Pot, solar, trash tax are breakfast topics

The legalization of recreational marijuana, the possible doubling of the state’s trash tax and siting solar facilities dominated a legislative breakfast Monday morning at the River Valley Café.

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Published March 8, 2016 in the Rutland Herald Pot, solar, trash tax are breakfast topics By SUSAN SMALLHEER SPRINGFIELD — The legalization of recreational marijuana, the possible doubling of the state’s trash tax and siting solar facilities dominated a legislative breakfast Monday morning at the River Valley Café. Six legislators attended the session at the River Valley Technical Center, along with community leaders and plenty of people just curious about what the past two months in Montpelier have meant. Sen. Alice Nitka, D-Windsor, said she had voted against marijuana legalization even though she thought it was inevitable. But, she said, Vermont’s location between Boston, New York and Montreal could mean Vermont would become a magnet for people seeking the legalized product. Many people in the audience agreed with Nitka, saying it was premature for Vermont to be the first state in the region to legalize recreational marijuana. The bill was narrowly passed in the Senate, after extensive work by the Senate Judiciary Committee. It is now headed to the House. Nitka said that medical marijuana was “working very well.” The Rev. Gerry Piper of United Methodist Church spoke out against Act 46, which is forcing many of Vermont’s small schools to consolidate. He spoke against marijuana legalization as well. “I hear people do not want this,” said Piper, who added that people who are high are a “danger on the highways.” Patricia Horn of Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community in Windsor said she would have to test all employees to make sure they weren’t under the influence while they were giving care — and medications — to the elderly, frail and vulnerable. She said, “It’s a major issue for employers,” and she had to offer drug rehabilitation to her employees. Sen. Dick McCormack, D-Windsor, said that public opinion was evenly divided on the issue. “People feel very strongly on both sides. My guess is not a lot will change,” he told the group, while saying as a father and a teacher he was aware of the problems with marijuana. McCormack said, “The fact is, there’s a marijuana culture out there.” A survey by the Rand Corp. determined that 80,000 Vermonters use marijuana regularly. Rep. Alice Emmons, D-Springfield, chairwoman of the House Corrections and Institutions Committee, said testing impaired drivers for marijuana use was difficult and expensive because the tests have to be sent out of state. She said passage of the marijuana bill in the House “was a big ‘if.’” And getting the out-of-state lab technicians to come to Vermont to testify in court proceedings is difficult and expensive, she said, leading to few prosecutions. The state forensic lab must be altered and staff members hired to take on those duties, she said. Rep. Bob Forguites, D-Springfield, said a bill that would double the state’s trash franchise tax from $6 a ton to $12 a ton is likely to be voted out of his committee this week, and sent over to the Senate. The extra money would be used to provide towns with loans and grants to build recycling and composting facilities under Act 148. The tax would raise a total of $3 million. The trash-hauling community is not happy, Forguites said. Emmons said the fee hasn’t been changed since 1987. Springfield Town Manager Tom Yennerell said the town is waiting for the solar facility siting law to pass, so long as it gives communities more oversight on the siting and landscape, and upkeep of such facilities.