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.

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.

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.

As a follow up to the joint meeting of House and Senate Judiciary Committees on January 10^th,  Jennifer Morrison and Barbara Neal co-chairs for the Public Safety Communications Task Force issued a Status Report on January 12^th. 

The House Commerce Committee heard from a consulting group on Tuesday regarding the governance of the state's workforce development programs.

The goals of this report included:

1. Outline Vermont’s exiting workforce system and detailing the roles and reporting structure of each entity involved.
2. Report on the existing level of formal and informal coordination and integration across workforce programs.
3. Identify potential barriers to effective governance, administration, and integration.
4. Identify how and when participant and program level information is shared between system partners.

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.

The House Commerce Committee took up the workforce investment system & registered apprenticeship program annual report on Tuesday. Because the full report is 70 pages, Chairman Marcotte asked that a summary of the report be provided to the Committee.

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.

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.