Development

Testimony of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the Senate Committee on Finance.

On Thursday, the Cmte heard from the Controller of the Franklin Telephone and Independent Telephone Companies, one of two small telecommunications providers exempted from certain fees in the bill. They also heard a proposed 18-page amendment to H.657 offered by Sens. Wrenner and MacDonald, that would postpone the right-of-way fees in the bill until such time as an inventory of poles and wires in the state can be completed. And, that the inventory should be completed using specific GIS technologies. Steven Whitaker provided input on this amendment, and also testified along with Sen. Wrenner.

H.657: As Passed by the House:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/Senate%20Finance/Bills/H.657/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20Other%20Legal%20Documents/H.657~Maria%20Royle~As%20Passed%20by%20the%20House~4-10-2024.pdf

From Ohavi Zedek Synagogue:

Henrietta Szold was one of the most important Jewish leaders of the 20th century. Her long life, from 1860 to 1945, spanned some of the most turbulent years in modern history. The events of that time shaped the lives of millions of people and are woven into the fabric of Szold’s life story.

Long-time OZ member Linda Kopper, who serves as President of Hadassah Vermont, will explore the “two lives” of Henrietta Szold, and discuss how her legacy lives on today.

For more information: www.ohavizedek.org

From the Mayor's Office:

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak welcomes HUD Regional Administrator Juana Matias to Burlington. Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak and RA Matias are joined by partners in the affordable housing community for a press conference to highlight the ongoing need for local, state, and federal investment in affordable housing. RA Matias is the first federal official to visit Burlington since Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak was sworn in on April 1. They are joined by Michael Monte, CEO, Champlain Housing Trust and Kim Fitzgerald, CEO, Cathedral Square.

Testimony of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the Senate Committee on Finance.

On Tuesday, Senate Finance heard testimony from Vermont State Auditor Doug Hoffer on various aspects of H.657. At one point, Hoffer questions why CUDs and Comcast were excluded from the right-of-way charge. Sen. Chittenden asked if it wasn’t because of the cable franchise fee that goes to VAN, Hoffer responded that this shouldn’t be cause for excluding Comcast as the right-of-way fee would be in addition. Later in the same session, Rep. Sims - the sponsor of the bill - noted that CUDs were excluded because they are grant eligible, and Comcast because federal law precludes charging them anything in excess of the cable franchise fee.

H.657: As Passed by the House:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/Senate%20Finance/Bills/H.657/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20Other%20Legal%20Documents/H.657~Maria%20Royle~As%20Passed%20by%20the%20House~4-10-2024.pdf