TAX AND FISCAL POLICY
"Vermonters’ ability to protect the environment, provide for the economically less fortunate, and provide opportunity for the current and future generations depends on the capacity of the state’s tax payers to provide the public resources necessary to achieve those longstanding goals and collective desires. Without the tax and revenue generating business activities which produce adequate and improving wages for workers and competitive income for owners and risk-takers, our natural and cultural resources are at risk, and the social safety net cannot be maintained or improved." - Toward a Clear Vision for the Future: An Overview of Major Economic Development Issues in Northwest Vermont and Chittenden County, 2001
Just as we are accountable to our stakeholders to make strategic yet sometimes difficult choices, we believe that our state leaders have the same affirmative obligation to make the same difficult choices so that the scope and scale of Vermont’s spending matches our ability to pay for services. While we work to remain viable, strive to retain jobs and prepare our businesses for the eventual economic turnaround, we ask that the Legislature consider the impact of our current tax and fiscal policy, and the effect that these policies have on our ability to grow the wealth necessary to fund our robust government services.
We believe that we must have a tax structure that places Vermont in the middle tier of comparative state tax burdens, rather than its current position of being at or near the top of the tax burden on our residents. Our tax system must be constructed to grow wealth by making it attractive for individuals, households and businesses to live here, invest here, grow here, and even to pass away here. Our recommendations, which can be looked at in full by clicking on the resources link below, include:
- Sustainability and Accountability of State programs: Redefining the core government functions and change the cost curves for the public pensions and other legacy costs to become more sustainable
- Government Effectiveness and Efficiency: Includes the adoption of new technology
- Education Control and Cost Control: Rein in educational spending
- Tax Policy: Vermont’s tax policy must result in a competitive advantage to retain jobs and recruit business.
- Economic Development: Our economy must be strong and diverse, with a base of small and large globally competitive employers, and will provide meaningful and challenging jobs that are consistent with Vermont’s culture, values, and high quality of life.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about our position on tax and fiscal policy
Tax Policy Recommendations
Education Funding Recommendations
Response to Blue Ribbon Tax Commission Report
Want More? Contact us! You can always reach our Government Affairs Team with questions or concerns. Dawn Francis or Cathy Davis.