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The key roll call votes driving up property taxes, energy costs, health insurance premiums and more.
by Rob Roper
The Vermont primaries are over, and the official general election campaign season of 2024 has begun! With property taxes increasing by unprecedented amounts, energy costs rising with a new, potentially massive tax on home heating fuels up for a vote in January 2025, another double-digit premium increase for health insurance just announced, a new payroll tax that started sapping workers’ take home pay taking effect this past July, “affordability” is more than ever the number one issue voters are concerned about. And it should be!
How did we get into this fiscal fiasco? The following policies passed into law by the legislature – almost all over the vetoes of Governor Scott – have a lot to do with it. As such, the incumbents who voted for these policies who chose to run for re-election have a lot to answer for. The organization Vermonters for Good Government has been doing a good job of compiling and explaining these votes, so I’ve provided links to their email reports which you can click on to see more in-depth analysis as well as the name by name roll call records.
Property Taxes and More! Act 183, The “Yield Bill. This is the one that sets the statewide property tax rate, which in this case resulted in the unprecedented 13.8% on-average increase we all just got hit with. Additionally, Act 183 also enacted a new “cloud tax” on internet-based services ($20 million), and a 3% surcharge on top of the rooms and meals tax for short term rentals. It also officially kicks the can down the road regarding any form of relief for at least two years by establishing the 38th (not hyperbole) committee to “study” the problem – and stacks that commission with all the special interest groups that have no interest in reforming the education financing or delivery systems. Act 183 passed over the Governor’s veto on largely party line votes of 103-42 in the House and 22-7 in the Senate. See the detailed report and roll call HERE.
Higher Home Heating Bills. Act 18, The ”Clean Heat Standard.” This law commits Vermont to establishing a “carbon credit” market – a de facto carbon tax – on home heating fuels (oil, propane, natural gas, kerosene). The estimates of what this carbon credit system will cost those who heat their homes and businesses with the afore mentioned fuels range from 70 cents per gallon, as calculated by the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, to in excess of $3 per gallon as roughly determined by a potential study commissioned by the Department of Public Services, a final draft of which will be out at the end of August.
The Clean Heat Standard was vetoed and defeated in 2022 by one vote in the House but returned in 2023 following the November 2022 election that swept in Democrat supermajorities in both the House and Senate. While the Governor vetoed the Clean Heat Standard again in 2023, this time that veto was overridden largely along party lines by votes of 107-42 in the House and 20-10 in the Senate. See the detailed report and roll call HERE.
Thankfully, the law (Act 18) requires the new legislature that will convene in January 2025 to vote on whether or not to adopt the rules necessary to govern the Carbon Credit market/”Tax”. If a majority votes no, or the Governor is able to sustain a veto, the Clean Heat Standard will remain dormant. So, if you don’t want to pay as much as an extra $3 per gallon to survive the Vermont winter, vote Republican for State Representative, Senate, Governor, and Lieutenant Governor in this year’s election!
Higher Electric Bills. Act 179, The Renewable Energy Standard. This bill basically forces Vermont utilities to buy more “renewable” electricity from companies that just happen to be big donors to Democrats and left-wing causes. Yup. Watching this sausage made was probably the most disgustingly corrupt thing I have witnessed in twenty years of observing the goings on in the Vermont State House. Or at least it’s in the top five.
The Renewable Energy Standard is estimated to cost Vermont ratepayers somewhere between $450 million and $1 billion extra on our electric bills over ten years, or as much as $192 per year on average to keep your lights on and the food in the fridge fresh.
Governor Scott vetoed the Renewable Energy Standard bill, but that veto was overridden largely along party lines by votes of 102-43 in the House and 21-8 in the Senate. See the detailed report and roll call HERE.
A New Payroll Tax! Act 76. Starting in July 2023, all Vermonters who earn a paycheck probably noticed that there is a new line item being deducted from their take-home pay. It is the 0.44% payroll tax, estimated to cost Vermont workers over $100 million/year, that is the result of Act 76. Governor Scott vetoed this payroll tax bill, but it was overridden by votes of 116-31 in the House and 23-7 in the Senate. See the detailed report and roll call HERE.
It is worth noting that the 0.44% rate of tax passed in 2023 represents only a fraction of the total desired cost of the subsidized, government childcare program it is meant to fund, and a another massively expensive program that remains on the Democrat/Progressive wish list, government subsidized Paid Family Leave, also targets the newly created payroll tax as a revenue source. So, if you don’t want to see this initial bite out of your take home pay get even bigger, vote Republican for State Representative, Senate, Governor, and Lieutenant Governor in this year’s election!
