Tuesday, February 5, 2019
The four candidates seeking to be the next leader of the Vermont National Guard outlined Tuesday how they would combat sexual harassment and discrimination within the organization, create a culture of accountability and regain the public’s trust.
The hearing before a joint committee of the state general assembly was the first time each candidate had publicly explained why legislators should pick him or her to lead Vermont's 3,400-strong force of active duty and part-time soldiers.
David Baczewski, a retired Air Guard brigadier general and resident of Westford, was perhaps the most blunt in describing the Guard’s shortcomings around sexual assault and discrimination, the subject of intense media scrutiny of late. A series of stories published last November by VTDigger.org described instances of alleged alcohol abuse, cronyism, sexual harassment and retaliation against a whistleblower.
“We do not foster an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment,” Baczewski said. “I think a lot of people are trying hard. We have good programs. But the answer is no. Discrimination and harassment, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, sex-based gender discriminations — including the LGBT community — exists. That’s a fact. It’s an unacceptable fact.”
Tags: Vermont National Guard , adjutant general , Rosanne Greco , Greg Knight , David Graham , David Baczewski , Statehouse , Image , Web Only
House lawmakers are set to vote Wednesday on a bill from Rep. Heidi Scheuermann (R-Stowe) that would delay forced school district mergers ordered by the state Board of Education. But Scheuermann says an alternative proposal passed late Tuesday afternoon by the House Education Committee has the potential to fracture a tripartisan coalition supporting her bill.
Tags: Kate Webb , Heidi Scheuermann , Act 46 , education , school districts , school merger , Statehouse , Image , Web Only
Monday, February 4, 2019
Rosanne Greco, a retired Air Force colonel and former chair of the South Burlington City Council, said she decided to seek the state’s top military post after several female legislators encouraged her to enter the previously male-dominated race.
Greco said her opposition to the F-35s, the first of which are expected to arrive this fall, would make her an excellent candidate because now is the time for the Vermont Air National Guard to be asking the question others might not.
“What could possibly go wrong? A whole lot could go wrong, and you want to know what those things are,” Greco said.
Tags: Rosanne Greco , F-35 , Adjutant General , Vermont National Guard , Statehouse , Image , Web Only
Thursday, January 31, 2019
The guest of honor was House Majority Leader Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington). Multiple Democrats praised her work as a party builder — and talked of her as a future candidate for U.S. Congress. Clearly, Krowinski is seen as a rising star in Vermont Democratic circles.
Proceeds from the "Speaker's Soiree" went to the state party, not to lawmakers or their political action committee.
In 2015, the legislature passed a bill prohibiting lawmakers from seeking lobbyist contributions during sessions. The following year, House Democrats dissolved their political action committee. Their fundraising events continued, but the proceeds went to the Vermont Democratic Party.
The invitation to the ninth-annual soiree included a small-print disclaimer to display compliance with the law: "House Democrats are not soliciting funds from lobbyists or lobbyist employers for this event."
Tags: Jill Krowinski , Gaye Symington , Mitzi Johnson , Justin Johnson , Vermont , Speaker's Soiree , Statehouse , Image , Web Only
On Thursday, Gov. Phil Scott, Vermont Secretary of Administration Susanne Young and Human Resources Commissioner Beth Fastiggi announced a new Infants in the Workplace program for state employees. The policy, which takes effect on February 1, will allow state workers to bring their infant children, ages 6 weeks to 6 months, to work.
In an announcement, Fastiggi cited research on early childhood development showing that keeping parent and child together during the first few months of life is linked to healthier brain development for the baby, an improved sense of wellbeing for the parent and diminished time lost from the workplace.
Tags: babies , state workers , diapers , childcare , Infants in the Workplace , Image , Web Only
“We have to have a regulated market,” T.J. Donovan told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday morning.
The state's top law enforcement officer said his “position has evolved” since last year, when he supported a measure that legalized adult possession and home cultivation of weed but didn’t allow sales.
That policy hasn’t worked, according to Donovan, who now supports S.54, a bill that would allow legal pot sales.
“We’ve seen that we can’t tell Vermonters that they can possess marijuana and be silent about how to obtain it because capitalism exists and is only going to grow in this area,” Donovan said.
Tags: Cannabeat , cannabis , marijuana , T.J. Donovan , tax and regulate , S.54 , attorney general , Statehouse , Image , Web Only
The same Department of Corrections probation and parole staff member answered the phone both times, according to Vermont Buildings and General Services Commissioner Chris Cole.
Employees immediately called 911, Cole said, then followed the directions of a designated emergency coordination manager "whose role and responsibility is to be a liaison between the state employees in the incident … and the first-responders, whoever they may be."
Once Springfield police arrived, officers asked for volunteers from among the state workers to enter the building with police for a search, according to Cole.
“This is standard protocol for law enforcement agencies, because they don’t work in the building, they don’t know what’s out of place in the building,” Cole said.
Tags: Department of Corrections , Vermont State Employees' Association , Steve Howard , Mike Touchette , Department for Children and Families , St. Albans , Springfield , Chris Cole , Department of Buildings and General Services , Phil Scott , Rebecca Kelley , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
During a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Wednesday morning, Levine said that data show an alarming increase in youth marijuana use in recent years and urged lawmakers to fund programs that would nip the problem in the bud.
The commissioner told lawmakers there is a “growing consensus” among scientists that weed is harmful to developing brains. He said youth use of the drug has been shown to cause “both acute and chronic forms of psychosis.”
“The relationship is quite firm now, and the rates are alarming,” he said.
Levine issued his warning as the committee considers S.54, a bill that would establish a state regulatory authority to oversee the cultivation, processing and retail sale of cannabis to adults. Under a timeline laid out in the measure, the first retail licenses would be issued by April 1, 2021.
Fifteen of the Senate's 30 members are listed as sponsors of the bill.
Tags: Cannabeat , Mark Levine , Dick Sears , Vermont Department of Health , S.54 , Dave Silberman , Laura Subin , marijuana , cannabis , tax and regulate , Tom Anderson , weed , pot , Vermont , legalization , Statehouse , Image , Web Only
Friday, January 25, 2019
Their first press conference of the new session was far different in tone from past Republican events. "There's a new wind blowing in the Statehouse," Senate Minority Leader Joe Benning (R-Caledonia) said. "We have the opportunity to address problems and not be labeled as the party of 'No.'"
Republican lawmakers called the Friday morning presser to give their reaction to Scott's budget speech, delivered Thursday afternoon. They praised the Republican governor's speech as a responsible approach to finding common ground with the Democratic majority.
Tags: Joe Benning , Phil Scott , Vermont , legislature , budget , Image , Web Only
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Some things have changed. Scott actually pitched new or increased taxes and fees — a departure from his first term. And in an address Thursday afternoon to the House and Senate, he didn't unveil any big surprises of the kind that have led to past battles with the Democratic legislature. The budget "did not immediately set up a showdown," said Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe (D/P-Chittenden) shortly after Scott's speech. "Even where there are differences, there is space for discussion."
Which does not guarantee an absence of showdowns. Lawmakers have yet to actually read Scott's proposed budget. Their initial reactions were entirely based on listening to the governor's address. A likely flashpoint will come later in the session, after voters approve school budgets and the Agency of Education sets property tax rates. In 2018, Scott sought to keep residential and nonresidential rates level, sparking a standoff that extended the legislative session by almost two months.
Tags: Phil Scott , Tim Ashe , budget , Image , Web Only