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Vermont Officials Provide Update On COVID-19

Ten Vermont Senators observe remotely as a quorum meets at the Statehouse to pass a measure to allow remote voting
Glenn Russell - Pool Photographer
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VTDigger
Ten Vermont Senators observe remotely as a quorum meets at the Statehouse to pass a measure to allow remote voting

A quorum of the Vermont Senate met at the Statehouse in Montpelier this week to vote on a measure that will allow them to vote electronically during the pandemic.  Vermont Governor Phil Scott also said he plans to extend his Stay at Home order.
The statehouse has been closed since Governor Phil Scott declared a State of Emergency.  The only time legislators have gathered was on March 25th when a quorum of House members met to vote on a measure to allow remote voting. Then, on Wednesday, a quorum of 16 Senators – wearing masks and maintaining appropriate distancing - held a floor vote on a similar resolution.

Senate Minority Leader Republican Joe Benning explained why the measure is necessary.  “Our rules require us to meet in person and gathered as one body before we can vote on anything. This resolution is going to change that. In changing that we also must recognize that we have a responsibility to the public to be as open and transparent as possible when conducting our business. This resolution attempts to do that using the technology that we now have at our disposal. We will not be perfect. But this is our first attempt at making that work.”

Senate Majority Leader Democrat Becca Balint says while the bipartisan resolution was urgent they took the necessary time to craft a narrow, temporary measure.  “We wanted to make sure that we would have the tools that we need to do the work for Vermonters but that we would not in any way be perceived as moving too quickly. This is a temporary rule. At some point in the future we may decide that it needs to become a permanent avenue for us if this becomes the new normal.”

The resolution passed unanimously.  The remaining 10 Senators observed via Zoom but were unable to vote.

Also Wednesday, Governor Scott provided a COVID-19  state update with members of his administration. He referred to projections indicating if the state had done nothing there could have been thousands of COVID cases and up to a thousand deaths. Scott says because people are following restrictions the course of the epidemic in the state has slowed.  “Staying home. Washing your hands. Avoiding contact. These steps are literally saving lives. But this could change in an instant. On Friday you can expect an extension of the state of emergency order. But as soon as the data shows a leveling and downward trend then, and only then, will we open the spigot a quarter-turn at a time to get folks back to work in a way that's responsible and safe.”

Secretary of Administration Mike Smith oversees the Department of Corrections, which had just announced the first inmate in the state, incarcerated at the Northwest Correctional Facility in Swanton, had tested positive.  “Corrections has been preparing for this possibility of a positive inmate test. Four DOC staff have been tested positive: three at Northwest in Swanton, one in Northern State in Newport. Of the three positive staff at Northwest one had no contact with inmates, one had possible contact, and the last had confirmed contact with inmates. In response to those positive tests the facility was placed on modified lockdown on April 5, and then a full lockdown on April 6 to protect inmates and prevent transmission.”

Thursday morning, Governor Scott issued condolences to the family of former state Representative and University of Vermont trustee Bernie Juskiewicz who died Wednesday from COVID-19.

Audio from the Vermont Statehouse session is courtesy of the live webstream provided by Vermont Public Radio.

 

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