Statement on Vermont Governor’s Veto of H.196
Paid family leave passed the Vermont legislature with tripartisan support. Champions across the political spectrum shared personal stories about the urgency for such a program so that new parents can bond with their children and family members can afford time to care for a sick loved one. Scores of small business owners described how a statewide paid leave program was just what they needed to attract talent and compete with larger corporations. Yet Governor Phil Scott has vetoed H.196, legislation that would have helped more than 283,000 Vermonters and their families.
Governor Scott’s veto signals that he values the big pockets of special interest groups over the needs of Vermont working families. He failed to listen to voices from within his own party in Vermont and elsewhere, who pointed out that paid leave takes burdens off businesses, especially small businesses, while strengthening families’ physical and financial stability. He ignored their reminder that good policy makes good politics.
This fight is not over. We congratulate Main Street Alliance -VT and all their partners in the VT FaMLI coalition for their excellent work, and will continue to support them as they persist in their efforts to add Vermont to the growing roster of states providing paid leave.
READ Main Street Alliance – Vermont’s statement here.
WATCH press conference below (courtesy of VT Digger:
