Latest News
<< Back
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
As another week comes to an end here at the Statehouse, the legislature finds itself dealing with a very interesting issue.One that was created earlier in the session, by legislative leadership and the Governor who agreed to cooperate with a consultant on a new way of doing a portion of the State's business. The report outlined a process based on outcomes and cooperation rather than opposing goals and gridlock. This issue is the "Challenges for Change" process which is now a law. This law outlined a process and established a goal of saving $38 million dollars, while improving efficiency. In implementing this law, the parties agreed to book the savings and allow the Governor to develop a plan at a later date to achieve them. The legislature would then be required to give final approval and make changes to existing law which would allow the plan to be implemented. I support the concept of working together to find efficiencies but was opposed to the idea of working behind closed doors to come up with the plan. I remain convinced that passing this law was just another example of political maneuvering.
The law required that a formal proposal would be presented to the entire legislature on or before March 25, 2010. This date was chosen to insure that we would have the information before voting on the budget, which as previously mentioned reflects a savings of $38 million dollars. However when the budget was presented there was no information available on the challenge for change savings. Prior to voting on the budget many concerned members raised questions about how we could approve a budget with a $38 million dollar hole in it. Essentially we were told to trust the administration and leadership and it would all work out. I did not support the challenges for change proposal or the budget. How can anyone in good conscience pass a budget that does not balance or disclose all expenditures? Upon arriving at the Statehouse on Tuesday morning we were informed that these proposals were finally ready for a public review and encouraged to attend a hearing at noon in the House chamber. At the hearing we were given two books and two sheets of paper outlining the administrations recommendations. From the reaction of people sitting in the chamber, I don't think that these proposals were well received. Our committee did not like the economic development proposals featured in the plan and spent the rest of the week listening to testimony from entities that will be affected by the changes. By design we have to finalize our recommendations on the proposals next week and send it onto the appropriations committee for the final decision. I feel that there is a lot of merit to many of the recommendations and support its concept. Next week should be very interesting to see where and how this all plays out.
Hosting friends at the Statehouse is one of the things I enjoy most about serving in the legislature. This week I had the pleasure of introducing the Green Mountain Glades who won the regional hockey squirts division championship at a tournament in Rhode Island and who visited the Statehouse on Tuesday. The players were from all around the state and two players were from Milton. If you would like to visit the Statehouse please feel free to contact me to arrange a date and time.
As your representative, I look forward to representing you and your concerns in Montpelier. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns. I am very interested in hearing from you. During the session, I can be reached at the Statehouse by calling 1-800-322-5616 or by cell at 373-5960. My email address is dturner@leg.state.vt.us. My web-site address is www.donturnerjr.com. Thank you and have a great week.