Current Use Up for Debate

Last week the Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously to move H.485, the House bill dealing with modification to the Current Use Policy. The Appropriations Committee also approved the bill unanimously, after making a few technical and clarifying amendments. H.485 is based on the recommendations of a group of stakeholders that worked over the summer and fall to meet the legislature’s target of decreasing Current Use expenditures or increasing revenues by $1.6 million in FY2011. One major change to those recommendations was the addition of a one-year moratorium on new enrollments, which means that landowners who applied by September 2009 will not be enrolled until April 1, 2011. The recommendations can be found here. The bill now goes to the House floor for debate and action on Tuesday and Wednesday (January 26 and 27) of next week. Full text of the amended bill can be read here.

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Housing and Conservation Board Funding

VHCB will be level funded from last year at $6.1 million in state funding –  dramatically less than the $15 million in state money only two years ago. Due to various federal matching requirements, this leaves $4 million in federal funds in limbo. The Governor has also suggested studying a redesign of state affordable housing agencies and called on the Commissioner of Economic Development, Housing and Community Affairs, Tayt Brooks, to convene  interested stakeholders to look into these opportunities. Unlike last year, the Governor did not call for a time out on VHCB conservation investments. Here are the Budget Address and Administration Budget Summary Document sections relating to VHCB.

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Downtown Tax Credit

Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs has been taking testimony and is considering expanding who can purchase the historic downtown tax credits to maximize the benefit to the property owners.

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S.99 Taking Testimony

Senate Natural Resources has been taking additional testimony on this bill dealing with changes to Act 250 criteria that would require new projects to:

• Make links to current and planned walkways, bikepaths and transit routed in order to promote transportation options
• Consider the cumulative impact of projects; and
• Not promote strip development and promote compact developments in rural areas

Testifying in support of the bill were the Mayor of Rutland City, and representatives from the Vermont Planners Association, the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies, the Vermont Natural Resource Council and Smart Growth Vermont. Concerns have been raised by the Vermont REALTORS, the Vermont Homebuilders and the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce. Testimony will continue next week.

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Complete Streets Promoted

AARP Vermont has taken the lead on developing a bill that promotes “Complete Streets” a policy to ensure that our roadways are designed and operated in a way that works for users of all ages and abilities – pedestrians, bicyclist, motorists and transit riders. This is a policy that Smart Growth Vermont endorses as one tool to ensure that Vermonters have alternative methods of transportation. This is particularly important to those that are not able to drive. Hawaii, Connecticut and Maine have already passed similar legislation that asks communities to consider planning and designing upgraded and new roads so that all uses are considered up front before pavement is laid. Representative Masland is championing the bill which should have a bill number later next week. Find more information here.

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2010 Common Agenda Now Available

Each year, many of Vermont’s Environmental organizations come together to develop “The Common Agenda” that highlights the three to four key environmental issues that outline which environmental and conservation issues are the most critical to address in the upcoming legislative session. Find more information on this year’s Agenda here.

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