Vermont Legislative Update 2023: Week 9

Democracy is a participatory sport, so it’s time to get off the sidelines and participate in your town meeting day and contact your legislators about all of these issues. Town Meeting Day is important for the legislative process because the week serves as the halfway point and mid-session recess that many legislators need by this time. Certainly, around the building this week, it was apparent that many people wanted and needed such a break. This recess is also important because this is a good time to get in touch with your legislators on issues that have been winding their way through the legislative process. We have more details on the week in a later section of the newsletter. 

When everyone returns to the State House on the 14th, there will be four legislative days to finalize bills and pass them from the committee of jurisdiction that they are originating from in order to make what is called the crossover deadline. Bills that go through the money committees will have an additional week. 

In this week’s update:

• Quick Updates
• Problematic bill would end at-will employment, create severance pay, and more
• Bill creates confusing and problematic definitions of harassment and discrimination; would unnecessarily ban important employment agreements
• Senate-passed Clean Heat Standard would require a legislative vote in 2025
• Participate in town meeting day and connect with your legislators
• The Laundry List