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Messages - Barbara
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61
« on: March 15, 2019, 01:48:03 PM »
The atmosphere has been reminiscent of the Finals cram between Thanksgiving and Christmas break. Today is Crossover, the deadline that has loomed large and committees have kept the Legislative support personnel working round the clock. The House Committee on Transportation voted the T-Bill out of committee unanimously just after noon on Friday.
The discussions on several sections were at times extended and heated over the weeks of the bills development, but the result is a piece of legislation that can be put forward with consensus from the committee. The Bill provides funding for State Aid for Town Highways above the statutory amount and allows municipalities to use these funds for sidewalks as well as the other uses currently identified in State Statute.
Provisions in the T-Bill include a definition for Electric Vehicle, it addresses an incentive program at the point of purchase for income eligible buyers and supports utility companies making provisions for home charger installations. A final solution for the application of a fuel tax on non-gas-powered vehicles was not determined but language is included that will allow the State to charge appropriate fees at EV charging stations owned or controlled by the State for three years at which point the intent is to have better information on what would be appropriate.
The Agency of Transportation is directed to study methods to increase use of and access to public transit options in Vermont as a component in achieving the State’s environmental goals. Other changes include amending State Statute to include expanding public transit service in rural areas in the policy goals for the Agency to consider as it allocates funds to public transit.
H. 514, an act relating to miscellaneous tax provisions was presented on the House floor Friday. Much of this bill was passed by both the House and Senate last year as H. 922 which was left behind in the Special Session. Included is language that carries the intent of H. 586 of Session 2017-18 exempting municipal non-profit fire department’s fund-raising efforts from the purchase and use tax for up to two off site events per year. This would allow the Fairfax Fire Department’s Calcutta to be exempt from the >$250 bill paid last year. Franklin county Senator Brock will be able to address this bill as a member of the Senate Finance committee and has been asked to provide support for it.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office.
62
« on: March 01, 2019, 03:09:53 PM »
Senate bills are being passed out of that Chamber to the House for committee referral in increasing numbers as new House bills continue to be introduced and referred to committees of jurisdiction. More than 100 House bills were read for the first time and referred or placed on the Calendar this week. Two bills, H. 275, an act relating to the Farm-To-Plate Investment Program and H. 73, an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Barre were on Friday’s Calendar for second reading and after a floor vote the rules were suspended to allow a third reading to occur immediately and they both passed. H. 327, an act relating to automatic renewal contract provisions was also brought to the floor for consideration Friday. The bill amends some of the language in a broader Consumer Protection bill that passed into law last session. Language is added that specifies consumer mechanisms for canceling a contract which has an auto renewal provision and removes a required secondary acceptance of the contract. Third reading was ordered but rules were not suspended to allow final action to be taken without the required twenty-four-hour interval.
In the House transportation committee there are forty-three bills that have been referred for consideration. Sponsors have been invited to give brief introductions of these as time has permitted but deeper consideration has not been given them yet. A few may be added as sections of the T-Bill when it enters the final committee review. The working draft is well marked up, but several sections still require the committee to take more testimony and debate. The topic of Electric Vehicle incentive and infrastructure needs is one area that is still open. The committee is also desirous of reallocating some of the funds in the Agency’s recommended budget. There is a desire to increase the Town Highway Aid amount, this line item has been held at a constant level since at least FY18.
S. 84, an act relating to emissions inspections was passed by the Senate and is now in House Transportation. The intent of this bill is to remove the obligation for a vehicle older than 10 years to undergo an emissions or on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems inspection once each year. The committee has not taken any testimony on this. Senate Transportation has been working on the DMV bill while House has given attention to the T-Bill. When the bills are passed from one Chamber to the other the focus of the committee will as well. Crossover dates will loom large when the General Assembly returns from Town Meeting break. Most Senate/House bills must be reported out of committee no later than March 15.
