By Representative Heidi Scheuermann

Things continue to progress in the General Assembly, with the hope that adjournment will arrive in early May.

Following the passage in the House two weeks ago of the very controversial Miscellaneous Tax Bill, the Single-Payer Health Care Bill, and the Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriations Bill. less contentious items moved over the past two weeks.

With virtually unanimous support, the House passed both its FY 2012 Transportation Budget and the Capital Construction and State Bonding Bill.

The Transportation program is generally a multi-year planning program, with the annual appropriation bills funding the program specifics each year. Of particular note regarding this bill for the Lamoille County region, I am pleased to report that the Morrisville Bypass is scheduled to begin construction this year.

The Capital Construction and State Bonding bill was developed differently this year than in other years. In an effort to take advantage of low interest rates and possibly less espensive construction costs, Governor Peter Shumlin proposed creating a two-year capital program. Both appropriations and bonding over the course of two years in this bill totals $153 million.

Another issue that has taken a great deal of my time this session is the issue of independent contractors.

Throughout the last 18 months or so, a significant number of problems have arisen with regard to the interpretation by the Department of Labor of employers and employees, specifically when considering worker's compensation and unemployment insurance coverage. For that reason, Rep. Chip Conquest (D-Newbury) and I began working together to try to address some of these critical issues.

While I introduced a bill early in the session, H. 247, that would provide for a common definition for worker's compensation and unemployment insurance with regard to employees, it is clear that this effort is going to be a longer process than I had hoped.

In the meantime, therefore, Rep. Conquest and I have been working with employers, independent contractors and the Department of Labor to see if there are ways to move the discussion forward. Just Monday, we held a meeting with the Department of Labor and Vermont employers and independent contractors, the goals of which were to find consensus on three items: 1) that there is a role for independent contractors in Vermont and that they are an important sector of our economy; 2) that there is a problem being experienced by Vermonters right now in this regard that needs to be address; and 3) that if legislation needed to resolve the issues, it will be completed by the end of next legislative session.

Given the difficulty of the issue, the final goal might be considered ambitious, but it is clear that something needs to be done. Rep. Conquest and I both believe that we can find common ground and ensure there is a clearly defined path for independent contractors to work and for employers to hire independent contractors in Vermont.

As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns, and I will do my best to keep the people of Stowe informed.  I can be reached at 253-2275 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .