Leaders of environmental and democracy groups say that Gov. Phil Scott overstepped his authority when the Republican issued an order aimed at speeding up housing development by rolling back regulations last month.

In a letter sent to top administration officials on Wednesday, the organizations claim the executive order — issued while lawmakers were not in session — “directly undermines the authority of the legislature and the separation of powers” established in the state Constitution.

The order made a suite of changes to housing permitting in Vermont that, given the state’s deep housing deficit , Scott and his allies argued could not wait until lawmakers reconvene in January. It alters rules for building in wetlands, allows builders to comply with older and less stringent energy e

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