From the Statehouse
Legislative session ends on a high note
By Rep. Peter Hunt
The 2008 Appropriations Bill was something that no legislator looked forward to at the beginning of the session. With the economy slowly sliding into a recession and revenues either flat or below projections, it looked like it would be a very difficult session to prepare a budget that pleased anyone. Then in April, we received another shock, at an unusual Emergency Board meeting, that earlier projections were being downgraded and we were now in a recession.
Ultimately, the difficult budget times forced the administration and the Vermont Legislature to work together to produce, what I would consider to be, a very thoughtful and appropriate bill.
In the Human Services portion of the budget, we were able to fund an increase of $348,000 for our Area Agencies on Aging to help with case management, meals on wheels, and senior transportation. As more and more seniors reach the age where they may need assistance, this was a very important initiative.
We were also able to increase funding to our June Graduate Program. This program, in the Department of Aging and Disabilities, transitions those high school seniors with disabilities into the workforce through job supports, case management, and transportation. An interesting fact that we hear about this program, while we were taking testimony, was that this program saves the state over $1 million each year by reducing the number of claims on other programs. These individuals aren’t just sitting home, but they are becoming contributing members of society.
In higher education we were able to give a modest increase to UVM, the Vermont State Colleges and VSAC. This area of the budget was important to many young Vermonters and their parents because of the widespread reductions that were taking place in other states and the fear that we could see reductions to grants and loans to college students already in college.
While a small effort compared to the sacrifices made, I was particularly pleased with the agreement to allow Gold Star and veteran’s organization motor vehicle plates. As we go about our daily lives these will be a constant reminder of the many sacrifices made for us by our brave men and women.
Affordable housing continued to be a major topic of concern this session. The administration proposed a bill and the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs proposed its own. Ultimately, we agreed that aspects of our Act 250 land use regulations could be lifted if several criteria were met. One of these criteria would be that 20% of the homes being built would be in the moderately priced range of $250,000. While a start, we’ve got a long way to go in order to assure that future generations of Vermonters will be able to acquire affordable homes.
Health concerns were in several areas. Our Catamount Health Insurance Plan was reviewed. The House Health Committee struggled with improvements to the plan while trying to maintain reasonable premiums.
Lead became a part of a major floor debate to increase funding to lead abatement programs and the phasing out of the use of lead in several consumer products. The state will also track lead screening in children to see that certain levels aren’t exceeded. Rules will also be promulgated for lead screening of all children by 2011.
In regards to public safety, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant faced close scrutiny in several areas this session. After the water main break in the plant last summer, legislators looked closely at the plant. We were particularly concerned that enough money be placed in the decommissioning funds of the plant to assure that this financial burden not fall on Vermonters. The state is also directed to conduct an audit of the plant and to review the results as they look at the results as they review other material in an effort to determine if the plant should be allowed to operate after 2012.
In other areas of the budget, we enhanced efforts to provide economic opportunities and recovery, we increased support for improved safety in our communities, we shored up our support to hospital in order to help them with the cost shifts they face, we provided supports to doctors in their efforts to build an IT system of patient health records that are accurate and readily accessible, and we included $55.9 million in transportation funds to go to town programs.
While only a brief view of what happened in a roughly $5 billion budget, hopefully it does give you some idea of the depth and breadth of our efforts.
In closing, I would just like to say that it was a unique experience for me to serve on the House and Senate Conference Committee that was formed to resolve the differences in the budget before we sent it to the administration. What struck me most was the ability of the conferees to put aside personal preferences for those issues so important to all Vermonters.
Once again, I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and I remind you that I can be reached at 878-8406 or at pdhunt@leg.state.vt.us.
Rep. Peter D. Hunt represents Essex Junction in the Vermont House.
Peter
Hunt
