MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Governor Phil Scott is again threatening to veto Act 250 reform efforts at the Statehouse that he says are falling short.
Lawmakers are working on the BeHOME Act, which would ease land use regulations by prioritizing housing in designated areas and has the support of the governor. But Scott says Democrats are working on two separate bills — S. 213 and H.687 — which are moving in the opposite direction and would expand Act 250 jurisdiction to most of the state.
Scott says more regulation will stifle the development of more housing. He’s now threatening to veto those bills in the same way he vetoed another Act 250 reform effort last year. “I won’t accept a housing bill that fails to meet the moment. Taking one step forward and one step back won’t cut it. Taking two steps forward and one step back won’t cut it. We need to jumpstart housing in all communities. Period,” Scott said.
House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, and Rep. Amy Sheldon, the sponsor of that House bill, plan to address the media on Thursday.
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