Leonine Public Affairs This week saw a public dispute erupt between the Phil Scott administration and Senate leadership over workforce statistics; an influx of citizens coming to the statehouse to advocate for various causes; and the beginning of the nitty gritty review of the Governor’s proposed budget for FY2019. Since the early days of the Scott administration the governor and his team have been outspoken with their “6-3-1” message, a phrase that highlights what they believe are the key problems facing the state. According to the administration the “6” refers to the number of people leaving the state’s workforce every day, the “3” is the daily reduction in the number of public school students in Vermont and the “1” represents the number of babies born every day to mothers who are addicted to opioids.
This week Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe, D-Chittenden, publicly challenged the “6.” He pointed to statistics showing an increase in the state’s workforce since 2016. The administration shot back, saying that Senator Ashe “cherry picked” the statistics from a short period of time, and displayed a large graph on a placard outside the Governor’s ceremonial office in the Statehouse showing workforce statistics from April 2009 to December 2017.
Large groups of citizens converged on the statehouse this week to advocate for a number of causes. Late Tuesday afternoon the Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on Vermont’s firearm laws in the largest meeting space in the building--the House chamber--and hundreds if not thousands of people came to speak and watch. Wednesday was Mental Health Advocacy Day, and hundreds of citizens who support improvements to the state’s mental health system showed up to lobby their elected officials.
The House Appropriations Committee was also crowded this week, as they began delving into the details of the Governor’s proposed FY2019 General Fund Budget. Among other topics the committee took testimony on the Governor’s proposals concerning human services and higher education.
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Source: Leonine Public Affairs, Montpelier, Week 5. 2.2.2018.leoninepublicaffairs.com.Through a special arrangement with Leonine, Vermont Business Magazine republishes Leonine's weekly legislative report on vermontbiz.com. leoninepublicaffairs.com