MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont says the Vermont Health Commissioner is violating the law and Gov. Phil Scott is pushing back.
The dispute is over a recommendation from a government commission on whether to create so-called safe injection sites.
The Opioid Settlement Advisory Council is responsible for distributing Vermont funds from opioid manufacturers. In late December, the commission recommended more than $2.5 million for safe injection facilities (places where people can ingest illegal drugs under medical supervision) to prevent fatal overdoses. I have summarized.
But the ACLU obtained emails from senior Scott administration officials through public records requests that show that Commissioner Mark Levine, a non-voting member of the commission, warned against holding a new meeting. The recommendation was removed without a vote from the committee.
They claim Mr. Levine went around the panel in violation of the Open Meetings Act.
“This is alarming from an open government perspective, but a process that Congress has clearly established is intended to draw on a body of opinion and expertise that has not been subject to deliberate judgment.” “This represents a power grab at the ACLU of Vermont,” said Harrison Stark, chief counsel for the ACLU of Vermont.
The Vermont House of Representatives passed a bill to establish safe injection facilities, but the governor opposes it and has vowed to veto it.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the ACLU's letter was disappointing, emphasizing Levine's commitment to public health and treating opioid use disorder.
“If the data suggests a seemingly insurmountable public health crisis, but the government is determined to revoke the licenses of overdose prevention centres, And we have to do that. No one is going to be taken advantage of by this kind of scheme,” said Sen. Phil Barth, a Vermont Democrat. President Pro Tem said the following in response to the situation.
The governor's office responded by saying the allegations of fraud against Levine are baseless and that he has the authority to recommend budget proposals to the Legislature.
“Some members of the legislative majority and their advocacy allies are working to distract Vermonters from the serious challenges we face, including the property tax fiasco staring us in the face.” And they created it with their own hands,” said Scott (R-Vermont).
It's unclear what the future holds for this controversy over Levine's actions, but the Legislature is still moving ahead with building safe injection sites and the governor is still threatening a veto.
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