[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6265154,"mediaKeyId","3095055-ed294a443e52e8b449ac77d30b2fb770","parentId",3095055,"title","Ways & Means opens extensive debate on amendment to exempt military retirement and survivor benefits from state income tax","audioSeconds",625,"startMs",630515,"endMs",4707,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095055-ed294a443e52e8b449ac77d30b2fb770&start=630&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095055-ed294a443e52e8b449ac77d30b2fb770/thumbnail_630515.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265154/Vermont/Ways-Means-opens-extensive-debate-on-amendment-to-exempt-military-retirement-and-survivor-benefits-from-state-income-tax","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265154-4e71e47dcfdc148608e62ed483eee7cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1776056788&Signature=CkOqFr7YEhCiKvCM0T2sUwT6VZrIJR6K0aCdHZjTqxWgwUsgHGJuNIOJUoiJspAAQIaWxH18K0PmR~cgJAL9PzJNgO4fl7eoBoWeCkjKch3zYzow86yvhLxyGWs2BjRdD~rzg~mZIAeotbup8u~5IJzKbdCwpUcX3CzyiCkvMKDaQ6hE~60RFQaXVOnRvQAGTtvj7UzJ~qkwHP22phsohiave4FAISX62KX59tfzDP919cHIYLK8CA13xPmUSglqy1foJunYIF4g1B2WCQ4kd5NmYa3dXUdVrMLDm8FozVIk~2x40xVuiNXDo78mZYiMm8Kp0y7mbt7PSEnC2NNkTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-23T13:01:03Z","article","The Ways & Means committee spent much of the session hearing an amendment to H.483 that would exempt U.S. military retirement and military survivor benefit income from Vermont personal income tax.

Representative Jed Lipsky introduced the amendment, saying it would remove the partial-exemption language in current law so that ‘‘all military retirement income will be exempt’’ and would exclude military retirement and survivor benefits from the definition of taxable income. Lipsky framed the change as recognition of the ‘‘uniqueness’’ of 20-year military service and said the exemption could help retain and attract veterans to Vermont.

Gary DeGasto, a retired U.S. Army colonel and chair of the Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council, testified in support and summarized Joint Fiscal Office figures the witnesses used throughout the hearing: about 34,000 veterans live in Vermont, roughly 30,900 are military retirees and about 750 are survivors; military retirees in Vermont receive roughly $90.8 million in benefits annually (about $25,269 per recipient), and survivors receive about $8.9 million (about $11,808 per recipient). DeGasto said the Joint Fiscal Office estimated a full exemption would reduce Vermont personal income tax revenues by about $3.9 million.

Brigadier General Hank Harder, deputy adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, told the committee taxation of military retirement and survivor benefits ‘‘puts Vermont at a significant disadvantage when recruiting and retaining service members’’ and described a pattern of senior Guard members relocating out of state after retirement. He said retaining retirees and attracting prior-service members could help address Vermont’s workforce shortages and estimated the Guard’s pay and allowances bring roughly $152 million into the state annually.

Committee members pressed witnesses on fiscal trade-offs and precedent for other public-service professions. Witnesses acknowledged a fiscal note exists and that 47 other states currently exempt military retirement pay; they also stressed the potential economic and workforce benefits of retaining retirees and prior-service personnel. No formal committee vote on H.483 or the amendment was recorded during the transcript; committee members indicated they would continue deliberations and public testimony on related veterans issues in other forums.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Ways and Means 2025-04-23 9AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Ways & Means committee spent much of the session hearing an amendment to H.483 that would exempt U.S. military retirement and military survivor benefit income from Vermont personal income tax.","taxTitle","Ways & Means, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",35157,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":42,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6265159,"Committee finds H.364 favorable to approve Swanton annexation of 124 First Street",4560,630215,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095055-ed294a443e52e8b449ac77d30b2fb770&start=4&end=630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095055-ed294a443e52e8b449ac77d30b2fb770/thumbnail_4560.jpg","/articles/6265159/Vermont/Committee-finds-H364-favorable-to-approve-Swanton-annexation-of-124-First-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265159-6d423da163f268a9416df75b3153b395/orig.mp4?Expires=1776056788&Signature=dvs76OeKCCea0Ms2W8FHByayWjeS0YDkWyBgJkrapA8y3wH3UIcKwedfZcbHfEgxCr7lh~sanlOe1M8dmtOY-n-aD4Z8-tHU9SWGlbh1vOZ8J8l0UrMxNDvbzls7wEaNEj65bhs-vTsfhLOFgoyJJOwpdX4Sk~vVbZlhe53KHKCBaMP4UM77p10OnNHJdJeWdofBbG-uJDNcSCFyeTlSxhoLuNFH4mkUWyNkX5dY88LMhxnWxoXlz9~jBgQ~xRPW4iedFqBt7LBvyhlPSiF4GliZ~TeNOatqJd0FnmybvAw6TAc1rj70KD9o1fdUqBDYhnaTJsJk2p9f-AZGyAdNRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Wednesday, April 23, the Ways & Means committee voted to find H.364 favorable, a session-law bill approving the Village of Swanton’s annexation of property at 124 First Street.

The bill is necessary because, unlike other incorporated villages governed by general law, the Village of Swanton’s charter requires the General Assembly’s approval for annexations. Tucker Anderson, the committee’s counsel, said the proposal is a session-law provision that does not amend charter language or change municipal authority.

Anderson told the committee the parcel at 124 First Street is contiguous with the village, will house municipal offices and allow expansion of the village police department, and would be added to the village grand list while remaining within the surrounding town. He said the annexation does not change state obligations and “this doesn’t cost the state anything, no change to state obligation at all.”

Representative Jed Wozizak moved that the committee find H.364 favorable; the clerk called the roll and recorded 11 yes votes. The committee noted the underlying annexation procedures are in Title 24 and that local legislative bodies had voted to approve the transfer of property. The committee directed the clerk to report the bill out as favorable.","The Ways & Means committee voted to report H.364 favorably, a session-law bill approving the Village of Swanton’s annexation of a contiguous parcel at 124 First Street. Committee staff explained the vote is necessary because Swanton’s charter requires General Assembly approval; the change does not alter state obligations.","actionData","errors"]

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Ways & Means opens extensive debate on amendment to exempt military retirement and survivor benefits from state income tax

Committee finds H.364 favorable to approve Swanton annexation of 124 First Street