Higher Health Insurance Premiums, Act 111. For everybody who trusts government to make healthcare and health insurance more affordable, I’m just going to quote this VT Digger piece from August 14, 2024,
For the third year in a row, the [government’s] Green Mountain Care Board has approved double-digit increases in the cost of annual premiums for individual Vermonters and small organizations who purchase their health insurance plans on [the government run] Vermont Health Connect.
The approved premium increases will affect both individual and small group plans available on the state-[government]-run Affordable Care Act marketplace in 2025, affecting approximately 70,000 people.
The state’s health care regulator [aka the government] will allow Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont to increase individual premiums by 19.8% and small group premiums by 22.8% over this year’s rates, according to a Green Mountain Care Board press release. MVP Health Care, the only other insurer to offer plans on the marketplace, will be allowed to raise its individual premiums by 14.2% for individuals and 11.1% for small groups over 2024 rates.
While Act 111 doesn’t account for all of that increase (that took years of meddling by these incompetent lawmakers), the estimates were that the bill would have put upward pressure on premiums amounting to 3-7%. Lesson: when you’re in a hole, take the shovels away from the politicians who live to dig. Act 111 passed in the House 104-23. There was no roll call taken in the Senate. See the detailed report and roll call HERE.
Heaping All These Taxes/Fees/Etc on You Apparently Deserves a Raise! S.39. Adding insult to all this injury caused by the supermajority, in 2023 they voted largely along party lines (a few Democrats did break ranks to vote with Republicans in opposition) to more than double their own salaries and give themselves a very generous benefits package. Thankfully this was one veto by Governor Scott that was not challenged, so the raise did not go into effect. Still, S.39 passed the House on a vote of 102-44, and the Senate 19-10. See the detailed report and roll call HERE.
Though the pay raise bill did fall short of a veto override, of the six Democrat senators who opposed it, and therefore killed it, two have since died and three are not running for re-election. So, I’ll make this point one last time, if you don’t think making our state totally unaffordable for normal, working people is worthy of a 100% raise in salary plus benefits, vote Republican for State Representative, Senate, Governor, and Lieutenant Governor in this year’s election! At least. Because unless you do, this outrage and many more will be back for sure.
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Categories: Commentary, politics, State Government, Taxes
Sending the people who voted for these bills, and then voted to override the governor’s vetoes, back to Montpelier simply gives them a mandate to go full steam ahead. “They voted for us! That means they like what we’re doing to them!” How could it hurt to let these folks cool their jets for two years and give some fresh faces a chance?
The taxpayers of Vermont voted for all of this….so they are to blame for their own demise…..
Yes Sir, Thank you Sir, May I please have another Sir ? It reminds me of a famous scene from “Animal House”, except we aren’t talking about half wit college students pledging to a fraternity in a movie, we’re talking about real life, half wit masochists, pledging to a socialist God. Road trip !
Vermonters must elect four more Republican Senators to give Governor Scott the 11votes needed to sustain his vetoes. That is called Republican Party leverage.
All House and Senate legislation would then have to be approved by Republican Senators and the Governor in their sustain-proof super-minority. Democrats would be forced to work , in a bi-partisan mindset, with Republicans to resolve bad legislation.
Republicans have to hold the seven seats they have and pick up at least four more to sustain a veto. But also remember that with Mazza, Starr, Kitchel, and to a lesser extent Sears gone, there are no (maybe one) “blue dog” Democrats left to every now and then join with the Rs in a fit of common sense. Voters can’t play the “I like my Democrat; let my neighbors vote theirs out” game. ALL the incumbents deserve to be fired and the “fresh faces” can’t be trusted.
just got out of one of our food stores//// the prices are double from three years ago,,, who is causing the inflation/////
https://mises.org/what-has-government-done-our-money
Article 9. [Citizens’ rights and duties in the State; bearing arms; taxation]
That every member of society hath a right to be protected in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and therefore is bound to contribute the member’s proportion towards the expence of that protection, and yield personal service, when necessary, or an equivalent thereto, but no part of any person’s property can be justly taken, or applied to public uses, without the person’s own consent, or that of the Representative Body, nor can any person who is conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, be justly compelled thereto, if such person will pay such equivalent; nor are the people bound by any law but such as they have in like manner assented to, for their common good: and previous to any law being made to raise a tax, the purpose for which it is to be raised ought to appear evident to the Legislature to be of more service to community than the money would be if not collected.
Perhaps Article 18 is more apt:
Article 18. [Regard to fundamental principles and virtues necessary to preserve liberty]
That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free; the people ought, therefore to pay particular attention to these points, in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, in making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State.
