2010 Session- Week #3 Update
Public Policy Coordinator Blog
The pace at the statehouse picked up considerably this past week. On Tuesday, the Governor presented his budget address, the details of which can be found here.
With state revenues less than 2006 levels, median family incomes down $2,000 from last year, and an increased demand for state services during this recession, it will be a legislative session like no other. While the legislative leadership and the Administration are still projecting a spirit of cooperation, some differences are certainly beginning to emerge as to what programs and services will get hit most.
The “Challenges for Change” report supported both the Administration and the legislative leadership continues to get mixed reactions in the halls of the statehouse. While most agree that state services must be delivered more efficiently, many do not believe that it can be achieved in the needed timeframes and in some cases without additional investment first (e.g. IT). Some critical of the report believe that the report only serves to provide cover for legislators so that when they make cuts they do not have to acknowledge there will be real pain to people who rely on services. (53 million from Human Services no small bite). Either way, the relevant committees will be kicking out bills over the next few weeks that contain the benchmarks to be achieved.
Jobs Forum. Good reports from the Legislative Jobs Forum held on Thursday 1/21/10. ( See blog entry by Jenna Seibeck, VBSR intern).
Energy. Big developments at ENVY this week may have changed some legislators minds regarding relicensing of the facility. Releases of radioactive tritium, cobalt-60, and zinc-65 may have made some less favorable towards the plant, especially in addition to the sworn testimony by ENVY representatives which in the best case were “mis-statements”, in the worst case perjury. Not a good week for ENVY. Before the week was out VBSR wrote to all State Senators with our current position regarding relicensing.
Health Care. Cost containment through global hospital budgets is likely to be the front-runner for any reform action this year. All of the major bills contain hospital budget pieces, and the House and Senate Health Committee’s have been holding joint meetings on this issue. Legislative staffers have pulled together a good side-by-side comparison on the major health care reform bills to help tease out the commonalities and differences.
Upcoming- In week 4 we are expecting continued work in House Commerce and Senate Economic Development on jobs bills. VBSR will be testifying in House Commerce on Thursday (1/28), and Senate Economic Development on Wednesday (1/27). House Natural Resources will try to wrap up the truck idling bill (H.97) and will be getting a Vermont Yankee Update on Wednesday afternoon (12/27).
See you soon! VBSR Legislative Reception taking place on Feb 4 in Montpelier. Please attend !!
