Kyle Hansen

Kyle Hansen earned a high school diploma from Woodstock Union High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Norwich University in 2021 and a graduate degree from Vermont Law and Graduate School in 2024.[1] He has been affiliated with the Pomfret Zoning Board of Adjustment and Pomfret Selectboard.[2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong Pomfret resident, and I am excited for the opportunity to represent my neighbors and fellow residents in the State House. I graduated from Woodstock Union High School, received a bachelors degree in Political Science from Norwich University, and later, a masters degree in Climate and Environmental Science from Vermont Law and Graduate School. I have been a member of Pomfret's Zoning Board of Adjustment since 2023. I was recently appointed to fill a vacancy on Pomfret's Selectboard, and I have a professional background in planning and zoning. I have volunteered as a coach for Woodstock's 5th and 6th grade mountain bike team since 2022, and I am a member of the Woodstock Area Mountain Bike Association (WAMBA). I am running for an affordable Vermont; our state is unaffordable for young people, working people of all ages, and retirees. Most of my classmates have moved away due to the high cost of living and few job options. I strive to represent the towns and communities I love, and to be a voice and advocate for my fellow residents who wish to see a strong, diverse, rural economy which works for all working people.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Housing must be affordable and available to Vermonters. We can ease the tax burden felt by working Vermonters and retirees by increasing taxes on the rich. We must increase of the income limit of the property tax credit to cover resident households earning up to $150k per year. We should offset this tax credit by taxing second homes at the same tax rate as full time residences, and by creating an additional tax on vacant second homes that do not meet the definition of a seasonal camp. By regulating short term rentals and seasonal homes, additional single-family homes may re-enter the market and increase the supply of housing without the need to build as many new units. If more units enter the market, the price of housing will decrease.The working class, including farmers, has been left behind. Workers must be guaranteed protections and benefits. The minimum wage must be raised, and the right of all workers to join, form, and maintain unions must be protected. Vermont's economy must be diversified by investing in more agriculture of all shapes and sizes; more food must be locally sourced so that we are not as reliant on outside food production. More grants should be offered to small family and community owned farms. Lawmakers must make agriculture more affordable and sustainable for farmers, and enact tax reform to allow for farms to be operated and inherited without exorbitant estate or property taxes. We should also invest in more trade school programs statewide.Our rural communities must be protected, and local control and input must be respected. All statewide land use laws must allow for local control and oversight, instead of being imposed on rural communities. We must repeal and replace Act181 with a new housing bill which will not impose additional restrictions in the rural areas. Similarly, we must repeal Act73. Our rural towns must not be forced to close their schools due to forced consolidation efforts. We can fully fund our rural schools through reforming our tax codes to reduce taxes on working Vermonters, by increasing taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters and many part time residents who are not currently paying their fair share. We must also enact a moratorium on AI datacenters.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The areas of public policy I am most passionate about, in no particular order, are the following; Land Use, Workers' Rights, Housing, Agriculture, Education, and Healthcare.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Let's Grow Kids Action Network

The Vermont State Employees' Association