The plan to reform Vermont’s education system shared by the Scott administration last week “represents the biggest change to education governance and finance in decades,” Rep. Jim Harrison (R-Chittenden) said in a constituent report shared with VDC. Harrison, vice-chair of the House Appropriations Committee, described elements of the plan announced by Education Secretary Zoie Saunders and Tax Commissioner Craig Bolio: – Reduce the number of school districts (now about 120) to just 5. – One elected school board for each of the five districts, but with the addition of new local advisory councils. – A change to a foundation formula where every district receives the same funding per student adjusted for certain items such as non-English learners. – A single statewide Education Property Tax rate for both homestead and non-homestead property. – Income-eligible homesteads can file to exempt a portion of their home value from the statewide Education Property Tax. – Communities may choose to raise limited additional funds, and a state guarantee would equalize each district’s ability to raise revenue, up to a capped amount. – Strengthen state oversight to ensure quality education and efficient use of resources. – Define average school and class size minimums and maximums. – Standardize graduation requirements for all districts. “There are many more questions than answers at this point. However, there appears to be a growing acknowledgement inside the State House that although changes will not be easy, we need to move forward with a program to lower overall costs (and resultant property taxes) and improve student outcomes,” Harrison said. Following the Scott administration’s education transformation proposal to the General Assembly, House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth issued the following statement: “We thank the Governor for bringing forward a proposal to transform Vermont’s public education system and we look forward to working together throughout the session. The Legislature and the Governor are aligned in the belief that we must take on the serious task of transforming our education system, so all Vermont kids have the opportunity to thrive.” Other issues of interest reported by Harrison: State economists increased their revenue forecast for the state, indicating their view of a continued strong economy. Governor Scott used his weekly press conference to propose easing regulations to encourage more housing development throughout the state. He indicated that Vermont needs 41,000 additional rental and owner-occupied units over the next five years. The proposal to phase out the Vermont tax on social security benefits with Rep. Noyes, D-Wolcott and Harrison, along with 60 bi-partisan co-sponsors, was introduced Friday (H.74). If approved, Vermont would eventually join 41 states that do not tax those benefits. AARP is expressing support for the bill. S.21, a bill to exempt veteran pensions from the Vermont income tax was introduced by Sen. Collamore, R-Rutland, with 21 co-sponsors (over half of the Senate). Rep. Bill Canfield, R-Fair Haven, introduced a similar bill in the House with nearly half of the members as co-sponsors. H.52, a bill to remove the lawsuit provision of Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions Act, was introduced by Rep. Morris, D-Springfield, Rep Lipsky, I-Stowe and Harrison. “It has always been my belief that elected officials should be accountable to the voters on this issue and not leave GWSA enforcement to lawyers and the courts. If voters do not believe we are doing enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they can un-elect us and/or the Governor every two years,” Harrison said. The House Appropriations Committee is expected to advance the annual mid-year budget adjustment bill in the coming week. One of the potential sticking points could be the Human Services Committee’s proposal to extend the winter rules for the hotel voucher program, which is currently scheduled to expire April 1. On Tuesday, the Governor will address a Joint Session of the House and Senate to deliver his annual budget address, which will outline his plans for the state’s fiscal year beginning July 1. It will be shown live on Vermont Public and local TV networks at 1 PM. Attorney General Charity Clark announced that a bipartisan coalition of states and other parties have reached a $7.4 billion settlement in principle with members of the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma, Inc. for their role in creating the opioid crisis. Vermont’s share, which will be set aside for drug addiction treatment, is expected to total $22 million. Treasurer Mike Pieciak has proposed a plan to eliminate $100 million of medical debt with a payment of $1 million, which he suggests coming out of state funds previously appropriated to pay down Vermont bonds. He also recommends removing adverse information resulting from the medical debt from a consumer credit report. The proposal needs legislative approval. This report was adapted from the weekly constituent report published by Rep. Harrison. |