63
« on: February 22, 2019, 04:22:19 PM »
The floor debate on H. 57, an act relating to preserving the right to abortion engaged the members of the House Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and encompassed fourteen roll call votes in total. The votes on the amendments reflected Representatives efforts to amend the proposed language but in the final vote the bill was as proposed by the House Committee on Human Services as amended by House Judiciary. The current version is available on the Legislature website identified as “as passed by the House” under a search for H. 57: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2020/H.57
Before Wednesday’s floor action the General Assembly met in the morning to act on J.R.S. 10., Joint resolution providing for the election of a Sergeant at Arms, an Adjutant and Inspector General, and three Trustees of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College. The only office with a contest was that for Adjutant and Inspector General for a term of two years. This required the voting to be done by written ballot, with the four names placed in nomination and on the ballot for the office being David P. Baczewski of Westford, David B. Graham of Grand Isle, Rosanne Greco of South Burlington and Gregory C. Knight of Huntington. Gregory C, Knight won the election with ninety-five votes, six more than the necessary majority required. The current Sergeant at Arms, Janet C. Miller of Montpelier was unanimously re-elected to that position, and Rep. Kevin Christie of Hartford, Rep. Carol Ode of Burlington, and Rep Samuel Young of Greensboro were elected to serve as Trustees of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, on voice vote.
The House Transportation Committee reviewed requests that affect the Appropriations bill as well as details of the T-bill. Testimony was heard on topics such as the State’s paving needs and maintenance district as well as the Zero Emission Vehicle and Electric Vehicle incentive program and a potential commuter rail service using equipment owned by AllEarth Rail. The committee has been working on several sections of the T-bill over the past several weeks but Friday it began a methodical review of the bill starting at section one with both legal and joint fiscal counsel guidance.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us, 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office at the State House 802-828-2228
64
« on: February 15, 2019, 04:16:03 PM »
This is a milestone week in the 2019 session. On Friday the first group of Pages were honored and thanked for their service by the Speaker of the House. Members of the Boy Scouts of America presented the Colors, and many were in the gallery to hear the reading of the resolution honoring those who have achieved Eagle rank in the past year. Two young men from Fairfax were on the rolls, Robert Dearborn and Eli Silman.
The remaining empty seat in the House was filled on Thursday with the Governor’s appointment of Lisa Hango from Enosburg Falls. The Franklin County delegation is now at full capacity. New bills were introduced every day this week in such quantity as the deadline nears for that opportunity to end, that House Rules were suspended, and they were read the first time by number only and referred to committees.
Committee time was given to providing an opportunity for bill sponsors to present the members with an introduction to legislation which has been assigned to Transportation. The intent of this process is to ensure every bill has a chance to catch the attention of the committee and potentially gain momentum. The current main effort of the committee is to move forward the piece of legislation that is titled 19-1006, An act relating to the Transportation Bill, affectionately titled the T-Bill. Several sections have received testimony and the committee has begun checking off those that it is finished with.
The House and Senate Transportation committees held a Joint Hearing for members of the Vermont league of Cities and Towns to provide testimony. Many members of municipalities took the opportunity to address the panel and the comments echoed common concerns. The theme of road condition was a constant including the desire to limit the salt application in winter maintenance, a request for legislation mandating the use of snow tires and a request to implement a dedicated increase to the gas tax for additional funding to Town roads. A repeated positive comment stated by many was regarding the support that AOT District divisions are providing to town highway departments.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us, 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office at the State House 802-828-2228
65
« on: February 08, 2019, 04:06:08 PM »
Friday the remarks of several members of the House were recorded in the Journal of the day. They were all in recognition of Black Lives Matter Day, declared by Gov. Shumlin in 2015 and followed a devotional reading of one of Rev Martin Luther King Jr’s speeches. A devotional opens the House floor every day and varies from music, to poetry, to prayer, to a simple moment of silent reflection before the Action of the calendar commences. Anyone who wishes to provide the devotion is invited to contact the House Clerk Assistant Chris Ditmeyer for instruction and scheduling at cditmeyer@leg.state.vt.us . They appreciate knowing whose constituent is making the offer, so they can connect us.
The work of the Transportation committee continues to be focused on the T-Bill. It is made up of near two dozen sections and each requires testimony from the Agency as well as advocates and topic experts. The electric vehicle incentive program for low- and moderate-income Vermonters was presented to the committee by a director and an environmental policy manager from the Agency of Transportation. Follow up presentations included the Climate Commission recommendations toward an EV charging network and contributions to funding transportation and electricity rate structure.
