One of the problems those of us who support economic development have with Act 60 is that it creates disincentives to growth in gold towns by virtue of the fact that those towns must deal with the infrastructure to support growth yet the additional tax revenues on the education side are siphoned off to Montpelier. Vermont continues to have the second highest property taxes in the nation. Describe your plans to reduce an excessive property tax burden. Chittenden County significantly impacts Vermont s economic vitality and hosts over one third of Vermont s manufacturing jobs. I ve talked to several manufacturers who say that the Circ.
Highway is necessary for their businesses to continue to be competitive.
Do you support the Circ. Rep. Westman does not wish to raise municipal property taxes by fully funding transportation dollars to towns. Since Vermont piggybacks its income tax on the federal income tax, a cut at the federal level would reduce VT income tax receipts. Act 60 has become a debate entirely about money, not quality. The governor has proposed increasing the tax on beer to pay for substance abuse programs.