Scott says Vermont lawmakers don’t factor in ‘practical realities’ of new legislation

Montpelier, VT – Governor Phil Scott said Wednesday that Vermont lawmakers may have unrealistic expectations of what state agencies can do with the resources they have when crafting legislation

He asked members of the legislature to be aware of the “practical realities” that putting legislation into action can impose on state employees, and to account for time and money necessary of implementing new policies.

“We see a number of bills passed where there was not careful consideration of what resources it will take, and what a realistic timeline looks like,” he said. “This sets agencies and partners up for failure.”

Julie Moore, Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, pointed to several pieces of legislation that hit her agency hard this session.

Senate Bill S.213, which contains flood relief for Vermont communities, also includes housing development restrictions that Moore says will cost the Agency of Natural Resources time.

Likewise, House Bill H.687 similarly spreads the Agency of Natural Resources too thin, Moore said. The bill includes land use reforms to Act 250, as well as environmental protections and housing legislation that would require the Agency of Natural Resources to conduct several studies.

Moore says lawmakers did not allocate any additional funding or personnel for this work.

“People are looking for quick change and fast success, while failing to appreciate the resources required — both time and money — to make those changes,” Moore explained. “When the work we are being asked to do isn’t fully funded, it’s like trying to run a marathon with one shoe untied. We will absolutely make progress, but we are also not going to reach our full potential.”

She said that while lawmakers may have good intentions when passing environmental legislation, they are not giving her agency and its employees the time and resources necessary to implement policies.

For instance, she said, S.259 seeks to hold oil corporations responsible for the adverse effects of greenhouse gases on the environment. She says lawmakers only allocated $600,000 to fight big oil, a legal battle she says could cost millions.

“Legislative mandates that come without the full resources necessary to achieve the goals strain the agency’s ability to do the work timely and well,” Moore continued. “Unfortunately we haven’t been able to gain traction with lawmakers in matching the work the agency is charged with to the resources they have available.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.