(Host) After a full day of debate on a wide number of issues, the 2010 Legislature adjourned last night just before midnight.
Democratic leaders and Governor Jim Douglas reached an agreement late yesterday afternoon on next year’s budget and a key tax bill paved the way for adjournment.
VPR’s Bob Kinzel reports.
(Smith) "The ayes appear to have it, the ayes do have it. And this body stands in adjournment sine die pursuant to the provisions of JRS 66."
(Kinzel) When lawmakers came to the Statehouse yesterday morning, they were facing the possibility that Governor Jim Douglas would veto the state budget for next year and a miscellaneous tax bill.
But late in the afternoon, Democratic leaders announced that they had reached an agreement with the Governor on these issues.
Under the deal, next year’s budget will be essentially level funded and the state’s capital gains tax will be changed to allow investors in small Vermont businesses to take advantage of a larger tax exemption.
During the course of the session, lawmakers addressed a growing deficit in the unemployment insurance fund, they adopted a plan designed to streamline the operations of state government known as the Challenges for Change, and they restructured the Vermont Judiciary.
The Senate also voted against the re-licensing of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power plant.
House Speaker Shap Smith told his colleagues that it had been a challenging but productive session:
(Smith) "I think we have a tremendous amount to be proud of given the difficult circumstances that we find ourselves in. And I believe that we have set a path for a stronger future, and a stronger Vermont."
(Kinzel) Senate President Peter Shumlin is stepping down after serving 10 years in Senate leadership to seek the Democratic Gubernatorial nomination:
(Shumlin) "We’ve done great work we solved big problems we’ve done it in a bipartisan spirit."
(Kinzel) Just before midnight, Governor Jim Douglas told lawmakers that they had taken important steps to put the state on a sustainable budget path in the future. It marked the eighth and final time that Douglas would address the Legislature at the end of a session:
(Douglas) "There’s always more to be done and the challenges facing our state remain daunting. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together for those we have the honor to serve. On their behalf, I thank you very very much indeed."
(Kinzel) If the governor does veto any legislation in the coming weeks, lawmakers will return to the Statehouse on June 9th for a special veto session.
For VPR News I’m Bob Kinzel in Montpelier.