By Representative Heidi Scheuermann

Those of us who for years have been fighting for education funding reform and property tax relief received yet another blow from Montpelier's legislative leadership this past month.

The three-member Blue Ribbon Tax Commission has received a great deal of attention since it released its report in January outlining several proposed changes to our state's sales and income tax policy. The legislature is now deliberating those recommendations. Whether Vermonters agree or not with their proposals, the Commission has been lauded throughout the state for their due diligence and comprehensive report.

The next step for the Commission was to look in-depth at the education finance system and property taxes, and bring to the legislature meaningful proposals for reform this year. While I have argued against repeated studies in the past, proponents convinced me this one would be different. The Commission, after all, was not made up of legislators and special interests this time, but instead was a small group that would be directed to come forward with reform proposals.

Lo and behold, however, when the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Adjustment Act came to the floor of the House for final approval three weeks ago, one of the provisions was the elimination of the meat of the Blue Ribbon Tax Commission's mission with regard to education finance. The Commission will no longer be required to submit reform proposals, but would simply do another evaluation. Just how many system evaluations are needed over a decade, I'm not sure, but what has become clear is that they are the easiest and most effective way to kick the can down the road on this critical issue. While this change was extremely disappointing for those who have been fighting for education funding reform, it shouldn't have been a surprise. The democratic supermajority in the legislature has been staunch supporters of the system we have in place, and has fought tooth and nail to protect it. The fact that our Governor Peter Shumlin was one of the authors of Act 60, and continued proponent of the system, merely adds to our struggle for meaningful reform.

Prior to our Town Meeting Day break, there was an opportunity to ensure the Commission's work would continue and proposals would be forthcoming this year when I offered an amendment to a bill that would do just that. Unfortunately, debate was thwarted once again, and the status quo thereby protected.

Rest assured, I will continue my efforts in the legislature, but am hopeful that the leadership in Montpelier begins to understand that in order to ensure we improve the quality of our education and provide our children with the opportunities they deserve, we must have meaningful reform to the system.

As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns, and I will do my best to keep the people of Stowe informed. I can be reached at 253-2275 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .