Ballot Discussion: Two Constitutional Amendments and a Local Tax
State Rep Greer and Select Board Member Matts to Speak

The public is invited to a discussion about Proposals 3 and 4 on the Vermont ballot putting forward State Constitutional amendments to secure the rights to collectively bargain and equal protection under law, and Article 2 on the Bennington ballot proposing a Local Option Tax. The program will take place on Sunday, October 18 from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bennington (UUFB), 108 School Street. Organized by the Bennington branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the UUFB, the discussion features guest speakers Will Greer, State Representative for Bennington-2 District and Jackie Matts, member of the Bennington Select Board. CAT-TV will record the program. 

Representative Will Greer was a member of the State Legislature when the General Assembly approved advancing the proposed amendments to the voters by referendum in November. The ballot asks voters to decide whether to codify in the Vermont Constitution employees’ right to organize or join a union for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions (Proposal 3), and to guarantee equal protection under law (Proposal 4).

Select Board member Jackie Matts has been involved in the Board’s discussions and community input hearings not only about whether to add an additional 1% on sales, meals/alcohol, and rooms that would diversify the tax base, but also about how revenues generated from the tax should be allocated. Bennington joins towns throughout the state that have placed a version of this tax option before voters, resulting variously in passage and defeat.

“The purpose of this program is not to persuade voters how to vote, but to give community members a chance to ask questions and exchange thoughts before casting our ballots,” said program committee chair Berta Winiker.

The program is free and open to the public, with refreshments following the event.