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Fair Game Extra
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Fair Game Extra / Statehouse
Walters: Scott Speaks Softly, Keeps Stick Under Wraps
Posted
By John Walters
on Thu, May 16, 2019 at 2:58 PM
In what may have been his final press conference before the Vermont legislature adjourns for the year, Gov. Phil Scott held his cards close to his vest on Thursday morning. He refused to say whether or not he would veto any of the major bills that seem likely to land on his desk.
"I'm looking at the aggregate burden," Scott said of Democratic proposals to raise the minimum wage, create a paid family leave program and increase other taxes and fees. He would not identify how he would arrive at an acceptable "aggregate burden."
It's a prudent strategy at a time when lawmakers and Statehouse observers are wondering how Scott will handle the endgame. Will he continue the cooperative path he has followed to date this session, or will he revert to the Quick Draw McVeto of 2018? The uncertainty does force lawmakers to negotiate details among themselves, as they try to avoid veto showdowns whenever possible.
The governor's presentation tended strongly toward the former. "I wanted to set a standard of behavior, one that unites rather than divides," he said. "I have focused on areas of agreement and listened to all ideas. I asked the legislature to give my ideas a fair shot, and I thank the legislature for doing just that."
"I'm looking at the aggregate burden," Scott said of Democratic proposals to raise the minimum wage, create a paid family leave program and increase other taxes and fees. He would not identify how he would arrive at an acceptable "aggregate burden."
It's a prudent strategy at a time when lawmakers and Statehouse observers are wondering how Scott will handle the endgame. Will he continue the cooperative path he has followed to date this session, or will he revert to the Quick Draw McVeto of 2018? The uncertainty does force lawmakers to negotiate details among themselves, as they try to avoid veto showdowns whenever possible.
The governor's presentation tended strongly toward the former. "I wanted to set a standard of behavior, one that unites rather than divides," he said. "I have focused on areas of agreement and listened to all ideas. I asked the legislature to give my ideas a fair shot, and I thank the legislature for doing just that."
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Education / Fair Game Extra
Walters: Legislators Still Sparring Over School Lead Tests
Posted
By John Walters
on Wed, May 15, 2019 at 8:12 PM
In January, it seemed like the slam-dunkiest of legislative slam-dunks. After random tests found elevated lead levels in some schools' drinking water, Gov. Phil Scott proposed testing every tap and fountain in public schools across the state. Everyone understood that this was a critical situation that needed immediate action.
Fast forward five months later to Wednesday afternoon, and agreement on a lead-testing bill remained elusive. A House-Senate conference committee held three meetings and reached agreement on multiple key points — but its last meeting of the day adjourned abruptly with both sides trying to place the ball in the other's court.
The panel had agreed to include all licensed childcare facilities as well as schools. The actionable lead level was set at four parts per billion — a middle ground between the Senate's insistence on three parts per billion and the House's preferred five.
Fast forward five months later to Wednesday afternoon, and agreement on a lead-testing bill remained elusive. A House-Senate conference committee held three meetings and reached agreement on multiple key points — but its last meeting of the day adjourned abruptly with both sides trying to place the ball in the other's court.
The panel had agreed to include all licensed childcare facilities as well as schools. The actionable lead level was set at four parts per billion — a middle ground between the Senate's insistence on three parts per billion and the House's preferred five.
Monday, May 13, 2019
Fair Game Extra / Statehouse
Walters: Vermont House Leaders Say Cannabis Bill Is Smoked for the Year
Posted
By John Walters
on Mon, May 13, 2019 at 11:00 PM
A bill to legalize the sale of cannabis in Vermont appears to be dead for the year. Four state representatives told Seven Days Monday night that the bill, S.54, has run out of time to pass the House in the current session, which is scheduled to adjourn at the end of the week.
"This was never on our must-pass list for this year," said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero), who confirmed the bill's demise. "I've always said that careful exploration of policy takes precedence."
Though the personal use and cultivation of marijuana has been legal in Vermont since last July, retail sales remain prohibited. In March, the Senate passed S.54, which would implement a tax-and-regulate system by April 2021. The bill was marooned in the House Government Operations Committee for weeks and only recently moved to the House Ways and Means Committee.
"This was never on our must-pass list for this year," said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero), who confirmed the bill's demise. "I've always said that careful exploration of policy takes precedence."
Though the personal use and cultivation of marijuana has been legal in Vermont since last July, retail sales remain prohibited. In March, the Senate passed S.54, which would implement a tax-and-regulate system by April 2021. The bill was marooned in the House Government Operations Committee for weeks and only recently moved to the House Ways and Means Committee.
"My own take: We got the bill about a week ago," said Rep. Scott Beck (R-St. Johnsbury), a member of Ways and Means and a supporter of S.54. "There are so many layers in the bill. I felt that it required a lot of time."
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Election 2020 / Fair Game Extra
Walters: Massey Out at Vermont Democratic Party
Posted
By John Walters
on Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 3:45 PM
For the second time in less than a year, the Vermont Democratic Party is looking to fill its top staff position. Its current executive director, Josh Massey, plans to leave his post later this month.
