Roper: A pathetic start to the 2022 legislative session

By Rob Roper

Members of the Vermont Legislature returned to the Statehouse just long enough to pass a resolution ensuring that they won’t have to come back again for at least two weeks, instead choosing to work remotely. Must be nice. These are the same people who say they want the schools open, hospitals staffed, tourism industry serving visitors to our state in hotels, restaurants, spas and ski slopes.

They do this ostensibly to maintain health and safety of members and staff, but, as several witnesses stated both on the floor and via social media, to quote one, “Walking around the Statehouse this morning, I saw legislators hugging and shaking hands and sitting around full cafeteria tables with their masks off.” Uh huh.

Rep. Heidi Scheuermann (R-Stowe) summed up the situation well when urging her colleagues to reject the proposal to go remote.

“I understand the risks of meeting in person during these challenging times. I do not, though, believe those risks outweigh the importance of developing critical public policy that will govern the lives of Vermonters in person. Every day I see restaurant, hospitality and retail and grocery employees working. Teachers and staff are going to work, kids are going to school, but we’re telling them that we can’t go to work. I think this sends the wrong message to the people of Vermont.”

Unfortunately, only 18 of her fellow representatives agreed with Scheuermann and the resolution passed 106-19. Pathetic.

Rob Roper is president of the Ethan Allen Institute. Reprinted with permission from the Ethan Allen Institute Blog.

Image courtesy of Bruce Parker/TNR

7 thoughts on “Roper: A pathetic start to the 2022 legislative session

  1. The majority in the legislature displayed a supreme act of cowardice in the face of a virus with a 99.83% survival rate. Masks and social isolation have been shown in countless studies to do more harm than good. The mass gatherings in sports stadiums and the entire free state of Florida are proof positive that the leadership in this state is following ideology not science and data.

  2. I would be happy if they just took several years off and did nothing. We are only safe if they do nothing.

  3. Ample scientific evidence has shown us who is vulnerable and how to protect them, we have theraputic treatments and vaccinations for anyone who wants them and besides all this, we’ve all known that most people survive covid anyhow! But as long as there are PCR tests deliberately set at high CT cycles to ensure a constant flow of positive tests and the focus is only on the “case” count and not actual deaths from covid, this type of fear inducing political theater will be allowed to continue. They should be ashamed of themselves.

  4. January 04th,2022

    Can their pay, incentives/daily monetary benefits be cut accordingly since the Progessive Socialists supposedly care so much about everything?? Or at the very least make the public aware of what benefits, incentives, salary, non profit lobbyists cash gifts and daily per diems to see what the Senators & Reps are gaining financially especially with all the crazy Commie BS they are / have been doing.. They all have become expert liars though, “Only two weeks to slow the spread!”

  5. Probably because they’d have to deal with one republican with a titanium spine.

    Vicky Strong…..they would have to make a stand on her, people are terrified of others with conviction and truth by their side.

    We could build a wonderful representative government around people like Vicky…..

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