The daffodils and hyacinths are finally blooming in the
yard, the ground isn’t quite as soggy as it was last week, and May is upon us. Ironically,
unemployment is at depression-level highs around the world as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Here in Vermont, the infection and hospitalization levels have
been well-controlled as a result of steps taken early by Governor Scott under
the direction of Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine and State Epidemiologist Patsy
Kelso. The curve has been flattened,
allowing some easing of restrictions on outdoor work like landscaping and
construction if social distancing and hygienic guidelines are observed. And the
difficulty many Vermonters who tried to apply for unemployment benefits experienced
should now be easing with additional personnel staffing the Department of
Labor. Anyone still having a problem should contact me to see if I can help.
The legislature finally met in session using Zoom to approve
the change to House Rules allowing us to vote remotely and to pass several key
bills related to the health crisis. The change of rules required a 3/4 majority
approval to take effect, and the vote was unanimous by the 147 legislators in
attendance. With that approval, the House took up four bills pertaining to
changes in the law for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. These bills provide for the administration of
the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program which relates directly to
independent contractors and others who are self-employed, permit remote
execution of a will and notarization of documents without having to be in
direct contact with other people, and provide our State Treasurer with tools to
proactively manage State and local cash flow needs. We expect to hold more
floor sessions in the weeks ahead. You can watch recordings of House meetings,
and live floor sessions, by following our legislative page on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC1w34Iyg1vB_HT6dt_4eMA
This is an unusual session for many reasons, not the least of
which is the uncertainty of the financial future. The economic fallout will certainly reduce
revenues coming into the state from income and corporate taxes, sales and use taxes,
and transportation fuel taxes. Since all sales and use taxes now go into the
Education Fund, there will be less money to support the school budgets that
have been passed. There is also a lot of uncertainty about what aid the federal
government will provide to the states. As
the legislature adapts to all this uncertainty, we will work to pass an interim
budget that will get Vermont through the first quarter of the next fiscal year
(FY21). The plan is to adjourn in late May or early June and return in August
to pass a more complete budget for FY21.
In the meantime, the proposed closure of three Vermont State
College campuses last week surprised everyone and created an immediate
backlash. While the legislature in recent years provided less funding for the VSC
system than requested, its costs have mounted, and the current crisis has
exacerbated the deficit, The backlash by
students, faculty, the public, the Governor and legislators caused the proposal
to be withdrawn. The legislative leadership of the House and Senate have
committed to taking a serious look at VSC configuration as well as funding. VSC
must provide an affordable and accessible opportunity for post-secondary
students across Vermont to get a college degree.
* This meeting notice was published prior to May 1.
