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A landmark decision delivered on Friday, April 12 could test some of the tax hikes and fees the Vermont Legislature has passed or proposed. The United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of California landowner George Sheetz in the case Sheetz v. County of El Dorado. Follow us on X @CompassVermont George Sheetz, who sought to build a small home in El Dorado County, was subjected to a $23,420 fee ostensibly to cover the expansion of public roads aimed at easing congestion. Arguing that this fee was excessive and constituted a violation of the Takings Clause, Sheetz challenged the county's demand in state court. Ultimately, the Supreme Court took on the case. The Court determined that the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause should apply to legislative bodies that impose exorbitant fees, marking a significant limitation on government overreach. The Supreme Court's decision underscores concerns about the misuse of permitting fees by local governments as a means to generate revenue without raising taxes broadly, which often proves unpopular with voters. Vermont lawmakers have proposed or passed multiple revenue-raising bills, including doubling the property transfer tax on homes over $600,000, enacting a 3% tax on households earning more than $500,000, and increasing corporate taxes from 8.5% to 10%. They also increased motor vehicle fees across the board, and the state's antiquated Act 250 is renown for its excessive fee structure. Governor Phil Scott has warned the governing body that it is rapidly moving towards making Vermont the state with the highest taxes in the United States. This ruling is expected to have wide-ranging implications for how local and state governments across the United States approach the imposition of fees on property owners. It sets a precedent for closer scrutiny of government fees tied to permits and other regulatory measures, potentially curbing what some see as a tendency towards governmental overreach under the guise of fiscal needs.

From Stowe Mountain Rescue: When you live in the path of totality, you suddenly feel like the center of the world! Nothing like a cosmic event to draw people into the mountains. If you’re one of the many thousands planning to visit Stowe for the eclipse, we’re excited to host you. Follow us on X @CompassVermont. However, the prospect of you all out there in the backcountry is slightly sobering for our team. The sheer numbers involved makes us suspect that we’ll receive multiple calls towards the end of the day, which is going to be a logistical challenge. We’ll need your help: 1/ Plan to stay in the valleys – there is plenty of open space where you can safely view the eclipse. Many of the trails to elevation will be closed in any case, as is normal for this time of year. Foot traffic is very damaging on a muddy trail so the Green Mountain Club keeps them closed until mud season is over. 2/ This time of year is not quite wintery enough to make you think of winter, and yet it is definitely cold enough to give you hypothermia. Wherever you end up, pack extra layers, more than you think you’ll need. It will be COLD. We can’t emphasise this enough! 3/ Whether with snow, ice or mud remains to be seen, but the trails are guaranteed to be slick. Proper boots will be essential and microspikes may be required. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to this, a local or a visitor, you’ll be at risk of slipping. 4/ Be self-sufficient. If you end up needing our help, it may be many hours before we can reach you (if we get called to multiple locations at once, the delay will be epic). Think warmth, food, water, headlamps, extra batteries. Even if you don’t need this stuff, you may encounter someone who does. 5/ Alcohol, drugs and the backcountry are not happy bedfellows. Diminished coordination and an inhibited ability to stay warm are not going to help. We don’t mean to be patronizing, but this is an easily-avoided element that can change an outcome for the worse. Please exercise restraint! 6/ To top it off, the roads are anticipated to have heavy traffic, which will contribute to our delayed response time. With all that in mind, roll on 8th April! It should be an amazing spectacle.

The passage of H.880, "an act relating to increasing access to justice and to corporate taxes and fees," will have a significant impact on Vermont's corporate tax rates. Under these bills, the top marginal corporate tax rate would increase from 8.5% (already the 10th highest in the U.S.) to 10% for the calendar year 2025. This change would affect not only the corporate tax rates but also judicial fees, indicating a broader financial impact on businesses operating in Vermont. Read more in this VTDigger article.

Krispy Kreme is getting in on the celestial action this week with the release of a special donut honoring the upcoming total solar eclipse over North America on April 8th. The popular donut chain will be offering the limited-edition "Total Solar Eclipse" donut at participating locations across the United States and Canada. The Eclipse donut features a classic original glazed donut dipped in a rich black chocolate icing meant to represent the moon passing in front of the sun. It is then topped with a spray of silver sprinkles and an Oreo buttercream swirl. A whole Oreo sandwich cookie stuffed right into the center of the donut. According to Krispy Kreme, the layers of the Oreo were specifically included to mimic the alignment of the sun, moon, and earth during a total solar eclipse event. Just remember, don't eat one unless you have the matching glasses!

In a strategic move, Unilever, the parent company of popular ice cream brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, and Popsicle, has announced its intention to separate its ice cream division into a standalone business, according to the Wall Street Journal. This decision marks a significant shift for the company, which has been in the ice cream business for over a century. Unilever's ice cream business, which also includes Wall’s, Breyers, Talenti, and Klondike, generated revenue of $8.6 billion last year. However, the division has experienced challenges such as slower sales growth, particularly in its out-of-home segment, and increased competition in the frozen desserts market. The decision to spin off the ice cream business follows ongoing tensions between Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s, with the latter filing a lawsuit against its parent company in 2022. Disputes arose over business decisions, including the sale of Ben & Jerry’s products in Israel and board member affiliations. As part of the restructuring, Unilever expects around 7,500 jobs to be affected globally, aiming to save 800 million euros over the next three years. The company is also exploring options for listing the ice cream business as a separate entity or potential sale, with the goal of completing the separation by the end of next year. Unilever's move reflects broader industry trends, as other consumer-goods companies have also reevaluated their ice cream businesses in recent years. The company remains focused on enhancing its overall performance and delivering sustained growth in the medium term.

