Hello Neighbors!
This coming week, your Representatives and Senators do not show up at the State House. It is "Town Meeting" week – a week of local deliberations and decisions (don't forget to vote!!). But the clock is ticking for "crossover", which means that if a Bill drafted in the House doesn't pass the House to go to the Senate, then it "dies".
I'm explaining this "inside baseball" detail because they matter in terms of how we move bills forward; while the Senate and House are predominantly Democrat, the Governor and therefore the administration are Republican. If a bill does not pass the House and Senate with enough votes, then it can potentially "die" if the Governor vetoes it (the Governor has vetoed more bills than anyone prior, read this dated article for more info, here: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2021/06/03/vermont-gov-phil-scott-most-vetoes[...]02/).
It is true that here in Vermont we work better than in D.C. We are polite, respectful and courteous; we recognize that people from all walks of life hold different ideas, values and beliefs. And depending on your view on a particular issue, you may agree with the Legislature or the Governor (or somewhere in between or beyond).
But as we near "crossover", and with bills that pass the House and Senate being routinely vetoed by our Governor, a time crunch is faced. What can get done without being vetoed? Where can we agree to disagree? Which policies can we advance with as many "yeas" as possible? Because with only so much time left (we end in May, to begin our campaigns anew as our terms last for two years), what good policies can we advance to help as many Vermonters as possible (and not be vetoed)? Is it clean water? Housing? Health care? Addressing climate change and home heating and transportation issues? Taxes and costs? Education? Fill in the ____________. There are many areas we can improve – but a finite time and budget.
Over the past few weeks, we have passed a number of bills out of the House including two Burlington charter changes (the "just cause eviction" and "thermal" charter changes), H456 (focusing on Vermont State Colleges), H501 (addressing contaminants in our waste), H697 (addressing Vermont's old growth forests) and others. They now move to the Senate, and if successful there, move to the Governor. Where they may or may not be vetoed.
Such is the "game", albeit polite. It's illuminating. Growing up, I always thought that politics were about values, beliefs and policy. And, they are. But ultimately, it always comes down to math. Are there enough votes to pass a particular policy forward? And enough to overcome a veto? We shall see.
To hear more about where we are at as we head through cross over, and to ask your questions, save the date for THIS WEDNESDAY, March 2nd, from 6 – 7 pm to chat directly with Rep. Bluemle and Stebbins. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkduuvrTsuG9CDGDxWWCy0U4VfI4cze-ZH
As always - don't hesitate to reach out. All best,
Your Representatives,
Gabrielle Stebbins and Tiff Bluemle
Oct 5, 2024, 9 AM to 12:30 PM
Coffee with a City Councilor at Chamberlin SchoolOct 5, 2024, 9 to 10 AM
Tenant Takeover! with Burlington Tenants UnitedOct 5, 2024, 3 to 6 PM