MONTPELIER – Yesterday evening, we gavelled out the 2026 legislative session, officially concluding the biennium. We passed the state budget, the yield bill to set property tax rates and the education transformation bill that I have been working so carefully on throughout the past year to get right. While this marks an important milestone, it is not the end of the work. As we move closer to implementing the new foundation formula, future legislatures will still have important responsibilities to ensure the transition is successful and that the new system can become fully operational.
As part of the compromise to secure Governor Scott’s support for voluntary rather than mandated school district mergers, legislative leaders agreed to use the full $105 million in unexpected state revenue to buy down property tax rates in a single year instead of spreading those funds over two years, as had been earlier discussed. As a result, the average projected increase in property taxes next year is expected to fall from roughly seven percent to about 3.5 percent. The yield bill also lowers the excess spending threshold (the point at which school districts face excess spending penalties) until the new education funding system takes effect. The goal is to encourage greater cost control in the short term and help mitigate future property tax increases.
The budget we passed totals $9.4 billion, representing an average increase of approximately three percent over the current year. It includes funding to help address needs that may be affected by new federal restrictions, including support for food banks and other programs serving Vermonters facing economic hardship and includes the restoration of $700,000 in funding for Read Vermont, which the Agency of Education inadvertently omitted in its initial budget request. That funding will provide classroom literacy coaching for teachers and, hopefully, strengthen outcomes in our elementary classrooms by improving reading proficiency.
One very important theme that emerged this year was the growing influence of rural voices. I believe our region should be proud of the constructive presence that Northeast Kingdom legislators brought to our work and the unified and cohesive strength we showed up with in Montpelier to ensure that rural Vermont has a seat at the table. I remain optimistic that our best days are ahead of us. More than ever, I believe our concerns are being heard, and that we have an opportunity now to attract more families and businesses, grow our local economy, and preserve the rugged, beautiful way of life that makes this corner of our state such a special place to call home.
I hope you feel that your Northeast Kingdom delegation has listened carefully and worked hard on your behalf throughout this biennium. One of the most rewarding parts of this job has been watching rural legislators reach across party lines to advocate for our communities. From my perspective, our Northeast Kingdom team has worked exceptionally well together, engaging in many thoughtful conversations about what is best for this area of Vermont. We did not always vote the same way, but our process was built on the values of professionalism, mutual respect, and a willingness to work across party lines in bipartisan collaboration. I also felt that same strong spirit of collaboration in the final days of the session, as the Legislature and Governor Scott reached compromises to move legislation forward. I am hopeful that these changes will strengthen the long-term sustainability of our public schools, preserve local voice and control, and help make Vermont more affordable for working families.
I hope you have felt well-represented during my first term, and I look forward to the many conversations that we will have this summer at farmers markets, general stores, community events, and all the places where neighbors gather. As a reminder, the Craftsbury Freedom and Unity Committee will host my final legislative coffee hour of the season on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Craftsbury Town Hall. I will be joined by Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers and Senator John Morley. We’ll have coffee, cider, snacks, and good company as we reflect on the highlights of this session, answer your questions, and discuss the road ahead. The work of strengthening our schools, growing our economy, and making Vermont more affordable is far from finished, but I am optimistic about the direction we are heading in. I hope to see you there so that we can discuss these issues together.
Leanne Harple represents the Orleans-4 District, including the towns of Albany, Craftsbury, Glover and Greensboro.
Rep. Leanne Harple
Leanne Harple represents Orleans-4, the towns of Albany, Craftsbury, Glover and Greensboro.
