Week 1 - January 8, 2021
WORLDS APART
The Vermont General Assembly convened this week for the 2021-2022 legislative biennium. Newly elected and returning lawmakers and statewide officials were sworn in remotely or in socially distanced ceremonies at the capitol. Republican Governor Phil Scott issued his inaugural address to a televised audience from the executive office building instead of giving the traditional speech in the House chamber. These unusual commencement events are the result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
History was made when Representative Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, and Senator Becca Balint, D-Windham, were elected House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem respectively. Along with the swearing in of Democratic Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray this marks the first time in Vermont history that both chambers of the General Assembly are led by women.
Wins this week in Georgia by Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff gave their party an edge in the U.S. Senate, which means Vermont’s senior senator will.
From local government to the Hall of the House, Jason Rojas is the first person of color to serve as one of legislature s big six leaders courant.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from courant.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Vermont governor says pandemic recovery offers opportunity
By WILSON RINGJanuary 8, 2021 GMT
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott said that in the past year Vermonters and people across the country have been tested by the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustice and the politics that led to the Wednesday riots at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
The people of Vermont have responded to the challenges created by the pandemic by learning, breaking down barriers and getting things done as quickly as possible.
Nevertheless, Vermont is facing a tough winter as the pandemic continues its spread across the state with the vaccine shining a light at the end of the tunnel, Scott said during his inaugural address Thursday evening.