By Guy Page
The looming 20.5% property tax increase is impacting legislative and state budget decisions in the State House, as legislative leaders and Scott administration seek to save money – even threatening favored policy initiatives, including:
- The likely demise of S.221, the legislative pay increase. Senate Gov Ops took testimony on the bill (sponsored by Chair Ruth Hardy) January 24, but since then there’s been no activity. Yesterday, Senate Pro Tem Phil Baruth told VDC that he doesn’t expect to see any further movement of the bill, which would dramatically increase legislative pay. Two other senators concurred with Baruth’s assessment. VDC’s email to Hardy has not been returned.
- The likely demise S.18, the ban on menthol and flavored cigarettes. This bill passed the Senate handily but ran into fiscal concerns in the House, where ‘money’ committee members learned it would lose the state $7-14 million in revenue.
- Hiring more deputy state’s attorneys – or not. While the department overseeing state’s attorneys would add 7-25 deputy state’s attorneys to address the criminal justice court backlog, the governor’s office is seeking ‘vacancy savings’ of nine deputy state’s attorney positions. In other words, fewer deputies, not more. Because there aren’t nine deputies now seeking to leave or retire, getting to nine would require layoffs. Scott disputed the number of vacancies and the characterization of them as cuts.
Meanwhile, legislative workers are trying to avoid the 20.5% statewide property tax increase predicted due to loss of federal funding, rising employee costs, and an unwanted outcome of the state’s new education formula: school districts actually increasing spending to benefit from the 5% tax increase cap.
Gov. Phil Scott was asked by VDC at his press conference today: “The Legislature is talking about raising revenue but we haven’t heard much about reducing existing spending. Have you considered asking your agency and department heads to submit across the board actual year over year budget cuts?”
Scott said actual budget reduction is unrealistic due to increased labor costs and inflation. He praised his budget builders for a 3-4 percent spending increase that doesn’t raise taxes. “To produce a budget that doesn’t raise taxes in this environment…. I’m very proud of their efforts.”
Competing Act 250 bill would place 90% of Vermont under Act 250 jurisdiction – Gov. Scott spoke strongly against H.687, House Energy & Natural Resources Chair Rep. Amy Sheldon’s Act 250 reform bill that appears to give biodiversity and land conservation a high priority. This bill would mean that 90% of Vermont would require an Act 250 permit for new construction, “maybe even a garden shed.” Scott favors H.719, which would expand Act 250 development exemptions in much of Vermont.
VDC also passed along to the governor a reader inquiry about rehabbing under-used state buildings into housing. “Fit up would be very expensive for housing,” Scott said. Workers and managers are trying to “find the sweet spot” between working at home and in offices. “Many have continued [to work from home] in that respect, but many are coming back. This process will take several years to shake out, he said. In the long term, Scott’s “amenable” to closing under-used state buildings and selling them for other uses – including, possibly, housing.
Interviewed Secretary of Education candidate – Gov. Scott interviewed a candidate for the Secretary of Education position yesterday. Is an appointment pending? “Stay tuned.”
Calvin Cutler of WCAX asked, what do you think about 32 work weeks? “That would mean you’d have to work longer, Calvin,” Scott joked to the hard-working reporter. More seriously the governor said employers need to look at different strategies to draw workers in – and that could be one of them.
Discover more from Vermont Daily Chronicle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: Legislation
Have you ever considered as the largest employer in Vermont that maybe you employ too many people?
I hope VDC asks that question the next time increases in taxes come up.
I have been asking that question for a looong time. There are a lot of State employees that do work hard, but probably far too many that do not. Some of you may recall when Gov. Douglas did cut some positions, which wasn’t easy. Then, overnight when he left, all office spaces were filled again. I actually witnessed some of it.
37,700+ Agency Of Education employees serving 72,747 K-12 students.
You sure that’s a real number? Does it include all the teachers too? Seems really high if just admin/state workers
And there is just one bloated tick. My suggestion to the legislature. GO back to meeting every other year, for a short 2 or 3 months. Attend to the TRULY important items and GO HOME> Then they don’t need a raise or FREE healthcare on the backs of Vermonters.
https://education.vermont.gov/documents/teacher-staff-fte-report-fy20-fy21
Jason: This 2020-21 list is the latest report on AOE employment available. It lists 37,767.32 Full Time Equivalent positions. That was three years ago.
https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Uploads/855a9c32a5/edu-annual-report-agency-of-education-SY2023.pdf
This Agency of Education’s 2023 Annual Report specifically lists 72,747 K-12 grade students in Vermont’s public schools.
