Vermont Government Affairs Update September 17, 2024

With the 2024 General Election right around the corner Vermont candidates are out pounding the pavement, attending events and fundraising to keep themselves front of mind with voters through November. With Vermonts new program of mailing absentee ballots to the list of registered voters, people will begin casting theirs as early as the first week of October.

The very low turnout during the primary election which resulted in almost 100% of incumbents winning may be a sign for the general election in November. The low turnout surprised many political analysts in Vermont who were expecting the public to react poorly to a 14% increase in the state property tax which was vetoed by Governor Scott who was eventually overridden by the supermajority. In addition to the property tax and other taxes raised, the public was frustrated by a lack of legislation to make Vermont safer from violent crime and drug trafficking.

The results of the general election will depend on voter turnout, but few see sweeping change coming to Vermont’s legislature. It’s likely that Vermont’s state office candidates and congressional delegates will solidly be won by incumbents and Vermont will most likely vote for the Democratic Presidential Candidate which might stifle the motivation of many to vote.

It’s critical for Vermonters to encourage their friends, peers and coworkers to get out and vote. Some of the challenges pertaining to costs of heat, property taxes and public safety depend on people showing up or mailing in their ballots.

There are 5 competitive Senate races including Grand Isle, Chittenden North, Orange, Orleans and Bennington Counties of which only two have incumbents running. Those races will determine whether the Senate can sustain a gubernatorial veto which wasn’t possible through 2023-2024 which has led to higher taxes, lack of safety legislation and lack of affordability. It’s expected that the House will remain the same holding a supermajority for Democrats supported by Progressives which makes the Senate races so important.

One of the most critical issues Vermonters are facing this year is the formulation and adoption of the “Affordable Heat Act” as dubbed by the legislature. This is a policy intended to reduce fossil fuel usage in in the thermal sector by either incentivizing people to switch out of their fossil fuel burning heat sources to others such as electric heat pumps OR fuel suppliers will pay a surcharge for their fuel which will be handed back to the consumer. Recent studies by consultants working on the policy estimate that fuel costs would go up $2-4/gallon depending on type of fuel. Details of the act and concerns can be seen by CLICKING HERE for a webcast by Matt Cota of Meadow Hill consulting who represents Vermont’s Fuel Dealer Association.

For information about your registration status and who is running in your district you can visit Vermonts Secretary of State website by CLICKING HERE.