COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND STATE SOVEREIGNTY
MINUTES
Monday, March 26, 2007
Approved May 21, 2007
Members Present: Rep. Kathie Keenan, Co-chair; Sen. Ginny Lyons, Co-chair;
John Boomhover; Lawrence Bruce, Jr.;; Elliot Burg; Dana Eidsness
Members Absent: Daniel Brush, John Waite
Also Present: Legislative staff and the public
Recording: CD 2007 – 7, 8, 9
Convene, Review and Approve 1/29/07 Meeting Minutes
At 9:15 a.m. Representative Keenan convened the meeting in Room 10 of the Vermont State House. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Budget Update
Representative Keenan said there was money in the 2007 Budget Adjustment, in an amount which would cover travel expenses, but that it hadn’t been signed yet. For the 2008 Budget she said the House Appropriations Committee hadn’t yet discussed it, but would when the Commerce section of the budget was considered.
Fast Track Summary
Documents distributed by Peter Riggs, Director, Forum on Democracy and Trade:
Peter Riggs, Director, Forum on Democracy and Trade, reviewed three documents he distributed. He summarized Fast Track, discussing trade policy and the U.S. Constitution, Fast Track/Trade Promotion Authority.
Fast Track Options Discussion, Evaluation and Decisions
Peter Riggs said there were several Fast Track options, discussing what’s at stake in the current debate in terms of labor and environmental standards, federal-state consultation mechanisms and actions the state could take relating to state resolutions, a General Accounting Office Request, as well as seeking the guidance of the National Council of State Legislatures.
The Commission also discussed how states can have a more meaningful role, that now it is indirect and comes through Congressional representation and a need for improved federal/state communication. Commission members stated the need for common communication efforts with other legislators working on trade issues. Peter Riggs said the Forum had a conference call scheduled on that topic this week, and would discuss options for list serves and other ways of communication.
Fast Track Position
In developing a Fast Track position, the Commission reviewed J.R.S. 24, a Joint Senate Resolution, sponsored by Senator Lyons, relating to the federal “fast track” process for Congressional review of international trade agreements which is currently being considered by the Vermont Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee.
Elliot Burg made a motion for the Commission to urge the Senate and House of the Vermont Legislature and their respective committees to approve J.R.S., 24 without amendments, as soon as possible. As well, to authorize J.R.S. 24 draft be distributed to other state’s legislators.
After Commission discussion, members passed support of the motion, unanimously on a voice vote.
The Commission also agreed to develop a policy statement on Fast Track and to publicize the Commission’s position, as well as to write a letter to Legislative leadership and committees of jurisdiction in support of J.R.S. 24 and mention that the Forum’s legal staff had also examined the Resolution and fully supported its passage as drafted.
2/21/07 Public Hearing Debrief and Future Meeting Planning
Dana Eidsness suggested the public hearing would have been more successful if there had been a public education component. Senator Lyons said Vermonters may not understand how trade agreements affect them, but that they are very much affected. Senator Lyons said the Commission had discussed holding four public hearings, in each of the four issue areas the Commission had identified, in different areas of the state. Lawrence Bruce suggested the Commission may also wish to join existing meetings of Vermont organizations and present an hour presentation on an issue relating to that organizations’ area of concern and link it to trade.
The Commission agreed to meet Monday, April 23, Room 10, Vermont State House.
At 11:45 a.m. the Commission adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Rachel Levin
Legislative Council