Act 250: 40 Years Later

AP Photo/Toby Talbot

In the late 60's the construction of I-89 and I-91 opened up the previously isolated state of Vermont to rapid development and increased tourism.  After a few disastrous construction projects in Southern Vermont, Governor Deane Davis got worried and formed a state-wide commission to create land-use regulations and government oversight.  When it passed in 1970, Act 250, the Land Use and Development Act, was arguably the most progressive piece of environmental legislation in the United States.  It's been praised and vilified, lauded and criticized. We look back at 40 years of Act 250, examine its successes and failures, and discuss whether it can still effectively tackle our 21^st century problems and concerns. Listen 

Recently the Vermont Housing Finance Agency issued a report predicting a serious housing shortage in Vermont unless the rate of construction doubles and thousands of new units are produced.  We talk to Maura Collins, the Policy and Planning Manager for the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, about potential barriers and solutions to this shortage. Listen