Lawmakers prepare for 2025 session with affordability in mind [Video]

The Vermont legislative session beings Tuesday. House and Senate lawmakers will be sworn in before the respective chambers, then vote on their Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem. Affordability, education funding, and environmental policy are just a few topics lawmakers have their eyes on.It’s a new dynamic in Montpelier after November — while Democrats still hold a majority, it’s no longer the veto-proof one they had the past two years.The GOP gained nearly 20 seats in the House and seven in the Senate.Property taxes will be at the top of mind for both parties after last year’s nearly 14% increase and a forecasted 6% increase this year.”I think what Vermonters can expect is a reformed education fund that is transparent, understandable, and much more closely connects a district’s spending decision to the tax rate it pays,” said Scott Beck, a senator-elect and the incoming Senate Minority Leader.New …