Walters: Scott, Legislature Remain at Odds

by John Walters on May 23, 2018 at 8:18PM

occurs," fiscal analyst Mark Perrault told lawmakers. The JFO also cast doubt on whether statewide health care negotiations would save money.

Scott Vetoes Minimum Wage, Paid Family Leave Bills

by Alicia Freese on May 22, 2018 at 6:04PM

In a statement reacting to the fate of the paid family leave legislation, House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero) said, "Unfortunately, the Governor today ignored the needs of working families and vetoed a bill that would sustain Vermonters against hard times." The program would have been funded through a payroll tax on employees, and Scott had said he would oppose any new tax or fee. “While the goals of this legislation are admirable,” the governor said in a statement accompanying his veto, “it simply is not responsible to impose a new $16.3 million payroll tax on Vermonters.”

Walters: Scott, Lawmakers Clear Path to Special Session

by John Walters on May 17, 2018 at 6:37PM

Next Wednesday's session is likely to be a one-day affair, followed by adjournment for the Memorial Day weekend. Many lawmakers, Johnson observed, had already made plans for post-session getaways.

Walters: Advocacy Groups Try to Pressure Scott

by John Walters on May 17, 2018 at 1:21PM

Chloé White of the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont spoke on behalf of two internet-related bills. One would support net neutrality; the other would establish a regulatory system for companies that harvest and sell consumer information online.

Walters: Scott Speaks Softly, Carries Big Stick on Taxes

by John Walters on May 16, 2018 at 7:55PM

Disclosure: Tim Ashe is the domestic partner of Seven Days publisher and coeditor Paula Routly. Find our conflict-of-interest policy here: sevendaysvt.com/disclosure.

Scott Summons Lawmakers to Special Session Next Wednesday

by Alicia Freese on May 15, 2018 at 8:32PM

Walters: Team Scott Achieves a Talking Point

by John Walters on May 13, 2018 at 2:02PM

That "$83 million" was a gubernatorial talking point from earlier in the week; by Saturday night it was a vast overstatement because the House and Senate had trimmed or eliminated proposed tax increases. The rapid response — and the inevitability of Turner's defeat — made clear that his amendment was designed for no other purpose than to produce a political talking point: The legislative majority is so anxious to raise taxes that it's willing to shut down government if it can't get its way.

Vermont Legislature Adjourns As Veto Threats Loom

by Alicia Freese on May 13, 2018 at 12:44AM

At several points in his speech to the Senate, the governor unsuccessfully tried to lighten the mood. “Admittedly, we’ve struggled a bit with this new reality and relationship,” he said, referring to the dynamic between his Republican administration and the Democrat-led legislature.

Vermont Senate Votes Down Scott's Labor Board Appointee

by Alicia Freese on May 12, 2018 at 6:37PM

“We did not hear of any experience representing labor that might have balanced out this consistent management experience she had for 30 years,” he told the Senate. The governor still considers O’Neill highly qualified to serve in an impartial role, according to Kelley, who added, “It’s difficult to see how politics didn’t play into the decision.”

Walters: Tax Bill Agreement Clears Path to Adjournment

by John Walters on May 11, 2018 at 9:15PM

The committee's report adopted portions of both House and Senate bills. The House gained a clearer delineation between education and non-education spending, and between the Education Fund and the General Fund.