Mountain Times - Volume 49, Number 48 - Nov. 25- Dec. 2, 2020

The Mountain Times • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2020 STATE NEWS • 9
That is essentially the message from our
governor and health commissioner following
the alarming uptick in Covid cases here
in Vermont and across the region. The state
broke daily records at least three times last
week. We have been through difficult times
before and will get through it again, if we
follow the rules.
And in spite of
new social distancing
guidelines
for the Thanksgiving
holiday, I want
to wish you and
your families the
very best this holiday.
Like many
By Rep. Jim
Harrison
others on Thursday,
our family get
together will be
via Zoom or Facetime.
Certainly not the same as in person,
but given all that is happening right now,
a safe and appropriate alternative.
With the increasing cases and four
deaths last week, officials have ramped
up the restrictions, some of which were
clarified on Friday at the Governor’s press
conference. Under the order, you are not
allowed to gather with people you don’t
live with. This includes all inside and
outside social, recreational and entertainment
gatherings, and in public and
private spaces.
There is an exception for people who live
alone. They may gather with people who
live in one other household. Gov. Scott announced
additional allowances Friday:
1. People can take in and shelter those
from another household who are
living in a dangerous, unhealthy or
Hunker down, yes, even this holiday
otherwise unsafe situation.
2. You can do outdoor fitness activities
with one other person from another
household. However, both of you
must stay at least 6 feet away from
each other and wear a mask at all
times. For example, you can bike,
hike, walk or run with one of your
neighbors.
3. Other measures included:
• Restaurants can remain open
to in-person service, but must
cease in-person service at 10 p.m.
nightly. Takeout can continue.
• Restaurants, gyms and other
establishments must keep logs
for contact tracing.
• Recreational sports are cancelled
until further notice, except those
sanctioned by the Vermont Principals
Association.
• Bars and social clubs are closed
to in-person service.
• All non-essential travel in and
out of Vermont will require following
quarantine guidelines.
Further clarification on Gov. Phil
Scott’s recent executive order regarding
social gatherings, sports, and restaurant
operations has been posted at accd.
vermont.gov.
The B’s will rule
With the recount on Friday confirming
that Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South
Hero) has lost her seat, current House
Majority Leader, Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington)
is all but certain to become the new
Speaker in the biennium come January.
Krowinski’s likely ascension follows Sarah
Copeland-Hanzas and Charlie Kimbell
dropping out of the Speaker’s race.
On the Senate side, Senator Becca
Balint (D-Brattleboro) is the only announced
candidate for Senate president
pro-tem. Balint will be replacing Tim
Ashe, who lost his race in the lieut. governor
primary. Of course, for every rule
there is an exception, as the new Senate
majority leader will be Alison Clarkson of
Woodstock. Congratulations, Senator!
Continuing with the theme of leaders
from municipalities beginning with B, we
can’t forget Barre native (and now Berlin),
Phil Scott, who scored a decisive victory
over David Zuckerman in the gubernatorial
contest. And to complete the leadership
team, Lieutenant Governor-elect Molly
Gray currently resides in Burlington.
It would also appear that Republican
legislators didn’t get the “B” memo as
Senate Minority Leader Joe Benning
(Lyndonville) and House Minority Leader
Pattie McCoy (Poultney), are not from “B”
towns.
Overall, Republicans picked up three
House seats and one Senate seat. In the
House, the coalition of Democrats and
Progressives will now be one vote short of
a supermajority (100), which could create
an obstacle to overriding any vetoes by
the governor. Overall, there will be four
new Senate and 29 House members, typical
for a new biennium.
Although most leadership posts
are lined up, it is less certain what the
upcoming legislative session will look
like. The Vermont Constitution sets the
date for the Legislature to convene the
new biennium (Jan. 6 in this case), but
is otherwise silent on how they meet. To
provide for social distancing, it is likely
that meeting for members to get sworn
in and elect leaders will take place in the
Barre Auditorium, not the State House.
That meeting could also occur in shifts
as well.
Less clear is what happens after opening
day. Given the latest surge in Covid,
the Legislature could return to all remote
meetings, some sort of hybrid approach
or could take a break and reconvene in the
spring when in-person may be feasible.
Also in question is what the key issues
will be in 2021, given the ongoing
response to the pandemic, uncertain
budget constraints, unemployment and
loss of businesses. The administration
did get an OK from the Legislative Joint
Fiscal committee recently to add $75
million of unused federal funds to further
help hospitality businesses, although
most realize that still will not keep everyone
going through the winter. And then
there is the Vermont State College system.
What ongoing resources will be available
to support the current campuses or will
there still need to be consolidation?
Jim Harrison is the state representative
for Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington
and Mendon, he can be reached
at JHarrison@leg.state.vt.us.
Vermont is seeing a surge
in COVID-19 cases.
Women-led: The future of the Vermont Legislature is female
>
from page 2
“I am thrilled by this
slate of strong, experienced
leaders, and proud
that for the first time,
the Senate Democrats
have elected women to
serve as pro tem, majority
leader, and assistant
majority leader,” said
Balint in a statement.
“We will all
need to be fully
engaged in our
shared work to
help Vermonters
weather
the Covid-19
pandemic. Our
top priority this
session will be
to mitigate the
impact of the
pandemic while also trying
to shift systems and
policies to better address
the needs of Vermonters
going forward,” she
continued.
The Vermont Senate
Democratic Caucus
Leadership Election took
place on Sunday, Nov. 22
and was held virtually
via Zoom and broadcast
live, in another historymaking
circumstance.
The Vermont Senate
Democrats hold a
majority, as they have for
nearly two decades.
“The Vermont Democratic
Party congratulates Senator
Balint, Senator Clarkson, and
Senator Cheryl Hooker on
their victories in this historic
election,” said Bruce Olsson.
“The Vermont Democratic
Party congratulates
Senator Balint,
Senator Clarkson, and
Senator Cheryl Hooker
on their victories in this
historic election,” said
Bruce Olsson, chair of
the Vt. Democratic Party.
“We look forward to their
Senate leadership and
we celebrate the Vermont
Senate’s progress
in choosing and electing
women and LGTBQ
political leaders to serve
in the Senate’s highestranked
positions.” Meanwhile,
Sen. Dick
Mazza (D-Grand
Isle) was nominated
third member
of the Committee
on Committees.
On the Republican
side,
Sen. Randy Brock
(R-Franklin) was
nominated minority
leader and
Sen. Brian Collamore (R-
Rutland) will continue to
serve as assistant minority
leader.
Both Balint and Mazza
will need approval of the
full senate in January to
assume their positions.
Vermonters must act now to slow the spread.
• Do not get together or socialize
with anyone you don’t live with.
• Avoid non-essential travel, even
in Vermont.
• Anyone returning or traveling
to Vermont must quarantine.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our
businesses and schools open, and
Vermonters working.
HealthVermont.gov/StaySafe