Past Policy Updates

Happy New Year! The legislature convened this week. This involved various speeches and swearing-in's. The House is expected to announce committee assignments next Tuesday and the Senate this afternoon. The Speaker of the House, the Senate President Pro Tem, and the Governor spoke about many similar things: climate change, expansion of broadband and wireless service, containing costs of education/property tax. There was less talk about health care (cost containment and system changes) than we might have expected, so this is one area that VBSR will need to put a push on if we want to see further progress in this area. You all probably read the news stories so I won't repeat all here but here are some items that may be of interest:

• The Governor continues to be focused on reducing costs of education and capping property taxes as a way to reduce the property tax burden.
• The Governor rolled out his "The Vermont Way Forward" initiative that moves forward telecommunication advancements with education, the environment and economic development. The plan involves "a four part strategy of environmental leadership, job creation, technological advancement and innovative education". Sounds good but of course the devil is in the details. The four parts of the plan include:
  
  1. Four proposals to provide incentives to expand the use of "environmentally preferable fuels". This includes a) a percentage point reduction of the tax on fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles, b) a tax rate reduction on bio-diesel for individuals and businesses that use it for transportation purposes, c) a tax incentive for bio-fuels for home heating oil, and d) an increase in the use of alternative fuels in state government—both in our vehicles and our buildings. This is all good but we will be looking for more aggressive action regarding energy efficiency and conservation, development of renewable energy, increased public transit options, and other efforts to reduce production of greenhouse gases.
  2. Job creation program focused on the field of environmental engineering. Through Executive Order, an Environmental Advisory Council will be formed (comprised of Vermonters with "expertise in engineering, math, science and technology" ) to assist in this program. NOTE: If this Council is formed we should get VBSR members appointed. It is not too early to get me names of potential candidates!!!
  3. By 2010, Vermont to be the nation's first "e-state" - the first state to provide universal cellular and broadband coverage everywhere within its borders. The Governor proposes a "Vermont Telecommunications Authority" that will partner with private enterprise, backed by $40 million of bonding, which will leverage more than $200 million in private investment. He also is proposing revisions to the environmental permitting process to facilitate the development of the infrastructure. Again, this also requires a close watch of the details...also again, we should get VBSR members appointed to that Authority if it is formed.
  4. Educational initiative to create regional "Robert T. Stafford Schools for Math, Science and Technology". Let's not be surprised if this does go over big with the legislators...or our members?

By the way my favorite news quote of the week (in response to the Governor's address) was in the AP story which quotes Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin as saying:

"I was encouraged that our agenda and his agenda have become so similar," Shumlin said. "Frankly, it sounded like he's adopted our religion. Let's hope he comes to services."

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