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Ben Kinsley published Workforce Development Governance (H.707) - Jan 24, 2024 in News 2024-01-28 09:10:18 -0500
Workforce Development Governance (H.707) - Jan 24, 2024
Legislative Counsel presented an overview of a new strikeout to H.707 to the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday. The bill overhauls the governance of the states workforce development system. The primary change in the system is that the Commissioner of Labor will no longer be the leader of workforce development. The newly created Executive Director of Workforce Expansion and Development will now be the leader of workforce education and training in the state.
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Geothermal Networks (S.252) - Jan 17, 2024
The Senate Natural Resources Committee reviewed S.252 on Wednesday, which was sponsored by four of the five Senators on the Committee. The bill would give the Public Utility Commission (PUC) authority to oversee the permitting, construction, and operation of “thermal energy” networks.
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Education Spending Update - Jan 16, 2024
Chairwoman Kornheiser started the conversation by asking the Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) to walk through the policy options available to the Committee to mitigate the impacts of the project property tax increase.
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Taxpayer Advocate Report
Jeff Dooley (Taxpayer Advocate, Department of Taxes) began his time with the House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday with his “micro and macro level” roles on behalf of taxpayers and within the Tax Department. A statutory relief mechanism called “extraordinary relief” that can avail the Commissioner with requests for relief. These often deal with the property tax credit systems and affects lowest income persons.
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State Revenues Update - Jan 18, 2024
The state's Emergency Board meet in the Governor’s Ceremonial office on Thursday to review the updated revenue forecast for FY2024 and updated projections for FY2025. The state economists noted that while inflation is high the state has not experienced a recession and the economy is still growing.
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Housing Authority Priorities - Jan 16, 2024
The House General & Housing Committee met on Tuesday with Kathleen Berk (Executive Director, Vermont State Housing Authority) who had sent a letter to the Committee the week before.
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Housing Designation 2050 - Jan 18-19, 2024
Two different Committees covered a new Housing Designations Report from the Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) this week. The report focuses on creating vibrant places for Vermonters to live and work.
In the House Environment & Energy Committee on Thursday, Chairwoman Sheldon asked about public engagement and Chris Cochran (Director of Community Planning & Revitalization, Department of Housing & Community Development) stressed the input was largely municipalities and staff at planning and regional agencies, the public also was engaged but they were asked to respond to questions like “what is working and what is not?”
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Updates from VHFA - Jan 16, 2024
Maura Collins (Executive Director, Vermont Housing Finance Agency) presented to the Senate Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, noting that this year the Vermont Housing and Finance Agency (VHFA) is celebrating 50 years.
The loans they provide end up going to 94% first time homebuyers. 70% are also offered down payment assistance etc. The median borrower income is $67,950. They also offer rental housing development along with the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board.
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Ben Kinsley published Designation for Use of Public Funds for Tuition (H.820) - Jan 19, 2024 in News 2024-01-21 16:14:03 -0500
Designation for Use of Public Funds for Tuition (H.820) - Jan 19, 2024
The House Education Committee reviewed H.820 on Thursday with Legislative Counsel.
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Rule 2200 Series - Jan 18, 2024
The Senate Education Committee took up the 2200 rule series, which deals with independent school oversight, with Jennifer Samuelson (Chair, Vermont State Board of Education) and Sarah Buxton (Special Counsel, State Board of Education) on Wednesday.
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Act 250 and Housing - Jan 10, 2024
On Wednesday, three different Committees took up housing and land use issues. The Senate focused on a new proposed Act 250 framework that would change the incentive structure and land access for housing. The House Committees covered some of this as well, but also heard from non-profits asking for more investments in permanently affordable rental housing.
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Ben Kinsley published Government Accountability (H.194) - Jan 9, 2024 in News 2024-01-14 12:59:32 -0500
Government Accountability (H.194) - Jan 9, 2024
Representative Stebbins appeared before the Committee on Tuesday to introduce her bill, H.194. She prefaced the conversation by saying that she does a lot of work nationally around the rollout and management of energy programs.
