Scott questions House blocking his order

MONTPELIER — The administration of Gov. Phil Scott says its lawyers are reviewing the constitutionality of the process used by the House this week to nullify an executive order signed by the governor.

The House approved a resolution Wednesday preventing Scott’s order from merging the Department of Liquor Control and the Vermont Lottery Commission. Earlier this year the Senate turned back another order that sought to merge the Department of Labor and the Agency of Commerce.

Typically, legislative action requires agreement from both chambers in Vermont. But state law allows either chamber to pass a resolution rejecting executive orders that seek to reorganize state government.

Rep. Oliver Olson, an independent from Londonderry, raised constitutional questions on the House floor Wednesday as members debated the resolution halting the merger of the Department of Liquor and the Lottery Commission. However House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, D-South Hero, ruled the chamber did not have the authority to determine the constitutionality of the laws.

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