DID YOU KNOW?
This past November, voters delivered a clear mandate, asking for affordable housing, education, and public safety. Vermonters empowered the Republican Caucuses and the Governor with a ‘seat at the table’. Republicans are still in the Minority, but were able to accomplish some things this past session.
- For 9 years Governor Scott has fought to give our retired military service men and women tax relief, S.51 (An act relating to VT income tax exclusion and tax credits), they deserve. This act did not go all the way but did provide tax relief for seniors on fixed incomes and working families. Past legislation was trying to decide which taxes, fees, and costs could be increased, to try to provide tax relief.
- CHIP (Community Housing and Infrastructure Program), would help towns fund infrastructure for housing without raising taxes. For years Republicans have been pushing for this idea. Senate unanimously passed a refined version of CHIP as part of H.479 housing bill (VT Chamber of Commerce states)
- Public Safety: initiatives were passed that help law enforcement and hold offenders accountable. Republicans stated that progress was made, however, not as much as they would have liked.
- Health care: signed into law H.266, limits the amount that Vermont health care providers can charge for outpatient prescription drugs. S.126, among other things the bill requires state health care officials to develop a “statewide health care delivery plan” and present to the Legislature by 2028 Curb costs and bolster oversight of hospitals, (VT Digger)
- Right to Farm, bill S.45, to protect farmers from community members who want to sue farmers for their livelihood.
- Education and property tax, H.454, bill to reform VT education governance, quality, and finance system. For 30 years Republicans trying to fix Act 60s mistakes.