January 21, 2009
By Representative Heidi Scheuermann
The Vermont General Assembly convened two weeks ago for the 2010 legislative session. With this convening came the extraordinary challenges of dealing with a $150 million deficit in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget and the seemingly unending increases in property taxes.
It was clear last year that an economic recovery was not coming soon, but rather than any kind of structural reforms to state government in general, and education spending and funding specifically, we instead relied heavily on federal stimulus monies and tax increases to patch the Fiscal Year 2010 budget. At this time, therefore, we have found ourselves even deeper in the hole.
I continue to serve on the Judiciary Committee, where our priority is judicial restructuring. A commission was appointed last year to recommend legislative changes to our judiciary in an effort to not only save a bit of money this year, but to put our state’s judiciary on a track of efficiency and sustainability. This commission, on which our own Dick Marron served, worked diligently to meet these goals, while ensuring our constitutional and moral obligations are met and access to justice for all Vermonters is improved. Our committee is now hearing about the recommendations from the report, and determining how best to progress on the proposals put forward.
There is no doubt this will be a difficult year. We have serious issues to address, and it will take a bold agenda to address them. We must redefine state government – redefine its purpose and how that purpose is met. And, we must do so in a way that protects our most vulnerable citizens while encouraging self-reliance, economic growth, and prosperity.
Key to this transformation is reforming education itself and throwing out our broken education funding system. Over the past decade, net education property taxes in Vermont have more than doubled, from $450 million to $900 million – and that is merely two thirds of what Vermonters actually spend on K-12 education. Of the total education spending, eighty percent is spent on personnel, and since 1997, staffing at Vermont schools has increased by 23%, while the number of pupils has decreased by over 10%.
Clearly this spending trend is unsustainable for Vermont, and the skyrocketing property taxes will destroy Stowe and Vermont.
Last year, Governor Douglas took his case to the Legislature, and in his Inaugural Address said, “Act 60 and 68 are fundamentally broken and beyond repair … Now is the time to build a new system – one that is fair and equitable, and respects the voice of voters, the pocketbooks of taxpayers, and the potential of our students.”
Unfortunately, the legislature ignored the Governor’s call for action, so another year has come and gone.
Governor Douglas has once again made clear his intention to reform the system, and I am hopeful that this critical issue is not ignored again this year. The fact is the system is structurally flawed and cannot continue as it is if we are to make it through this economic crisis and emerge a stronger state.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you have. I can be reached at 253-2275 or heidi@heidischeuermann.com.