January 5, 2023

Rural Caucus, January 5th 2023

Rep. Sibilia called the meeting to order at 8:02am

Administrative

-The co-chairs spoke to the idea of changing the name from Redwing to “Rural Caucus;” no objections raised.

-The caucus has a new website, vtruralcaucus.com. The website will contain: 

-Press releases

-Bills or other background documents of use to the caucus

-Meeting minutes & agendas

-Membership discussion

-The Rural Caucus is developing a letterhead that lists members’ names – please let Monique or the co-chairs know if you want your name on the letterhead

-Letters of support will be circulated ahead of time so people can choose to sign on

-VCRD will provide backbone staffing for the Caucus, because the Caucus is tri-partisan and represents Vermonts rural communities. VCRD works in communities across the state as a neutral, non-partisan facilitator 

-Contact Monique Priestley (clerk) or leadership to get on membership list

Policy pieces in upcoming session

-Higher level of awareness around rural issues, infrastructure, food systems, rural capacity than has been true historically

-Rural omnibus bill as a chance to speak to high level priorities

-Pieces of omnibus will also be introduced separately so they have a higher chance of passing

-Members are encouraged to submit items- doesn’t have to be a bill, just has to be a concept for now. Must submit by Jan. 12.

-Caucus will aggregate into one large written doc that lists members’ submissions, members will get to pitch in more detail to the Caucus during a meeting

-Caucus will work together to vote on ideas, decide what to prioritize

-Submit ideas to Google doc by Thursday the 12th 

-If you submit bills separately outside of omnibus bill, make sure to note to leg. Counsel that this will also be part of omnibus

-In the past, members have brought individual bills to the caucus for discussion. This is encouraged! You can gather co-sponsors, get signatures, etc. You can use the list serv for this (please use BCC feature)

-Tourism caucus is being folded into rural caucus

-Arts/creative economy and tourism

-Tourism Day at statehouse this session

-Members introduce themselves and committee assignments

-Co-chairs are working with VCRD and other groups like VLCT around issues of rural capacity (VCRD is providing support to make the meetings happen and facilitating them). One result of the discussion is that Caucus leadership is working with the Administration on a bill regarding rural administrative capacity

-Have small rural communities been able to take advantage of federal aid programs, infrastructure programs? Not enough. Lack of human capacity at municipal level makes it hard to access these funds. 

-Engaging with both towns AND regional planning/development corps to address this

Communities that need funding the most don’t have the means to do feasibility studies, grant apps, etc.

-Addressing challenges at this moment, but also looking towards structural/long-term solutions

-VLCT has been developing a system to help local governments access ARPA dollars, inflation reduction act funding, etc. (Accessible here) Two dedicated people on staff have put together a guide for towns that highlight accessible programs, offer some assistance, etc. More info on VLCT website

-Trying to have something ready to share with caucus next week

-What is the role of matching grants in this? Struggling with the match often slows rural projects. Is an across-the-board percentage for grants fair? Can this be scaled to town size or town economic status?

Other member comments, after leadership:

-Rep from Barre City: bill for state funding equity serving rural Vermont

-Why not have one single standard grant form for all state agencies/programs?

-Municipalities/nonprofits do not have capacity to address state level grant requirements

-Indirect rates?

-Rep from Woodstock: ADUs building accessibility

-Creating a portal for every town that lists contractor and homeowner requirements, gets people through permitting requirements in simple checklist “Laymans terms”

-Rep Sims: Rural workforce housing bill to look at investments needed to support development for all income levels (mostly low to middle income)

-Primer on RPCs and RDCs for caucus? Including selectboards in this? VCRD will send this doc to Monique Priestley who will send to Caucus.

-VCLT is also a great resource for this – details on VLCT resources available here. 

-Rep from Halifax: discussion on changing VT winters, how to diversify rural economies as the future of the ski economy changes

-Discussion about public safety and dispatch? EMS providers, ambulance companies 

-Rep Sims is working on a bill re: EMS 

-Major celebration on January 24th celebrating 30 years of Working Lands program (farm and forest businesses) 4:30 state house cafeteria 

-Bringing information requests to agenda 

-Send these to any of the chairs! We can bring in speakers who have that info, reports, etc

Next Meeting Thursday, January 12 at 8am (hybrid)