Legislature overrides Scott’s veto on minimum wage

By Guy Page

The latest round in the legislative battle between the Democrat-Progressive Legislature and Republican Gov. Phil Scott went to the lawmakers Tuesday noon, as the House overrode his veto of S.23, raising the minimum wage to $12.55 by Jan. 1, 2022.

The House vote was 100-49. The Senate had already voted to override.

Here’s how some possible “swing votes” cast their ballots. Charen Fegard (D-Enosburg) voted no. Paul Lefebvre (R-Barton) voted no. Kelly Pajala (I-Weston) voted yes. Laura Sibilia (I-Londonderry) – No. Linda Joy Sullivan (D-Dorset) – Yes. Theresa Wood (D-Waterbury) – Yes. Chris Bates (D-Bennington) – No.

Guy Page

You can’t pull yourself up by your bootstraps if you can’t afford the boot,” Rep. Tom Stevens (D-Waterbury) said in support of the override.

“If the cost of something goes up, people will use less of it. Many businesses will….cut payroll,” Rep. Cynthia Browning (D-Arlington) said in opposition. The proposed increases are “too much, too soon.”

So far this session, both the House leadership and the governor have each “won” one battle over banner, high-priority legislation. Earlier this week, the House approved H.688, the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), by a veto-overwhelming 105-37 tally. The bill now proceeds to the Senate, where support is strong in concept for a GWSA. H.688 requires state government to meet aggressive carbon reduction goals and allows citizens (including environmental lawyers) the right to sue the State for non-compliance.

A recent House change in H.688 blunted somewhat the ability of a judge to provide and enforce specific direction about carbon reduction efforts, opponents of the bill say.

On Feb. 5, the House failed to override Gov. Scott’s veto of H.107, Paid Family Leave. The administration is moving forward with a voluntary paid family leave program.

Still up in the air is S.54, the commercial cannabis bill. It moved closer towards a vote on the House floor, following a narrow 6-5 vote of approval by the House Appropriations Committee Monday. The bill would levy a six percent sales tax and a 14 percent excise tax. 30% of the excise tax would go to substance abuse prevention, Appropriations decided. It also reduced the number of full-time cannabis control board members from five to three.

Read more of Guy Page’s reports.

Image courtesy of Vermont Department of Labor

10 thoughts on “Legislature overrides Scott’s veto on minimum wage

  1. I keep hoping that someone of knowledge and authority would offer a figure of what it actually costs the employer to pay the worker $12.55. Add bookkeeping, SS, vacation, holidays, sick days. unemployment, training .
    Time for the person giving training. .Risk of losing new employee who doesn’t like the work.

    $12.55 is the “easy part”. What is the full Co$t

    • Add FICA, Workers Comp, major medical insurance, 401K match and it goes on and on. I employed over 100 Vermonters at one time (East Shore Drywall, Inc.) and after 16 years of working 12 hour days, seven days a week, I figured out that it just wasn’t worth it.

  2. I’m thinking Vermonters should vote for Bernie in the primaries to eliminate stronger candidates then vote for Trump in the November elections. Let’s play the game like the Liberals have and use the system against them…. Thoughts?

  3. It is a shame that this was done during “Black History Month” as it was proven that minimum wage was instituted to stop Blacks from taking away jobs from Whites…

    Those that are interested should watch Larry Elders youtube about black history month! Be careful cus it is educational so it will be difficult for some of you.

  4. Time to move, the Liberal decay we have in Montpelier, legislators don’t have a clue or
    care for the state as a whole, it’s all about the agenda !!

    Montpelier cannot figure out why the state is in debt, the economy in the tank, people
    leaving and the younger generation sees no future, housing prices & taxes out of control
    so why move here ??

    Wake up people, vote these flatlanders out ….. for the sake of the State !!

  5. My future plans to retire in Vermont are now under review. With a dwindling economy, population base and mounting state inflicted costs, people have fewer and fewer places to hide from the overreach of the state. I am truly concerned for the future of my native state.

  6. Neighboring NH must be delighted, business owners will be welcomed with open arms. Vermont offers high taxes, ridiculous regulations and arbitrarily based wages. Just another nail in Vermont’s coffin.

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