Floor action on Wednesday carried over to Thursday on H. 39., an act relating to the extension of the deadline of school district mergers required by the State Board of Education. Two amendments that would offer an additional year to the districts who received notice in November of forced mergers were offered; the first being more inclusive of all districts that have concerns about meeting the 2019 deadline in Act 46 and the second allowing some but not all extensions. The floor debate was extended and impassioned and was reflected in the close roll call vote of 69 yeas and 74 nays to the first amendment, which failed. The second amendment presented by the House Education committee passed on a roll call of 134 yeas to 10 nays. The discussion will now continue in the Senate.
The reason the consideration of H. 39 was interrupted and recommenced on Thursday was to prepare the House chamber for the public hearing on H. 57, an act relating to preserving the right to abortion. The testimony was passionate from both perspectives of this issue and I believe helped alter the language of H. 57 to the strike all amendment Draft No 1.1 voted out of the Committee on Human Services Thursday. It is now in the House Judiciary committee.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office.
66
« on: February 08, 2019, 04:05:01 PM »
The credit goes to our delegation who put this through in the 2007-2008 session. I was quoting a portion of the resolution they had drafted for him. Our community was blessed by his presence.
67
« on: February 01, 2019, 02:59:07 PM »
Tuesday morning, the Appropriations Committee presented a Caucus of the Whole on the House Floor. Highlights of the proposed FY19 budget adjustment were explained. Two adjustments are a transfer of about $1.9 million into the 27/53 reserve and permission to make a transfer under certain restrictions of up to $2.5 million in Transportation fund appropriations for overall costs of highway maintenance during fiscal year 2019. The latter transfer will take place, if needed, in June of 2019 and has been used in past years to assist with the unpredictable nature of these costs. The 27/53 reserve was instituted in 2015 to plan for the additional payroll period and week of Medicaid payments that occurs periodically. The third reading of H. 97, the fiscal year 2019 budget adjustment passed unanimously on a roll call vote Thursday.
Two more bills were passed on roll call votes during Friday’s House action. H. 3 entitled an act relating to ethnic and social equity studies standards for public schools passed unanimously. The bill establishes the Ethnic and Social Equity Standards Advisory Working Group to review standards for student performance and “recommend to the State Board updates and additional standards to recognize fully the history, contributions, and perspectives of ethnic groups and social groups”. H. 47 entitled an act relating to the taxation of electronic cigarettes passed on a vote of 134 to 6 after the failure of an amendment that would have left untaxed the delivery device sold separately for use with a tobacco substitute.
Within the Transportation committee this week, testimony was presented by fellow legislators who are the key sponsors of bills that have been assigned to Transportation. Not every bill will progress beyond an original hearing, but it is the direction of the Chair that each one will be allowed this opportunity. The topics that were touched on with the few that have been heard included primary enforcement of adult safety belt law, removal of snow and ice from vehicles operated on public highways, the enforcement of motor vehicle registration laws and the Volkswagen diesel litigation settlement monies.
Testimony was received from members of the Agency of Transportation giving a high-level overview of the FY2020 Transportation budget. The budget and accompanying policy language that together make up the T-bill will drive the work of the Committee for the next several weeks.
I close with my lasting regards for the contributions made to the Fairfax community by our beloved VTGrandpa aka Henry Andrew Raymond (11/24/1933 to 1/28/2019)
“Whereas, as one Fairfax town official has stated through his forum (website), Henry Raymond “not only portrays a sense of humor, but a contentment with who he is, what he has, and how thankful and grateful he feels for the life he’s had,” and
Whereas, every Vermont town should be so lucky to have its own Henry Raymond, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly honors Henry Andrew Raymond for his tireless community service in the town of Fairfax” Resolution HCR226 session 2007-2008
68
« on: January 25, 2019, 01:54:40 PM »
The House Transportation committee opened the week with an update from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Wanda Minoli on the changes being made to the Automated Vehicle Inspection Program. When Vermont’s vehicle inspection program was automated the mechanic’s flexibility in determining the condition of the required components was removed. The result was that following the strict determination of the existing requirements was deemed unreasonable by the Legislature, unless the requirement was for safety or the ozone compact. Last year’s legislation mandated the rework of the Inspection system to address this and to also provide a waiver system for oxygen sensor repairs.
