Past GrowSmart Maine Testimony

Past Legislative Testimony

Equity

Support of LD 2, An Act to Require the Inclusion of Racial Impact Statements in the Legislative Process

Support of LD 1555, An Act To Fund Broadband Internet Infrastructure for Marginalized Groups in the Stat

Support of LD 1682, An Act to Require Consideration of Climate and Equity Impacts by the Public Utilities Commission

 

Climate/Energy

Support of LD 201, An Act To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Promote Weatherization in the Buildings Sector by Extending the Sunset Date for the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit

Support of LD 1579, An Act To Transition State and Local Motor  Vehicle Fleets to 100 Percent Zero-emission Vehicles  

Support of LD 1682, An Act to Require Consideration of Climate and Equity Impacts by the Public Utilities Commission

Support for LD 1752,  Resolve, To Analyze the Impact of Sea Level Rise

 

Broadband

Support of LD 221, Support of ConnectMaine Funding in Biennial Budget

Support of LD 1235, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Connect Maine with a World-class Internet Infrastructure

Support of LD 1555, An Act To Fund Broadband Internet Infrastructure for Marginalized Groups in the State

Support of Tim Schneider’s nomination for the Maine Connectivity Authority

 

Housing

Support of LD 609, Resolve To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions

Support of LD 1240, Resolve To Review Barriers to Regional Solutions for Housing Choices

Support of LD 1246, Resolve To Study Best Practices and Different Area Needs for Development of Affordable Homes and Expanding Home Ownership in Maine Communities

Support of LD 1257, To Encourage Inclusionary Zoning in Municipalities by Increasing Revenue Sharing

Support of LD 1312, An Act To Remove Barriers to Accessory Dwelling Units and Allow Accessory Dwelling Units where Single-family Houses Are Allowed

Support of LD 1530, “An Act to Allow People to Live in Tiny Houses As a Primary  or Accessory Dwelling

 

Historic Preservation

Letter of Support to Maine Government Oversight Committee of OPEGA Report on Historic Tax Credits

Regarding Proposed Parameters for OPEGA Full Tax Expenditure Review of Maine Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit, in collaboration with MEREDA

Support of LD 201, An Act To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Promote Weatherization in the Buildings Sector by Extending the Sunset Date for the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit

 

Regional/Land Use Planning

Support of the Governor’s Change Package to LD 221 Part A, Section 1 of LD 221, Exec Dept (p 62)

Support of LD 446,  An Act to Reestablish the State Planning Office

Neither for Nor Against LD 462, “An Act to Reexamine the Relationship among County, Municipal and State Governments”

Support of LD 1694, An Act To Create the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority

 

Budget and Bonds

Support of LD 221, Support of ConnectMaine Funding in Biennial Budget

Support of the Governor’s Change Package to LD 221 Part A, Section 1 of LD 221, Exec Dept (p 62)

Support of LD 983, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Conservation, Working Waterfronts, Water Access and Outdoor Recreation

Support of LD 1094, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Reduce Homeowner and Municipal Energy Bills through Increased Efficiency and Weatherization Projects

Support of LD 1733, An Act To Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State
Fiscal Recovery Funds

Testimony in support for Governor Mills’ Change Package to LD 221

 

 

 

 

Equity

Support of LD 1961 “An Act To Help Alleviate Maine’s Housing Shortage and Change the Membership of the Maine State Housing Authority”

GrowSmart Maine is a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit organization that helps communities navigate change in alignment with smart growth. Fundamental to this is equitable access to housing choices, something we have seen particularly at risk in the most recent few years with the extraordinary influx of people who appreciate our quality of place.

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Support of LD 1626 “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”

The intersection of LD 1626 and our mission relates to land use and natural resource management. Restoring their self-determination is a tangible recognition of the Wabanaki tribes’ long history of sound and thoughtful stewardship of lands and natural resources. As...

