Berlin, Vermont – 5 months after Tropical Storm Irene hit our area, Patricia Goodell and her husband are finally starting to settle into their new mobile home in Berlin.
"It looked like a war zone," said Goodell, whose home was destroyed by five feet of water.
Instead of cutting her losses and running, she decided to come back.
"It hadn't flooded in recent memory so we decided it's probably not going to happen again. Hopefully not in our lifetime," said Goodell.
Goodell bought a new mobile home, an expense she wasn't counting on and one that gave the state extra revenue in sales tax.
But now Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott says Goodell should get that money back.
"I thought how unfair it was for those who were forced into that situation to have to pay a sales tax or property transfer tax," said Lt. Gov. Scott.
Fox 44 News told Goodell about the proposal and she says getting money back would make a difference.
"To have even a few hundred dollars that we paid in sales tax removed from the mortgage we have on the place would be extremely helpful," said Goodell.
Scott also wants to give a break to everyone else. He wants the day Irene hit, August 28th, to be tax-free shopping.
Lt. Governor Scott says the tax-free day would cost the state a million and a half dollars and that's something Governor Shumlin says has to be addressed before it's passed."
"So to have a sales tax holiday on that date to commemorate I think would be a great idea," said Goodell.
If the bill passes there is a ten month window where sales tax on mobile home purchases would be waived.
The bill is currently in the senate finance committee.