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Ben Kinsley published VOTE: Property Taxes and Flood-Related Damage (S.160) - Jan 12, 2024 in News 2024-01-14 12:57:22 -0500
VOTE: Property Taxes and Flood-Related Damage (S.160) - Jan 12, 2024
The Senate Finance Committee had the Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) review S.160 on Friday afternoon to review a fiscal note on the bill. The bill would reimburse municipalities for education property tax payments to property owners who had their properties damaged during this past year’s flooding events.
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Ben Kinsley published Government Accountability Report - January 2024 in News 2024-01-14 12:54:59 -0500
Government Accountability Report - January 2024
Chairman Marcotte introduced Representative Brumsted as Co-Chair of the Government Accountability Committee along with Senator Brock. Brumsted shared with the House Commerce Committee that she has served in the Legislature nearly eight years and she was partly responsible for “sunsetting the previous committee” as the statutory authority was not sufficient.
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Housing Bill (H.719) - Jan 11, 2024
Chairwoman Ram-Hinsdale introduced Representative Hango to the Senate Economic Development Committee on Thursday. Hango gave a simple and emotional endorsement of H.719 and mentioned some experiences surround the lack of housing in her and other legislator’s districts. Read more…
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Ben Kinsley published Property Tax Surcharge (H.679) - Jan 12, 2024 in News 2024-01-14 12:37:42 -0500
Property Tax Surcharge (H.679) - Jan 12, 2024
The House Ways & Means Committee reviewed H.679 on Friday morning with Representative Stevens, the sponsor. He recognized that changing the use of the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is a political decision, but he feels the state needs to start addressing the housing crisis with these funds. He is proposing to create a surcharge for properties over $600k of 2.0% (an increase from 1.5%).
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Ben Kinsley published Joint Hearing on Education Spending - Jan 9, 2024 in News 2024-01-14 12:33:50 -0500
Joint Hearing on Education Spending - Jan 9, 2024
Joined by the House Education Committee on Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee dove into their weekly briefing on education spending and property taxes. Chairwoman Kornheiser thought that the Committee might get to solutions in the next week or two.
The Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) reviewed an updated Education Fund Outlook that had updated the 2024 numbers to reflect the Governor’s recommended budget adjustment.
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Ben Kinsley published Statewide Educational Supports (H.677) - Jan 11, 2024 in News 2024-01-14 12:31:36 -0500
Statewide Educational Supports (H.677) - Jan 11, 2024
On Thursday the House Education Committee had Legislative Counsel walk through a summary of H.677, which is intendent to provide funding for statewide student support system. The bill, as introduced, would make two separate appropriations totaling $800,000 from the Education Fund.
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Ben Kinsley published 2024 Senate Natural Resources Committee Priorities in News 2024-01-06 20:30:18 -0500
2024 Senate Natural Resources Committee Priorities
The Senate Natural Resources Committee convened their first meeting of the session on Thursday. Chairman Bray went around the room asking each member of the Committee what their top priorities were.
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Jan 5 Department of Housing Update
Chairman Stevens invited Alex Farrell (Commissioner, Department of Housing & Community Development) and Shaun Gilpin (Housing Division Director, Department of Housing & Community Development) to provide overviews and updates to the House General & Housing Committee on Friday.
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Ben Kinsley
Ben has over a decade of experience in public policy, government relations, and advocacy here in Vermont. He served two tours of duty as a staffer for CFV and then as executive director. After working for several public officials, lobbying firms, and non-profits, Ben started his own public policy research and development consulting firm in 2017. Since then, Imperium Advisors has developed from in-depth policy research outfit to offering a whole suite of products and services around public policy and advocacy from ideation to implementation.
He has worked with dozens of clients across New England and is passionate about taking on intractable challenges with creative solutions – things that impact Vermont like education, health care, energy, public/private investment, and workforce development. Since leaving as Executive Director in 2017, Ben has remained on the CFV Board of Directors and continues to assist with executing on policy initiatives. He also enjoys helping his neighbors and volunteering for community groups.
Enjoying the outdoors is one of Ben’s favorite pastimes; hiking, skiing, and mountain biking are all regular activities. As a native Vermonter, he loves the state and is committed to seeing Vermont’s communities grow and prosper.
Ben lives with his wife Kayla and their dog Pippa in Burlington, VT.