The Boston Globe mused that Vermont Representative Becca Balint was so aligned with the “squad,” a group of eight Democrats who advocate for progressive policies, that she might join the group. But while the squad unanimously rejected a bill to ban Tik Tok because of language that could lead to broad overreach by the executive branch, Balint voted in favor of the bill. Balint said she voted for "The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" or H.R. 7521, because of her concerns about the potential national security risks posed by TikTok, citing its Chinese ownership and the possibility that the Chinese government could access user data. But the bill has raised legal concerns about giving the President excessive power to control American social media companies. Critics argue that the legislation would grant the President unprecedented authority to censor online speech. Legal interpretations of H.R. 7521 argue that the bill's language is too broad and could potentially be applied to individuals "controlled by" a foreign country. This raises concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the ability of the President to determine how the bill is applied. It is not unthinkable that a president could target social media platforms, apps, and news outlets by claiming they are being influenced by a foreign adversary, which could be the biggest step towards censorship that the United States has taken. Vermont's Senators Welch and Sanders have not stated their position on H.R. 7521, and did not respond to the question from Compass Vermont. One thing is clear: while the bill aims to address national security concerns related to TikTok, it has sparked debate about the potential for the President to gain too much power over American social media companies and beyond.

Vermont roads have been devastated by snow, rain, early mud season, freezing ruts, broken culverts, and a host of other issues. Most of the back roads, particularly dirt roads, are the responsibility of each municipality to maintain and repair. Meanwhile, social media channels have been buzzing with conversations about the roads and their care, from scathing criticism to high praise and appreciation to town highway crews out in the bad weather trying to manage the situation. How do you feel about your town performs when it comes to the roads? Please take our completely anonymous survey to help us understand the problem and hear ideas of how municipalities have either failed, prevailed, or both! Your survey answers are anonymous, but If you would like to be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate from Amazon, leave us your email on the survey. Thanks for your time and drive carefully! Click here to take the survey.

Vermont Senator Peter Welch recently took to the Senate Floor yesterday to call out Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s failure to deliver for rural America. Welch pointed to the postal delays plaguing Vermont and other rural areas because of DeJoy’s policies, and the lack of a fully functioning Post Office in Vermont’s capital city as examples. "The wreckage by Postmaster General DeJoy is reflected in his unresponsive attitude towards everyday Americans in every District of this country—and it's got to end,” said Welch. DeJoy became Postmaster General in 2022 under former President Trump. So why hasn't President Joe Biden replaced him? The President does not have the authority to directly fire the Postmaster General, as this position is appointed by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The President can only appoint members to the Board of Governors, but he cannot directly influence the decision of the board regarding the Postmaster General. Some people have called for President Biden to replace the current board members with individuals who might be more inclined to remove the Postmaster General. However, this would require the Senate's approval, and it is uncertain whether the new members would have enough votes to oust the current Postmaster General. Vermont’s Congressional Delegation has called on DeJoy to restore full service in downtown Montpelier, and work with the community and Vermont leaders. Sen. Welch also led a letter with several Senate colleagues to President Biden, urging him to nominate leaders to the USPS Board of Governors who will meet the needs of rural customers. It is possible that Biden doesn't believe he can garner the 51% majority vote needed in the Senate to replace any of the current board members. Meanwhile, In July 2023, Vermont experienced catastrophic flooding and the Montpelier Post Office was flooded. Repairs to the building are expected to take several years. The Post Office operated out of a series of temporary locations in and nearby Montpelier but has not re-opened a permanent retail post office in Montpelier since the flood.   Welch, no doubt, will keep working on the issue.