Wednesday and Thursday the Committee delved deeper into aspects of and programs in both the Department of Motor vehicles and the Agency of Transportation. The presentations laid ground work for addressing the points highlighted in the Governor’s budget. “The Book”, as the Transportation portion of the budget is affectionately labeled was placed on our desks during the Governor’s presentation on Thursday afternoon. In his address, electric vehicles received a mention as a tool to save fuel dollars as well as to reduce emissions and the Governor also identified the exemption from some Act 250 regulations for transportation projects that have environmental protections built in.
Governor Scott spoke to the challenges ahead in his budget address but that we can choose to engage each other in our shared values of “Freedom and Unity”. The Governor was very clear that he does not support a Carbon Tax but did soften his opposition to expanding the tax on tobacco products to include e-cigarette and vape items as a tool to discourage use of these products. With the budget address done the work of the committees now continues as the details are delved into and testimony considered. Many of the goals are held in common but differences will come in how they are prioritized within the reality of available funds.
Contact: bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 home/ 802-828-2228 Vermont State House
69
« on: January 18, 2019, 03:09:38 PM »
The Session’s start up ceremonies were the highlights of last week’s schedule but now committee work is fully underway. Time on the House floor was enhanced by a few all-member training sessions but otherwise brief. Until a committee votes a bill out and sends it to the Clerk’s office there is no Notice or Action calendar to be addressed by the House. The standard schedule for a week in session starts with the House Floor at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, followed by the Party caucuses and Committee time from 1 PM on; Wednesday and Thursday have a House Floor start at 1:00 PM so the Committees can use all morning and the remainder of the afternoon for testimony and discussion; and Friday the House Floor is at 9:30 AM with the rest of the day open to Committee work.
Tuesday afternoon the Transportation committee was introduced to the key individuals from the Joint Fiscal Office and the Office of Legislative Council who will testify to the committee on fiscal and legal aspects of the work of the committee. Wednesday and Thursday committee times were filled with an overview of the Agency of Transportation. Secretary Flynn opened the presentation and introduced the division directors who walked the members through their areas of jurisdiction. An important budgetary point that was brought forward more than once is that the State has only two thirds of the needed funds identified to maintain the transit inventory in good condition.
Friday the committee was walked through the 2019 edition of the Fact Book and annual report found via the following link: https://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2020/WorkGroups/House%20Transportation/VTrans%20Overviews/W~Jacqueline%20DeMent~VTrans%20Fact%20Book%202019~1-18-2019.pdf
The book is a compilation of the most recent data from projects and areas of Transportation investment and contains many charts and images, look for the Fairfax resident in one of the pictures on page 8.
Farmer’s Night has long been a tradition in the State House and has evolved to provide near weekly public performances during the open session. This biennium’s first Wednesday night performance was by Vermont’s Own 40th Army Band. Two of its newest members were introduced to the audience and included Fairfax resident Spc. Lillian Eastman in the Cornet/Trumpet section.
Contact: bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 home/ 802-828-2228 Vermont State House
70
« on: January 11, 2019, 04:16:27 PM »
The 2019-2020 Session of the Vermont Legislature opened to the pageantry and fanfare of a new biennium. Wednesday the House convened at 10:00 AM for the election of the Speaker and swearing in of all members. The committee assignments were announced that not only reflect the seating of the new members in the Legislature but also the rearrangement of veterans. I am pleased to be returning to the Transportation committee and honored to have been named Vice Chair of the same.
I was also one of three Franklin County and Alburg representatives appointed to the Joint Canvassing Committee to canvas the votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Auditor of Accounts, and Attorney General. The report of the Committee was given by Senator White Thursday prior to the administration of the oath of office to those duly elected.
Governor Scott presented his inaugural address Thursday afternoon to the Joint Assembly, distinguished guests and fellow Vermonters. Negative demographic trends identified by the Governor placed Franklin County in good regard comparatively but still included in the wide spread need to recognize and overcome obstacles to achieve the goal of an affordable Vermont for all Vermonters.
Some of the reforms mentioned in the address included health insurance, a voluntary paid family leave plan, helping more individuals purchase electric vehicles, funding water quality initiatives, a high-quality child care system, stronger education system, expand access to broadband and modernize Act 250. After delineating these as well as other areas of focus, Governor Scott stated, “I’m eager to work with each of you to develop policies to revitalize all 14 counties and to ensure that hope and opportunity exists…(in) all 251 towns across our state”.
