Bennington, Vermont – A Republican member of Vermont’s House of Representatives publicly apologized on Monday for secretly pouring water into a Democratic colleague’s bag over the span of five months. Rep. Mary Morrissey, who is in her 13th term in the Vermont legislature, admitted to her “disrespectful conduct” toward Rep. Jim Carroll, both representing Bennington, a town of approximately 15,000 residents.
Carroll had been puzzled for months as to why his bag kept ending up soaked at the State House until he caught Morrissey on camera pouring water from a clear cup into his tote. Morrissey expressed deep regret on Monday, acknowledging that her actions were “most unbecoming” of her position. While Carroll accepted her apology during the House session, he remained upset by the repeated drenching of his work bag over the course of five months.
House Speaker Jill Krowinski, a Democrat, declared that Morrissey is no longer eligible to be appointed to conference committees due to her behavior. Carroll proceeded to file an ethics complaint, prompting an ongoing investigation. Carroll revealed his dismay, stating that the situation had been tormenting for him, especially as he anticipated the repercussions.
Carroll and Morrissey, who have known each other since childhood, began experiencing tense dynamics after being divided on significant issues, including abortion. The tension escalated as Carroll found his bag soaked multiple times a week starting in January. Initially, he considered the wetness to be accidental, but after continued incidents, he realized they were deliberate.
Despite the implications of harassment, neither representative publicly discussed the motives behind the water-pouring incidents. Carroll eventually reported the behavior to Krowinski, who then held a meeting to address the documented harassment. Morrissey’s restrictions on service and the recommendation for an ethics complaint signaled the seriousness with which the matter was being handled.
In her apology, Morrissey expressed a desire for resolution and restoration through the legislative process. Carroll, on the other hand, acknowledged the inevitable awkwardness of working with Morrissey again, emphasizing the importance of starting fresh. The incident, which drew attention to the internal dynamics of Vermont’s legislature, serves as a reminder of the need for professionalism and decorum in all legislative proceedings.