Snap was our pride and joy dog. A considered companion, a confidant with great listening skills, a cherished family member. Even when she turned eleven in human years Snap remained very much a puppy in size and energy. As loving as she was fearless. Snap wanted to be close with us. As close as she could get. And now she is gone. She left us too fast. Too soon. Way too soon. Not so long ago she was busy chasing chickens in the barnyard when she suddenly collapsed. We wanted her to get up. Wanted her to be just resting, catching her breath. The veterinarian said her heart was three times larger than normal. That rang true since her love for us was outsized. Now it was restraining her breathing more and more every day. The vet gave us palliative medicine for her, but little sense of how long Snap would last. Of course, when Snap wasn’t gasping for air, she still thought she was the same vibrant “pleaser” and would run across the porch into the house, only to trigger another episode of hacking, wheezing and choking. Sometimes life is puzzling making us wonder why things turn out the way they do. Why Snap? Not fair. Snap didn’t qualify for misfortune. She deserved better. It is only air, plenty to go around. Twice more she collapsed. The last time, on the living room rug, she lay on all fours with her head looking forward. I knelt down to her level and touched her lightly. Her eyes slowly opened, and her short tail swept back and forth from her happiness to see me. She was too weak to get to her feet. So right there on the floor we connected. Rather she did. She touched my soul. As her condition worsened we filled up our anxiety basket with panic and resignation; the bread of apprehension. She was going. We knew it. She probably did too. The night of her passing, unexpectedly, on his Daily Show, Jon Stewart delivered a “hear a pin drop” goodbye to his dog, Dipper, who had died after twelve years of joy in their family. “Dipper passed away yesterday,” he said. “He was ready. He was tired. But I wasn’t.” No, neither were we. If a dog you love has ever been in your life, you don’t need to sit next to us while we thumb through the scrapbook of Snap’s constant deliveries of joy. We all have dog aficionado tales about the joy of bringing home a puppy; or the times your pet knew you were sick or sad and leaned into you, looked at you with those eyes, and knew exactly how to make you feel a little better. Paw on our hearts. Most of all, you don’t need to review our list of the twenty best things about Snap (closer to fifty). You have your own list, make sure it is absolute and lengthy but in no particular order, since ranking things spoils the singular power of each one. Near the end, we had to pick Snap up off the bed or couch, and constantly ask her to slow down to prevent another episode. We were being overly careful with her. But the air ran out. When we were at the dog hospital spending our final moments with Snap, the vet folks said when she stopped breathing, “she’s in a better place.” Could be. But I couldn’t help wondering, if we are certain we are going to a better place, why do we cling on to life even when it is so physically painful? To be present I guess. The promise of tomorrow. The assurance of being together. The fear of loss. But she’s gone and not around. The house is empty. The yard is quiet. I suspect even the chickens miss her. Snap could barely breathe at the end, taking in short gulps of air with her head up trying to clear her air passage. Head high, she never quit. Never quit loving. Never quit trying to please us. Never quit wanting us to touch her and hold her. She never resigned, battling for air. Snap never, ever quit. Merely she just took one last breath. As Stewart said: “My wish for you is one day you find that dog, that one dog that is just the best.” We did.

Vermont Senator Peter Welch delivered remarks from the Senate floor about the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and the need for the United States to stop accommodating Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government while he ignores U.S. policy demands. Excerpts of his remarks are included below: “We must face the contradiction of what we are doing. We are airdropping food to famine-stricken Gaza today and supplying bombs for Israel to drop on devastated Gaza tomorrow. “How many times do we have to be repudiated by Prime Minister Netanyahu? On the use of indiscriminate force; On the recklessness of expanding West Bank settlements; On impeding the delivery of aid; On advocating an endless Israeli post conflict occupation of Gaza. “How long and how often will Prime Minister Netanyahu reject our policies but take our money before we say: Enough. “How many more than the 30,000 Palestinians already killed and the 70,000 wounded before we say to Prime Minister Netanyahu: Enough. “How many more homes and shops and schools and child-care centers and hospitals must be destroyed before we say to Prime Minister Netanyahu: Enough... “It has been said many times before: U.S. aid is not a blank check. When it comes to the Netanyahu government, it has, for many years and across Democratic and Republican administrations, been a blank check. “It’s long past time for the United States to stop supporting, by commission and omission, actions that are inconsistent with our principles and our policies and which make peace between Israelis and Palestinians ever more elusive, ever more difficult to achieve.” Senator Welch’s full remarks can be read here.

From Stowe Mountain Rescue - Feb. 21. Last night Stowe Mountain Rescue was involved in the search and recovery of a young man who died in a tragic skiing accident in backcountry terrain, accessed from Stowe Mountain Resort. As skiers ourselves, we understand the draw to explore the backcountry and we’re devastated at the senseless loss of such a beautiful, adventurous young life. The only thing we can do here is to try to avoid this happening again. So, with apologies for preaching, please note the following: When you ski in the backcountry you’re facing an entirely different level of risk than resort skiing. There are multiple hazards, from unexpected cliff bands to hidden rocks, potential snow slides and deadly tree wells. Honestly, there is little that can be done to mitigate these hazards, even for expert skiers. Having said that, there are some underlying rules that should ALWAYS be followed: 1/ Only ski terrain you’re familiar with. Go with someone who knows where the cliffs are. Hire a reputable guide if necessary. Don’t ski alone! Not that having a partner can prevent catastrophe, but it might just save you in the case of serious injury. 2/ Tell someone your plans - your intended route and anticipated timeline. ]3/ Be equipped to effect your own rescue or survive while you await help. This means carry a first aid kit, protection from the elements, high energy food and water, spare phone battery, headlamps and maybe a fire starting kit. Cumbersome, but important: it might take us a couple of hours to reach you - and hypothermia won’t wait. 4/ Don’t hesitate to reach out for help…before you need it. Dial 911, which gives us your location, and be put in touch with our team. We can help steer you in the right direction and start moving towards you if it seems like you’ll need a rescue. Let’s honor the life of this young man by following and sharing these principles. It won’t prevent all tragedies but might prevent some.