Position was retired in 2019. There have been changes in procedure in the Vermont General Assembly since 1975 The LWVUS (national level) has a position on general good governance principles that we can use.
Position In Brief:
More bills be jointly sponsored. Speed up committee process. Improve committee assignment process. Expand research resources. Install electronic voting. Encourage individuals, rather than private sector, to serve in office.
Position History:
Approved 1975
- Joint sponsorship of bills should be encouraged to stop the tremendous number of bills. The secrecy rule regarding bills in drafting and sponsorship should cease. Legislators should be informed of other similar legislation being drafted.
- To speed bills through committees, the committee chair and speaker or president pro-tem should work to speed up the process. The deadline for bills in committee should be flexible for complexity, but enforceable.
- A more democratic system for committee assignment is needed in the House. There should be at least a committee of three, as in the Senate.
- The Legislative Council research area should be expanded, if possible. Suggestions are to use student interns, law students, or LWV members.
- The present system of voting should be maintained with the possibility of installing electronic voting should funding be possible.
- Incentives from the private sector to serve in the General Assembly are frowned on. It is felt there would be strong conflicts of interest. People should be encouraged to run for office, however.
Issues:
League to which this content belongs:
- Private group -