Under that analysis, the governor's proposal would impact 36 households
in Warren, raising property taxes by an average of $2,170 with the
maximum increase of $6,449. In Fayston 45 households would be impacted
with an average tax increase of $1,569 with the highest increase coming
in at $4,908. In Duxbury 41 households would be affected and pay an
average increase of $286 with the maximum increase at $1,437.
Sixty-seven households in Waitsfield would be impacted with an average
increase of $962 with the highest increase calculated at $6,620.
Moretown would see 44 households impacted with an average increase of
$442 and a maximum increase of $2,511. Waterbury would see 182
households get an average tax increase of $796 and one household would
get an increase of $7,546.
The governor's office issued its own analysis comparing the legislative
proposal to the governor's proposal. While the JFO analysis assessed
the impact on affected taxpayers, the governor's analysis assessed the
impact over all taxpayers in a town.
Waitsfield's 1,023 taxpayers see an average increase of $16 under the
governor's proposal and an increase of $100 under the Legislature's
plan. Warren's 832 taxpayers see an average decrease of $20 under the
governor's proposal and an increase of $66 under the Legislature's
plan. Fayston's 553 households see an average decrease of $26 under the
governor's proposal and an average increase of $28 under the
Legislature. Moretown's 810 taxpayers see an average increase of $30
under the governor's plan and an average increase of $51 under the
Legislature's proposal.
What these numbers don't explain is that the governor's proposal shifts
teachers' retirement costs from the General Fund to the Education Fund
(which will increase property taxes -- period). The governor's proposal
guts funding for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, calls for
wage cuts for state employees earning as little as $10 an hour, reduces
income sensitivity for local taxpayers and enacts draconian cuts in
critical services for the neediest Vermonters.
By the numbers, comparing the two budget proposals is comparing apples
to oranges. It's easier to ask ourselves whether our tax dollars are
being wisely spent and are being used wisely. We agree with this week's
letter writer, Deborah Lisi-Baker, who points out:
"This country was not founded on the slogan of no new taxes but on fair
taxation with representation. Many Vermonters who need help today have
paid taxes for years. It seems only fair to create a state budget that
will help them during these hard times."
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