to grow. Reshuffling the deck chairs alone will not get us where we need to go to improve outcomes and lower taxes. Given the complexities and lack of consensus on how to transform the education system, there is a very good chance the session could go into overtime.
Other issues of interest:
The House and Senate Appropriation Committees held the first of two public hearings on the FY26 state budget last Thursday. Individuals and groups requested over $70 million in additional spending over the governor’s recommended budget plan. Any increase in spending could jeopardize money set aside for short-term property tax relief.
The Vermont Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the governor’s authority to reappoint Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders after the Senate failed to confirm her initial appointment last year. The challenge was brought by state Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, P/D-Chittenden-Central and former Sen. Dick McCormick, D-Windsor.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations has delayed advancing its version of the annual Budget Adjustment Act (H.141) to this week after failing to reach agreement with the governor. The bill was approved in the House by party lines over disagreement of additional spending and proposal for an extension of the hotel voucher program winter rules into early summer.
A proposal to call for a constitutional convention to address topics like federal Congressional term limits and federal deficit spending, ran into a cool reception in the House Government Operations Committee last week. Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, Congress would have to convene a constitutional convention if 34 states called for one.
The Senate natural resources committee is expected to advance legislation aimed at reducing the use of salt on Vermont roadways during the winter.
The page recognition at the conclusion of their six weeks always reminds me of when our son, Ben, served in that capacity some years ago. That was also one of those rare sessions that went into overtime. While Ben was happy because he was able to extend his six weeks away from school, I am certainly hoping we can find a way to get the work done before June!
The Legislature is currently scheduled and budgeted to conclude on May 16. Extending the session could result in the need for additional appropriation.
Jim Harrison is the state representative for Chittenden, Killington, Mendon, and Pittsfield. He can be reached at [email protected].
