Vermont Mayors Call for Ban on Felons Getting Weapons

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Credit U.S. Census Bureau

Vermont's mayors say they want a state law banning convicted felons from getting firearms, to match the current federal law.

Mayors from seven of the state's eight cities held a news conference Tuesday to outline proposals for the Legislature. The one absent mayor, Paul Monette of Newport, had a scheduling conflict.

The mayors say they want changes to the state's system of tax increment financing districts. They say current law is ambiguous and has led to disputes over a program that allows cities and towns to borrow money for redevelopment projects and pay it back through taxes raised on the new development.

The mayors also say they want better monitoring of people released from the criminal justice system, or who are out awaiting trial.

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