As you read the report, you’ll see 7,358 pre-k and EEE students listed too. These are 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old kids who spend no more than 10 hours a week in their respective programs. And in my district, for example, they’re all tuitioned to independent service providers.
Not to mention the highest paid too. Why is a washed up progressive social activist like tim ashe receiving a salary of over $92,000 a year when he never had a real job before getting hired by the state of Vermont?
The tangible point remains: regardless of pay amount and the increasing size of the payroll – What do our schools produce?
Half of Vermont’s high school graduates don’t meet grade level proficiency in reading, writing, math, or science.
Drug overdoses in Vermont have quadrupled in ten years.
Suicides for 15 to 24 year-olds doubled in 2023 over the previous three year average.
The traditional family unit and parental rights are being systematically devastated.
And Marxists like Rep. Laura Sibilia (Windham-Bennington) and former VT Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe (Windsor-Orange-2) are doubling down with H.634 to eliminate whatever education choices parents have left.
Government, education, and healthcare are, far and away, Vermont’s largest employer. And under our current system, be it the public-school monopoly, the One Care healthcare cartel, or our state and municipal governments (not to mention the non-profit hangers-on), they control the Governor and the State legislature with their tyranny by majority. Simply put, they are ‘the deep state’ and they will write their own financial ticket until they bankrupt themselves and the rest of us along with them – – a prospect not far now in the future.
Hemmingway said it well in The Sun Also Rises:
‘How did you go bankrupt?’
‘Gradually, and then suddenly.’
This government is sapping the real wealth of Vermonters, like a tumor. WE don’t all get to work for the state with great benefits — but we pay for those who do, by milking cows, splitting wood, repairing cars, installing electricity and drywall, and all the other real economic activity that the bureaucracy parasitically feeds upon and slowly destroys — this state ruined private daycare and now launches a ridiculous scheme to “rescue” daycare. And always the tumor feeds itself for its services…. Only this time they couldn’t give themselves a raise to boot — the very audacity to try displays the utter elite disconnect of those who claim they represent the citizenry. 2024 will be an interesting election year — Donald Trump didn’t pass any of this baloney in Vermont’s legislature, and it will be difficult to merely blame him in local elections….
Very well stated John. Gee, maybe they will quit if they don’t get a raise!! I know-wishful thinking.
Real wealth, Mr. Klar is forbidden for us mere inhabitants of this peoples republic- but you are correct about the parasitic legislature and bureaucracy. Serfdom might be the ultimate goal of the current legislature, given the hubris exhibited this biennium. What appears to be the repugnant theme of these elitists is the need to grow government and social programs at the expense of the dwindling middle class Vermont family- those just making ends meet- maybe paycheck to paycheck, without “public assistance”. They are the most impacted by the ravenous appetite for tax and fee schemes the legislature creates every year. They are the folks that cannot afford healthcare insurance- or the deductible required for care by the least expensive plans. They are the ones that loose when DMV fees rise 20% without need- or arbitrary taxes are placed on heating fuels and electric bills.
They can not and should not have to borrow to purchase a mandated heat pump- or borrow to pay for additional carbon taxes placed by self anointed legislative carbon evangelists. Vermont in the last two decades has become a fine example of class and income disparity- created by super-majority legislators, doing the bidding of their patrons. We are at the beginning of the unraveling of society in Vermont, as there is no longer the ability to pay for legislative excess- and though taxes will continue to be created and levied- the rich will continue to leave, and the middle class will sink lower- leaving ever fewer to tolerate and pay for the largess. Freedom and Unity? No longer for the middle class in the Green Mountain State.
Regarding the demise of S 221. But, but, Becca White of Windsor County will STARVE!!! I mean, it’s so cruel!!!!
Poor dear. Maybe she should think about a second job like MANY MANY Vermonters have already had to do. Or geez, maybe don’t tax the dickens out of the people???
