Today, Vermont Realtors announced the results of an August 2014 telephone survey of Vermont registered voters which demonstrates significant dissatisfaction with current property tax rates and increasing support for candidates who are committed to working towards meaningful property tax reform. VR has shared the results of the survey directly with candidates for office in an effort to initiate a dialogue about the need for property tax reform, and the level of importance this issue has for voters this election season.
The survey reached 500 adults, age 18 or older that indicated they were registered to vote and who plan to vote in Vermont’s November. The survey was conducted August 20-24, 2014.
“Voters in Vermont overwhelmingly believe that property taxes in the state are too high and are looking for candidates who will work to change the way public schools are funded in the state,” said VR President Donna Cusson. “While Vermonters are positive about the quality of education in the state, three-in-four believe there is a need to change the way schools are funded.”
“As the state’s Realtor® association, we work to make the dream of home ownership a reality for Vermonters,” added Cusson. “We hear time and again from our members that high property taxes make it impossible for many Vermonters to realize this dream.”
According to the survey, 76 percent of respondents say that property taxes are too high. The poll also demonstrates that this is a non-partisan issue, with two-thirds of Democrats, 78 percent of independents and 85 percent of Republicans sharing the belief that property taxes are too high.
“There is also general agreement on the need to reform the way public schools are funded,” added Cusson. According to the poll, 49 percent of respondents say there is a great need, while 26 percent believe that there is some need. Just nine percent say there is little need and only eight percent see no need. “The intensity on the need for change is striking. This is another area where there is bipartisan agreement: Independents (76 percent), Democrats (75 percent) and Republicans (72 percent) all agree there is either a great or some need for school funding reform,” said Cusson.
VR believes that the public should be heard on this important issue. The strong desire for reform is apparent when comparing a pro-reform candidate to a candidate who will work to protect the current education funding system. Nearly two-thirds of voters support a candidate who will work to change the current education funding system. This is true regardless of whether or not lowering property taxes is included in the question. “It is obvious from the data collected that Vermonters are eager to see modifications to the current education funding system for public schools,” said Cusson. “The burden needs to be lifted from taxpayers in order for property owners to maintain homeownership. With the continued decline in school enrollment across the state, decisions need to be made for cutting costs and alleviating excess spending.”
“These issues need to be addressed head on,” said Cusson. “Now is the time to elect officials who will face these challenges and make changes. The dream of home ownership should not be a luxury.”
ABOUT THE SURVEY:
**American Strategies, Inc. and Myers Research Strategic Services, LLC designed and administered this telephone survey. The survey reached 500 adults, age 18 or older who indicated they were registered to vote and would almost certainly or probably vote in the November election for Governor, state legislature and other offices. The survey was conducted August 20-24, 2014. Telephone numbers were generated by a random selection of adults. Thirty percent of respondents were reached on wireless phones. The sample was stratified by county. Regional quotas were assigned to reflect the population distribution. The data were not weighted. The sample size is 500.
In interpreting survey results, all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling error: that is, the results of a survey may differ from results that would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The size of the sampling error depends upon both the total number of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution of responses to a particular question. For example, if a response to a given question to which all respondents answered was 50%, we could be 95% confident that the true percentage would fall within plus or minus 4.4% of this percentage or between 45.6% and 54.4%.
Vermont Realtors® serves more than 1600 Realtor® and affiliate members in Vermont. VR is part of the National Association of Realtors®, the largest trade association in the U.S. with more than 1 million members. The purpose of Vermont Realtors® is to serve its members by providing resources that help them deliver real estate services in an ethical and professional manner; and to advocate for the rights of property owners in Vermont.