Innkeepers are a busy bunch. To save you time, VLA attends Governor Scott’s press conferences and takes notes for you. Below is the summary from 5/17/22.
As he announced earlier today, Governor Scott will be running for re-election this year. He stated in his press conference today that he wants his administration to follow through on the significant investments that the state has made over the past few years. Scott is worried about inflation and a possible coming recession and feels that Vermont needs to have a seasoned team in place to guide Vermont through potential upcoming challenges.
Scott reflected on the now-completed legislative session and said that he didn’t get everything that he wanted, but that he was able to work out many of the policy differences that he had with the legislature, including issues with the housing bills. He noted that there are still more than 70 bills that are heading to him for signature – and “you should expect to see more vetoes.” He said that he can’t say which ones, but there are some bills that he has some concerns about, many that were rushed through. Scott did confirm that he will be vetoing S.234, the Act 250 bill.
NOTES:
- Governor Phil Scott:
- Comments on act of domestic terrorism in Buffalo over weekend – embers of hate and white supremacy still flaring up – up to all of us to extinguish them. More work to be done. Vermonters of color could use our support and extra kindness right now.
- Legislative session: Have heard me talk about how we can’t squander this once in a lifetime opportunity…how to make most impactful transformative investments that will get us the best return on investment for years to come. We really did accomplish a lot.
- I laid out a vision with five buckets of investments – as part of our negotiations last year – I insisted that the budget include intent language that in principle committed additional funding to these buckets. I’m pleased that the legislature largely stuck to this agreement.
- Funded second half of $250 million broadband request. Funded my $80 million request for weatherization, $10 million for EV infrastructure, EV infrastructure…also millions for grid system upgrades. $100 million plus in sewer and water infrastructure.
- Some debates about issues attached to housing bills – able to work out many of our differences and will be investing hundreds of millions to build new homes, help those experiencing homelessness and help those to build in places where we want development like downtown and village centers.
- I didn’t get everything I wanted – I never do. As a reminder, the legislature vetoed their share of my proposals as well. But in the areas that I just discussed, Vermonters will benefit for decades to come.
- Time in weeks ahead to talk about all of the good in many of these bills, and those who deserve credits, as we receive them to sign. Look forward to seeing shovels in the ground across the state this summer.
- Dr. Mark Levine:
- Tragic milestone that US has reached – 1 million people have died due to Covid-19.
- 654 lives lost in Vermont
- Paxlovid – Antiviral pill at higher risk from Covid-19. Working to decrease barriers to getting treatment to Vermonters. Encouraging clinicians to prescribe even if symptoms are mild. Encourage triage system in doctors’ offices to get people treatment as quickly as possible. Plentiful supply in state. Received 4k treatment courses this week.
- Asking people in risk group not to assume that your case will be mild.
- New surveillance report published last week. Shows trends of who’s coming to ER with symptoms. Case counts no longer reliable. Still info on wastewater monitoring.
- Should not be deciding decisions on daily case levels.
- Case dashboard will no longer be updated after tomorrow. Vaccine dashboard will still be available. Will also sunset other reports.
- Testing – Moving out of emergency phase of pandemic – continue to evaluate to make sure how efforts to protect Vermonters are sustainable. Vaccination returned to medical provider offices and pharmacies. Testing will be shifted from state run centers to health care system and pharmacies as well. Public testing sites will close in a phased manner through May and June. Home testing supplies widely available. Can order free third round of test from feds. Also pick up tests at state-run site through June.
- Baby formula shortage – Health Department and WIC working to support families. Small stores and pharmacies may have supplies that larger stores do not. Families should not substitute goat’s milk, cow’s milk, or plant-based milk for formula. Do not water down the formula you have. Do not make homemade formula. For those expecting a baby soon – consult doctor about breast feeding.
- Questions:
- When did you make decision to run again governor?
