Development

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 02/15/2024

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

On Thursday, the committee reviewed all the sections of H.657 and discussed whether they would like to keep each section in or out for a next revision from Leg Counsel. After some spirited discussion, the Committee agreed to keep the PEG sections of the bill in for now.

Draft 1.3 H.657:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Ways%20and%20Means/Bills/H.657/W~Maria%20Royle~H.657%20Ways%20and%20Means%20Amendment,%20Draft%201.3~2-14-2024.pdf

Ohavi Zedek Lunch & Learn: A Look at Burlington’s Key Housing-Related Initiatives 02/15/2024

From Ohavi Zedek Synagogue:

Since 2021, the City of Burlington has been working to implement a 10-point housing action plan. The plan includes major housing-related initiatives for institutions (such as UVM); for the South End; and for City-wide implementation. City of Burlington Planning Director Meagan Tuttle and other Planning Department staff update us on these housing initiatives, and are available for comments and answer questions about housing-related issues that Burlington is facing.

For more information: https://ohavizedek.org/

Burlington Mayor's Press Conference: Update on Cambrian Rise Housing Development 02/15/2024

From the Mayor's Office:

Mayor Miro Weinberger and Cambrian Rise developer Eric Farrell, Owner and Developer at Farrell Properties, provide an update on the project and sign an updated development agreement.

Main Street Great Streets Project Meeting 02/15/2024

From the City of Burlington:

The Great Streets Initiative is a culmination of many years of planning and project development, including the public vote in March of 2015 to use the City’s downtown TIF district to make new investments in the downtown’s public infrastructure, to ensure that Burlington residents have a downtown that is a vibrant, walkable, and sustainable urban center.

Through this initiative, we advance several key projects envisioned by plans such as Imagine City Hall Park, planBTV Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan, and the Transportation Plan.

For more information visit: https://greatstreetsbtv.com/

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Finance - Discussion of S. 181 Community Media Public Benefit Bill 02/14/2024

Testimony of the Community Media Public Benefit Bill S.181 at the Senate Committee on Finance.

On Wednesday, the committee discussed the possibility of a streaming tax rather than a pole attachment tax, per the request of Senator Chittenden. They had legislative counsel in (Kirby Keeten). Senator Chittenden talked about the possibility of a 1% excise tax on streaming, but he didn’t know how much money that would raise. He expressed concern about more taxes for businesses, rather than on the consumers (confusing because the proposal is an excise tax). Senator Cummings talked about the franchise fees and their decline, and then this could be the alternative, but they don’t know how to do it.

S.181 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0181/S-0181%20As%20Introduced.pdf

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 02/14/2024

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

On Wednesday, the committee went over a new draft of H.657. Maria Royle walked through the draft, and the changes were all in the non-PEG part of the bill (we did not take detailed notes on this part of the bill). Chair Kornheiser indicated that this committee needs to vote on this bill by the end of this week/early next week at the latest if the bill is going to move.

Draft 1.3 H.657:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Ways%20and%20Means/Bills/H.657/W~Maria%20Royle~H.657%20Ways%20and%20Means%20Amendment,%20Draft%201.3~2-14-2024.pdf

Governor Phil Scott: Press Conference - Public Safety 02/14/2024

From the Office of Governor Scott:

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

North Winooski Bike Lane Update 02/13/2024

Join Gwen and Fiona on a journey through the city streets as they investigate the implementation of a newly constructed bike lane and uncover its effects six months later! They delve into the outcomes of this infrastructure project, examining how it has reshaped the urban landscape and influenced the way people move around our community.

From on-the-ground interviews with local residents and business owners to insightful commentary from bike lane users, the duo provides an in-depth analysis of the bike lane's impact on traffic flow, safety, accessibility, and overall quality of life.

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Government Operations - Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law 02/13/2024

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

On Tuesday, he committee discussed a new draft.

S.55, Draft 3.1:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/Senate%20Government%20Operations/Bills/S.55/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20and%20Legal%20Documents/S.55~Tucker%20Anderson~Draft%203.1,%20Strike%20All%20Amendment~2-13-2024.pdf

Williston Development Review Board 02/13/2024

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}.

Featured Story

CCTV Receives NEH Grant to Support Community Archives

CCTV Center for Media & Democracy is pleased to announce receipt of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant alongside 32 peer archival institutions across the country. This $49,927 grant award will support efforts to preserve and expand access to audio/visual community history materials in the CCTV Archives. Read more about this opportunity here!