Vermont lawmakers are making big promises ahead of their return

Vermont lawmakers are making big promises ahead of their return to the Statehouse next month. Many were in Montpelier Wednesday to prep for the session as part of the annual All Member Briefing. A new legislative biennium gets underway in three weeks, with dozens of new members facing issues that are all too familiar to Vermonters. As lawmakers prepare to return to the Statehouse, all parties agree that property tax relief is priority one. New projections last week show property taxes would have to be increased by nearly 6% to cover the spending in schools. It comes on top of a staggering almost 14% hike last year that led residents statewide to vote down nearly one-third of school district budgets. State economists say Vermont’s economy is doing well but that inflation and taxes are putting the squeeze on Vermonters’ household budgets, driving up costs in schools and government.