MONTPELIER – The Vermont State Legislature voted this week to overturn Governor Scott’s veto of the higher minimum wage, meaning the state’s new starting wages will be $12.55 by 2022, an increase of $1.59. This new pay level is still far from the $15/hr being advocated for by most economists, and will still leave many residents unable to afford the state’s high rents, but lawmakers say it is a good place to start. They even plan to set that pay rate for the governor, effective immediately.
“The governor obviously thinks this is a fine amount of money to make,” said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero), “and, actually, I guess he thinks it’s too much. He did veto the increase. So we’d pay him less if we could. He should be glad about the new increase that we passed in spite of him. He’ll get a couple of extra bucks a week.”
State reps are rejoicing over the veto overturn, with many staffers commenting on their “new strut.” Now that they have proven that they can actually come together and use their super majority, the sky’s the limit as to what they can accomplish.
“Changing the Governor’s salary was just the beginning,” Johnson said. “Now that we’re united, we can do anything. Gun control, racial justice, cannabis sales and regulation, solar panels on every roof in the state, free syrup for all Vermonters, we’re talking utopia here. Who’s with me?!”
Johnson raised a glass of kombucha into the air and called for a rousing chorus of “These Green Mountains” as several representatives chuckled nervously and quickly slipped out the side door.
Image Credits: VTDigger.
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