Charge them with purjury like the perjurers they are. Start the petition to charge them, I’ll sign.
VERMONT CONSTITUTION
Text of Section 56:
Oaths of Allegiance and Office
Every officer, whether judicial, executive, or military, in authority under this State, before entering upon the execution of office, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation of allegiance to this State, (unless the officer shall produce evidence that the officer has before taken the same) and also the following oath or affirmation of office, except military officers, and such as shall be exempted by the Legislature.
The Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance
You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont and that you will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or Government thereof. (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.
The Oath or Affirmation of Office
You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will faithfully execute the office of ____ for the ____ of ____ and will therein do equal right and justice to all persons, to the best of your judgment and ability, according to law. (If an oath) So help you God. (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.
To James,
I have stated this over and over but, my question is who is responsible to charge them and who will? The charges would be easy to prove. Even the governor could be charged with perjury. He was elected on the basis of not signing any gun control laws and took the oath to defend and not harm our constitution. These legislators aren’t worried as long as the same party controls everything. And it’s another VT travesty of failed justice for the people.
Is it possible this short analysis explains Liberalism? This is from Scientific American
A Special Worm (Liberals)
While the worms are regenerating into new forms, a worm gene called runt turns on and makes proteins that aid in regeneration. That same protein likely helps switch on genes in the algae symbionts to turn up their level of photosynthesis to compensate for the loss of efficiency while the host worm regrows.
While the worms are regenerating into new forms, a worm gene called runt turns on and makes proteins that aid in regeneration. That same protein likely helps switch on genes in the algae symbionts to turn up their level of photosynthesis to compensate for the loss of efficiency while the host worm regrows.
Tom, what was all that about? Please!
Sorry doubled clicked,
John. relying on imagination
Who voted on how to make Vermont so freakin’ unaffordable?
Anyone who voted for any progressive, yes those ruling under the ” Golden Doom ” and yes, doom is being kind.
The gaggle of fools in the so-called ” supermajority ” if you follow their policies, it’s more like the ” Stupid Majority ” and that’s being really, really kind, they do what they want because they get reelected year, after year., so it shows no one complains.
Vermont is dying a slow death, keep voting for progressive ideology and the funeral won’t be far away !!
What voters voted for were liars and deceivers. Why pretend it is not obvious by now? Unbeknownst and undisclosed to the average voter is the laundry machines, the lobby groups, the NGO’s, and non-profiteers who take all the taxpayer money earmarked for every piece of legislation passed to date. The official tin cup black hole swallowing billions of dollars and quality life diminishing at an alarming rate. See how it works?
The only loyalty under the Golden Thunder Dome lies outside of State lines. Do not expect a “representative government” to represent the People when it is incorporated and beholden to Federal welfare for existance. Double, triple taxation with no representation. Who is making money these days? Government contractors and foreigners. The American citizen is nothing more than an indebted slave to the war machine (now turned upon us,) the cartels, the Crown, the Vatican, and other ghostly figures sitting in board rooms, aka puppet masters. If anyone expects this business model to change, stop feeding the beast and raise the standards of conduct. Hold them to account and don’t let them get away with crimes against humanity.
We all like to point the finger at someone…
Who in our own Republican party voted for Joe Biden?
Has anyone asked Phil if he’s voting for installed Kamala? Being he suffers from TDS, I suppose he has no other option than continue to support the installed regime – he made the dirty deal with the Devils – no turning back now unless he drops onto his knees and upon his rusty, made in China sword.
The very reason that the average worker has very little disposable income is because the state taxes it all at least 3 times or more. Your pay is taxed before you get your net earnings, then when you buy something with your net earnings after income taxes you are taxed again. If you own property, your net income is taxed again by the state and the town you live in through property taxes. If you can invest in a 401K for retirement, when you draw on the account you are taxed again.
The one-time money that you earn by your labor is confiscated numerous times. You are taxed on your phone, your internet, your TV subscription and more. We are taxed so many times we don’t even realize how many taxes we pay. And most of these taxes or confiscations are to fund insane programs that don’t work, aren’t needed and are the dream of legislators and lobbyist who wishes to feel good about themselves and to justify their existence in a body of legislators all doing the same thing. They create the problems and then promise they will fix it if only you will vote for them again.
The voters are suckers, the government was never intended to be what it has morphed into, a huge money machine for the connected class. The government was intended to solve common problems, not to create more. Maybe you should think about your pay stub when you vote this November. If you are too lazy or uninformed, you shouldn’t vote because you are continuing the destruction of your state, and you are paying at least triple to enable the confiscators of your labor. Vote with your brain, not with a reflex.