Vermont Town Meetings Rally Against Federal Overreach
At least eight communities in Vermont demonstrated their political stance during March’s Town Meeting by supporting an advisory resolution urging Governor Phil Scott to take action against perceived "federal overreach." The grassroots movement, ignited by social media, gained traction quickly, with residents rallying for local governance and constitutional rights.
Putney resident Laura Chapman initiated the movement with an online resolution, stating the importance of Governor Scott reaffirming his commitment to upholding the rule of law amid federal threats, which had intensified with recent cuts introduced by the Trump administration. "Everything we’ve come to rely on is being threatened," Chapman expressed, emphasizing her hope that the governor would consider the voices of the people.
Communities like Guilford, Westminster, Dummerston, and East Montpelier participated by endorsing the resolution in their respective Town Meetings, with various forms of voting taking place. The measure was considered alongside another controversial resolution advocating for support of the Palestinian people, which sparked a divide among voters, illustrated by contrasting messages displayed outside polling areas.
In Newfane, the resolution passed following amendments promoting mutual understanding among conflicting sides, while in Thetford, it faced a nonunanimous voice vote. Overall, while a significant number of voters supported Gupta’s advisory, municipalities like Montpelier and Vergennes rejected it after a strong opposition campaign.
Despite these contentious votes, local budgets for essential services, including water and sewer projects, largely passed without issue across communities such as Burlington and St. Johnsbury, marking a decisive moment for local governance in Vermont amid the rising challenges of governmental policies.
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