Two Vermont legislators are proposing to repeal the current education funding system (Act 60/68) to make way for a new policy beginning with the the 2017-2018 academic year.
Patti Komline (R-Dorset). vtdigger.org photo
“Vermont homeowners are seeing property taxes go up 4 cents and business property taxes go up 7.5 cents under Act 68’s current formula,” said Patti Komline (R-Dorset). “This after significant increases last year, and there is no relief in sight.”
“For years, Vermonters have seen their property taxes increase far greater than their incomes,” added Representative Heidi Scheuermann (R-Stowe). “They have been pleading with us to do something meaningful to address the problem. Yet, for years, we have done nothing.”
Heidi Scheuermann (R-Stowe). vtdigger.org photo
The veteran legislators are proposing an amendment that would repeal Act 60/68 as of July 1, 2016, and require lawmakers to develop a new system for the 2017-2018 academic year that:
1) Will be an equitable and fair, less complex funding system that ensures substantially equal educational opportunities;
2) Will improve and expand educational opportunities for students;
3) Will reconnect taxpayers with budgets voted upon, money spent, and taxes paid.
“The bottom line is that Act 60/68 is broken,” continued Komline. “It has become so convoluted and complicated that we’re hard pressed to find 20 people who actually understand it. And, it is completely unsustainable, as is evident with our skyrocketing property taxes. It is time for us to set a deadline to take action.”
“In fact, property taxes are suffocating Vermont families and our thousands of small businesses,” continued Scheuermann, “not to mention the affect it is having on our municipalities.
“Our local Select Boards and municipal officials are finding it more and more difficult to meet the needs of the community, because they have so little taxing capacity left.”
“Last year, property taxes increased by 5 cents for residential taxpayers and 6 cents for our small businesses and other non-residential property taxpayers,” continued Komline. “We knew at the time that we’d see similar increases this year, yet did nothing. Now we know that we will see similar increases next year. Vermonters can’t afford anymore.”
“The number of school budgets defeated this year sends a clear message to Montpelier – that it is time for the Governor and the legislature to show some leadership,” concluded Scheuermann. “This is a way to be sure Vermonters know we are absolutely committed to change. Vermonters want to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that that light isn’t a train coming at them.”
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