Last Friday, Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark made a final offer of compromise to the issue of extending the winter rules for the hotel voucher program on behalf of the governor. The administration’s proposal, which was presented to the conference committee of House and Senate members working out differences in the Budget Adjustment Act, would have continued the existing law to end the winter rules for eligibility on March 31, but add new funding to go to the impacted municipalities. The towns would have the flexibility to use the money for shelters, support services or even pay for more hotel rooms if they chose.
The budget conferees said “NO” to the compromise and proceeded to sign off on the BAA. The full Senate subsequently approved the budget bill Friday afternoon, Feb. 28, and the House is expected to do the same when it returns from the Town Meeting recess. By saying “NO” to the compromise and not offering one of their own, budget conferees have all but guaranteed that Scott will veto the measure when it reaches his desk in the next two weeks. A veto will likely be sustained by the House, which will mean that the BAA bill will need to be rewritten to satisfy his concerns or risk another veto.
After receiving parts of the administration’s education reform proposal over the past 7-8 weeks, the whole package was finally introduced in bill form last week, all 194 pages. After House committees have been taking testimony for the past two months, there are some indications that committee members may want to go slow on reform efforts that could reduce costs and subsequently property taxes. However, a statement from House Democratic leaders on Thursday, Feb. 27, indicated they were still committed to reform efforts this session.
Meanwhile, the Senate Education Chair Seth Bongartz, D-Bennington, has unveiled his own proposed district consolidation map that shrinks the current 119 school districts into nine. The administration has proposed five. House leadership has yet to weigh in on how consolidation might work. The Bongartz map attempts to put towns that currently offer school choice together in new districts, rather than have choice and non-choice in the same district.
The proposal to shift education funding to a foundation formula, where the state sets a per pupil amount that it awards each district, appears to have some support among lawmakers. However, the amount and how weighted students are counted, are far from any consensus at this point.
Other issues of interest:
Despite growing concerns over potential federal cutbacks, advocacy groups and House policy committees are proposing over $200 million in new spending above the governor’s recommended budget. Over 36% of Vermont’s budget revenue comes from Washington. Perhaps the House Appropriations Committee may need to put a big “NO” sign on its door as it writes the House version of the state budget over the next two weeks.
The House Judiciary Committee is proposing to delay the Raise the Age law (allowing young adults over 18 to be treated as juveniles), rather than repeal the law as proposed by the governor. One concern he has is raising the age that may allow drug dealers to utilize more young adults in their operation subject to lower penalties.
House and Senate committees are reviewing the administration’s housing proposals, which include funding for more affordable projects and grants to help return properties to the rental market. It is unclear whether the Act 250 reforms will be considered as advocated by the governor.
None of the governor’s initiatives to reduce some of the projected cost impacts of previously enacted energy and climate laws appear to be getting any consideration in the House or Senate committees of jurisdiction. A Republican led move in the Senate to pull the repeal of the Clean Heat Standard (S.68), from the Senate Natural Resources Committee, failed on party lines, 13-17. Had the move succeeded, the full Senate would have had the opportunity to vote on the repeal.
The Senate Health Care Committee is considering several items that they hope will help with the cost of health care in the future. Among the items being reviewed include studying reference-based pricing and expanding the role of the Green Mountain Care Board to include more control of hospital budgets.
When the Legislature returns on March 11, policy committees will have less than a week to advance their initiatives. Education reform legislation has been given an extension to the crossover deadline.
A bipartisan group of legislators are asking legislative leaders to move forward on a proposal to repeal the Vermont income tax on military pensions. Vermont is one of a handful of states that tax veteran pensions. The governor has long been a backer of the tax exemption for veterans.
The House Speaker’s Office is soliciting comments on education reform and financing. To participate in the survey, visit: Tinyurl.com/465y7749 or scan this QR code:
With the Town Meeting recess, there will be no update next week. I will return with the weekly reports beginning March 17.
Jim Harrison is the state representative for Chittenden, Killington, Mendon, and Pittsfield. He can be reached at [email protected].
