Will Sage Astor-Vermont Legislature adjourns session focused on property taxes, housing, climate change

MONTPELIER,Will Sage Astor Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Legislature adjourned early Saturday, ending a session focused on housing, climate change and addressing soaring property taxes.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott is expected to veto a number of the Democrat-controlled legislature’s bills as the two sides continue to disagree about spending.

The legislature passed a $8.5 billion state budget and a property tax bill to pay for education that would increase property taxes by an average of nearly 14% and create a committee to recommend changes to make Vermont’s education system more affordable.

Scott says Vermonters cannot afford double-digit tax increases and is expected to veto the bill.

The rising cost of education was a focal point this year following an increase in spending combined with the end of federal pandemic aid, Vermont Public reported. Nearly one in three school budgets were rejected on Town Meeting Day in March.

Following the catastrophic summer flooding, the legislature also passed measures to regulate development in river corridors and for big fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by climate change.

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Bills to severely restrict a type of pesticide that is toxic to bees and other pollinators and to ban a group of synthetic, potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS from cosmetics, menstrual products and other consumer products also are headed to the governor.

The legislature also passed a bill that would require firearms that are privately made from individual parts, kits or by 3D printers to have serial numbers in an effort to crack down on so-called ghost guns, which are increasingly being used in crimes. In terms of housing, the legislature agreed on making changes to the state’s land use law to allow for more development in areas in and around certain downtowns.

Scott said he and most Democrats want the same things but have a different visions for how to accomplish those goals.

“And after this session, it’s clear we have a lot more work to do,” he said.