Development

From the Office of Governor Scott:

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

From the Mayor's Office:

Mayor Weinberger and other local officials along with Burlington leaders, organizations, and neighbors discuss the urgent need to pass Neighborhood Code and realize the opportunity of new neighborhood-scale housing across the City. He is joined by Meagan Tuttle, Planning Director, City of Burlington; Andy Montroll, Planning Commission Chair, City of Burlington; David Mullin, Habitat for Humanity; Tino Rutanhira, Vermont Professionals of Color; Kelly Stoddard Poor, AARP; and many others. 

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

On Wednesday, the House Environment and Energy committee did an overview of Representative Stebbins amendment to H.657. The amendment changes some of the language around the state’s collection of the right away fee - including requiring an annual assessment and collection of the fee.H.657: Right of Way Proposed Amendment:

H.657: Right of Way Proposed Amendment:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Environment/Bills/H.657/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20Legal%20Documents/H.657~Gabrielle%20Stebbins~Right%20of%20Way%20Proposed%20Amendment~3-20-2024.pdf

Discussion of the Community Media Public Benefit Bill S.181 at the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

S.181 passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee today with a 5-2 vote (Sears and Westman voted no). And they did talk about creating a line item in the Secretary of State’s budget, which is one of our goals – Senator Kitchel committed to doing that on the record. There will a base appropriation for VAN in the Senate version of the budget. The amount is still to be determined, and we likely won’t know the amount until late in the legislative session, but they understand clearly that we are aiming for a $3m/year appropriation. Senator Kitchel confirmed that there would be a line item in the Secretary of State’s office for VAN, but the appropriation will run separately in the budget bill. Senator Kitchel said she was not sure of the amount at this time because they have to consider it in the overall context of the budget, but she understands what the request is.

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