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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
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Categories: politics
It’s all well and good that Rodgers wants to reduce property taxes for seniors. Just one question, who is going to pay for the shortfall?
Looks like the St. Albans Town representative does not support John Rogers.
Yes, all well and good. Freeze of property taxes because it’s going to take forever for the governor to finally figure out the most productive educational fund. It’s easy it is school choice. To heck with this social experiment that allows children to be racists, climate activists, gender activists, and gun activists —-give us SCHOOL CHOICE !!! Put academic excellence back in the curriculum!
A new safer nuclear site on old one for cheaper safer electricity because with AI we will all need more electricity. How is AI growing in Vermont? Is Vermont getting more high paying AI jobs? Are we keeping the brightest high school/college graduates with high paying jobs?
Mr. Rodger’s I have other questions that need answering like what do you think about giving illegals drivers licenses and the right to vote in Vermont midterms and presidential elections? Mr. Rodger’s do you know what Medicaid, Medicare fraud is? You know what social services fraud is and how states like Minnesota where the fraud is over 19 billion is being found? What are you doing to uncover fraud in Vermont—to make sure it is exposed and if you can get the funds clawed back and for it to never happen again?
You never answered my question months ago on— weather manipulation like cloud seeding or atmospheric metal particles placed there by our government that dims the sun should be banned in Vermont as in other States ? Tennessee has done it. I know there’s a bill somewhere but will it ever be brought to the senate or to the governor’s desk? I’ve asked about these concerns but I have never heard back. Really if you want to be re-elected you should take up these concerns and work on them. Show the voters you care on all of the issues here in Vermont.
They are NOT SAYING, they will reduce spending…..
Please note they are looking at every other way on the planet to increase fees and taxes in other locations.
The smoke and mirror show is in rapid development.
What they are not saying is sometimes—- OFTEN—- more important.
Freeze property taxes before the 12% increase or wait till after the increase? It makes a big difference to most of us. It will cost us no matter what.