Legislative Update: Week 2

This week at the State House, my committee continued to take a step back and look honestly at where our housing policies stand and what needs to change. Again and again, we heard the same message: housing in Vermont takes too long to build, costs too much, and is slowed down by a permitting, zoning, and appeals process that is overly complex, duplicative and  unpredictable. These barriers don’t just delay projects; they add cost at every step and ultimately limit the number of homes that get built. 

While Vermont has made historic investments in housing, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we cannot continue to spend hundreds of millions of dollars without modernizing the regulatory framework that governs how housing actually gets built. Without meaningful permitting, zoning, and appeals reform, those public investments simply won’t deliver housing at the scale or speed Vermonters need. With these realities now clearly on the record, I’m hopeful our committee can work collaboratively to put forward a cohesive housing reform bill that removes unnecessary barriers and helps move housing projects forward.

In addition to committee work, several important bills moved on the House floor this week. One bill that passed addresses captive insurance (did you know that Vermont leads the world in captive insurances?), and another that I was especially pleased to support, S.60. 

S.60 passed the Senate last year, and allows for the creation of a farm security special fund, to provide farms with grants for farm losses due to weather conditions. In recent years, farmers have faced devastating losses from flooding, flash freezes, and other extreme weather events. This recovery fund will provide financial protection when those unexpected disasters occur, helping ensure that our agricultural community can recover and continue their essential work feeding Vermonters.

I’m also excited to share that on Friday we held the first meeting of the Caucus for Vermont’s Economy, and the turnout was strong. Members from across the legislature came together with a shared commitment to focusing on practical, solution-driven policies that strengthen Vermont’s economy. Even more encouraging, other caucuses have already expressed interest in working alongside us—particularly the Rural Caucus. When we step outside of silos and avoid working in echo chambers, we create space for more thoughtful conversations and more durable solutions that reflect the realities of communities across the state.

Looking ahead, we will hear Governor Scott’s Budget Address tomorrow (Tuesday, January 20th.) 

As Vermonters continue to feel real financial pressure—especially with significant increases in property taxes—it’s clear this will be a difficult budget year. The hard conversations are already underway, and more tough decisions are ahead. Rather than defaulting to finding new revenue, we need to take a serious look at legislative spending and ensure the programs we fund are working as intended and delivering real value for Vermonters.