Vermont lawmakers work on real housing solutions
A recent My Turn (July 2) by Gov. Jim Douglas’ commerce secretary, Kevin Dorn, attempts to lay blame for housing problems in Vermont on our citizen Legislature — many of whom are farmers, small-business owners, office workers, construction employees, independent consultants and retirees.
Dorn’s partisan rhetoric is counterproductive and does nothing to address the problem of affordable housing in Vermont. The governor and his Cabinet should adopt a more responsible tone for the dialogue on solutions.
Working Vermonters are struggling to meet rising costs of housing, food, energy, transportation and health care. Affordable housing must be defined as housing that working families in Vermont can afford.
Confronting and addressing housing issues has been a priority for me, as I believe every Vermonter should be able to enjoy a decent home in a safe, prosperous community.
As a four-term Chittenden County senator, and having served 18 years as a South Burlington City Council member, I have worked hard to make affordable housing a priority. Our City Council “led by example” with over 400 units of affordable housing created since 1999. As a state senator and past member of the joint-legislative committee on housing, I have strongly advocated for increased funding for affordable housing, advocated policies to increase housing, and introduced legislation to improve Vermont’s rental housing.