- Gov. – Carefully considered my options – been a long six years. Understanding what we’re faced with today… we’ve made significant investments and need to follow through on them. Not just me – but our team – commissioners… also worried about inflation and possible recession, need a seasoned team to help us through that. We want to continue to do the work at hand right now … I would say that any campaigning would happen after Labor Day.
- What kind of race are you anticipating –
- Gov. – I’ve typically talked about what I can bring to the table, not other candidates who are in the race. We still have a few days left to go – we’ll see who else surfaces. I don’t think that I’ve had a political race where I don’t have a primary. Still expecting someone to surface to challenge for the primary. Learn more over the next couple of weeks. We’ll see if there’s a legitimate candidate who surfaces (may debate before Labor Day).
- When did you decide?
- Gov. – Was focused on the legislative session. Didn’t know when the legislative session was going to end and whether we were going to be able to accomplish what we accomplished. I think it’s best to put a team in place that can carry the load that is here – concerned about inflation and the impact that it has on everyday Vermonters and the impact of a recession that could come.
- What would your goals be?
- Gov. – What you see is what you get. Some of same concerns that we had six years ago are the same – grow economy, demographics. Have not talked to anyone at RGA about this.
- Turnover in legislature impact your decision?
- Gov. – In executive offices, that’s somewhat normal. See that – tough positions. In term so legislature – surprised at amount of turnover, not expecting to see 11 out of the Senate – that’s significant. Many not seeing re-election in House are committee chairs. Going to be a sea change in institutional knowledge and some of the expertise that they bring them. Offer thanks and sorry to see many of them go. Is a concern when so many leave at the same time. It may not be over.
- Re: your time in legislature – ability to collaborate when the faces aren’t as familiar?
- Gov. – Yeah – different atmosphere. Have to establish relationships. I served with many of them in different capacities. Seeing some of them go is bittersweet – hope the best for them. New faces are good as well. Different perspectives.
- Are you aware of any families who have not been able to come up with any formula – any plan to come up with a strategic reserve?
- Levine – At state level, not aware of people not finding – have seen at national level. At moment, don’t believe any one in Vermont at that point of desperation.
- Scott – Did discuss this this morning – for anyone having difficulties finding formula – call Gov’s office or health department. Working on developing list of inventory so we can direct you where to get it. Going to reach out and develop some sort of a list.
- Thoughts on changes in tax policy?
- Gov. – I like tax relief in any form. I think we could have done better and broader. But in the end, we have a tax package that gives relief to certain populations. Barring any technicality that we haven’t seen, I’ll be signing it.
- How would you describe nature of relationship with legislative leadership over past two years?
- Gov. – No play book on this. Legislating via zoom. Took a bit in the second half of the biennium to get back together. Missed a lot. Left a lot of the public out. Left camaraderie out between legislators – conversations in the hallways to talk things through. And we didn’t get to have that interaction with legislators. But we got through it. That’s the important part and came to agreement in the end. Speaking with them at least every other week. Speaker and Pro Tem. Very cordial and honest and open discussions. Worked through as best as they could given the circumstances.
- Universal School Meals Bill?
- Gov. – Still looking at that, but it will be signed, unless there are some technical problems with the bill. Had some hesitation -thought we should go with universal breakfast because of price tag. Perverse that some families were going to be impacted in the future for paying for meals for more affluent families. Still feel that it’s the case. Concerned where we’re going to fill the gap in the future. What tax proposal they may come up with to do that. Using surplus dollars to fund this year. Going to have tough conversations in the future. How are we going to afford what we’re spending money on with one time funding? Universal plan won’t be priority in my budget proposal – but want to help families who can’t afford to feed their kids. Supplement funding with federal help – but we’ll see.
- Idea of building a new bridge between Grand Isle and Plattsburgh? Support?
- Gov – May be more of a want then a need… other priorities in Vermont. If NY wants it, they can have it and pay for it too.
- More vetoes?
- We have 7 bills, more than 70 coming our way. Many were rushed through – I think you should expect to see more vetoes. Can’t tell you which ones, but there are some bills that I have some concerns about. Many that I’ve been talking about through the session. You’ll know soon. Will veto Act 250 bill – you can take that to the bank.