Massey's predecessor, Conor Casey, resigned in June 2018 — just as campaign season was kicking into high gear — to take a position with the Vermont-National Education Association. Massey was hired in July.
As a former party staffer, Massey had the experience to step in at a crucial time. But now, he’s not sure he wants to go through it all again. “It’s a lot to put my family through,” he said. “2018 was my third election cycle with the party. I’ve served my time.”
Massey and party chair Terje Anderson say they reached a mutual decision that it was better to cut ties before the next campaign season begins.
Massey's predecessor, Conor Casey, resigned in June 2018 — just as campaign season was kicking into high gear — to take a position with the Vermont-National Education Association. Massey was hired in July.
As a former party staffer, Massey had the experience to step in at a crucial time. But now, he’s not sure he wants to go through it all again. “It’s a lot to put my family through,” he said. “2018 was my third election cycle with the party. I’ve served my time.”
Massey and party chair Terje Anderson say they reached a mutual decision that it was better to cut ties before the next campaign season begins.
Friday, March 29, 2019
Education / Fair Game Extra
Walters: Scott Signs Bill on Ethnic and Social Equity in Schools
Posted
By John Walters
on Fri, Mar 29, 2019 at 5:26 PM
At a Friday afternoon ceremony, Gov. Phil Scott held his first bill signing of the 2019 session. The measure, H.3, is meant to advance ethnic and social equity in Vermont schools.
It calls for a working group to advise the Vermont Agency of Education on adopting statewide standards for ethnic and social equity education, and to require the state Board of Education to publish information on hazing, harassment and bullying incidents "disaggregated by student groups, including ethnic and racial groups, poverty status, disability status, English language learner status, and gender," according to the text of the law.
The signing ceremony took place before a large, enthusiastic and diverse crowd of supporters.
In a brief speech, Scott talked of the "educational benefits for kids" and the ultimate goal of creating "a more tolerant society."
It calls for a working group to advise the Vermont Agency of Education on adopting statewide standards for ethnic and social equity education, and to require the state Board of Education to publish information on hazing, harassment and bullying incidents "disaggregated by student groups, including ethnic and racial groups, poverty status, disability status, English language learner status, and gender," according to the text of the law.
The signing ceremony took place before a large, enthusiastic and diverse crowd of supporters.
In a brief speech, Scott talked of the "educational benefits for kids" and the ultimate goal of creating "a more tolerant society."
Friday, March 8, 2019
Fair Game Extra / Media
Media Note: VTDigger Scores a Small Win on EB-5 Documents
Posted
By John Walters
on Fri, Mar 8, 2019 at 6:18 PM
Gov. Phil Scott, Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan and VTDigger.org founder and editor Anne Galloway issued a press release Friday afternoon touting a settlement in Digger's lengthy battle for access to documents in the EB-5 scandal.
Digger is seeking a total of 1.5 million pages of relevant documents. The state has refused to release them, citing ongoing litigation.
At first glance, Friday's press release appeared to signal a major step in the legal battle — but in actual fact, according to Galloway, it only included 100 or so pages.
She called the document release "minuscule," and added that, "We worked really hard to get them. We had a team of lawyers at work for at least four months." Galloway called it an "outrage that it takes so much effort to get so little."
Digger is seeking a total of 1.5 million pages of relevant documents. The state has refused to release them, citing ongoing litigation.
At first glance, Friday's press release appeared to signal a major step in the legal battle — but in actual fact, according to Galloway, it only included 100 or so pages.
She called the document release "minuscule," and added that, "We worked really hard to get them. We had a team of lawyers at work for at least four months." Galloway called it an "outrage that it takes so much effort to get so little."
Friday, March 1, 2019
Fair Game Extra / Media
Media Note: Kurt Wright to Take Over WVMT Morning Show
Posted
By John Walters
on Fri, Mar 1, 2019 at 2:30 PM
After only two months on the air, the "Pete and Sarah in the Morning" show on WVMT (620 AM) has come to an end. Cohosts Pete Belair and Sarah Mitiguy were informed after their Friday broadcast that they were being fired, Belair said. A new local talk show featuring Burlington City Council President Kurt Wright and DJ/podcaster Marcus Certa will take over the 6 to 9 a.m. broadcast on Monday.
Belair and Mitiguy had been cohosts of a morning music show on WXXX-FM (95 Triple X) until late last year. They moved to WVMT at the beginning of January, taking the place of longtime morning hosts Charlie Papillo and Ernie Farrar, who both retired. Now, with their new show coming to an abrupt end and their Triple X time slot filled by a nationally syndicated show, Belair and Mitiguy are looking for work.
"They told me how good I was at music but [that] I didn't have the chops for political talk," Belair said. Perhaps, but what did WVMT management expect? Belair is a veteran music host who'd never done talk radio before, and Mitiguy's radio experience was all music, as well. If they were going to make a successful transition, two months was hardly enough time.
Belair and Mitiguy had been cohosts of a morning music show on WXXX-FM (95 Triple X) until late last year. They moved to WVMT at the beginning of January, taking the place of longtime morning hosts Charlie Papillo and Ernie Farrar, who both retired. Now, with their new show coming to an abrupt end and their Triple X time slot filled by a nationally syndicated show, Belair and Mitiguy are looking for work.
