The Legislature isn't even in town (it being Monday) and the governor isn't even in the state (he being off in D.C. being elected chairman of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors), but the two entities are still managing to squabble via news releases.

Today's topic: The housing bill that is days, an maybe even more than a few days, from from a floor vote in the House. It is one of many bills torrenting toward the chute as legislators try to meet the March 14 "cross-over" deadline for bills to cross to the other chamber.

Don't be surprised if this is the bill that sits there surrounded by red lights and ambulances at the end of the session.

Is it one of those issues upon which people of differing political philosophies just cannot agree, or is there a solution that can take all points of view into consideration? You tell me.

First, from the governor, (sent via e-mail with one of those red exclamation points that marks it as high importance):

Governor Jim Douglas today said he is increasingly concerned that
Vermonters will not see meaningful housing legislation this year because the
House Democrat majority is “on the wrong track.”

“The House Democrat (did he really leave the -ic off? I guess so)
leadership is off on the wrong track. In this case, they are poised to
pass a bill that severely restricts where new homes can be built, adds costly
and time consuming regulations, restricts the amount of equity that homeowners
can get when they sell their home, and adds a cumbersome, expensive state
inspection program to duplicate work already being done by capable local
officials,” the Governor said. “Unfortunately, this majority does not
appreciate the fact that home construction can create hundreds of new jobs and
stimulate economic growth.”

Governor Douglas said Vermonters know
that now is a good time to put homeownership within reach of more working
families. “The majority controlling our House of Representatives
apparently does not agree,” Douglas continued.

To put
homeownership within reach of more working families—and to provide a significant
boost to our economy—Governor Douglas proposed the New Neighborhoods
initiative. The New Neighborhoods initiative streamlines the regulatory
systems, creates incentives for communities to approve new construction and
complements the existing low income housing network. Revised provisions of
this initiative address concerns heard last year from the Legislature—a clear
indication of Douglas’ interest in progress on this economic development issue.


“I’ve also offered an Urban Homestead proposal,”
Douglas said. “All throughout Vermont’s downtowns there are buildings with
thriving commercial space on the first floor but underutilized space on the
upper floors.” By providing tax incentives, Douglas wants to encourage
first-time homeowners to invest in these spaces—helping to significantly
increase the availability of affordable homes and economic growth in our
downtowns and village centers.

....

Then a few hours later, from the speaker's office:

I am disappointed that the Governor continues to mischaracterize the debate
over how best to improve access to affordable housing. H.863, An Act
Relating to Creation and Preservation of Affordable Housing and Smart Growth
Development, demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to affordable and safe
housing for all Vermonters.

H.863 allows for the creation of thousands of units of affordable housing
for working Vermonters and protects Vermonters who currently reside in unsafe or
unhealthy conditions. The bill takes these initiatives in ways that are
consistent with Vermonters’ community values.

In contrast, the Governor’s New Neighborhood initiative focuses on fairly
high value homes, radically weakens Act 250 without regard to smart growth, and
diverts taxes intended for schools to incentives for housing development – a
proposal that would inevitable lead to higher property taxes.

To toss aside Act 250 in as wholesale a manner as the Governor proposes
would be detrimental to Vermont’s economy and landscape and would seriously
compromise a law that has served Vermont well for three decades.

Adding fiscal insult to policy injury, Douglas’ budget diverts $6million
from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, a shortfall that would result
in 150 fewer affordable homes. As Sarah Carpenter, Director of the Vermont
Housing Finance Agency has said, “There is no single cause of the housing
affordability problem, and so there is no single solution. We need all the
tools available to make sure every Vermonter … has a safe, decent and affordable
place to call home.”
The legislature recognizes this in H.863’s multi-faceted approach to
housing creation and preservation.

H.863 would ease permit restrictions in qualifying Vermont Neighborhoods,
while retaining a focus on housing growth in village centers, downtowns and
growth centers. In order to qualify, 20% of the proposed development must
include at least moderately affordable homes.

...


I urge Governor Douglas to join with the legislature to work in a
constructive way towards safe and affordable Vermont Neighborhood housing.

Is there a solution?

- Terri Hallenbeck