In his closing words the Governor quoted Senator Jim Jeffords; “When announcing his retirement in 2005, Senator Jim Jeffords said, ‘In no other job do you have both the freedom and the obligation to solve problems and help people on a daily basis.’ Solve problems and help people. A simple concept and an important reminder of why we’re here. “
71
« on: November 07, 2018, 11:29:10 AM »
Thank you to everyone whose vote allows me to continue to serve Fairfax. It truly is my honor. Please continue to reach out to me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us whether you voted for me or not. My desire is to be a representative for our community, not just those who cast their vote for me.
72
« on: August 15, 2018, 02:26:22 PM »
The election results from the primary are available on the Town Website; www.fairfax-vt.gov.
Thank you to all who voted!
73
« on: August 06, 2018, 12:20:57 PM »
Anyone who owns land in the Current Use program or is contemplating applying for Current Use status should be aware of the filing timelines of the VT Tax Department.
Property owners who want to enroll in the Current Use program can do so online at http://tax.vermont.gov/property-owners/current-use. The application has to be submitted by September 1, 2018, for the 2019 tax year.
Agricultural property owners who are already enrolled are required to submit Form CU-313 annually by November 1 in order to maintain their status. These forms are mailed to enrolled property owners by the Tax Department in September. The annual filing requirement applies to agricultural land only. Forest management land is required to file every 10 years.
Since the annual filing requirement was established in 2015, several owners throughout the state missed filing and were dropped from the CU rolls this year, causing their property taxes to increase substantially. Because of this, the Tax Department accepted appeals of the change in status last month. Those who appealed were allowed an additional 30 days to file Form CU-313 to be re-enrolled and qualify for the tax relief this year.
74
« on: June 26, 2018, 09:52:47 AM »
The Vermont House met yesterday to reconsider the vote taken in the last minutes of June 22nd; literally as it was closing on midnight of that day. After the introduction and consideration of three amendments H16 was passed to the Senate on a voice vote with the amendment proposed by Representative Toll. The House concurred with the Senate with three instances of amendment. These were considered minor edits by the Senate and the House proposal was accepted on a voice vote. The Senate suspended the rules to allow rapid passage of the bill to the Governor’s desk, where it arrived Monday afternoon. A statement has been released by several news media and posted on Governor Phil Scott’s official Vermont website that he will allow the bill to become law without his signature. The property tax rate battle will be fought anew in the next biennium.
75
« on: May 12, 2018, 11:27:40 PM »
The farewell ceremony was held Friday for the session’s last group of pages with a speech by the Speaker and the awarding of pins. The page program supports the work of the General Assembly and this last group brought a face from home. It was a joy to share these last weeks with Charlotte Wood and I wish her well as she returns to BFA Fairfax for the rest of the school year.
An inordinate amount of bills were still in process for the final week of session. Floor action on Wednesday was pulled up short by Rep Alice Emmons, the Dean of the House when the report to be voted was not even in a written form that could be assessed. Bills were being called up for action prior to being entered on to the Notice Calendar which disallows the reading of the pertinent language for proposed amendments. The goal is to return Saturday and close the session. This requires a lot of suspending of rules and that at least an electronic copy of bills is made available prior to a requested vote. Many individuals that support the General Assembly worked late Friday night and early Saturday morning to provide the language and supportive reports needed to move the work of the session to the finish line.
The Transportation committee of conference on H.917 was able to come to agreement and both it and the S. 272, the DMV bill conference reports were voted on in order to pass them on to the Governor. Final passage would allow changes to be made that affect the Motor Vehicle inspections. Unfortunately H.586, the bill introduced to allow the Fire and Rescue squads to be exempt from the Rooms and Meals tax whether a fundraising event is held on Squad premises or not has lost its battle for passage. Its language was removed by the Senate from H.922 due to a concern that was raised it would open the door to other service agencies to make the same request and cause an impact to anticipated tax income.
The Big Bill H924 was passed on a roll call vote of 117 to 14 just before midnight Saturday and the session ended with a farewell from Governor Scott.
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