H.688 – AN ACT RELATING TO ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE – SCOTT VETO
OVERRIDDEN
in the State House of Representative
on September 17, 2020, by a vote of
103-47
Purpose: Governor Scott’s veto of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) signaled his opposition to the legislation based primarily on its lack of articulated solutions, its unconstitutional abdication of legislative and executive responsibilities to an unelected body, and the unnecessary and costly legal jeopardy the Act creates for the taxpayers of Vermont.
Analysis: The GWSA mandates that Vermont meet strict carbon emission reduction targets to 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, it create a Climate Council made up of 23 state government officials and citizen experts that will adopt a “Vermont Climate Action Plan” by Dec. 1, 2021. This plan would offer guidance to the Agency of Natural Resources, which would be empowered to create and implement new rules for achieving the emission targets.
The Act also states that any citizen (or special interest group) who believes the Agency is not acting sufficiently either in following the recommendations of the Counsel or in meeting the mandates may sue the state at taxpayer expense and, if a judge so rules, be reimbursed for their attorneys’ fees.
Those voting YES dismissed the Governor’s concerns with the bill, voted to override the Governor’s veto, allowing the bill to become law without the Governor’s approval.
Those voting NO agreed with the Governor’s objections and voted to sustain his veto.
As Recorded in the House Journal for Thursday, September 17, 2020:
“…Shall the bill pass the failure of the Governor to approve notwithstanding? was decided in the affirmative. Yeas, 103. Nays, 47, a two-thirds vote of 100 necessary to pass.” (Read the Journal, p.1664-1670). Watch the floor debate on YouTube.
Related:
Gov Scott’s Veto Message
How They Voted
(Click on your Rep’s name to send an email)
Janet Ancel (D – Calais) – YES Kenneth Goslant (R – Northfield) – NO |
Jill Krowinski (D – Burlington) – YES Curtis McCormack (D – Burlington) – YES Rebecca White (D – Hartford) – YES Theresa Wood (D – Waterbury) – YES David Yacovone (D – Morristown) – YES Michael Yantachka (D – Charlotte) – YES Samuel Young (D – Greensboro) – YES |
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