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Vermont House of Representatives
| Vermont House of Representatives | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Type: | Lower house |
| Term limits: | None |
| 2012 session start: | January 3, 2012 |
| Website: | Official House Page |
| Leadership | |
| House Speaker: | Shap Smith, (D) |
| Majority Leader: | Lucy Leriche, (D) |
| Minority leader: | Donald Turner, Jr., (R) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 150 |
| Democratic Party (95) Republican Party (47) Progressive Party (5) Independent (3) | |
| Length of term: | 2 years |
| Authority: | Section 7 of the Legislative Department of the Vermont Constitution |
| Salary: | $636/week + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last Election: | November 2, 2010 (150 seats) |
| Next election: | November 6, 2012 (150 seats) |
| Redistricting: | Vermont legislature has control |
Contents |
Sessions
The Vermont State Legislature, which the House is a part of, meets for biennial sessions starting on odd numbered years on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January, pursuant to Section 7 of the Legislative Department of the Vermont Constitution. The opening date for even numbered years is established by the sitting legislature during the year prior.
2012
- See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions
In 2012, the Legislature was in session from January 3 through May 5.
Major issues
The two main issues facing the legislature are dealing with an estimated $75 million budget gap and finding ways to pay for recovery from Tropical Storm Irene.[3]
2011
- See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions
In 2011, the House was in session from January 5 through mid May. [4]
2010
- See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions
In 2010, the House was in session from January 5 to May 12.[5]
Elections
2012
Elections for the office of Vermont House of Representatives will be held in Vermont on November 6, 2012. All 150 seats will be up for election.
The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in the elections is June 14, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Vermont House of Representatives were held in Vermont on November 2, 2010. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was July 19, 2010 and the primary election day was on September 14, 2010.
In 2010, the candidates for state house raised a total of $615,441 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were: [6]
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Campaign Research Center | $8,050 |
| Contributions by Candidate or Candidates Immediate Family | $7,334 |
| Vermont House Republican PAC | $5,450 |
| Contributions by Candidate or Candidates Immediate Family | $5,409 |
| Vermont State Employees Association | $5,250 |
| Obuchowski Tribute 90 | $5,009 |
| Vermont Association of Realtors | $4,900 |
| Branagan, Chris | $4,867 |
| Contributions by Candidate or Immediate Family | $4,862 |
| Skrill, S | $4,452 |
Qualifications
The Vermont Constitution states, "No person shall be elected a Representative or a Senator until the person has resided in this State two years, the last year of which shall be in the legislative district for which the person is elected."[7]
Vacancies
| How Vacancies are filled in State Legislatures |
 |
If there is a vacancy in the House, the Governor must select a replacement to fill the vacant seat.
The Governor must select a replacement that will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. There are no deadlines set by statute on when a vacancy has to be filled[8] [9]
Representatives
Partisan composition
- See also: Partisan composition of state houses
| Party | As of May 2012 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 94 | |
| Republican Party | 47 | |
| Vermont Progressive Party | 5 | |
| Independent | 3 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | |
| Total | 150 | |
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
As of 2011, members of the Vermont Legislature are paid $604.79 per a vote (to reduce the salary by 5% this biennium below the statutory level). Legislators who are non-commuters receive $101/day for lodging and $61/day for meals. Commuters receive $61/day for meals/mileage.[10]
The $604.79/vote that Vermont legislators are paid as of 2011 is a decrease from the $636.62/week they were paid during legislative sessions in 2010 and $600.78/week in 2007. Per diem has increased from $88/day lodging and $51/day for meals in 2007 to $101/day lodging and $61/day meals in 2010 and is the same in 2011.[11][12]
When sworn in
Vermont legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Tuesday in January.
Leadership
The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body. [13]
Current leadership
2010 Leadership
Current members
Standing committees
The Vermont House has 15 standing committees:
- Agriculture
- Appropriations
- Commerce and Economic Development
- Corrections and Institutions
- Education
- Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources
- General, Housing and Military Affairs
- Government Operations
- Health Care
- Human Services
- Judiciary
- Natural Resources and Energy
- Rules
- Transportation
- Ways and Means
External links
- Official Webpage of the Vermont State Legislature
- Official list of the current members of the Vermont House of Representatives
- Project Vote Smart on the Vermont House of Representatives
- Vermont House of Representatives on Wikipedia
References
- ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
- ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
- ↑ Boston.com, "Vt. lawmakers to tackle Irene recovery, budget," January 2, 2012
- ↑ 2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar, NCSL
- ↑ 2010 session dates for Vermont Legislature
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Vermont House 2010 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Vermont Constitution
- ↑ Michie "Vermont Statutes"(Referenced Statute, 2-1-4, Vermont Statutes)
- ↑ Michie "Vermont Statutes"(Referenced Statute, 2-1-9, Vermont Statutes)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislator Compensation Data"
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislator Compensation Data"
- ↑ Empire Center, "Legislative Salaries Per State as of 2007"
- ↑ Officers of the Vermont General Assembly 2009-2010
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