Page 18 - Jonathan Baker News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The Vermont Communications Union Districts Association (VCUDA) has elected new officers: President: Ellie de Villiers, Maple Broadband Vice President: Jonathan Baker, NEK Broadband Treasurer & Secretary: F. X. Flinn, ECFiber VCUDA consists of nine Communications Union Districts (CUDs), regional municipalities that have formed in Vermont to provide world-class broadband to unserved and underserved addresses in Vermont. Modeled on the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, VCUDA formed in November 2020. Addison County native de Villiers steps into VCUDA leadership with deep experience in telecommun...

The Federal Trade Commission has named Aviv Nevo as the new FTC Bureau of Economics Director, filling a position left vacant since February 2022. Professor Nevo’s appointment was unanimously approved by the FTC commissioners.

Now is the time to redefine “affordable housing” to mean affordable homeownership. It is encouraging to see the Legislature show some willingness to tackle the housing crisis. Incentivizing those who hoard housing to sell vacant second (third, fourth) homes is an excellent start to solving the current crisis and I applaud lawmakers for pushing forward in this direction. Homeownership for Vermont families should be the goal, not more passive income for the parasitic real estate investor from out of state. To be perfectly clear, promoting “affordable rentals” is a half-measure. It should...

A Defra farming expert has given an update on how his government department is evaluating the potential for carbon trading in agriculture. Jonathan Baker,

Homeownership is the cornerstone of democracy in this country. No one should have to rent simply because they were born in the wrong decade. It is past time to act to make sure all Vermont families have a fair chance to become homeowners. Homes are not an investment, they are shelter. Homes are not financial instruments. Homes are not meant to generate “good returns.” The property tax rate on second homes in Vermont should be raised to a level that incentivizes turning these “investments” back into primary residences for families. Second homes are an embarrassing luxury item that Vermo...