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NORTHWEST VERMONT — Republican Vermont Reps. Chris Mattos of Milton and Pat Brennan of Colchester were voted into State Senate seats last month, among six other Republicans new to the chamber, rendering the Democratic supermajority a thing of the past. Republicans unseated four incumbents and scored another two open seats vacated by long-serving Democrats. The GOP nearly doubled its representation in the upper chamber, from seven seats last session to 13 in the next. Democrats and Progressives, who held 23 seats before and just 17 now, will no longer have the two-thirds majority necessary to override gubernatorial vetoes. The Democratic party also lost its supermajority this election cycle in the Vermont House. Brennan and Mattos are excited about their wins, as well as hope about the renewed potential to accomplish some of their legislative goals, with the shift in their party’s favor that’s taken place in Montpelier in the wake of this election cycle. “I think the tone is going to set itself,” Brennan said. “I don't think I'll have to set it. I think the voters set the tone when they chose their senators and representatives at the polls this year. I think it's going to be a tone of collaboration... We'll hopefully get along, and I don't see why we wouldn't.” Brennan, represented Colchester in the House for 21 years before winning the Grand Isle District senate seat previously held by the late former Senator Dick Mazza (D). In a contentious race, Brennan beat Democrat Andy Julow by 725 votes . “When there was a supermajority, there was no need for collaboration,” he said. “The other team there just did what they wanted and we weren't involved a whole lot, other than saying ‘No, we kind of don't like that bill, it's not good for my people at home.’ That’s where you get ‘the party of no.’” Brennan believes it’s not that the Republicans are actually the party of no, but that their suggestions and ideas weren’t listened to in the past. He hopes all parties will be able to come together now, not to push their “own agendas” but to do “what’s good for Vermont.” Brennan thinks he was voted into office as a state senator because the people wanted a change, largely to do with the growing tax burden, but also because of the reputation he’s built up among constituents in his district as a state representative for decades already. “I think everybody agrees, or 90% of the population might agree, the supermajority was not a good thing for anyone, especially the taxpayer,” Brennan said. “The supermajority had their chance to make some changes and didn't do that. So the pressure’s on now. People are looking at the new legislature, the new make-up, to make things right.” Mattos said he’d be lying if he said he wasn't surprised at the upset that happened in Vermont this election. On Nov. 5, Mattos beat incumbent Senator Irene Wrenner (D), to represent Chittenden-North, a district that includes parts of Milton, Essex Town, Westford and Fairfax. “I knew we were going to pick up some seats, but not to the number that we did, so I was very happy,” he said. Mattos credits the swing to voters’ frustrations about rising property taxes, and the potential expenses of the Clean Heat Standard — a Vermont law passed last year committing the state to reducing its greenhouse gas output, which has sparked debate around its potential costliness once put into practice, despite advocates’ assurance it can be done affordably — as well as an increase in Department of Motor Vehicles’ fees that was not even requested by that department. “I think Vermonters were just tapped out with all the different fees and taxes that have increased over the past couple of years,” Mattos said. “So they definitely voted with their pocketbooks this election. It showed across the state.” When asked what parts of the budget they would look to pare down in order to see that taxpayer burden reduced, both Mattos and Brennan named the public education fund first and foremost. Mattos in particular worked on the education committee his first three years in the Vermont House, and has been on the ways and means committee for the past four. Now that he’ll be in the Senate, figuring out education finance remains his biggest priority — particularly now that the number of members of each party in the chamber are “more balanced.” “We're really going to have a seat at the table to get our ideas out there,” Mattos said. “Over the past years, the majority definitely said, ‘We can do whatever we want, we don't need your support.’ And they definitely, definitely showed it.” Mattos said while on ways and means, legislators had a draft of a bill brought up and had a meeting with leadership advocates the next day, and the day after that the bill had become a study on education finance — which, he said, in the next 24 hours, was halted by the opposing party. “So, I’m hoping that doesn't happen anymore,” Mattos said. “There are backstops in both bodies. I’m hopeful that the majority will listen to our ideas that we have, because I think we do have some good ideas out there.” Mattos believes it’s a huge issue that the current education funding system allows no way for individual school boards to know how their budget will affect their town’s tax rate, because of how dependent local property taxes are on what all other school districts choose to do. He said it’s problematic that historically low-spending districts are expected to “subsidize” higher-spending districts, or for higher-spending districts to get tax rate “discounts.” “We need to have a system that's more predictable for the school boards when they're crafting their budgets and