By Guy Page

Knowing that 20 lawmakers and Lt. Gov. John Rodgers support (in concept anyway) a three year property tax freeze, VDC asked Gov. Phil Scott at his press conference what he thinks. Answer: eh, not so much. But he likes the idea of a spending cap.

VDC asked:

Governor, Representative Gina Galetti and 20 other House members proposed a property tax freeze for three years and to cut spending across all agencies. Lieutenant Governor Rogers said yesterday he supports the concept. Even Mayor Emma Mulvaney Stanak (of Burlington) wants her department heads to cut 5-10%. What would you think of a property tax freeze for three years and directing your agency heads to give you proposed funding cuts?

Scott replied:

“In my budget address, I talked a little bit about supporting the Senator Baruth initiative to put a freeze on…spending in the schools. So that was a step in the right direction to give us a bridge to where we need to go with education reform. 

“It’s important that we make the reforms as well, because just restricting the spending isn’t going to solve the problem. We need to make major structural reforms in order to do that. I’d feel the same with state government. We put a budget forward. We don’t need anyone to tell us not to spend money. We’re mindful of that each and every day. 

“I think the executive branch should do its thing, the legislature should do its thing, but they should consider Senator Baruth’s initiative.”