Vermont city nixes old language about sex work from charter

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Residents passed four of five ballot measures in Vermont’s largest city, balking only at a measure that would have increased the tax rate.

Burlington residents signed off on funding for a revamped Main Street and a bond to help pay for firetrucks and fix streets, WCAX-TV reported. They also approved Tuesday the school budget and a charter change intended to remove old language about sex work from the charter.

Supporters of the charter change said the language was archaic and discriminatory. It said the council will be able to “restrain and suppress houses of ill fame and disorderly houses, and to punish common prostitutes and persons consorting therewith.”

Progressives also held onto six seats on the Burlington City Council on Tuesday. That is half of the council.