Back to VAHHS Legislative Page

For the week ending January 5, 2007

Political Overview
Ceremonial activities dominated this week as newly elected members of the House and Senate returned to Montpelier to kick off a new biennium. Governor Douglas, the state’s Constitutional officers and the members of the General Assembly were sworn into office and Governor Douglas gave his inaugural address.

The House of Representatives is made up of 93 Democrats, 49 Republicans, 6 Progressives and 2 Independents, for a total of 150 members. The Senate has 23 Democrats and 7 Republicans among its 30 members. Gaye Symington, D-Jericho, was elected to a second term as Speaker of the House. The remaining House leadership includes: Carolyn Partridge of Windham as majority leader and Floyd Nease of Johnson as assistant majority leader. On the Republican side, Steve Adams of Hartland will serve as minority leader and Patty Komline of Dorset will serve as assistant minority leader. Peter Shumlin, D-Windham, was elected Senate President Pro Tempore, after a four-year absence from politics after an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 2002. Shumlin held the pro tempore position four years prior to that. The remaining Senate leadership includes: John Campbell of Windsor will serve as majority leader with Claire Ayer of Addison as assistant majority leader. William Doyle of Washington will serve as the Republican minority leader with assistance from Kevin Mullin of Rutland. Presiding over the Senate will be Republican Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie.

Opening remarks given by Democratic leaders to their respective chambers addressed similar priorities for the upcoming session. Priorities will include property tax reform, expanding the scope of energy initiative, strengthening the state’s economy, global warming, protecting Vermont's agricultural heritage, and expanding high-speed Internet access. Speaker Symington stated the House agenda would build on work begun in the previous sessions including ensuring that all Vermonters have access to affordable health care.

Governor James Douglas, elected to his third term, gave his State of the State Address on Thursday, January 4th to a joint assembly of the House and Senate.  The theme of Governor’s message was “Vermont Way Forward”, building on last year’s theme of making Vermont affordable for Vermonters. The Governor stated that we need to fully implement Catamount Health, ease the weight of property taxes, continue the commitment to higher education and affordable housing. Other key components of the plan include: fostering the development and use of bio-fuels, becoming the nation’s first E-state, invest in a new infrastructure to establish the state as a global center for environmental engineering, and the creation of the Robert T. Stafford Schools for Math, Science and Technology.

The “e-state” initiative proposed by the Governor will create the Vermont Telecommunications Authority. The state will provide $40 million in bonds that will leverage more than $200 million in private investment to create a statewide fiber optic network.

Besides the economic benefits, public safety, and education of young Vermonters, the Governor stated Vermont is becoming a leader in health care with passage of Catamount Health, Blueprint for Health and the Vermont Information Technology Leaders. Telemedicine offers enhanced monitoring services to chronically ill patients and the elderly.

People on both sides of the aisle praised the Governor's remarks. Senator Shumlin stated that he is encouraged by the Governor’s agenda. Although the agendas of both the Administration and Legislative branches are very similar, there likely will be many differences on approach.

More details on how to fund these initiatives proposed by the Governor will be given at the Governor’s budget address in two weeks. VAHHS continues to educate the General Assembly and the Administration on the need to eliminate the cost shift and increased payments to providers.

Committee Assignments
Committee assignments in the House will be released on Tuesday, January 9. Rep. Ann Pugh, D-Chittenden, will continue to chair the House Human Services committee, Rep. Steven Maier, D-Middlebury, will chair the House Health Care committee, and Rep. Martha Heath, D-Westford will chair the House Appropriations committee.

Late Friday afternoon the Senate released its committee assignments.

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS (Room 5, P.M.)
Senator Susan Bartlett of Lamoille District, Chair
Senator Jane Kitchel of Caledonia District, Vice-Chair
Senator Vincent Illuzzi of Essex-Orleans District
Senator Hinda Miller of Chittenden District
Senator Richard Sears of Bennington District
Senator Diane Snelling of Chittenden District
Senator Peter Shumlin of Windham District

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE (Room 6, P.M.)
Senator Ann Cummings of Washington District, Chair
Senator Claire Ayer of Addison District, Vice-Chair
Senator Mark MacDonald of Orange District
Senator James Condos of Chittenden District
Senator Hull Maynard of Rutland District
Senator Richard McCormack of Windsor District
Senator Bill Carris of Rutland District

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & WELFARE (Room 17, P.M.)
Senator Doug Racine of Chittenden District, Chair
Senator Edward Flanagan of Chittenden District, Vice-Chair
Senator Jeannette White of Windham District
Senator Sara Branon Kittell of Franklin District
Senator Virginia Lyons of Chittenden District
Senator Kevin Mullin of Rutland District

Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Commission (BISHCA)
On Wednesday the Governor announced the appointment of Paulette Thabault as the Commissioner of BISHCA. Thabault was former Deputy Commissioner of the Health Care Administration from 2003 through 2005.

Bills of interest that were introduced this week:
H. 8 - An Act Relating to Legislation Enabling the Vermont Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.: This bill proposes to enable Vermont to participate in the partnership for long-term care program.

H. 11 – An Act Relating to the Commissioner of Health: This bill proposes to eliminate the requirement that the commissioner of health be a licensed physician.