by Donald Koch
The number one issue for most Vermonters this year is property taxes, and the Democrats in charge of the legislature have essentially ignored the issue.
Last November, as required by law, the Tax Commissioner issued his estimate of a 20% increase in education property taxes. That was a shocker! About 30% of school districts across the state defeated their proposed budgets and adopted reduced budgets, and that helped a bit. But what was really needed was a total reform of our nearly three decades old education funding formula, known as Act 60.
In response, the Democrats did two things. They increased some other taxes, and directed the proceeds to the education fund, reducing the property tax increase to a “mere” 14% in order to lessen the pain for this one year. And they created a study committee to create a report on education funding by December 15 this year—one more report on top of the many others done since Act 60 was first adopted, and one more that nobody will even read. Then they adjourned.
The Democrats didn’t even punt; they missed the kick entirely and left the ball on the field as they headed for the showers. Vermont deserves better.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I will commit, if elected, to working for legislative action on the issue and not farming it out to unelected consultants and “experts.” And I do have some suggestions for starters.
First, we need to recognize that we are constrained by a Vermont Supreme Court decision in the Baker case that mandates educational equity and seems to equate educational quality with money. I think the Court’s decision was foolish and outside its jurisdiction, but we’re stuck with it and have to work with it.
Second, there are 49 other states that fund their education systems without having the problems Vermont has. Let’s begin with looking at what those other states do and see if we can copy some of the best features of those plans. That seems like a simple and sensible start.
Third, we need to have as a goal funding our education system with something other than property taxes. Thirty-five years ago, Barre City Representative Oreste Valsangiacomo said that we needed to abandon property taxes for education funding and use income taxes. That certainly makes some sense, although it’s difficult because Vermont’s income tax rate is already relatively high, but the concept should be considered.
Education funding reform will not be easy. It won’t be simple. But it needs to be done. The Democrats in the legislature have chosen to let another year or two go by without action, and I might point out that one person who could have taken a leading role in reforming the system is Senator Ann Cummings, who chairs the tax-writing Finance Committee. So if the Democrats won’t take action on the number one issue of the year, isn’t it time to give Republicans a chance?
The author is a Barre resident and GOP nominee for Washington County state Senate. VDC will publish opinion pieces submitted by candidates of all parties as well as independents.