As a family doctor for almost 40 years and a volunteer at a regional
free clinic, I have grown sadly accustomed to the increasing struggles
of many working and unemployed families to maintain health and human
services. As a board member and land steward with a volunteer Vermont
nonprofit involved for a decade in conserving wild areas and
maintaining access to land, public and private, for recreation, I have
learned how challenging it can be to preserve our natural landscape.
So when I learned about the governor's budget alternative, which for
all practical purposes would eliminate the Vermont Housing and
Conservation Board, I thought I should write this letter. VHCB has for
years provided key public investment into affordable housing and land
conservation. Gutting VHCB means the loss of hundreds of construction
jobs, the reduction in many areas of affordable housing projects, the
loss of federal farmland support dollars, and the end of support for
community-driven conservation projects.
Although the Legislature's budget calls for significant reductions in
VHCB investments, it keeps the program alive. The governor's proposal
offers no hope of resuscitation and should be vetoed.
Richard Katzman MD
Waterbury
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