BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Political tensions during Monday’s veto session at the Statehouse matched the scorching temperatures the state is experiencing, as the Democratic supermajority overrode six of Governor Phil Scott’s vetoes, including on major bills dealing with renewable energy, property taxes, and the state’s first safe injection site.
“What we did this session addresses so many pressures on families right now,” House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, said on Tuesday, highlighting bills on flood recovery, health care, public safety, and conservation. “I think the work we did this session to get ahead is really impressive.”
Democrats, who control 104 seats in the 150-member House, also overrode Governor Phil Scott on a record six vetoes. The power of the executive veto and a requirement of a two-thirds vote to override was placed in the Constitution as part of the checks and balances on the branches of government. But with a supermajority in both chambers, the governor Tuesday said Democrats didn’t compromise.
“This was by far the most difficult because of the numbers. There wasn’t this veto threat, they didn’t have to take it seriously,” Scott said, who clashed with Democrats on taxes, land use, and state spending. He says the balance of power at the Capitol is off-kilter. “The executive branch should have a say in this. I don’t know of any other governor who is experiencing what I am experiencing in terms of this supermajority.”
Krowinski disagrees. “What you saw out there is compromise and so what he’s saying doesn’t match the reality of what’s happening in the building, in my chamber and what we’re hearing from Vermonters,” she said.
The tense relationship across divided government sets the stage for election season. Six longtime senators are stepping back and political observers are watching several competitive primary and general election races in key districts which could determine to what degree Democrats can override vetoes in the next biennium if Scott wins reelection.
“It’s going to take us being out there with Vermonters having these conversations across the state to get It across,” Krowinski said.