So what ? Am I supposed to feel sorry for them because their irresponsible spending, and lack of oversight has led to the over taxation on the citizens of this state ? Are tar and feathers subject to the sales tax ? They might want to check on this as I think there may be windfalls that they may be able to exploit.
The state could unload the The Southeast State Correctional Facility in Windsor. It closed permanently in 2017. “Maintaining the property costs the state about $250,000 per year, according to a 2021 legislative report studying uses for the site.” Reuse proposals have been submitted several times including the most recent suggesting mixed use housing. (vtdigger.org/2023/12/26). Selling the property makes sense. The state would profit and so would the Windsor grand list. By keeping the property the state is behaving like a hoarder.
Last I heard the maintenance om the Southeast facility in Windsor is $300,000 a year or very close to it. Ever try to find it? I did and was shocked at how the State can just abandon a facility and leave it as a millstone around the taxpayer’s neck.
To find the place ask a UPS man. I couldn’t find a person in Windsor who knew where it was. Prison, prison? There’s a prison?
This is crazy!!! How irresponsible!! Gov. Scott right along with the Legislators!!
The state has many worthy programs and productive people. If these enterprises are as valuable as we think couldn’t they be privatized? Wouldn’t the citizens who want these services pay for them in the marketplace? Doesn’t the budget crisis suggest this as well as workforce reductions and impact auditing for all programs?
“Meanwhile, legislative workers are trying to avoid the 20.5% statewide property tax increase predicted due to loss of federal funding”
Federal funding? Is that covid money? If it is, whatever was created with the money can just be dismantled. Temporary money should be just that and NOT used to create “permanent” programs that money grabbers then cry crocodile tears about when the temporary program goes away.
“Free” school breakfast and lunch for all was originally funded thru ARPA dollars, then codified as some sort of liberal “student right” by the legislature- The “homeless hotel” voucher program existed pre-ARPA, but those funds sent the program into permanent orbit- another “forever right” since enshrined into the liberal hall of fame. which are but two of a plethora of money-grab programs this legislature has no intention of eliminating.
Wow I’ve been extremely disappointed with govy several times in the past but this takes the cake 🎂, dudes not even trying anymore
Oh, Paul. He was always just playing along….with the little R behind his name that doesn’t mean anything to him. He never surprises me.
act 250 started with sewers running down a road side ditch in wilminton vermont/// bill h687/// will i need a permit to build a deer camp and will i
have to hire an engineer to design my four by six foot out house///
State of Vermont’s Treasure’s office: April 10, 2023: “The State’s average daily cash balance has grown substantially in recent years due to increased state revenues allowing the program’s lending capacity to expand from $39 million to $100 million. In total, when combined with funds that were not committed from the original program, there is now $85 million available to support local economic development.
The Treasurer’s Office and the Local Investment Advisory Committee (LIAC) have identified housing, the reduction of Vermont’s carbon footprint, and social equity as lending priorities under the expanded program. Projects in one, or multiple of these areas, will be given funding priority.”
Vermont Business Magazine January 18, 2024: “Along with overall positive results, if less robust than previous years, the economists told the EBoard that they anticipate a “new normal” once the largesse of federal money plays out. There is still much on the books for infrastructure projects waiting to be constructed.
In addition to those projects, which should buoy the economy over the next few years, the state is sitting on an unprecedented amount of cash, as the result of that money-in-waiting, and because of those robust revenue numbers coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state has nearly $3 billion in cash-on-hand, about 10 times its pre-pandemic, usual amount.
Much of that windfall, of course, was fueled by federal stimulus funds. It does allow State Treasurer Michael Pieciak to disperse a portion of that money ($50 million at the moment) in low-interest loans for development projects, most of which is going to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. The VHFA is one of several housing organizations attempting to increase the state’s tight housing stock to make it more available and affordable.
Still, to achieve a positive new normal, it will require “skill and luck” in order to “stick the (soft) landing.””
Please explain to me how the rosy picture painted mere weeks ago and $100 Million reported in April 23, 2023, results in Operation Tincup for 20% increase in property taxes? Hello? Liars, deceivers and in your face thievery!
scam demic/// scam demic/// scam demic/// watch for the banking problems covered up by /// scam demic///