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Saturday, April 24th, 2010
The end of the session is looming and everyone here is becoming very anxious to get out of the Statehouse. I find myself in this same mindset. We were disappointed to hear this week that the session might not end until 5/8/10. This is all new information to us since we have been being told for the last several months that we were tentatively scheduled to finish the session on April 30, 2010. At this point, I can only hope that we get out of here sooner rather than later.
On Tuesday bill S.237 Operational standards for salvage yards came up for action on the house floor. This bill has already passed the Senate and establishes several operational guidelines for salvage yards in Vermont. The bill will have little initial impact on the current ongoing salvage yard dispute in Milton due to the pending litigation. However, it will make it much easier for operators and concerned citizens alike to determine when there is a deviation from the law. In the past, the Agency of Transportation had overseen these operations with minimal guidelines and even less oversight. This proposal transfers that authority to the Agency of Natural Resources and allows them to adopt rules as necessary. This bill seems to strike that difficult balance between good and bad for most stakeholders.
S.88 Health care financing and universal access to health care in Vermont came to the floor for action this week as well. This bill proposes to make several changes to our current health care delivery system. It also has several controversial sections in the bill that will effect each and every Vermonter. One such proposal is banning your doctor from giving you sample medications. This one issue has created a lot of opposition to this bill. Further, it lays the groundwork for universal health care coverage to all Vermonters. This would be accomplished by adding a new payroll tax to employers. This is a very lengthy and complicated bill and I ask that you please read it and pass along your comments to me at the email address below.
On Wednesday we had the pleasure of hosting the "groovy lunch bunch" at the Statehouse. This group of senior citizens meet for lunch three days per week at the Milton Senior Center on Middle Road. They are sponsored by the Champlain Valley Area on Aging and the site coordinator is Barbara Joachim. The group of thirty-eight seemed to enjoy their time at the Statehouse almost as much as I enjoyed having them visit. Although, I was very surprised to learn that this was the first visit to the Statehouse for many of the people.
As your representative, I look forward to representing you and your concerns in Montpelier. I am very interested in hearing from you on any issue at anytime. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns. 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.