April 9th, 2024
HOUSE SPEAKER JILL KROWINSKI STATEMENT FOLLOWING GOVERNOR SCOTT'S VETO OF LEGISLATION TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES AND FUND VERMONT'S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM
Montpelier, Vt. – House Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement following Governor Scott’s veto of H.887, An act relating to homestead property tax yields, nonhomestead rates, and policy changes to education finance and taxation:
"I am deeply disappointed by Governor Scott’s veto of the yield bill, H.887. This legislation is a critical step toward providing much-needed tax relief to Vermonters while ensuring the long-term stability and sustainability of our education system.
“The Governor has been unable to provide any alternative plan that would be workable for the start of the fiscal year on July 1. If we do not have a yield bill on July 1, our education system is projected to face a $93 million dollar budget deficit and will exacerbate the stability and affordability issues we are facing at this moment."
“H.887 represents a collaborative and forward-thinking effort to address the current and future needs of our education system and the affordability issues facing many Vermonters. The bill contains tens of millions of dollars that would immediately lower the property tax bills facing Vermonters and would also create the Commission on the Future of Public Education. This commission will allow Vermonters to provide input on the state of our education system, make recommendations for a statewide vision, and prepare us to take legislative action to support our children, teachers, and Vermont taxpayers.
“The legislature cannot do this alone, and it is imperative that we continue to work together, across all branches of government, to find solutions that balance affordability while providing a high-quality education for our children.”