Pick Rick Hube for State Representative

Purpose: One of the greatest barriers to the creation of new, high paying jobs as well as the construction of homes that young families can afford in Vermont is a costly and time consuming permitting process.  Although we have made commonsense changes in recent years, we can do more to streamline the process and welcome families and business to our state.  Streamlining the permitting process will also strengthen our commitment to environmental protection by increasing compliance with our current regulations.

Plan: Direct the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the Natural Resources Board, the Agency of Natural Resources, as well as the business and environmental community to come together to once again reform our permitting system so that we can better protect our natural environment and help employers compete.

This task force will be given a broad mandate to explore all options to make the permit process more efficient and predictable.  For instance, “On the Record” review would eliminate duplicative reviews at the local level before the District Environmental Commissions for an Act 250 permit and at the Environmental Court level if it is appealed (by either the applicant or an interested party).  Also, I will direct the task force to explore putting all aspects of submitting and obtaining permits online.  Management of applications online is consistent with our E-state initiative and will greatly reduce numerous trips to state offices and reams of paper forms and maps.