"They told me how good I was at music but [that] I didn't have the chops for political talk," Belair said. Perhaps, but what did WVMT management expect? Belair is a veteran music host who'd never done talk radio before, and Mitiguy's radio experience was all music, as well. If they were going to make a successful transition, two months was hardly enough time.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Fair Game Extra / U.S. Politics
Walters: Welch Grills Cohen on WikiLeaks Email Dump
Posted
By John Walters
on Wed, Feb 27, 2019 at 6:50 PM
Michael Cohen told U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Wednesday that then-presidential candidate Donald Trump knew in advance of the July 2016 WikiLeaks release of internal emails hacked from the Democratic National Committee's computer system.
Welch, a member of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, got five minutes to question Cohen during a hearing that riveted the nation. Welch focused on the emails and Trump's foreknowledge of their release. Cohen testified that on July 18 or 19, 2016, he was in Trump's office when Trump's assistant said, "Roger is on line one."
She meant Roger Stone, longtime conservative operative and dirty trickster. Trump put the call on speakerphone, Cohen testified.
"[Stone] said, 'Mr. Trump, I just want to let you know that I just got off the phone with [WikiLeaks founder] Julian Assange, and in a couple of days there's going to be a massive dump of emails that's going to severely hurt the Clinton campaign,'" Cohen said.
Welch, a member of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, got five minutes to question Cohen during a hearing that riveted the nation. Welch focused on the emails and Trump's foreknowledge of their release. Cohen testified that on July 18 or 19, 2016, he was in Trump's office when Trump's assistant said, "Roger is on line one."
She meant Roger Stone, longtime conservative operative and dirty trickster. Trump put the call on speakerphone, Cohen testified.
"[Stone] said, 'Mr. Trump, I just want to let you know that I just got off the phone with [WikiLeaks founder] Julian Assange, and in a couple of days there's going to be a massive dump of emails that's going to severely hurt the Clinton campaign,'" Cohen said.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Fair Game Extra / Statehouse
Walters: Republicans Offer Flurry of Amendments to Vermont Abortion Bill
Posted
By John Walters
on Wed, Feb 20, 2019 at 5:45 PM
Facing certain House passage of a bill establishing abortion rights in Vermont law, minority Republicans forced an extended debate Wednesday by offering 10 separate amendments and demanding roll call votes on each one. In the end, the bill received preliminary approval by a 104-40 tally.
"It's democracy at work," House Minority Leader Pattie McCoy (R-Poultney) said in explaining the demand for roll calls. "I think our members wanted [roll call votes]. It's a very personal and emotional issue."
Vermont has had no restrictions on abortion since 1972. Supporters of H.57 say that abortion rights must now be protected in law, given the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1972 decision establishing abortion rights.
Rep. Carl Rosenquist (R-Georgia) proposed an amendment establishing legal rights for fetuses developed enough to survive outside the womb. "The most underrepresented person or thing in Vermont is a viable fetus," he said in floor debate. "It feels pain, it feels love."
The amendment was defeated on a 106-41 vote, largely along party lines.
"It's democracy at work," House Minority Leader Pattie McCoy (R-Poultney) said in explaining the demand for roll calls. "I think our members wanted [roll call votes]. It's a very personal and emotional issue."
Vermont has had no restrictions on abortion since 1972. Supporters of H.57 say that abortion rights must now be protected in law, given the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1972 decision establishing abortion rights.
Rep. Carl Rosenquist (R-Georgia) proposed an amendment establishing legal rights for fetuses developed enough to survive outside the womb. "The most underrepresented person or thing in Vermont is a viable fetus," he said in floor debate. "It feels pain, it feels love."
The amendment was defeated on a 106-41 vote, largely along party lines.
Friday, February 15, 2019
Fair Game Extra / Statehouse
Walters: Abortion Rights Bill Headed for Floor Vote in the Vermont House
Posted
By John Walters
on Fri, Feb 15, 2019 at 3:29 PM
The House Judiciary Committee has approved legislation to protect abortion rights in Vermont law. The Friday morning vote to send the bill to the full House was 9-2. Rep. Tom Burditt (R-Rutland) was the only Republican to vote in favor of it.
The bill, H.57, had previously been approved by the House Human Services Committee. Judiciary made a number of changes in an effort to clarify its intent.
Supporters say the bill is necessary in case the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the decision that established a legal right to abortion.
Opponents have claimed that H.57 would open the door to unlimited abortion rights — even for late-term abortions. Not so, said legislative counsel Brynn Hare. "Any procedure prohibited under federal law would continue to be prohibited under H.57," she told the committee.
The bill, H.57, had previously been approved by the House Human Services Committee. Judiciary made a number of changes in an effort to clarify its intent.
Supporters say the bill is necessary in case the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the decision that established a legal right to abortion.
Opponents have claimed that H.57 would open the door to unlimited abortion rights — even for late-term abortions. Not so, said legislative counsel Brynn Hare. "Any procedure prohibited under federal law would continue to be prohibited under H.57," she told the committee.
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