Keelan: Is a wealth tax coming to Vermont?

What is a tax on wealth? Basically, a taxpayer would file a new schedule, a balance sheet, with their annual tax return. A balance sheet, also known as a statement of financial position, lists all of the taxpayers’ assets, less any outstanding debt. The difference is a sum, net worth, or net equity. That sum would then become the basis for the tax rate to be applied, resulting in the tax due.

Soulia: You are not the public

As Vermont lawmakers continue debating immigration enforcement, public safety, bail reform, school policy, and state authority, a deeper constitutional question increasingly sits underneath the arguments: What legal obligation does government actually owe individual citizens when foreseeable harm occurs?

Local print newspapers scaling back printing

stack of newspapers

To combat pressures on local media outlets, state leaders awarded taxpayer funding to sixteen media outlets that demonstrated strong “civic journalism.” The awards ranged from $5,000 to $10,000. While intended to address the challenges facing local news, the efforts raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, legality, and questions surrounding which media outlets are winning these awards. 

Jesse: The Association of American Educators, an alternative to teachers’ unions

A new report sheds light on AFT and NEA spending tens of millions of dollars on electing Democratic political candidates, and prioritizing politicking over the needs and interests of their union members. The study found that of the NEA’s $450 million annual disbursement budget from fiscal year 2025, less than $46 million, or 10 percent, was spent on activities directly representing the union’s constituents.

UVM Police phone number being spoofed

While these callers may possess some of the recipient’s personal information, it has been gathered from public records — they have no access to law enforcement databases or warrant systems. UVM Police emphasize that they will never call to request money, payment information, photographs, or to warn of an ongoing investigation or open warrant.

Four arrested for trespassing charges at ICE facility in Williston

Peter Booth, 58, the vice chairman of the Jericho selectboard, Henry Prensky, 79, of Burlington, Aiden Balentine, 39, of Montpelier and Casey Seem, 20, of Oakham, Mass. They are due in state criminal court in Burlington on June 30. For Booth and Prensky it was the second time arrested for a similar blockade at a building containing a support office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, state police said.

Change to state constitution could empower homeless, immigrant, transgender rights

“That the people are guaranteed equal protection under the law. The State shall not deny equal treatment under the law on account of a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin. Nothing in this Article shall be interpreted or applied to prevent the adoption or implementation of measures intended to provide equality of treatment and opportunity for members of groups that have historically been subject to discrimination.”