MONTPELIER – The annual education tax bill, H.949, has been advanced by the House on a party-line vote with all Republicans opposed. If you recall, the December 1 Tax Letter projected that property taxes would increase by about 12% statewide. H.949 forces a statewide average 7% increase, which is unacceptable, especially after education property taxes increased by 14% in 2024.
S.220 has passed the Senate and imposes district spending growth constraints for the next budget season. In S.220, the excess spending threshold would be reduced from 118% to 112%. If a district spends more than 112%, it will be double-taxed on the amount over 112% unless its year-over-year education spending or weighted pupil spending amount is flat, or they successfully appeal to Vermont’s Agency of Education. S.220 is being debated in the House after passing on a voice vote with unanimous Republican support and significant support from Democrats.
Redistricting conversations continue in the House and Senate. The Senate conversation would allow for the continuation of supervisory unions and public tuition (school choice) where it exists. The latest version of maps has St. Johnsbury and Kingdom East in one supervisory district, with Caledonia Co-op (Barnet, Walden, and Waterford), Danville, Blue Mountain Union (Groton, Ryegate, and Wells River), Peacham, and Oxbow in a supervisory union that extends down to Bradford. Hardwick and Stannard would be in a supervisory union that forms the east edge of Lamoille County. Just to remind everyone, a supervisory union may contain multiple school districts, whereas a supervisory district is one district with one board. In addition, districts with differing delivery (choice or operation) may not join into the same school district or supervisory district.
After significant discussion and disagreement, and many amendments, the Senate passed S.325 and sent it to the House. For those who are just tuning in to Act 181 and S.325, here is a short primer. In 2024, the Democrat supermajority passed Act 181 over Gov. Scott’s veto. Act 181 divided Vermont into three tiers: 1A/1B, 2, and 3. Act 250 regulations in 1A/1B were reduced or eliminated in Act 181 to encourage housing development in populated town and village centers; there was broad agreement on this part of the legislation. However, disagreement over Tiers 2 and 3 remains. Effectively, in Tier 2 and 3, if a road or driveway on private land extends beyond 800 feet, then the parcel would be subject to Act 250, with an exception for agriculture. Tier 3 is being mapped for wildlife corridors. If a parcel falls into a mapped wildlife corridor, it would also be subject to Act 250. Act 250, to say the least, is a very expensive and time-consuming process, and there is no guarantee that an Act 250 process will allow a land-owner to retain development rights. This is very problematic in nearly all of Vermont. Tier 1A/1B includes 3% of Vermont; the remaining 97% is Tier 2 and 3.
S.325 is moving through the legislature for the purpose of making changes to Act 181. Presently, as the bill moves toward the House, the Road Rule and Tier 3 have been delayed to 2030 and 2028 respectively, but this is not a solution. Expect a lot more action and disagreement. An Act 181 public advocacy group has formed with a lot of representation from this area; they have been very helpful in representing rural Vermont. Tier 3 and the Road Rule need to be repealed for the sake of rural Vermont.
Sen. Scott Beck (R) represents the Caledonia Senate District and is the Senate Minority leader.
Sen. Scott Beck
Sen. Scott Beck is the Senate Minority Leader and represents Caledonia County
