June 17, 2024
VERMONT HOUSE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR’S VETOES OF PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING, OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS, ACT 250 MODERNIZATION, RENEWABLE ENERGY LEGISLATION
Montpelier, VT - Today, the Vermont House of Representatives voted to override the Governor’s vetoes of the overdose prevention center bill, the bill to fund Vermont’s public education, the Act 250 modernization bill, and the bill to update our Renewable Energy Standard (H.72, H.887, H.687, and H.289 respectively). The votes were 104-41, 103-42, 107-38, and 102-43. Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement following both roll call votes:
“Today, the House reiterated our commitment to the future of our public education system, the need for new tools to combat the overdose crisis, the needed changes to streamline our development process and bring housing opportunities online rapidly, and update our Renewable Energy Standard.
“Throughout the session we had success in working with the Governor and his administration to have legislation signed into law. Unfortunately, and despite repeated efforts, we were unable to find a compromise on these bills that would guarantee immediate success and long-term stability in our education, health care, and community development systems. Overriding these vetoes ensures that Vermont children have access to a quality education, those battling addiction have access to a new resource to get support, communities will be able to bring on housing and reduce the impact of the housing crisis, and we have access to clean, low-cost electricity.
“H.887, the bill to fund our public education system, represents a collaborative and forward-thinking piece of legislation to address the current and future needs of our education system and the affordability issues facing many Vermonters. The bill contains nearly $100 million dollars in immediate tax relief to lower the property tax bills facing Vermonters. Additionally, it puts us on a path to find ways to lower the cost of education while ensuring our teachers and students have the resources they need and deserve.
“H.72, the overdose prevention center bill, gives us an additional resource to help us support Vermonters battling addiction. It is impossible to take away the pain and loss so many Vermont families and communities have experienced from the loss of a Vermonter to an overdose. We have invested in substance use programs and resources for years, but we continue to see many Vermonters struggle. Any overdose death is unacceptable. I am proud of the vote to override the veto today and I hope that it will provide another path for any Vermonter to get the care they deserve.
“H.687, the bill to modernize Act 250, is a critical step in developing more housing and helping our state through the housing crisis before us. The bill streamlines housing development while preserving our Vermont landscape and was crafted by a variety of stakeholders from business, housing, and environmental organizations. I am so thankful for their collaborative work and the bi-partisan support this bill received in the House. We need to do all we can to make sure that Vermonters have access to affordable housing options, and this is a big step forward in making that happen.
“H.289, the bill updating Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard, is a crucial meet our climate change goals, create high paying jobs, and protect Vermonters from the volatile price increases of the global fossil fuel market. Vermont currently has the lowest electricity rates in New England, and this will support our work to increase the reliability of our electric grid while also ensuring we are doing so with clean energy. Our state is incredibly reliant on the climate, from farming to skiing to maple syrup, and we need to do all we can to help lower our reliance on fossil fuels and set us up for success for years to come.
“I take no pleasure in having to override vetoed bills. The Governor and I have a respectful working relationship and we are able to find legislative compromises often. However, it is our responsibility as a legislative body to do what is right for our state and ensure that Vermonters have access to the programs and systems they rely on. Throughout the session we passed legislation that received support from Democrats, Republicans, Progressives and Independents, a strong indication of broad consensus. Passing legislation that affirms the voices of Vermonters — from across the state and across party lines — is incredibly important to our democratic process and is incredibly important to me personally.
“I remain committed to continuing to work with the Governor and his administration to make Vermont more affordable, healthier, and a place for working families and businesses to thrive.”