The Vermont Department of Health has responded to a complaint by the American Civil Liberties Union that Dr. Mark Levine violated the Open Meetings Act in a recent meeting with the state Legislature. The ACLU alleged that Dr. Levine “unilaterally reallocated specifically earmarked funds without prior notice or public comment.” A formal vote was taken by the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee on the $4.9 million settlement. The committee made recommendations on how to spend the funds in fiscal year 2025, and Levine was responsible for presenting the details to state lawmakers. The ACLU has not adequately disclosed that Mr. Levine exceeded the scope of his role as the commission's “non-voting” chair and did not present the commission's full findings to Congress. He claims that there is no. This comes in response to Levine's alleged alternative recommendation for a $2.6 million portion of the settlement fund that the commission had originally recommended be used to establish two overdose prevention centers in Vermont. It was a response. In a letter obtained by NBC5, Levine responded: The initial claim said he had publicly disclosed in a public record manner that he had made other recommendations for the fund, separate from the committee's recommendations. Levine went on to say that “the department's budget recommendations do not.” He must abide by the vote of the advisory committee or the Open Meetings Act will apply,'' he said, calling the claim that he violated the Open Meetings Act “baseless.'' Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott's office also defended Levine's actions, saying: The press release states, “Notwithstanding the false accusations, the law does not limit Dr. Levine's discretion in making final recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on budget proposals.” Levine wrote to the ACLU: Concluded. He will then email the advisory committee to discuss the issues that will be raised at an upcoming public meeting.
The Vermont Department of Health has responded to a complaint by the American Civil Liberties Union that Dr. Mark Levine violated the Open Meetings Act in a recent meeting with the state Legislature.
The ACLU said Levine “unilaterally reallocated funds specifically earmarked for settlements totaling $4.9 million” from the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee without prior notice, public comment, or formal vote. insisted.
The commission made recommendations on how to spend the 2025 funds, and Levine, as Vermont Department of Health director, was responsible for presenting those details to state lawmakers.
The ACLU claims Levine exceeded the scope of his role as the commission's “non-voting” chairman and did not adequately disclose that he had not presented the commission's full findings to the Legislature. are doing.
This comes in response to Levine's alleged alternative recommendation for a $2.6 million portion of the settlement fund that the commission had originally recommended be used to establish two overdose prevention centers in Vermont. It was a response.
In a letter obtained by NBC5, Levine responded to the original allegations and publicly stated that he has made other recommendations for the fund on public record, separate from the committee's recommendations. He said it was made clear.
Levine went on to say that “the department's budget recommendations are not subject to an advisory committee vote and are not subject to the Open Meetings Act,” calling claims of violations of the Open Meetings Act “baseless.” Stated.
Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott's office also defended Levine's actions, saying in a press release, “Despite the false accusations, the law limits Dr. Levine's discretion in making final recommendations to the governor on budget proposals. It's not a thing,” he said. Or to the legislature. ”
Levine concluded his letter to the ACLU by saying he would follow up with an email to the advisory committee to discuss the issues raised at a future public meeting.