determining where they want to spend their money and how much they want to spend,” he said, referencing the three budget votes in his own town of Milton this past year. “When it gets down to it, when we do a budget re-vote, and voters want to see substantial decreases in the tax rate, it really takes a lot of money to cut to get to something that can pass,” he said. “It's really an all-state model, and it's all these towns voting on their local budgets.” Mattos’ proposition is having a standard spending rate to cover the essentials mandated by the state of every district. This way, individual school districts wouldn’t be to blame for their baseline needed expenditures, and anything beyond that can be voted on by the taxpayer, with local taxation being more closely tied to what the local district is spending than it currently is. When asked about funding deferred maintenance — a problem that has gone on for decades in many districts due to the costly nature of making essential facility repairs — Mattos pointed to the number of added hires that have been made in many districts, and the growing size of school staffs despite declining student enrollments as a place to look to cut down on expenditures, freeing up funds to address deferred maintenance in that way. Mattos also acknowledged that private health insurance rates have risen drastically. “It's going to take a lot of money to do all those things, and we need to work within the budget of the state to be able to get there — and not raise new taxes, not raise new fees,” he said. Brennan agreed education funding is number one on his list of things to look at in an effort to render Vermont a more affordable state, as he said he heard out of almost every door he knocked on whilst campaigning that property taxes are too high. “I don't know how people survive, and actually a lot of them don't,” Brennan said. “A lot of people are packing their bags and moving out of state. So that's where we start: We need a total restructuring of how we fund education.” Brennan said he looks forward to considering the recommendations of studies on education funding, and to considering Gov. Phil Scott’s ideas on the matter moving forward, to provide some taxpayer relief via trims to aspects of education that currently may be out of balance. “I expect there to be probably two or three bills to address that, maybe more,” Brennan said. Otherwise, Brennan is concerned with revisiting a true reform of Act 250 in an effort to keep housing more affordable, as well as digging into what can be done for Vermonters’ healthcare. In addition, he expects to see and support a number of bills to strengthen public safety and address the drug epidemic, by getting “a little tougher on crime.” Mattos agreed about the need for further reform Act 250, specifically to make the laws more predictable and less risky for developers to engage with, and hopefully speeding up the development of housing statewide, whilst still protecting the natural beauty of the state. “Gov. Scott's adage, is we need more taxpayers, not more taxes,” Mattos said. “The housing thing is another initiative of mine, because that's what I do in my professional life. I'm a licensed realtor and have a property management and excavation business, so I see it every day.” Mattos favors a mix of housing types, for short- and long-term rental apartment complexes, various sizes and styles available to home-owners on different incomes, and senior living facilities for those who can’t keep up with their large homes but want to stay in the community. He said there’s lots of education out there for first-time home buyers as well as great incentives with down payment assistance from local credit unions, but that he would also favor governmental assistance for first-time home buyers to incentivize completing a homeownership course — say, a $1,000 credit at closing for young Vermonters who don’t want to rent forever. “With the rents being what they are, it's really cumbersome for people to be able to save up money while being able to afford rent,” Mattos said. “So if we increase our housing stock and take pressure off the vacancy rate that's so low that it's very hard to find an apartment, we could make some strides there by being able to get more affordable housing out there.” Mattos’ other concerns are the expenses that could come with the Clean Heat Standard. Instead, he wants to focus more on funding infrastructure-based climate resiliency in the wake of recent flooding events. Though only just elected to their first terms, Brennan and Mattos said they hope to continue serving in their respective senatorial seats well beyond this initial term, and to make Vermont better and more affordable while in office. “I’m not sure we've earned their trust yet,” Brennan said. “That's something that we have to do when we start the session. They're frustrated and they wanted change, and they voted for change. The trust comes now when we get to Montpelier and we actually have to produce.” “I am going to earn their trust and make every effort I can and vote for responsible bills to make Vermont better and to reduce the property tax burden on Vermonters,” he added. VTDigger has reported that a third of the monetary support funding GOP campaigns in some of Vermont’s most contentious races this year came from just 10 wealthy families , with major donors’ impact on the election dwarfing the contributions of those made by others — this year, this held true to a much more significant degree among Republicans than it did for Democrats. The Digger story referenced Mattos’ and Brennans’ races specifically, and quoted the Vermont Democratic Party’s executive director, Jim Dandeneau, as saying Democrats have worked for years to build a Vermont that works for everyone and not just the “wealthy few,” yet these wealthy few this year made a concerted effort to disproportionately fuel and promote said Republican races. “I think that's a misnomer,” Brennan told us in response. “I did receive a lot of money from wealthier people. I received a lot of money from middle class people, and I received $20 checks from people who really couldn't afford $20.” “The wealthier people gave what they could afford,” he added. “It wasn't that it was ‘big money.’ It was that people were concerned about the direction Vermont was headed. Some of that money wasn't all Republican, rich folk. It was Democrat, Republican, Independent.” Mattos said he is beholden to all the constituents in his district, and said he’s done that for the past seven years as a state representative and will continue to do that as a state senator. “I appreciate all the support that I received,” he said. “We have business owners largely in Chittenden County that were a little fed up and tired of the way Vermont was moving, so they wanted to donate, and they happened to donate to my campaign, and I appreciate that.” “I'm happy that I had the level of support that I did,” he added. “But at the end of the day, I represent the people who are in my district.” Brennan talks about himself as a steward of “common sense” governance, which as he sees it, means not passing legislation for the sake of passing legislation, but actually thinking about it and how it will impact the average citizen’s life and pocketbook. “And I consider myself an average citizen,” he said. “So it works out well.” “I'm not sure what Webster says ,” he added. “But to me, common sense is taking a look at an issue, putting the book aside, just just looking at an issue, thinking about the repercussions of a bill, both ways, who it affects, how it affects them, and saying: ‘Does this make sense?’” Brennan said he is a true Republican and votes with the party 90% of the time, but that simultaneously, he’s not married to the party, and hopes to carry on the late Dick Mazza’s legacy by honoring Mazza’s centrism and ability to collaborate across the aisle. “I would just like to urge constituents of all parties, even the ones who didn't vote for me, to contact me with concerns,” he said. “I take every call and concern very seriously, and we'll try to address them in the quickest and most responsible way I can.” Brennan can be reached at pbrennan@leg.state.vt.us or at 802-578-2763. “My door is always open,” Mattos said, as well. “My office is on Main Street in Milton, so I always have people stop by... And I'm just going to continue doing that and putting out my legislative updates and always fielding any phone calls, text messages and emails.” Mattos can be reached at cmattos@leg.state.vt.us or at 802-828-2228.None
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AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:57 p.m. ESTTrump seeks dismissal of hush money case, citing election victory Manhattan jury finds Trump guilty of falsifying business records to pay adult star Stormy Daniels Donald Trump has asked a New York state judge to dismiss the criminal case in which he was convicted in May on 34 felony counts related to hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, Reuters reported. In a motion filed Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers argued that continuing the case after his election victory would disrupt his ability to govern, as the charges would hang over him when he takes office on January 20. Trump’s defense team, led by Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, urged Justice Juan Merchan to vacate the guilty verdict and dismiss the charges, calling the case an unwarranted disruption by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. They argued that local officials like Bragg have no valid reason to cause such a distraction during Trump's presidential term. The motion was made public after Merchan delayed Trump’s sentencing, originally scheduled for November 26, to allow time for Trump’s legal team to argue for dismissal. Prosecutors from Bragg’s office have agreed to the delay but indicated they would oppose the dismissal. The judge has not yet set a date for ruling or rescheduling sentencing. Trump’s lawyers also referenced President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, in their motion, calling it an "extraordinary condemnation" of the Justice Department's actions. They reiterated their claim that Bragg’s prosecution was politically motivated, alleging coordination with the Biden administration. The case stems from a $130,000 payment made to Daniels in 2016 to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump, which he denies. Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records related to the payment, marking the first time a sitting or former US president has been convicted of a criminal offense. Trump faces additional legal challenges, including charges related to classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. China halts export of key minerals to US amid rising trade tensions Martial law will be lifted, announces South Korea President Yoon India eyes business ties with China after border row resolved Martial law declared in S Korea, troops try to barge into parliament
