MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Tax relief is on the way for Vermont homeowners under a new bill passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Phil Scott this week.
On average, property taxes will drop 14 cents on every $100 of assessed property. For Vermonters who pay property taxes based on their income, that rate is dropping from 2.5% to 2.3%.
The savings for taxpayers comes as part of a bill divvying up a $90 million surplus in the state’s education fund.
Governor Scott wanted $45 million in property rebates– direct checks sent to Vermonters– but lawmakers and the governor eventually came to an agreement on how the money should be spent. They eventually landed on tax relief through a lower tax rate, funding for career technical centers and free school meals.
Much of this money is tied to the $8 billion state budget which is currently on the governor’s desk.
He said this week he has no problems with the spending plan and will likely sign it.
Tax relief for homeowners is just one piece of the tax puzzle in this legislative session. Another major tax bill recently signed into law will give parents with kids under 5 a $1,000 payment annually.
The property tax bill also includes money to clean up toxic chemicals in schools– $22 million for the cleanup of PCBs, those carcinogenic chemicals that shuttered Burlington High School.
The state is in the process of testing schools statewide for the chemical which is present in some building materials from the 1970s. State officials hope to have the testing done in the next four years.
But within Vermont’s education communities and the Statehouse, there is a looming discussion about updating aging school infrastructure, how PCB cleanup affects it and how the state will fund it.
Related Stories:
Burlington school commission explores alternate options for school funding
New Burlington High School cost exceeds bonding capacity
Burlington school commissioners decide on new BHS design
Community members question new Burlington High School plans
Burlington School Board reviewing 5 high school design options
School board discusses $200M plan for new Burlington High School
Burlington School Board likely to go ahead with new high school
Burlington school officials to consider recommendations on reoccupying high school
Burlington School Board takes up new PCB guidance
Despite change in PCB guidance, Burlington to move ahead with new high school
Burlington High School families livid over state’s PCB do-over
Vermont lowers bar on recommended PCB levels in schools
Burlington School Board approves existing site for new high school
Consultant: Downtown Burlington High School option more costly
Superintendent reveals his picks for new Burlington High School site
Mayor calls Burlington High School situation a crisis
Burlington School Board decides to rebuild high school
Old Macy’s building seen as key to Burlington’s future… again
Soil tests completed for former Macy’s, proposed BHS facility
BHS students head back to class at borrowed school
Burlington district votes to lease Macy’s for BHS students
As district weighs Burlington HS options, some students opting out
Burlington School District considers UVM as short-term location for BHS students
Burlington School District eyes former Macy’s building for alternate high school site
Burlington High School students to have some in-person classes
Local high schools struggle to keep theater arts programs intact during pandemic
No ‘urgency’ in planning to survey Vermont schools for PCBs
Child psychiatrist explains health impacts of remote learning on kids
Students address school board regarding BHS plans
Burlington School District presents options for BHS contamination
A look inside Burlington Technical Center’s alternate classrooms
Group opposing BHS PCBs closure addresses school officials
Some BHS parents push for return to school, PCBs or not
How widespread is Vt. school pcb problem?
State working on plan to address possibility of PCBs in more Vermont schools
Some Burlington tech students to return to in-person classes next week
Burlington School District to look for new location for BHS students
Burlington school leaders call on state to fund PCB contamination cleanup
PCBs closure could jump-start $70M BHS renovation plans
PCB contamination sidelines Burlington High School in-person learning for semester
No return date yet for Burlington High School students
Health officials: BHS PCB contamination far exceeds state, federal safety levels
Burlington High School closed over air quality concerns
Copyright 2022 WCAX. All rights reserved.
†
