Vermont Legislature could adjourn without action on key bills

Associated Press

Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden, left, speaks alongside House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, D-South Hero, to discuss legislative priorities for 2018 at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017.

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Legislature appears to be on the brink of adjourning for the year without taking final action on two of this session's closely-watched bills: paid family leave and minimum wage.

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The Statehouse in Montpelier on Thursday, May 11, 2017.

In a Friday letter to Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe, House Speaker Mitzi Johnson gave her fellow Democrats until noon Friday to agree to compromise proposals on paid family and medical leave and an increase in the minimum wage.

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Vermont Public Radio reports the deadline came and went without an agreement. At mid-afternoon, Ashe said he was sending the House compromise proposals.

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The House prefers a more robust paid family and medical leave program, but a less aggressive increase in the minimum wage. The Senate prefers scaled-back leave and a larger increase in the minimum wage.

Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe, D/P Chittenden, speaks to reporters after the Senate voted to approve a budget and tax package Monday, June 25, 2018 at the Statehouse in Montpelier.