COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND STATE SOVEREIGNTY
MINUTES
Monday, January 29, 2007
Members Present: Rep. Kathie Keenan, Co-chair; Sen. Ginny Lyons, Co-chair;
John Boomhover; Lawrence Bruce, Jr.; Daniel Brush; Elliot Burg; Dana Eidsness; John Waite
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Legislative staff, the public, and the press
Recording: CD 2007 – 1, 2, 3, 4
Convene, Review and Approve 12/18/06 Meeting Minutes
At 1:30 p.m. Senator Lyons convened the meeting in Room 10 of the Vermont State House. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Review Letters Sent
Documents distributed:
· Letter from Senator Lyons on behalf of the Commission to Vermont Department of Labor Commissioner, Patricia Moulton-Powden, 1/26/07
· Letter from Senator Lyons and Representative Keenan on behalf of the Commission to Senator Patrick Leahy, 12/28/06
· Letter from Senator Lyons and Representative Keenan on behalf of the Commission to Vermont’s Congressional delegation, 11/27/06
The Commission agreed Legislative staff should follow up with a telephone call to the letters to the Congressional delegation to ensure the Commission has a point of contact in each office on trade issues and to follow up on the GAO report request. Staff will also let Senator Leahy’s office know that the letter requesting a GAO study may be shared with other interested parties.
Discussion – Process, Letters from Commission, Resolutions, Budget Request
Dan Brush suggested the Commission hear from an expert he knows on trade and economics. He also suggested there were states which didn’t have formal state trade commissions, but which had legislators who were involved in trade issues, either through legislators or governors and that it might be advantageous to also include them in communications as well as other state commissions.
Senator Lyons suggested that the Commission should strive to have monthly communications by letter with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and Vermont’s Congressional delegation on important trade issues. The Commission agreed document drafts would be sent to all Commission members
Senator Lyons and Representative Keenan said they would continue communication with legislative leaders about the Commission’s role and a process for the Commission to weigh-in on resolutions which are before legislative committees. As well, they said they would pursue a small budget request for the Commission.
Discussion – Information Commission Members would like, Public Hearing and Commission Work
The Commission decided to have a public hearing on trade issues, including a short educational presentation (Trade 101), on Wednesday February 21, from 5:30pm to 8:30 p.m. in Room 11, Vermont State House. Senator Lyons said she would ensure that a press release is sent out describing the public hearing in order to publicize the event. The public hearing will be focused on Fast Track and each of the four topic areas the Commission has identified as important. Commission members will send specific questions to Rachel Levin on these areas.
Legislative Report, Information Commission would like from Legislative Committees
The Senate Committees on Finance and Health and Welfare are having several joint meetings on Prescription Drugs, including a meeting on Friday, February 2 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Senator Lyons will introduce the work of the Commission to the committees, as well as any members who are able to attend. Peter Riggs, Forum on Democracy and Trade, is scheduled to talk generally about trade agreements and issues, with a focus on prescription drugs and Robin Lunge will talk about how these issues would affect Vermont’s current initiatives.
Senator Lyons said she was arranging for similar presentations to other interested legislative committees, including Natural Resources, Economic Development and Agriculture.
Draft Letters and Resolution
Documents distributed:
· Draft Letter from Senator Lyons and Representative Keenan on behalf of the Commission to USTR on GATS Domestic Regulation, 1/29/07
Robin Lunge, Legislative Counsel, reviewed the draft letter to the US Trade Representative on the GATS Domestic Regulation rules with the Commission. The letter supports the USTR’s position opposing certain rules that could negatively impact on state law. The draft was approved with minor changes.
The Commission agreed that with time-sensitive resolutions that Senator Lyons and Representative Keenan should weigh in on the Commissions behalf. When possible, the Commission will consider pending resolutions and make suggestions or recommendations.
Draft Report
Documents distributed:
· Memorandum from Al Boright, Legislative Counsel, to Senator Lyons, 1/23/07
Al Boright reviewed a draft memorandum requested by Senator Lyons on possible solutions to some of the challenges to states, including draft federal statutory changes. The Commission discussed prioritizing the issues outlined in Al Boright’s memorandum and communicating the priorities to the Congressional delegation as some of these issues could be addressed in Fast Track legislation.
Elliot Burg suggested that staff draft a position letter on Fast Track for discussion at the next Commission meeting. Senator Lyons also suggested that the Commission could develop a resolution on Fast Track for consideration by the General Assembly.
John Waite suggested that there are some common principles that stood out from Al Boright’s memorandum, including ensuring there is a forum for states, a way to assess the impact, and a process for review of trade agreements.
The Commission discussed and decided they were not in favor of Fast Track in its current form. Elliot Burg suggested that the Commission should wait until after the public hearing before sending a letter with a detailed proposal, due to the fact it is important to include the thoughts and feelings of Vermonters. He said it was also important for the Commission to determine the priorities to be included in the letter.
Several members of the Commission expect to be included in a regional meeting in New Hampshire on Fast Track in mid-March. The group discussed having a proposal for the March meeting in order to propose it for discussion with other states.
Future Meeting Planning
The Commission agreed to meet Monday, February 26, Room 10, Vermont State House.
At 4:40 p.m. the Commission adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Robin Lunge and /s/ Rachel Levin
Legislative Council