House committee votes out 24-hour gun-purchase wait, veto showdown ahead
The House Judiciary Committee on Monday voted 7-4 to approve new gun legislation that includes a 24-hour wait period to purchase a handgun, among other rules.
Future of association health plans uncertain in Vermont
Lawmakers in the Senate Finance Committee met on Wednesday to discuss how Vermont will proceed with association health plans, which are an affordable alternative to the state health insurance options offered through Vermont Health Connect.
Statehouse Headliners: Some Dems doubt waiting period will prevent suicides
It seems clear that many Democrats have deep reservations about the effectiveness of something that declares all gun buyers guilty before innocent, victims of domestic violence too fragile to make a decision whether to buy a gun for self defense, and all others too “impulsive” to pursue the means for defending themselves and their families.
House votes for constitutional amendment to allow abortion until moment of birth
The Vermont House of Representatives on Tuesday voted 106-38 for a constitutional amendment that would give Vermonters a fundamental right to kill a fetus at any stage of pregnancy up until the moment of birth, unless infringement of that right is “justified by a compelling State interest.”
Statehouse Headliners: Gov Ops marijuana bill limits local control, allows high THC levels in gummies and cookies
The House Government Operations Committee Thursday night amended and approved S.54. The new version increases six-fold the permitted amount of THC in marijuana products, and does not allow towns to prohibit marijuana cultivation and production.
Governor’s two-state voluntary paid leave plan on life-support
The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs spent Thursday morning going over the two paid leave programs competing for approval in Vermont, and expressing a preference for the one that requires new taxes.
Chronicle: High school civics bill, record high volume of legislation, and more
In the May 2, 2019, issue of the Chronicle of the Vermont State House, a mandatory high school civics bill is proposed, a trophy buck returns to the Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Committee room, and more.
Roper: Our seriously unserious Legislature
Maybe our state would be better off if we told our legislators to quit screwing around in their ideological sandbox and to focus their time and energy on actually operating the machinery of government.
Statehouse Headliners: Senate weatherization bill would tax heating fuel and electricity, too
Coming up this week, the Senate weatherization bill would double the heating tax and tax electricity, too, and one House chair is urging skeptical reps to “let the people decide” about Prop 5. Also, the Human Rights Commission wants power to investigate police.
House committee approves $15 minimum wage after feisty debate
The General Housing and Military Affairs Committee on Friday voted 7-3-1 to approve the Senate-passed $15 minimum wage by 2024.
Statehouse Headliners: Marijuana bill would allow high-concentrate edibles, encourage ‘illicit’ growers to seek licenses
The latest version of the marijuana bill may encourage current illegal growers to seek licenses; put towns in ‘opt-out’ status, not ‘opt-in’; allow sale of high-concentration edibles; and permit roadside blood drawing.
Vermont’s retailers and grocers 90 percent against mandatory paid leave
The Senate Development, Housing, and General Affairs Committee on Thursday heard from three more witnesses regarding paid family leave, and two of them urged lawmakers not to make the program mandatory.