City representatives brief council on 2025 Vermont legislative session: guns-in-bars charter, housing, opioid funds and project-based TIFs

Burlington City Council received an update on state legislative activity from city representatives David Mickenberg and Virginia Renfrew during its April 28 meeting. The briefing covered multiple items with direct implications for the city including charter changes, homelessness funding, opioid settlement allocations and a project-based tax increment financing (TIF) program.

Charter changes and firearms in bars: Mickenberg reported that a charter change to ban firearms in bars passed the Vermont Senate Government Operations Committee and advanced through floor votes in the senate. The change carried on second and third readings and is now headed to the House Government Operations Committee for consideration, where city representatives said they will continue to advocate. The presenters said the measure was narrowed to focus on firearms in establishments serving alcohol to align…