Vermont is one of only three states with no safety-valve restrictions on how much a property tax bill can increase in a given year. In the months ahead, the Legislature should examine how the other 47 states manage this issue, identify policies that could work here, and adapt them to Vermont’s unique circumstances. Property taxpayers deserve both immediate relief and long-term predictability.
Vermont Republicans are committed to moving toward the allowable growth formula in Act 73 that more closely aligns a community’s spending with the with taxes. If that change doesn’t happen, future legislatures may run out of tricks to keep taxes down, and voters may need to send another message to the Democratic Majority in Montpelier.
The discussion centered on S.282, legislation that would introduce several tax changes affecting upper-income taxpayers. The bill’s centerpiece is a 4% “wealth proceeds tax” on investment income, modeled on the federal 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax.
A newly leaked memo says over $4000 per household, $2.23/gal “tax” on gasoline.
With an estimated 12 percent increase to property tax rates looming and school budget votes knocking on our doors, a Vermont House committee briefly discussed a bill to freeze property taxes.
If the Legislature seizes on the JFO report to enact a broadbased sales tax on services, the state’s next budget could hit $10,000,000,000 – its first-ever 11 figure budget.
While a recent Wall Street Journal report highlights that Americans are leaving the country in record numbers, many Vermonters are beginning to view the international border as a financial lifeline.
Although framed as a transportation-related revenue concept, the proposal enters a wider national conversation about how governments handle the economics of app-based delivery services and low-margin convenience markets.
We need strong incentives or disincentives to change the status quo. We need to make the school systems feel a little more financial pressure from the taxpayers.
Be sure to send the message you intend to send with your vote.
“It creates a situation where the very people telling us to drive less are also making it more expensive to have things brought to our doors,” Dodge said.
I have very high property taxes. I don’t like to pay property taxes, but I can afford them. And I know that many owners are income sensitized. So, I would like to dig into that premise a little bit more because we throw it around a lot.”
The initial proposal would apply only to electric vehicles, swapping the current flat EV fee of $89 with a per-mile charge using odometer readings. While officials say broader expansion is not on the immediate horizon, decisions made in the next few months could shape whether MBUF becomes Vermont’s long-term transportation funding model.
Our current legislature seems to have no problem in “raising revenue” by taxing Vermonters more each year to match spending increases. With a $9B budget, Vermont does not have a revenue problem. We have a COST problem. We have a SPENDING Problem.
As for solutions ….. Sanders called for a more progressive tax system and a significant increase in the construction of affordable housing. In other words, Sanders said Vermont should solve the problem by increasing taxes on the income (and likely other assets) of the upper middle class and wealthy, allowing for the reduction or at least stabilization of property taxes , and building more affordable housing.
As Beta Technology’s wealth converts to cash over the coming year, money will flow back to the state through multiple distinct channels—including three Vermont-based investment funds with substantial local ownership and hundreds of millions in potential capital gains taxes.
This is the kind of bipartisanship we’re talking about!
The proposal addresses an estimated $200 million increase in the education fund, which could result in an average property tax increase of about 12%.
Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal Program—commonly known as the Current Use Program—has been a central part of the state’s land management approach for more than four decades.
While Vermont property owners who permit recreational use of their land are legally protected, they receive no compensation or tax relief for their generosity.
Scott said education taxes already have risen more than 40% over the last five years while student enrollment, performance, and educational opportunities have declined.
A comprehensive guide to the statewide reappraisal mandate, market disruption, and what Vermont homeowners should understand.
Charter Committee hits pause on tax fairness measures, ponders advisory vote
The bill allows a 100% income tax exemption on military retirement pay and survivor benefits for those earning under $125,000, phasing out by $175,000.
Vermont has both the lowest energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the country. Vermont does not need a greater tax burden. Period.
On paper, Vermont’s tax burden appears moderate: according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), the combined state and local tax burden ranges from 6.3% for the wealthiest households to 10.6% for the lowest-income earners. But when actual Vermonters break down their paychecks and monthly bills, the numbers often feel much higher—sometimes pushing into the 30–40% range before factoring in basic living costs like housing, fuel, and food.
Other key economic metrics strong, White House claims
The long-awaited bill comes coupled with provisions that would allow eligible residents to receive public benefits if they lack a tax identification number.
The signing ceremony is scheduled for noon at the State House and will be attended by legislators, advocates, and Vermont military retirees.
It’s time for taxpayers’ budgets to come first!
Ronald Reagan once quipped that government is like a baby, an endless appetite on one end, and no discipline on the other. No place lives up to – or down to as the case may be — that analogy more so than Vermont.
The driverless engines of State
A game-theory breakdown for the NDD (Narrative Dependency Disorder–Points to reliance on media narratives as a substitute for analysis) afflicted
Hartford recently announced major construction is needed for the high school building after learning PCB levels are considered dangerous and in need of remediation, with no help coming from the state. A lawsuit against Monsanto may be the only thing available outside of increasing taxes.
Everyone in this country owes our military veterans a debt of gratitude. It’s long past time for the Legislature to pay that debt forward.
If there’s any benefit at all, it doesn’t get back to the people paying the bills.
Special interests have issued their marching orders, and the Democrats are obeying.
It’s enough to drive you to drink.
Democrats are trying to make NH to be just like the rest of New England.
