With most statewide races pre-determined by the results of a competitive Primary and little contest in the General, all eyes were on down ballot races on Election Day. With high voter turnout, election results confirmed that the Democrats will have a veto-proof majority in both the House and the Senate for the upcoming biennium.
A legislative override of a Governor’s veto requires 100 votes in the House and 20 in the Senate. With 109 elected Democrats and Progressives in the House and 23 in the Senate, the majority party will have new-found power to challenge any veto by Governor Phil Scott, even if there is some dissension in party lines on legislation. The Governor won his fourth term in a landslide, suggesting voters also support his message of affordability, which sets up a challenge of ideals for the upcoming session.
What this means for the upcoming legislative session:
Democratic priorities that have stalled in recent years due to the expectation or execution of a veto, may see new life. The Vermont Chamber advocacy team anticipates efforts to re-introduce a paid family leave program, the Clean Heat Standard, and expansions of Act 250, as well as the potential for universal childcare, universal school meals, and moving to an income-based education funding legislation. These initiatives will rely on new taxes with payroll and income taxes at the top of the list.
The economy was the #1 issue on voters’ minds heading to the ballot box this election. Those economic concerns will now be competing with the priorities of the Democratic leadership as they seek to pass initiatives that have been stymied by the Governor’s veto power. While some legislative leaders believe the record-high spending in recent years (made possible by the influx of pandemic-era federal funding) can be sustained by placing new taxes on Vermonters, there must be a balanced discourse on affordability at the heart of policy deliberations.
Measures that collectively shave away the thin profit margins for businesses will only add to the avalanche of mounting costs already facing employers. Because of this, the work of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce in this upcoming session will be critical. By bringing attention to the economic and demographic challenges facing businesses, the Vermont Chamber advocacy team will work to shape legislation that allows for economic growth and prevent an undue burden from being placed on the Vermont business community.
Original source can be found here.
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