Says Vermont has enough gun laws, needs better drug enforcement 

By Guy Page

With dozens of legislators and supporters at his back on the Vermont State House steps, Republican Lt. Gov. John Rodgers officially announced Tuesday February 3 he will seek re-election.

Just minutes after he cast the tie-breaking vote to elect Michael Drescher as Vermont’s next Associate Supreme Court Justice, Rodgers spoke in favor of another nuclear power plant in Vernon and said he is “open” to a property tax freeze.

First-term incumbent Rodgers does not, as yet, face a 2026 primary challenge. Democratic candidates so far include former LG Molly Gray, 2024 gubernatorial candidate Esther Charlton, and former Peter Welch aide Ryan McLaren.

Property tax freeze

With H.774 sponsor Rep. Gina Galfetti and other sponsors holding Rodgers for Lieutenant Governor signs behind him, Rodgers said in response to a VDC question:

“We know that the Act 73 changes are going to take quite a bit of time. So I’m certainly open to any kind of property tax freeze, or slowing it down, because having a 40% increase is unacceptable, because nobody’s pay went up that much.”

New nuclear on old site 

Rodgers also was asked whether he backs efforts to build a new, modular nuclear reactor on the site of the former Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power plant in Vernon.

If it’s proven safe then we have a plug and pay to set it up where Yankee was….. A lot of the new nuclears are safe and very efficient. It’s something we have to consider. One of the things I’m very concerned about is all of the energy the data centers are using.”

No new gun laws, but more enforcement 

After the press conference, VDC asked Rodgers about gun control bills now in the Legislature. Vermont has enough gun law, it needs more enforcement, especially regarding violent drug crime.

I think we have plenty of laws on the books. We need to enforce those laws. Most of the gun crime is happening around drug crime. We have to do a far better job of enforcing the crime of drugs being brought into the state…. Unfortunately we have gotten a reputation as an easy place to do business, leading to thousands of addictions and way too many deaths of Vermonters.”

According to a campaign statement, Rodgers has been endorsed by these current and former elected officials:

Governor Phil Scott

Former Governor Jim Douglas

Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon

Representative Ashley Bartley

Senator Scott Beck

Representative Michael Boutin

Representative Carolyn Branagan 

Senator Pat Brennan

Representative Greg Burtt

Representative VL Coffin

Senator Brian Collamore

Representative Allen ‘Penny’ Demar

Representative Anne Donahue 

Representative Marty Feltus 

Former Senator Peg Flory

Representative Gina Galfeti 

Representative Jame Gregoire 

Representative Lisa Hango

Representative John Kascenska

Representative Jed Lipski 

Representative Joe Luneau 

Senator Chris Mattos

Representative Woodman Page

Representative Chris Pritchard 

Representative Beth Quimby

Representative Michael Southworth

Representative Brenda Steady

Representative Matthew Walker

Senator David Weeks 

Representative Ken Wells

Senator Terry Williams

Representative Kevin Winters