The Legislature’s rules define a conflict so narrowly that they almost never prevent lawmakers from crafting and voting on bills even when they or their employers stand to benefit financially.
The Big Winner in the men’s bracket was Jennifer Carbee, chief counsel for the Office of Legislative Counsel. Carbee shouted out her 12–year-old daughter, who helped her mother pick her bracket one late night “after many hours of drafting.”
Federal and state lawmakers will take the oath of office later this week, and Gov. Phil Scott is scheduled to deliver his fourth inaugural address. But the real legislative work won’t start for a few more days.