Friday was Crossover at the State House, the day when bills must pass out of their original committees in the House and Senate in order to cross over to the other chamber this session. There are some exceptions to crossover, including big money bills like the State Budget, and proposals that don’t meet crossover can still make it in as an amendment to another bill. Still, Crossover is a big day for bills, and a stressful day for legislators & staff in the State House!
On top of the flurry of Crossover, federal violence both abroad and at home hung over our work last week. The president’s war against Iran continued into its second week, with Vermont National Guard troops still deployed to the Middle East. These members of Vermont’s Air Guard have been away from home since mid-December, first in Puerto Rico and now in Jordan, putting them in harm’s way and leaving their families here in constant stress. Vermont officials unfortunately have no ability to call these troops home, but we cannot forget that Vermonters are risking their lives for a war that was never approved by Congress, has no clear goal or plan, and will likely lead to decades of further instability and violence in the region.
On Wednesday, reckless ICE agents in South Burlington sought to detain a man as he was taking his kid to school, causing a car chase and crash on busy Dorset Street during rush hour. Later, ICE agents obtained a federal warrant, broke into a home, and detained three people, none of whom were the individual they were seeking. Hundreds of peaceful protesters/observers, including three of my Senate colleagues, were on the scene to witness ICE actions and attempt to protect the people in the home. Families, children, neighbors, and peaceful protesters were caught in the middle of a volatile federal immigration enforcement operation.
Vermont State Police and local South Burlington Police were on the scene to maintain public safety, however, serious questions remain about whether their actions complied with Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy or violated state laws against assisting federal immigration enforcement. Legislative leaders met with the Governor and law enforcement leadership to review what occurred. The Judiciary Committees will hold a joint hearing this week to receive and after-action report and examine the conduct of all law enforcement agencies involved to determine whether Vermont law and civil rights protections were followed. I will share more information as I have it.
Coincidentally, on Wednesday, the Senate passed an amendment to the Vermont Constitution – Proposal 4 on Equality of Rights, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment. This amendment to our constitution states “that the people are guaranteed equal protection under the law. The State shall not deny equal treatment under the law on account of a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.” This amendment is a long-time-coming for so many of us who have been fighting for equal rights for decades. Given the abuses of the federal government as witnessed on the same day, the amendment is more necessary now than ever. It passed on a vote of 29-0-1, with Senator Heffernan choosing not to be present for the vote. After it passes in the House, Proposal 4 will be up for a vote of the people of Vermont during November’s General Election.
On Friday, the Senate passed a very timely S.227, which establishes clear immigration protocols for Vermont schools. The bill helps ensure schools remain safe learning environments by protecting student information and requiring a judicial warrant before immigration enforcement officials can enter nonpublic areas of a school. We also passed S.298, the Vermont Voting Rights Act which protects Vermont voters from discrimination, guards against interfering with voting, prohibits providing false information to voters and intimidation of voters & election workers, and allows for civil actions if there are violations. With threats of federal agents at polling places, this law will be an important tool for protecting free and fair elections in Vermont later this year.
Many more bills passed in time for the crossover deadline, and I will have highlights of them in the coming weeks. For now, stay safe and know that we are striving to protect the safety and rights of all Vermonters.
Thank you for reading and take care.
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