Rep. Mollie Burke: Transportation Modernization | Feb. 8, 2021
Friends,
This is Rep. Mollie Burke from Brattleboro with your weekly legislative update. I want to share with you today some of the things I’ve been working on in the Transportation Committee to help provide more accessible and affordable transportation options for Vermonters while addressing the environmental impact of rising carbon emissions from the transportation sector.I also want to tell you about what the Women’s Caucus has been working on.
Transportation Modernization Act
Did you know that the largest source of carbon emissions in the state of Vermont is transportation? If we want to mitigate the effects of climate change, creating initiatives that will transition us into more sustainable forms of transportation is urgent. That’s why I’ve been hard at work on H.94, An act relating to transportation initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and provide low-cost transportation options for Vermonters.
This act includes a lot of different initiatives, but some of the highlights include:
Additional funding for the New Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Incentive Program. The New PEV Program helps make new electric vehicles accessible to low and moderate-income Vermonters by providing subsidies for the purchase of these vehicles. Moving away from traditional gas-powered transportation towards higher efficiency vehicles is an important step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this state-- as such, we have proposed an additional $4 million in funding for this essential program.
Continuation of the Mileage Smart program administered by Capstone Community Action. This program provides incentives for low-income Vermonters to purchase a used high-efficiency vehicle.
Creation of a “Replace your Ride” program-- this program would provide an additional cash incentive for low-income Vermonters to take their older, low-efficiency vehicle off the road and to replace it with a high-efficiency vehicle, vouchers for public transportation, a car share membership, or a new electric bicycle.
Transitioning school and public transportation buses to be fully electric.
The Governor has put forth a proposal for electric vehicle incentives. We have been examining his budget to see where those priorities align with the priorities outlined in our bill. We are in the process of determining an appropriate level of funding for transportation electrification commensurate with the goals of the State’s comprehensive energy plan and the Paris Climate Accords. We also want to stress that we can help Vermonters have lower transportation costs while also addressing our climate goals. The administration is also proposing a plan for procuring electric buses.
Though there are still many conversations to be had to ensure that we can adequately combat the climate crisis through programs such as these, we have found some common goals that we will continue to work on through this biennium.
Legislative Women’s Caucus
In addition to serving on the Transportation committee, I am also the co-chair of the Women’s Caucus. Last week, the Caucus met with the state’s Comissioner of Corrections to hear about a recently released report documenting a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse at Vermont’s only women’s prison. The report included a number of recommendations, which the Committee on Corrections and Institutions will be considering. The Women’s Caucus takes great interest in the general well-being of women in the correctional system and supports legislation and other measures to create better support services and alternatives to incarceration. The Caucus is also supporting H. 171, an act relating to the governance and financing of Vermont’s child care system. This is a three-year initiative to eventually provide affordable and accessible child care for every family. And we are paying attention to issues of pay equity, housing, workforce development, and related issues.
Thank you for your continued support-- we could not do this work without you!
In Solidarity,
Rep. Mollie Burke, Windham 2-2