Momentum ground to a halt on March 25 when Rep. Jed Lipsky (I-Stowe) proposed a floor amendment to add a military pension tax exemption to the package.
‘My warning to everybody who is thinking about letting these tax cuts fade into history: if you hit households who are already struggling to make ends meet with an unexpected loss of household income, you are going to be in for a whirlwind of a surprise when 2026 comes around,” Roper said.
Low-income, rural Vermonters hit hardest; no safety net program possible.
Funding government with a Unified Consumption Tax
Vermonters expected quick action in 2025 to wipe Act 18 (the Clean Heat Standard law) from the books. That has not happened.
“Making some compromises to keep the spending increase in check”
Vermont’s rural taxpayers are subsidizing PILOT payments that disproportionately go to larger municipalities, despite their own financial challenges.
Thoughts on Education and Property Tax Reform, Part 1
Originally designed to provide shelter during severe weather, the program’s cost has skyrocketed to tens of millions of dollars annually.
Ram Hinsdale will serve as Vermont Senate majority leader starting Jan. 8, after beating incumbent Majority Leader Alison Clarkson, D-Windsor, in a close contest.
The idea is to reconnect voters with the impacts of their votes and reign in runaway property taxes, Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders said today.
Despite the Vermont Teacher’s Union’s assertion, Vermont now spends more per pupil — $27,000 on average – than any other state but one.
Under S 1, if the federal government won’t pay for Medicaid, Vermonters will foot the bill.
Saunders said while other states clarify the amount of funds they have to work with before they discuss spending, Vermont’s system works the other way around.
Clean Heat Standard repeal kicked over to Committee controlled by those who made it law in the first place.
It’s clear: Vermonters are calling for thoughtful reforms to keep our state affordable, functional, and equitable for all residents.
$1.2 Million Spent on Legislative Proposals in 2023-2024
Since 2019, the year before Covid, the state budget has grown from about $5.8 billion to $8.5 billion. That’s a $2.7 billion spending increase in just 4 years.
The Vermont nonprofit sector is one of the largest sectors of the State’s economy, measured by revenue generated and employees, yet is primarily unregulated.
In 2024, the Green Mountain State saw education costs, aka property taxes, rise more than 13%. All while academic performance continued to decline.
What we have is a distribution of resources problem. The resources we have are not making it to the right places to improve (or even maintain) student outcomes.
The program will rightfully return a total of nearly $1.3 million to over 5,000 Vermonters before the holiday season.
Time to repeal this unelected, worse than useless committee.
How much are you really paying?
PUC recommends not adopting obligations; cites lack of data, and harm to low-income Vermonters.
There are roughly 200 companies on the late-list provided by the state all with outstanding balances totaling close to $3 million as of October.
Money committee chairs simply do not care about taxpayers.
The expansion of the state sales and use tax to include software is one of two new taxes created by the Vermont Legislature this spring to reduce the 20% school spending property tax increase down to 14%.
New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island have the highest tax rate for sports-books, at 51%, earning all three Northeast states a collective No. 1 ranking. Vermont, which entered the sports betting market last year, was ranked fifth highest in the nation, according to the report with a 31.7% tax rate on sports betting.
Wealthy blue state retirees can afford Vermont’s climbing taxes and housing prices. People born, raised and trying to raise a family here can’t.
The key roll call votes driving up property taxes, energy costs, health insurance premiums and more.
It’s time we stop trying to “lead the nation” and start trying to “save our neighborhoods.”
Here’s how to stay prepared year-round.
Capping the cost of childcare by 1.5% annually would provide financial relief for young parents, justifying the new payroll tax, supporters said.
Increased property assessments won’t increase the amount of the property tax credit.
It isn’t moderate to impose $17B in carbon fees or increase electric rates by $1B, the super majority voted for these over the Governor’s veto too.
Clean Heat Standard was designed for the benefit of special interest groups and climate legislators with no understanding of economics, science, or Vermonters.
More than 30 communities are paying more than 20% more in school property taxes.
Would require $3.20 per gallon carbon tax on home heating fuel.
Before Act 60, regardless of the funding formula then in place, every time the property tax reached about 70% of the cost of education, a tax revolt ignited..
Vermont taxpayers will foot the massive bill for legal costs
One estimate indicates we are garnishing the wages of Vermonters to the order of nearly $120 million per year.
An analysis of the new payroll tax that hit this month.
No, a 14% property tax increase is not a decrease.
Stolen F-150 leads police on dangerous chase in the Queen City/ The Vermont Child Care Contribution tax goes into effect beginning today.
How’s that for adding insult to injury!
Talk in Montpelier is about how we don’t have nearly enough time to consider all the bills we should, and how we need a doubling of our pay.
Clearly the Democratic supermajority in the legislature and Governor Scott are not on the same page and see such issues as affordability differently.
A comprehensive list of the Legislators involved in the final Veto Override votes, and how they voted.
Vetoes overridden include public education funding, overdose prevention centers, Act 250 modernization, renewable energy legislation.
“Let me be clear: while the responsibility for rising property taxes rests squarely upon the shoulders of the Democrat supermajority”
There’s a compelling reason that even the most progressive states can’t generate any momentum for taxing unrealized gains: it’s pure guesswork.
Aid illegal Palestine protests, lose tax exemption
Vermonters hold legitimate fears and anxiety about the decisions made by our Democratic supermajority.