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Climate & Energy

Broadband

Testimony in Favor of LD 826, “An Act To Promote Maine’s Economic Development and Critical Communications for Rural Family Farms, Businesses and Residences by Strategic Public Investments in High-speed Internet”

Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 826 “An Act To Promote Maine's Economic Development and Critical Communications for Rural Family Farms, Businesses and Residences by Strategic Public Investments in High-speed...

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Affordable Housing

GrowSmart Maine Awards $35,000 in Digital Equity Stipends to Area Libraries and Nonprofits in Kennebec County

GrowSmart Maine is pleased to announce the first recipients of its Digital Equity Stipend Fund. Nine area organizations in Kennebec County will share more than $35,000 in funding to implement programs that help people access digital skills training, furnish remote workspaces, access devices, and support outreach and staff costs associated with these programs.

GrowSmart Maine at the White House

Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine, spoke at the White House event "Communities in Action: Building a Better Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont" on 14 March, 2024. The event featured local elected officials and community leaders working on behalf of their communities...

Historic Preservation

Support of LD 1961 “An Act To Help Alleviate Maine’s Housing Shortage and Change the Membership of the Maine State Housing Authority”

GrowSmart Maine is a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit organization that helps communities navigate change in alignment with smart growth. Fundamental to this is equitable access to housing choices, something we have seen particularly at risk in the most recent few years with the extraordinary influx of people who appreciate our quality of place.

read more

Regional & Land Use Planning

Support of LD 1626 “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”

The intersection of LD 1626 and our mission relates to land use and natural resource management. Restoring their self-determination is a tangible recognition of the Wabanaki tribes’ long history of sound and thoughtful stewardship of lands and natural resources. As...

read more
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 328: An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization

GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 328: An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization

Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 328 “An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization” March 1, 2017 Senator David, Representative Martin and members of the Joint...

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Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in favor of LD 220, “An Act Relating to Maine Farm Wineries” March 2, 2011

The proposals outlined in LD 220 to allow holders of farm winery licenses to sell wine at farmers’ markets and to display up to 25 bottles of wine in a shop window are common sense ideas which will empower local farmers while at the same time supporting local businesses. These proposed changes to Maine law are small but significant examples of how the Legislature can act to continue to support and promote local agriculture and small businesses within the State of Maine.

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Budgets & Bonds

GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 328: An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization

GrowSmart Maine Testifies on LD390: An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019

Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine related to of LD 390 “An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to...

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GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 328: An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization

GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 328: An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization

Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 328 “An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization” March 1, 2017 Senator David, Representative Martin and members of the Joint...

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Suport of LD 22 “An Act to Improve the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit”

In endorsing this bill which seeks to improve an already innovative economic development program, GrowSmart Maine wished to emphasize that despite its past record of success in providing much-needed start-up capital for businesses in Maine, the Seed Capital Investment Tax Credit Program needs to be expanded to effectively impact the current economic downturn which has resulted in a dearth of new investment capital in Maine. In other words, like most successful programs, this program needs to be adjusted and expanded in a manner which effectively addresses Maine’s intention to promote innovative approaches to improving Maine’s economy.

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General

GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Opposition to LD 220 – “An Act to Ban the United Nations Agenda 21 in Maine”

Smart growth, as you can see in my testimony, is quite simply an effort and a set of principles to allow for greater choice and deliberative thinking and planning about our how communities grow, so that we are making most effective use of existing infrastructure and pulling demand away from rural lands for which the “highest and best use” truly is NOT development, but rather farming, forestry, and rural living. I’d ask you to review the ten principles listed as well – these are compatible with our mission, just as I expect they fit with your view of how your community, how Maine should grow. This certainly isn’t something that should be banned in Maine.

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Support of LD1 “An Act To Ensure Regulatory Fairness and Reform”

Rebuilding Maine’s economy is the most important issue of our time. It can be done while continuing to protect and enhance our natural and built environments. Maine’s history is in the asset-based economies of farming, fisheries, and forestry. This heritage, still important in today’s economy, has become “the Maine brand” and is vital to other economic sectors as diverse as tourism and information technology.

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