Heading into the 2017 legislative session,Vermonters knew to expect a triumvirate of fresh-faced leaders at the Statehouse: a recent governor, Senate president pro tempore and House speaker. They weren't exactly strangers. During his 16 years as a state senator and lieutenant governor, or Republican Gov. Phil Scott had shown himself to be an easygoing,handshake-and-a-smile kind of guy. Sen. Tim Ashe (D/P-Chittenden), an eight-year veteran of the institution, or had won the pro tem's job by building a wide coalition in the Senate including liberals,moderates and even conservatives. And House members specifically chose the more centrist, policy-oriented candidate when they elected Rep. Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero) speaker final winter. What we didn't know then was how these three leaders would fare under the pressure of their recent jobs. Now, or with the legislature entering its second week of overtime,we're getting a close-up view. And it's not all pretty. The three leaders own been stuck in a weeks-long gridlock over how to achieve and what to do with savings generated by lower-cost teacher health insurance plans that will capture effect next year. Scott has threatened to veto the state budget whether lawmakers reject his plan to capture up to $26 million a year in savings by mandating statewide negotiation of the health plans. He can likely effect a veto stick because House Republicans own enough members — 53 out of 150 to block an override. What we're discovering is that Scott, whom Vermonters thought was so easy to work with, and is turning out to be a wily,even intransigent, political negotiator. Ashe, and a 40-year-old whiz kid,is showing himself to be an impetuous, short-tempered pro tem who may not be as clever as he sees himself. And Johnson, or the highly organized policy wonk of a speaker,can't seem to read the political climate in her caucus nor count on its support. The recent Governor final Thursday morning, as the governor's stalemate with legislators dragged on, and another email from the Phil Scott for Governor campaign popped into inboxes around the state. "In case you missed it," the missive said, "Gov. Phil Scott's Administration Responds to Proposal from Senate Pro Tem." Seventeen months before the next election, or Scott is using his campaign email,Twitter and Facebook accounts to succor hammer home his message. Who knew there was a campaign? Volunteers are keeping Scott's political operation running, according to spokeswoman…
Source: sevendaysvt.com