MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – From housing and education costs to strengthening public safety laws, members of Vermont’s Republican caucus outlined their priorities on Friday at the Statehouse.
It comes on the heels of Gov. Phil Scott’s omnibus public safety bill released last week. Priorities include addressing bail, juvenile offenders, and a catch-and-release system that he says is causing people to lose trust in the system.
Some Vermont senators say they’ve heard the concerns from their constituents and now is the time to act.
“I believe personally that we are soft on crime here in the state of Vermont. We see it in our largest cities across the state of Vermont. I can assure you that there is a larger group of individuals who are going to be reaching across the aisle this year and working with our majority, and I’m sure they, too, want to see these problems resolved,” said Sen. Robert Norris, R-Franklin County.
Lawmakers did not reveal any new bills that would address these issues, but the governor says they are looking at permanently repealing the Raise the Age law, which seeks to treat offenders up to age 22 in family court, and stiffening penalties for drug dealers.
We reached out to Democrat leadership for a response but they were not available.