- Revenue report – another whopping return on personal income tax.
- Gov. – Have to see if this is consistent to see if we need to make any decisions. Labor costs are driving a lot of personal income tax. Think there will be structural changes to Transportation fund in future with move towards electrification. Hopefully Congress will take lead on this and act.
- Growing problems in VT – shootings almost daily – what are we doing on a state level, mostly drug related?
- Gov. – Concerned re: gun violence, systemic racism, white supremacy, extremist groups infiltrating our communities. Always concerns – keeps me up at night. Have faith in our public safety – can’t see everything. If you see something, say something – saw that in Fair Haven a number of years ago. If someone hadn’t come forward, there would have been a horrific event.
- Schirling – Have been 47 gun-related incidents so far this year. Remain concerned about that. In schools – robust school safety program. Lots of school safety plans in place. Early identification of problems and intervention when necessary. Large cross section of gun incidents are drug related. Does seem like we’re swimming upstream against a flood of opiates and related substances.
- (Guy Page) – Governor – flood of drugs coming over the southern border, are you willing to go on the record to say that President Biden is not going a good job at stopping the flow of drugs?
- Gov. – Fentanyl is the issue. A great deal is coming across southern border but coming from China and other places. Relatively inexpensive and is being manufactured within the country. Huge concern. Biden administration has to do a better job in trying to stop the migration of illicit drug into the country from all areas. Congress needs to act as well. All in this together. Should have the common goal. It’s not going away or getting better. Pandemic has made the situation worse and we have a tough road ahead of this. Concerned on a state level in terms of the workforce. We’re aging. Law enforcement retiring – not as many coming in and getting training. Another level of effort that we’re going to have to continue to work on. Have an obligation to protect Vermonters.
- What didn’t you get out of legislative session?
- Gov. – Military pensions, Act 250, more tax relief.
- You mentioned concern about funding gap for school meals – wondered about rental registry bill – you objected to the rental registry, but that would have paid for the program, and now the bill goes forward without the registry to pay for the program – similar concern about program without funding source? If you sign 210 – wouldn’t you be setting up a program without a long term funding source?
- Gov – Talking about apples and oranges – rental registry was $45/unit – that would have paid for the program – extra fees would have been passed onto tenants. We had thought all along that we’d be able to use some of the General Fund to set out what the had wanted to do – my concern with the universal meals, is that depending on what tax you’re going to use, that could possibly impact the very people that we’re trying to project in order to provide meals for more affluent families. There’s no rental registry in the bill. Provides for inspections as needed. Maybe $1 million versus $30 million.
- Legislators have said that you moved the goalpost on bills-
- Gov. – I think I’ve been very clear. Some of that is on them. They never came to me about some proposals – learned about them from legislative counsel. Don’t know if you’ve satisfied my concerns until you check with me. Work on something better than Clean Heat Standard over the summer and then present it to the legislature.
- Academic impact on kids from pandemic? Staffing concerns?
- French – Will make announcement shortly on initiative for wellness … Staffing is a real and challenging situation – especially in acute areas like special education. But across all sectors.
- PCR testing – a lot of countries still requiring for international travel and dr.’s offices have wait times. Convenient place for people to find PCR tests within 72 hours of getting on a flight?
- Levine – If they can’t find it within their own health care provider setting – pharmacy would be able to provide for them. Insurance provides 8 take home tests per month (per person). Can get test kits through USPS. Department of Health no longer recommends ending isolation only with negative test – if 5 days has elapsed and you have no symptoms – can end isolation.
- Re: Covid unit in Rutland re-opening and filled?
- Levine – Have been monitoring hospital system closely – have been stable. Haven’t talked to Rutland – don’t know if it’s due to staffing.
- Governor’s other priorities that weren’t addressed – expanded cell service, sports betting.
- When did you make decision to run again governor?