If you enjoy theater, you would like the final days of the legislative session. Late last week the House Speaker held a press conference announcing the House would initiate an impeachment inquiry into the conduct of the Franklin County States Attorney and the Franklin County Sheriff. The last time an elected official was impeached by the House was in 1976. That official was then acquitted by the Senate.
Then, on Friday, May 5, a group of Democrat/Progressive lawmakers threatened to uphold a potential veto of the state budget, unless funding was added to continue the motel voucher program for homeless. Up till now, leaders and the governor have agreed the program was unsustainable and needed to be phased out now that federal funding for the program has ended.
This week will likely see the first veto override of the session, when the Legislature takes up S.5, the Clean Heat bill. Scott, as expected, vetoed the measure last Thursday, May 4. Unless some lawmakers change their vote, the bill will be enacted. However, given the much public opposition to the measure, the issue could become part of the 2024 campaign, as voters may want to know where their candidates stand on the bill’s final rule approval, which will happen early in the 2025 session.
The pace at the end of the session also ramps up a notch. On Monday, May 8, there were no less than 20 bills on the House agenda. While many are routine, like ones coming back from the Senate with slight changes, some are significant, like S.100, the session’s marquee housing legislation. An important agreement was reached last week on some temporary relief from Act 250 for certain housing developments, which may now pave the way for easy passage.
Last week, Speaker Krowinski took H.66, family leave, off the table for this session, not seeing a path forward with the Senate. Scott also disapproved of the new payroll tax that was included in the bill. Taking it off the table clears the way for both chambers to pass a major childcare initiative, S.56, this week.
The House wants personal income and corporate tax increases, while the Senate favors a new payroll tax. Early this week we may have clarity on what tax package wins out. Meanwhile, the governor is not a fan of either and prefers to increase subsidies with the $50 million he proposed in his budget. The House version of the bill is looking at $85 million in tax increases next year and over $200 million by FY30.
And speaking of income taxes. For the third month in a row, personal income tax receipts were trailing the revenue forecast for the state. April was a concerning $43 million behind (and over $100 million behind last April), which could be a warning that the economic conditions in Vermont may already be slowing down.
Other issues moving:
Budget conferees hope to reach agreement on a package by midweek, which would pave the way for adjournment by this coming weekend. If not, the session could spill over to next week. With the new motor vehicle fees and higher spending levels likely to bring a gubernatorial veto, legislative leaders appear willing to enact the state budget via an override.
Universal school breakfast and lunch on a permanent basis has passed the Senate and will be on its way to the Governor soon.
Increases in most professional licensing fees resurfaced in the Senate with an amendment to H.305 and will come back to the House for concurrence.
H.230, which requires a 72-hour waiting period for all gun purchases and new safe storage requirements, has passed by a veto proof margin and is on its way to the governor. Some lawyers believe the waiting period in the bill will be found unconstitutional when challenged.
The House passed H.81, the right to repair agriculture equipment on a 132-2 vote. The bill, which will probably not see action in the Senate until next year, will allow farmers and loggers to repair their own equipment and not be subject to only utilizing authorized service shops.
It remains to be seen if a measure to increase legislative compensation will be approved this session. S.39, which had passed the Senate after the legislative crossover date, was slated for a vote in the House Government Operations Committee last Thursday but was then delayed.
The House is slated to approve legislation that would create a state-run retirement savings program for workers who don’t have access to an employer sponsored plan. The measure would allow employees to contribute up to 5% of their wages to a Roth IRA, administered by the state treasurer.
Hopefully, the 2023 session will conclude as scheduled this Friday, May 12. However, the Legislature will likely return in June to address any vetoes and possibly later if there are impeachment charges brought forth by the committee reviewing the allegations against the two Franklin County officials. Never a dull moment…
Rep. Jim Harrison is the Statehouse representative for Mendon, Killington, Chittenden and Pittsfield. He can be reached at JHarrison@leg.state.vt.us or harrisonforvermont.com.