As New York City prosecutors worked Thursday to bring murder charges against Luigi Mangione in the brazen killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , supporters of the suspect are donating tens of thousands of dollars for a defense fund established for him, leaving law enforcement officials worried Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Several online defense funds have been created for Mangione by anonymous people, including one on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo that as of Thursday afternoon had raised over $50,000. The GiveSendGo defense fund for the 26-year-old Mangione was established by an anonymous group calling itself "The December 4th Legal Committee," apparently in reference to the day Mangione allegedly ambushed and gunned down Thompson in Midtown Manhattan as the executive walked to his company's shareholders conference at the New York Hilton hotel. "We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right to fair legal representation," the anonymous group said in a statement. The crowdfunding campaign prompted donations from more than 1,500 anonymous donors across the country, many of them leaving messages of support for Mangione, including one person who called themselves "A frustrated citizen" and thanked Mangione for "sparking the awareness and thought across this sleeping nation." The GiveSendGo fund for Mangione appeared to be briefly taken down before it was restored on Thursday. GiveSendGo did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. Other crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe have also taken down campaigns soliciting donations for Mangione's defense. "GoFundMe's Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes," the crowdfunding website said in a statement. "The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded." Amazon and Etsy have removed from their websites merchandise featuring Mangione, including T-shirts and tote bags reading "Free Luigi" and the phrase "Deny, Defend, Depose," words police said were etched in the shell casings discovered at the scene of Thompson's homicide. "Celebrating this conduct is abhorrent to me. It's deeply disturbing," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told ABC News senior investigative reporter Aaron Katersky in an interview Wednesday night. "And what I would say to members of the public, people who as you described are celebrating this and maybe contemplating other action, that we will be vigilant and we will hold people accountable. We are at the ready." Prosecutors at the Manhattan district attorney's office have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury as they work to try to secure an indictment against Mangione, sources told ABC News on Thursday. Mangione's attorney, Thomas Dickey of Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested Monday following a five-day manhunt, said his client is presumed innocent and will plead not guilty to any charges filed against him. Mangione is contesting extradition to New York. Asked about people contributing to Mangione defense funds that have popped up, Dickey said, "People are entitled to their opinion and, like I said, if you're an American and you believe in the American criminal justice system, you have to presume him to be innocent and none of us would want anything other than that if that were us in their shoes. So, I'm glad he had some support." But law enforcement officials have expressed concern that Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Someone this week pasted "wanted posters" outside the New York Stock Exchange naming other executives. A bulletin released Wednesday by the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center, a multi-agency law enforcement intelligence-sharing network based in Philadelphia, included a photo of a banner hanging from an overpass reading, "Deny, Defend, Depose." "Many social media users have outright advocated for the continued killings of CEOs with some aiming to spread fear by posting 'hit lists,'" the bulletin, obtained by ABC News, reads. Meanwhile, New York Police Department investigators continue to build a murder case against Mangione, who is being held in Pennsylvania on charges stemming from his arrest there, including illegal possession of ghost gun and fraudulent identification. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that the three shell casings recovered at the scene of Thompson's shooting matched the gun found in Mangione possession when he was arrested. She also confirmed that Mangione's fingerprints were recovered from a water bottle and the wrapper of a granola bar found near the crime scene.REFORM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge ruled that the family of former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr., who died in law enforcement custody in Alabama, can pursue a lawsuit alleging his death was the result of excessive force. Foster, a former New Orleans Saints defensive end, died on Dec. 6, 2021, three days after being arrested and taken to jail in rural Pickens County for alleged speeding and attempting to elude police. A judge ordered Foster taken to a medical facility in Tuscaloosa for a mental evaluation. Foster was found unresponsive in the back of a law enforcement vehicle when he arrived at the facility. He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later. His widow, Pamela Foster, filed a lawsuit against officers at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and jail saying Foster had been beaten, shocked with a Taser and strangled while at the jail. The defendants then asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon ruled Thursday refused to dismiss allegations of excessive force and failure to intervene. Axon dismissed other portions of the lawsuit. The ruling came a day before the third anniversary of Foster’s death. Foster appeared in 17 games for the Saints in 2013 and 2014.
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