Update 1.24.2012

With the legislative session underway and the first three weeks behind us, I wanted to take a moment to update you on what has, hasn’t and what could happen this legislative session.

I was encouraged to hear Governor Shumlin commit to moving forward meaningful prescription drug abuse legislation in his State of the State Address. This effort will center on allowing the Vermont Drug Enforcement Task Force access to the Vermont Prescription Drug Monitoring System. Currently, these specially trained agents have the authority to walk into a pharmacy and request prescription information concerning persons of interest. This proposed change would allow the task force to access these records digitally, making investigations more efficient and expedient.

Building off last year’s successes, I will continue to meet and work with the Administration, the Department of Public Safety and others in the legislature, who recognize the need to act now on this important issue, to ensure that we get this bipartisan initiative done this year.

This week brought big news in the form of a Federal Court decision that struck down the legislature's effort to force Vermont Yankee to close and halt operations in March. The court found that the work of the legislature was heavily based on nuclear safety, a judgment which is reserved solely for the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Judge Murtha’s decision will allow the non-partisan Public Service Board to rule, within a narrow set of guidelines, whether Yankee will be allowed to continue operating.

This has been an ongoing fight in Montpelier for many years, but like the Supreme Court’s ruling on Wal-Mart, this is a victory for those of us who believe that the supermajority in the legislature, time and time again, institutes harmful regulations and red tape that make it increasingly difficult for Vermont to compete for jobs and economic opportunity.

This ruling also marks the fourth time in recent years in which federal courts have found laws passed by the legislature to be beyond the scope of state’s rights and infringe upon the basic protections granted by the U.S. Constitution. These losses not only represent millions of taxpayer dollars spent defending these unconstitutional measures, but provide valuable insight as to why many, especially here in Franklin County, believe that the legislature is out of touch with the average Vermonter.

This past week the Budget Adjustment Act came to the house floor. The bill will add roughly $12 million to the budget and increase the size of state government by nearly fifty workers. While there were line items in the measure that I would singularly support, I simply cannot cast a vote that would add to the significant fiscal burden on Vermont’s families and businesses at a time when too many are struggling to find work, pay their bills and put food on the table.

To that end, on the final reading of the bill I was proud to stand with Reps. Oliver Olsen (R-Jamaica) and Carolyn Branagan (R-Georgia,Fairfax) along with a bipartisan coalition to cosponsor an amendment which will work to provide property tax relief over the next few years.

Starting in 2013, if there is a surplus at the end of the budget year, half of that surplus will be transferred to the education fund. The annual general fund transfer to the ed fund has been frozen in recent years due to the recession, but the legislature has supplemented it with federal stimulus money that no longer exists.

The amendment, which passed unanimously, will help restore the amount of non-property tax revenue used to fund education until the transfer amount is restored to those levels mandated by Act 68.

Every ten years, the legislature goes through the exercise of reapportionment. This session I was appointed by caucus leadership to chair a sub-committee on this issue. I have worked closely with the Government Operations Committee members to oversee and protect the one person, one vote mandate while respecting the unique character of Vermont’s 251 towns and cities. While there are many changes in order for the legislative map, I have been impressed by the fair, open and inclusive deliberations of the entire committee.

There is a good chance that districts here in Franklin County will look vastly different when the final bill emerges and like any piece of legislation everything could change at the drop of a hat. If you have any questions about, or would like to comment on, the proposed changes here in our area, please do not hesitate to contact me.

On a final note, we should all be proud of Senator Randy Brock for stepping up for Vermont and working to bring Franklin County values to the Governor’s office. Like Senators Costes and Howrigan before him, Senator Brock has represented the commonsense, moderate views of Franklin County. As voters it is our task to ensure that, as candidates emerge, we return our shared values to the State Senate.

It has been a busy three weeks, but I am excited to be back to work on your behalf under the Golden Dome - it is truly an honor.

As always, please contact me with your questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Rep. Dustin A. Degree

St. Albans City
ddegree@leg.state.vt.us