Legislative Update- June 5, 2023
2023 Legislative Results
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The 2023 Vermont legislative session has ended, and the politicians are home, but they will be back in June for a scheduled veto session. On Friday, May 26, Governor Phil Scott vetoed the state budget which had grown to $8.5 billion representing a 13% increase that included sweeping increases to taxes and fees across the board. The veto session will have to contend with a House who added all the taxes and a slightly more cautious Senate. We will submit a full update once the dust settles on the veto session.
In the meantime, VIECA’s and AGC/VT’s lobbying team wanted to highlight some successes this year:
- Successfully supported the Governors record transportation budget of $877 million.
- Resisted an employer funded paid family and medical leave program.
- Preserved Vermont’s “employment at will” status by defeating proposals for a “good cause” termination statute.
- Prevented expansion to eligibility for unemployment insurance for non-employer related reasons.
- Prevented legislation that would allow towing companies to hold liens on members equipment.
- Averted price fixing language in a right to repair bill that would have harmed equipment dealers.
- Supported the H.O.M.E. Act (housing opportunities made for everyone) which curtails some Act 250 triggers and limits local zoning requirements in designated downtowns and growth areas.
- Protected members by limiting the State Auditor to documents only related to “performance of a contract” in a bill expanding the offices authority.
- Kept the pressure on to oppose any harmful employer mandates introduced in 10 different bills.
- Successfully supported the Governors capital construction budget of $122 million.
