Development

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Government Operations - Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law 03/28/2024

Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law at the House Committee on Government Operations.

On Thursday, the House Government Operations and Military Affairs committee took testimony from Senator Hardy who gave an introduction to the bill. Representative Hango was concerned about small towns and the negative affect this bill could have on them - the committee will have a formal walkthrough of the bill sometime next week from legislative counsel.

S.55: As Passed by the Senate:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Unofficial.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Floor - Discussion of H.657 Modernize Vermont’s Communications Taxes and Fees 03/28/2024

Discussion of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees on the House Floor.

Late on Thursday, H.657 was on the House Floor for presentation and debate, which lasted about an hour. Rep. Sims presented the bill, and 3rd reading was ordered for Friday on a voice vote. The main opposition to the bill came from Rep. Art Peterson, who asked a number of questions about different provisions in it. One topic in particular he wanted to know about was about pole attachments - where in the bill they were mentioned, how inventoried or assessed or taxed, etc. Rep. Sims clarified he might be referring to a previous iteration of the bill, in which there was a pole attachment fee intended to support the Vermont Access Network. She noted that the fee is now per linear foot, and there is nothing about pole attachments in the bill. On Friday, action on the bill was postponed until next week.

H.657 Amendment:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Ways%20and%20Means/Bills/H.657/H.657~Gabrielle%20Stebbins~Stebbins%20Amendment~3-26-2024.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Floor - Discussion of VAN FY25 Request 03/28/2024

Discussion of VAN FY25 Request onthe House Floor.

The FY25 Budget passed the House Thursday and it includes a one-time appropriation for VAN through the Secretary of State’s office of $1 million.

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Floor - Discussion of S. 181 Community Media Public Benefit Bill 03/28/2024

Discussion of the Community Media Public Benefit Bill S.181 on the Senate Floor.

On Thursday, Sen. Chittenden presented S.181 on the Senate Floor for 2nd reading, the next-to-last step in passing the bill. Senate Finance and Senate Appropriations both urged the Senate to pass the bill. Senators asked questions about how much money would go to VAN; why it was going through the Secretary of State’s Office, since currently no General Fund dollars go there; how many people in Vermont are accessing public television; and what the shortfall is in AMO revenue. Senate President Pro Temp Baruth spoke about his deep appreciation for community access television and asked for the body’s support, and Sen. Kitchel spoke about the rationale for VAN’s funding flowing through the Secretary of State’s office as part of a broader effort around civic education and electoral participation. The Senate then ordered a 3rd reading of the bill on a unanimous voice vote.

S.181 Senate Finance version of the bill:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/Senate%20Appropriations/Bills/S.181/S.181~Kirby%20Keeton~As%20Recommended%20By%20the%20Senate%20Committee%20on%20Finance~3-20-2024.pdf

Governor Phil Scott: Press Conference - Affordability and the Challenges Facing Everyday Vermonters 03/27/2024

From the Office of Governor Scott:

Governor Phil Scott and Administration officials hold their weekly press conference.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger: Final Mornings with Miro Conversations 03/27/2024

From the Mayor's Office:

Join Mayor Weinberger at The Bagel Cafe and Deli at 1127 North Avenue.

For more information visit: www.burlingtonvt.gov/Mayor

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Ways and Means - Discussion of H.657 Modernize Vermont’s Communications Taxes and Fees 03/26/2024

Discussion of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the House Committee on Ways and Means.

On Tuesday, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins presented an amendment from the House Energy & Environment Committee to H.657, the telecommunications modernization bill that originated in House Ways & Means. The amendment would make changes to the Right of Way fees that are assessed to communication service providers (CSPs) who make use of poles and pole attachments in the State Right of Way. Utility companies and VELCO would be exempt. CSPs would be required to submit an inventory of poles, pole attachments, and linear footage of lines they use, annually, and pay fees associated for the same that would go into the Transportation Fund. HWM voted favorably on the amendment 10-0-2.

H.657 Amendment:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Ways%20and%20Means/Bills/H.657/H.657~Gabrielle%20Stebbins~Stebbins%20Amendment~3-26-2024.pdf

Williston Development Review Board 03/26/2024

For more information on the Williston Development Review Board and their current procedures and meeting dates, please reference the meeting agendas at town.williston.vt.us/index.asp?Type=B_DIR&SEC={115D5C91-98A1-4712-8C54-031C4200C06D}.

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Appropriations - Discussion of H.657 Modernize Vermont’s Communications Taxes and Fees 03/22/2024

Walkthrough of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the House Committee on Appropriations.

On Friday, the House Appropriations committee voted H.657 out of committee with an amendment that fully funds the $150k ask - both the amendment and the bill were voted favorably 12-0-0. Links to the amendment and the vote are below.

H.657: HAC Amendment:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Appropriations/Bills/H.657/H.657~Maria%20Royle~HAC%20Amendment~3-22-2024.pdf

Governor Phil Scott: Press Conference - Introduce Vermont’s Next Secretary of Education 03/22/2024

From the Office of Governor Scott:

Governor Phil Scott introduces his appointment for secretary of the Agency of Education.

Featured Story

Applications Now Open for the Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship Program

Town Meeting TV is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship program. Join up to 8 other youth to engage in interesting media making projects! This paid media internship opportunity is designed for youth aged 16-20 who are eager to gain professional experience in the audio-visual field and develop a deeper understanding of their local community. The group will meet under the leadership of Town Meeting TV's Travis Washington from the end of January 2025 to the beginning of June 2025, on a schedule agreed upon by the whole cohort. Click here to apply!