January 26, 2012

Rep. Scheuermann, today, sent a letter to Governor Peter Shumlin  in response to his invitation to legislators to offer suggestions for improvement to his Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

The letter focuses mainly on the Governor's education proposals, and specifically on his unfortunate dismissal of Vermonters' concerns about the statewide property tax and current education funding system.

January 12, 2012

Governor Peter Shumlin today presented his Fiscal Year 2013 Budget, outlining his prorities for state funding for the upcoming year. 

While the specifics will be forthcoming with regard to exact funding and where the funding will come from, there were items to note that were both positive and negative.

First, I commend the Governor for proposing an idea I have been proposing for three years - Supervisory Union consolidation.  It is clear the Governor agrees with me that we can both find savings in this reorganization and be able to offer greater choice and expanded opportunities to our children through it.

It was disappointing, however, that he summarily discarded the very real concerns about the current education financing system.  Simply put, it is overly complex, overly burdensome and unfair - not an ideal combination for tax policy, to say the least.  It is also completely unsustainable.

More importantly, I do not believe the restructuring of the delivery system will work without a funding change.  I believe it must go hand in hand in order to accomplish the kind of transformation we are looking for.

As the idea of Supervisory Union consolidation moves forward, rest assured, I will continue to fight for funding reform as well.

I was also pleased that Governor Shumlin emphasized the importance of the manufacturing industry in our state.   I am unsure of the proposal he put forward today, but as one who has long argued for greater attention to the industry and efforts to expand it in Vermont, I look forward to hearing more about it.

As part of this effort, I am hopeful the Administration will consider seriously my forthcoming bill to 1) create a Division of Manufacturing (with existing personnel) in the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and 2) restructure our corporate income tax into a single sales factor.

Once again, I look forward to analyzing the details of the FY 2013 Budget proposal to ensure it is a balanced budget that protects Vermont's most vulnerable while ensuring we invest in initiatives that will allow Vermont's private sector to grow and prosper.  I will be looking for a budget that is built on efficiencies and common sense spending, and not one built on tax and fee increases.

January 6, 2012

Governor Peter Shumlin presented his State of the State on Thursday, and pronounced it "Vermont Strong."

Much of the speech focused on the state's inspirational  response to Tropical Storm Irene, and he rightly recognized the incredible work of the state employees, local municipalities, the Vermont National Guard, the private sector, and the countless volunteers throughout the state who came together to bring our state through.

Governor Shumlin's speech also focused on his goals for job creation.  First he expressed his opposition to any increase in board-based taxes.  Unfortunately, his permanent reduction last year in the General Fund transfer to the Education Fund will inevitably lead to increases in property taxes on Vermonters - and it will be significant.

He also made clear that his job creation plan focused on two things: the creation of his single-payer health care system, and a a singular focus on renewable energy.  Unfortunately, they are two very big bets - and ones in which supporters are ignoring the very real risks and the very real costs.

In fact, with regard to the newly released Vermont Energy Plan, the renewable portfolio standards being called for by the Administration will cost a minimum of $300-$400 million in increased electricity costs over the next 20 years.  This is not a job creation plan.  It is the exact opposite.

I am hopeful the Governor realizes this and modifies his focus accordingly. 

January 4, 2012

Lawrence O. Picus, today, presented his Draft Final Report, "An Evaluation of Vermont's Education Finance System," to Vermont House legislative committees.

"I am extremely disappointed," Rep. Heidi Scheuermann said.  "Unfortunately, this opportunity to honestly examine both the education finance system - its fairness, its effectiveness, and its affect on our state's economy - and the quality of our education system as a whole, was lost."

"The primary focus of the Picus presentation this week was on funding equity, and whether it has been achieved under Act 60/68.  And yes, this goal has been achieved," continued Scheuermann.

"But, that has never been the issue.  There was never any doubt that funding equity had been achieved.  Rather, the concerns about the current education financing system are a) its fairness; b) its affect on educational quality; and c) its affect on our state's economy.

Unfortunately, those concerns were not addressed in any significant way in the Picus report. 

So, once again, the status quo with regard to our state's education and education funding system is being supported by the California consultant and our democratically-controlled legislature."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2011

Stowe, Vt. - Rep. Heidi E. Scheuermann (R-Stowe) is one of eight state legislators from around the country who have been invited by the Embassy of Canada to participate in its 6th Annual Rising State Leaders program. The program, sponsored by the Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C., will take place from June 19 - 29, 2011.