I will find the outcome of the option tax vote in Montpelier interesting.  If you recall, the last time this came to a vote it was opposed by the local small business owners AND the Montpelier Downtown Workers Union UE Local 221.  

Back then, the union had contacts in two local shops, and had individual members in bissinesses all over Montpelier. At one point the 221 had over 100 downtown workers signed up.  

In that past fight the union framed the tax as regressive, and as an effective 1% pay cut for the many downtown employees who regularly buy their lunches and other meals in town.  The union had anti-option tax posters up all around town.  They also had union meetings with local workers where the option tax was discussed, and all workers (who live in Montpelier) were encouraged to vote in the election and to vote NO.  And again, the union further advocated against this tax in their Montpelier Downtown Workers Journal publication, which was given out to hundreds of union and nonunion employees alike.   And finally, the union was not shy in sharing its anti-option tax views with the media.  In fact I was quoted in the Montpelier Bridge as a spokesman for the union where I encouraged a no vote.  This was the first time I was publicly quoted as a union member.  And the very next day I was fired, by Jeff Jacobs, from my job bartending in Charlie O’s (coincidence?). Jacob may have been against the option tax, but he was also against the union.

Rooms tax?  Sure. Meals and goods tax? I still say no.  These are regressive taxes that negatively impact hard working people in Montpelier.