State consultant fired after making racial slurs in Zoom legislative hearing

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont lawmakers are responding after a witness during a virtual committee meeting was heard saying racial slurs.

Senate President Becca Balint, D-Windham County, said it happened during a pause in the Senate Transportation Committee hearing Wednesday.

“This language is abhorrent and will not be tolerated. The legislature must be a venue that welcomes and supports the participation of all, and language that traumatizes people of color cannot stand,” Sen. Balint said in a statement.

She said that the employee, a contractor for the Agency of Transportation, will be fired.

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