Vermont lawmakers are working on a fix to help bring down an expected 20% increase in the statewide education property tax rate. The solution includes letting towns push back school budget votes and retooling a law passed two years ago aimed at improving educational equity in low-income school districts. The House Ways and Means Committee approved the measure by a 12-0 vote. It now heads to the Appropriations Committee.
The Federal Trade Commission received over 37 hundred fraud reports from consumers in Vermont in 2023, according to newly released data. Vermont consumers reported losing a total of 8 point 8 million dollars to fraud, with a median loss of 400 dollars. The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network is a database that receives reports directly from consumers, as well as from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Better Business Bureau, industry members, and non-profit organizations. Reports from around the country about consumer protection issues—including identity theft, fraud, and other categories—are a key resource for FTC investigations that stop illegal activities and, when possible, provide refunds to consumers.
Vermont Senator Peter Welch is the lead sponsor of a resolution calling on the Administration to work with allies and partners within the international community to dramatically increase humanitarian aid to Gaza in order to prevent further spread of disease and starvation. The United States is the largest single-state funder of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. The White House, State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and partners have worked to increase access for aid delivery to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, but far more work needs to be done. The resolution calls on the Administration, on an urgent basis, and working with allies and partners within the international community, to help facilitate the humanitarian aid needed to prevent starvation and disease in Gaza.
– The U S district court in Burlington has granted the Vermont Attorney General’s motion to return a consumer protection case against Exxon and other fossil fuel producers to state court. Using the Vermont Consumer Protection Act, the A G’s Office sued Exxon and others for misrepresentations and greenwashing related to fossil fuel products. The case had been stalled shortly after it was filed in September 2021 due to the dispute over jurisdiction . The Attorney General’s case alleges the companies concealed and misrepresented the connection between their products and climate change, which denied Vermont consumers the opportunity to make informed and different decisions regarding fossil fuel purchases.
Sports. The Brattleboro Bears were on the short end of a 72-55 boys basketball game with Rutland last night
The Boston Celtics defeated The Washington Wizards 133-129
The Boston Bruins host the Washington Capitals this afternoon
The Superbowl is tomorrow night with Kansas City facing San Francisco