VAR Gearing Up for Legislative Session

By Robin Chesnut-Tangerman

Legislature is not in session but there is a lot of advance work happening now. Peter Tucker, VAR Advocacy/Public Policy Director and Elizabeth Bushey, VAR Advocacy/Public Policy Specialist, have a meeting with Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski and will meet with Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint soon.

The legislature is interested in workforce development and workforce housing. The speaker touted they have already increased funding for workforce education and training. We are pushing for a broader scope, such as high school tech centers.

It was suggested to have a Vermont Land Bank to deal with blighted or abandoned properties as several other states have.

Act 250 – Interest in narrowing ACT 250 especially limiting the 10 -5 -5 rule which limit developers to 10 units within 5 years within a 5 miles radius. This rule hurts small developers who are more local. There is resistance to trying to change ACT 250 as its like opening Pandora’s Box and many more interests will get involved in trying make changes.

Revolving Loan Funds involves money so not so popular.

Rental Registry Bill S79 was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Scott. Seemed like the transfer of overseeing the rental registry from Health Dept to Public Safety was a sticky point because we don’t have the Fire Marshall staff for the added inspections and oversight that would need to take place. However, the Legislature intends to revive the bill in the upcoming session. We will be watching closely.

VAR has presented a comprehensive housing proposal to some lawmakers. The proposal can be downloaded and read below.