It was a week of change at the Statehouse with the swearing in of Governor Peter Shumlin and Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott. Democrats now control both the legislative and executive branches (with the exception of Auditor Tom Salmon) of Vermont’s government.
The Legislative Report for Friday, January 7
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In his farewell address, Governor Douglas cited the state’s progress in health coverage for Vermonters, noting the State has the highest rate of coverage for its citizens. He also described the state’s achievements from lowering crime rates and improving the corrections system to cleaning up Lake Champlain, encouraging renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gases. We extend our gratitude to Governor Douglas and Lieutenant Governor Dubie for their service and dedication to the State of Vermont
Lt. Governor Scott calls for more citizen involvement
Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott was sworn into office Thursday morning by his good friend, Senator Dick Mazza, D-Chittenden/Grand Isle County. In a speech that focused on creating jobs, Lt. Governor Scott challenged Vermonters to get involved in the legislative process and challenged elected officials to be even more accessible to their constituents.
Gov. Shumlin calls for cooperation in a common purpose
Amid a crowded House Chamber, with hundreds looking on, Democrat Peter Shumlin was sworn in as Vermont’s 81st Governor by Vermont Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Reiber. Governor Shumlin’s speech had numerous references to Vermonters working cooperatively together in a common purpose to “making Vermonters more economically secure.” He cited “no easy or popular path” to confront the $150 million budget challenge and described the need to address climate change as one solution to creating additional jobs.
Governor Shumlin laid out an ambitious agenda requiring the cooperation of many. He described five goals: expansion of broadband access, containing health care costs, education of the workforce, providing tax fairness and credit for emerging businesses and a renaissance in agriculture. He introduced a new initiative, ConnectVT, which will bring high speed internet access and cell service to every corner of the state by 2013. He called for a “marriage of telecommunications and electric utility sectors to create one shared broadband infrastructure.”
Governor Shumlin also called for a single payer health care system and asked Vermonters to join together with this common purpose; “leading where others dare not go.” He called for better training of our workforce citing specific employers who cannot find the talent they need to fill jobs. Governor Shumlin acknowledged that government does not create jobs, but it can provide access to capital and credit for emerging entrepreneurs as well as a competitive taxation policy. He stated that choices about taxes affect business viability and we must not succumb to idea that Vermonters have a capacity to pay higher taxes. Shumlin was clear in stating that in order to grow jobs and be competitive we must not raise broad based taxes. Finally, Governor Shumlin called for an agricultural renaissance to promote Vermont’s unique position in providing locally grown and high quality food products to major population centers.
Speaker Shap Smith (D-Morristown) announced a new initiative to improve the energy efficiency of the state’s building inventory by 20 percent. He also acknowledged the difficult choices the General Assembly will have to make with what is now estimated to be a $150 million gap in the budget. In what might be a foreshadowing of the Speaker’s priorities, he asked members to keep in mind our commitment to “a working landscape and pristine environment, our strong educational values; our dedication to health care for all and the collaborative work ethic of its citizens.”
The first week of a biennium always holds interest as the leadership of the House and Senate and committee members are unveiled. The following are the leaders of the House and Senate:
Senate Pro Tempore - John Campbell, D-Windsor Co.
Senate Majority Leader - Bill Carris, D-Rutland Co.
Senate Assistant Majority Leader – Hinda Miller, D-Chittenden Co.
Senate Minority Leader – Bill Doyle, R-Washington Co.
Senate Assistant Minority Leader – Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland Co.
House Speaker – Shap Smith D-Morristown
House Majority Leader –Lucy Leriche, D-Hardwick
House Assistant Majority Leader – Willem Jewett, D-Ripton
House Minority Leader – Don Turner, R-Milton
House Assistant Minority Leader – Patti Komline, R-Dorset
House Progressive Leader – Chris Pearson, P-Burlington
House Assistant Progressive Leader – Susan Davis, P-Washington
The House Committees saw relatively little change in leadership, with the exception of long time statehouse veteran Representative Mike Obuchowski who is stepping down as a Representative and Chair of the Ways and Means Committee to become the new State Buildings and General Services Commissioner. Representative Janet Ancel, D-Calais, has taken his place as Chair and Carolyn Branagan, R-Franklin, is Vice-Chair. The Ways and Means Committee will be in the spotlight this year, as the long-awaited recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Tax Structure Commission will be taken up by this Committee. There are three new members on the Ways and Means Committee including Representatives Rachel Weston, D-Burlington; Jeff Wilson, D-Manchester and Oliver Olsen, R-Jamaica.
Of particular note for our Chittenden County delegation:
Representative Ann O’Brien, (D-Richmond) is now on House Appropriations
Representative Clem Bissonette, (D-Winooski) has been reassigned from Commerce to Transportation
Representative Michele Kupersmith, (D-South Burlington) assigned to Commerce and Economic Development
Representative Mark Larson (D-Burlington) will chair Health Care with Representative Chris Pearson (P-Burlington) joining him on the committee.
Representative Bob Bouchard (R-Colchester) assigned to Housing
Representative Bert Munger (D-South Burlington) assigned to Fish and Wildlife
Representative Mike Yantachka (D-Charlotte) on Natural Resources
Your Government Affairs team for the Chamber and GBIC will be preparing this weekly report which is emailed or mailed to you every Friday morning. You can also follow us via Twitter and our website (www.vermont.org) which includes position statements and legislator contact information. Please contact us with your concerns and suggestions about policy issues so that we may share your views with your elected officials.
