Legislative Summary 2010

With three candidates for Governor in the Senate, an economy still in recession, a state budget deficit of $150 million and a plan to restructure government, it was a year of turmoil, tough choices and lengthy debate. Legislators struggled to balance priorities while grappling with budget problems. Amid all of that, Speaker Shap Smith, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin and Governor Jim Douglas worked together on many issues and in the process, delivered results that will benefit Vermont for years to come.

 

The Chamber and GBIC are very pleased that so many of our members’ priorities were acted on this year. The Legislature and Governor Douglas joined forces to restructure government; made changes to Vermont’s capital gains and estate tax treatment which will spur investment in Vermont; provided funding for the Vermont Convention Bureau, Regional Development Corporations, Vermont Training Program and Workforce Investment Boards; allowed a pass through of a federal tax deduction for manufacturers; invested in the Weidmann Company in St. Johnsbury; and provided a solution to the unemployment trust fund and incentives for schools to merge districts.