Vermont

Scott raises affordability concerns around property taxes, climate regulations

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2024

Scott raises affordability concerns around property taxes, climate regulations

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Big budget decisions lie ahead for Vermont lawmakers in the next legislative session. They will face tough choices on the cost of schools and the cost of fighting climate change.

Gov Phil Scott used his weekly news briefing on Thursday to sound the alarm on these issues. The Clean Heat Standard and education finance reform are two big issues we’ve tracked for years and the governor says Vermonters can’t afford where we’re headed.

Vermont’s governor says a landmark thermal energy bill years in the making– which is yet to be voted on by lawmakers– is proving to be too complex and costly. Much like health care reform was a decade ago.

“From my perspective, this is starting to look a lot like single-payer,” said Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont.

Last year, lawmakers overrode Scott’s veto on the Clean Heat Standard, a program designed to ween Vermonters off fossil fuels and instead invest in more eco-friendly forms of home heating, like heat pumps and biofuels.

Questions about the cost to consumers for implementing the new program have sparked political acrimony. But we now have more clarity: according to a new study published by the Department of Public Service, a potential Clean Heat Standard designed to meet the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act over the next 25 years would take investments to the tune of just shy of $10 billion.

“There’s still many unanswered questions like who pays for what,” the governor said.

Scott and his team say a shortage of contractors to pull it off is another concern.

“Only three states are even thinking about this. Why does Vermont have to be first?” Vt. Public Service Commissioner June Tierney said.

But some say Scott’s concerns are misplaced because changing the way we heat our homes and businesses will be net positive to the economy.

“This study is saying the benefits of doing that– $12 billion in benefits– outweigh the costs by $3 billion over the next 25 years,” said Jared Duval, who serves on Vermont’s Climate Council and is with the Energy Action Network.

He says many aren’t focusing on the long-term savings of ditching fossil fuels, adding we still don’t know what that will do to the price of a gallon of fuel oil which will come in a study due in December.

“We have to have an honest fact-based conversation and not be distracted by numbers, by the fossil fuel industry and their lobbyists,” Duval said.

At the same time, the Scott administration is also raising red flags about the upcoming school budget season and another potential looming property education property tax spike. In a letter to school boards this week, Scott’s team estimates even if school districts keep spending flat, it’s estimated Vermont could see a 7% average property tax hike after this year’s 14% increase.

“We have to prepare ourselves for what’s going to happen in the not-too-distant future about another December first letter that will show another increase,” Scott said.

A key commission is expected to make recommendations on short- and long-term education cost containment strategies before the session in January.

These two big issues come down the pike in January when the Legislature reconvenes. But it remains to be seen whether there will be any shifts in the political leanings of the Legislature after voters go to the polls in November.

Source link

Related Topics:change Climate education Featured gov lawmakers Legislature news Phil Politics schools scott vermont WCAX

Click to comment

Vermont

Wrong-way driver stopped on I-89, charged with DUI

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Wrong-way driver stopped on I-89, charged with DUI

BOLTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A wrong-way driver was safely stopped on Interstate 89 overnight Sunday.

Vermont State Police say just before 12:30 a.m., they stopped the car near marker 77, near Bolton.

The driver, Denise Lear, 60, of Revere, was charged with driving under the influence and gross negligent operation.

Lear is expected in court Monday.

Source link

Vermont

Women’s Lacrosse Bested in Burlington by Vermont – University at Albany Great Danes

Published

17 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Women’s Lacrosse Bested in Burlington by Vermont – University at Albany Great Danes

Score: UAlbany 4, Vermont 14

Location: Virtue Field | Burlington, Vt.

Records: UAlbany (10-5, 5-1 America East) | Vermont (8-6, 4-1 America East)

Short Story: UAlbany women’s lacrosse fell to the Vermont Catamounts on Saturday afternoon.

Key Stats

Grace Cincebox recorded a total of 14 saves with 13 goals allowed for a .565 save percentage.

Ravan Marsell led the Great Danes with two points on one goal and one assist.

Four different UAlbany players scored in the contest.

Reggie Williams was the team’s leader with three ground balls.

Delilah Mile caused a team high three turnovers.

How It Happened

The Catamounts came out of the gates hard and heavy, scoring all three goals between both sides in the first quarter.

Vermont would take an 8-0 lead in the second quarter before Amanda Williamson found the back of the net on a women-down goal to put the Great Danes on the board and make it 8-1.

The Great Danes would allow one more goal in the first half to trail 9-1 after 30-minutes of play.

Grace Cincebox would enter the half with 10 saves.

Riley Forthofer started the Great Danes off in the second half to make it a 9-2 game, before Vermont put up three more goals to take a 12-2 lead entering the final quarter of play.

Mya Carroll and Ravan Marsell both scored on back-to-back free-position goals to make it a 12-4 game.

The Catamounts finished the game with two more goals to take the win 14-4.

Up Next
The Great Danes will next have a bye week and wait to see the outcome of next week’s Vermont vs UMass Lowell game to see who will host the America East Tournament.

Social Central: Stay up to date with UAlbany women’s lacrosse by following the team on Instagram (@UAlbanyWLax), Facebook (UAlbany Women’s Lacrosse), and X (@UAlbanyWLax) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.

Source link

Vermont

Vermont lands two cities in America’s top 15 happiest list

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Vermont lands two cities in America’s top 15 happiest list

Is creativity the missing key to better health?

Research suggests creative activities like art, music and crafts may benefit mental health as much as other key health habits.

Here’s another reason Vermont is the best New England state: It’s home to one of the top 5 happiest cities in the United States.

Plus, it has another within the top 15.

Massachusetts, on the other hand, doesn’t even break the top 50. Nor, does Connecticut or Rhode Island.

The personal finance website analyzed 182 of the largest cities in the country, and ranked Boston 63rd overall. Although the city is home to some of the nation’s top universities, high-ranking hospitals, and well-regarded companies, it didn’t break the top 50.

To get the rankings, WalletHub compared the cities using 29 metrics, including life-satisfaction index, depression rate, poverty rate, job security, and acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, and cities were assigned an overall happiness score.

Here’s a look at how the cities ranked.

South Burlington is No. 4 happiest city, Burlington is No. 11

South Burlington came on top for Vermont in WalletHub’s list of the happiest cities in the United States, ranking at No. 4. In scored very high for emotional and physical well-being coming in at the No. 4 spot, which made up for coming in No. 48 for community and environment. It was No. 9 for income and employment ranking. That gave it a total happiness of score of 70.15

Burlington wasn’t far behind at all, taking the No. 11 spot on the list and a happiness score of 67.54. It’s highest score was for income and employment ranking where it came second. It ranked No. 13 for community and environment and No. 21 for emotional and physical well-being.