REDC, Chamber talk health care, energy
Toolbox
By STEPHANIE M. PETERS Herald Staff - Published: December 3, 2008
In the annual presentation of their joint public policy statement, the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce and the Rutland Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday asked state legislators to focus their efforts on four concerns in the next legislative session.
While the entire statement — a 14-page document — addresses 11 topics, representatives of the organizations spoke briefly at a gathering at South Station Restaurant on the issues of health care, energy, permitting and transportation, and the courses of action they feel would best aid the business and development communities.
According to Tom Donahue, executive vice president of the Chamber, the gathering has become a valuable tool in making his organization's stances known to those who have the ability to make changes in Montpelier.
"It works very well," he said. "I think not leaving these issues to chance is important … and while it's geared toward Montpelier, this policy document can be used in talking to Washington or City Hall, too."
It has become one of several events that the Chamber and REDC utilize to stay in touch with area legislators throughout the session. Larry Jensen, chairman of the joint committee that composed the document, described the events as "very valuable" for the face-to-face interaction and get-to-know-you opportunities they provide.
After introductions from Donahue and Jamie Stewart, executive director of REDC, Jensen spoke to the group's health-care concerns. Among the directives outlined in the document, the organizations would like to see state and federal government begin to pay to health-care companies the entire cost of services they purchase, such as Medicaid and Medicare. Jensen also mentioned more health-care insurance options and incentives for Vermonters who lead healthy lifestyles.
In terms of energy, the organizations write in their statement that they believe "Vermont is at a unique point in its energy future" with the imminent expiration of contracts with Vermont Yankee in 2012 and Hydro-Quebec in 2016. Brian Keefe, of Central Vermont Public Service, outlined the Chamber's and REDC's hopes that Rutland County's legislators will oppose regulatory measures that would increase fees charged for energy efficiency and expand net metering. While the groups support incentives for "cost-effective clean, renewable energy," they also hope to see those legacy contracts extended, he said.
Keefe was followed by Blair Enman of Enman Engineering, who talked at length about what is a complicated, prohibitive and multi-step regulatory process for obtaining land permits.
"No one's talking about doing away with the regulatory process, but we need to make it easier," he said.
Enman focused in particular on the Act 250 process, which he said the organizations believe "shouldn't question something that the Agency of Natural Resources has already approved. It's an economic burden."
In its policy statement, the chamber and REDC believe that when it comes to funding transportation projects, the Legislature needs to turn to creative means rather than continue the practice of deferred maintenance that has been the standard in Vermont in the past 20 years.
"It may be the biggest fairy tale out there … but it appears that a large amount of money will be spent all over the country on infrastructure," Richard Baker, chairman of the Rutland Region Transportation Council, said of President-elect Barack Obama's proposal. "If there is a windfall, let's spend it wisely and let's challenge every project."
To make his point, Baker pointed to the Ripley Road Bridge and the construction of Route 7, two projects in dire necessity of completion that over the years have been derailed by funding concerns.
Other issues the Chamber and REDC touch on in their statement include tax and fiscal policy, education and education funding, workforce development, telecommunications, tourism marketing, employment practices and workers' compensation and housing.
Contact Stephanie M. Peters at stephanie.peters@rutlandherald.com.
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