Vermont Business Magazine Friday, the Committee of Conference on H.454 reached an agreement, advancing landmark legislation aimed at transforming Vermont’s education system and reducing property taxes. The full House and Senate must approve the deal next week. Governor Scott said that approval was not a "slam dunk." For his part, Scott said the compromise was just that, and did not have all the language he wanted. for instance, the House wanted implementation to start in 2029, the governor wanted 2027, and conferees settled on 2028. There were also compromises on how much money private schools would get. Democrats wanted less, while the governor and Republicans wanted more.
Following the agreement, Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski issued the following statement:
“At the start of the legislative session, the House, Senate, and Governor all agreed to take on the complex challenge of transforming our education system to better serve Vermont’s kids. We entered this effort with the shared goal of lowering Vermonters’ tax bills while strengthening our public schools,” said Speaker Jill Krowinski. “I’m grateful for the dedication and perseverance of everyone involved. This agreement was made possible through a spirit of compromise and a shared focus on building a better future for our kids.
“H.454 sets us on a path to ensure that students in all 14 counties have access to the educational opportunities they deserve. It creates a framework to reduce property tax bills for Vermonters. Let’s be clear: this is just the beginning of a challenging, multi-year effort. It will take the Agency of Education a tremendous amount of work to implement this transformation, and it will take time and collaboration with educators, students, families, and communities across the state. Lasting change will only come through continued partnership, open dialogue, and a shared vision for a better educational future.
“I want to thank the House and Senate conferees, the Governor and his administration, our dedicated legislative staff, and the Vermonters who shared their perspective and expertise. A better tomorrow is within reach if we continue to work together.”
6.13.2025. MONTPELIER, VT - Speaker
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