By Guy Page
Question 5, calling for language making prostitution illegal to be removed from the city charter, passed 6629 – 2919 at the Burlington City Meeting yesterday, March 1.
The proposed charter change will now go to the Vermont Legislature. A separate bill, H630, whose lead sponsor is Selene Colburn (P-Burlington), would “repeal the prostitution laws that currently prohibit ‘indiscriminate sexual intercourse’ and consensual engagement in sex work for hire by adults (18 years old) while retaining strict prohibitions and felony criminal penalties for human trafficking of persons who are compelled through force, fraud, or coercion to engage in sex work.”
City Council elections left the Progressive caucus with a one-seat advantage. Contested races included:
Ward 1 – Progressive Zoraya Hightower beat Rob Gutman 57-43%.
Ward 3 – Progressive Joe Magee beat Republican Christopher Aaron-Felker 71-27%.
Ward 5 – Ben Traverse (78%) easily outdistanced two challengers.
Ward 6: too close to call between Independent Ali Dieng and Democrat Aleczander Stith.
Ward 8: Ali House beat Hannah King 53-46%.
Complete results of Burlington city and school annual meeting can be seen here.