MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - A bill that would have created a paid family and medical leave system in Vermont failed Wednesday after the House fell one vote short of a veto override.
There were 99 votes in favor of overriding Republican Gov. Phil Scott’s veto and 51 against in the Democratic-led chamber. Scott vetoed the bill less than a week ago because the plan included a $29 million payroll tax, saying he prefers a voluntary family leave program.
“While I am incredibly disappointed that Vermonters are not going to get access to this important program, we’ll continue to fight for families,” Democratic House Majority Leader Jill Krowinski said after the vote.
The bill would have guaranteed up to 12 weeks of paid parental or bonding leave and up to eight weeks of paid leave to care for family members.
Supporters said the plan was needed to help Vermonters cope with what can be difficult family situations and claimed it would make the state, which is trying keep and attract more residents, more family friendly.
“Frankly, if we truly concerned about Vermont’s economy and the workforce we can’t afford to not have paid family leave,” Rep. George Till, a Democrat from Jericho, said during the debate before the vote.
The governor has said he supports the concept of a paid family leave program, but he does not believe the state can afford the $29 million annual cost, raised through a payroll tax. Instead he has proposed a voluntary family leave program.
Several of the people who voted against the bill agreed with the governor’s approach.
“I support the concept of paid family leave, but I cannot vote to tax every wage earner in Vermont,” said independent Rep. Terry Norris, of Shoreham.
Since Scott took office in 2017, he has issued 17 vetoes, including 11 in 2018. None have been overridden by the Legislature, his office said Wednesday.
When the bill passed the House last month - before the governor’s veto - it was 11 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.
But some of those who voted no on the bill because they were unhappy with some of the details of the bill, changed their votes on Wednesday, arguing an imperfect family leave program was better than no family leave program.
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