Because Of Course: VT Gov. Scott (R) Vetoes Global Warming Solutions Act; Override Now Looms

[hatrack]

Republican Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the Global Warming Solutions Act Tuesday, leaving the fate of the legislation — which would legally mandate the state meet carbon emission reductions targets in the coming years — in the hands of the Legislature. Despite Scott’s veto, Democratic leadership in the Statehouse has the two-thirds majority needed to override the Republican’s decision and enact the bill, H.688 — which has been a top priority in the 2020 session.

House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, D-South Hero, said in a statement Tuesday evening that the Legislature would take “prompt action” on a vote to override Scott’s veto. Last week, the Vermont House of Representatives voted 102-45 in favor of the Global Warming Solutions Act. The Vermont Senate passed the bill on June 25 in a 22-6 vote. H.688 would require the state to reduce greenhouse gas pollution to 26% below 2005 levels by 2025. Emissions would need to be 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below by 2050.

EDIT

Senate Pro Tem Tim Ashe, D/P-Burlington, said in a statement Tuesday evening that the veto is “so unfortunate” and climate solutions need bipartisan action. “The Governor has said he believes Vermont should meet the goals set out in the Paris Climate agreement, and rightly gets favorable headlines when he does,” Ashe said. “But these goals don’t just meet themselves. You need to take action. To have a plan.”

EDIT

Scott’s veto of the Global Warming Solutions Act joins the Republican governor’s rejections of Democratic policy priorities including increasing the minimum wage, paid family leave, a 24-hour waiting period for handgun purchases, legislation that would establish an explicit right for Vermonters to sue polluting companies for medical monitoring costs, and others.

EDIT/END

https://vtdigger.org/2020/09/15/scott-vetoes-global-warming-solutions-act-%EF%BB%BF/

[moose65]

1. I love Vermont, but..

why in the heck do they keep electing Republican governors?? I know that there are basically 3 parties in Vermont - Democrats, Republicans, and Progressives. I can only assume that the Dems and Progressives split the vote just enough for a Republican to sneak in and win the governor's race.