To the editor: Why is Sen. Clarkson taxing Vermonters?
The Chester Telegraph | Aug 26, 2024 | Comments 5
It likely comes as no surprise to you that Vermont is the third most taxed state in America. By comparison, Wyoming has nearly the same population yet pays roughly half in taxes as Vermont. This year, we just slogged through one of the most painful increases in property taxes, which could have been avoided were it not for Sen. Alison Clarkson leading the charge in the Senate to override Gov. Phil Scott’s veto. Clarkson voted to increase taxes on Vermonters, not once, but twice — despite the governor’s call for mercy on we the taxpayers.
Gov. Scott, the most popular governor in America, spoke on behalf of Vermonters saying,“Vermonters cannot afford a double-digit property tax increase. Especially while facing a historic eight-percent property tax increase last year, a 20% increase in DMV fees, a new payroll tax taking effect July 1, increased fuel costs to heat homes and businesses from the Clean Heat Standard, and increased electric costs if my veto of the Renewable Energy Standard is not sustained. All on top of several years of inflation – the most regressive tax of all – driving up the cost of household essentials like food, clothing and services faster than paychecks are growing.”
Despite her lead role in passing the unpopular tax, Clarkson has sought to downplay her involvement with a recent article in the Vermont Standard where she essentially passes the blame on to both school boards and voters. In her own words she writes, “For Woodstock it will be a 30% increase, an increase none of us have budget for and one which will be a challenge for many.” Which begs the question, then why did Sen. Clarkson vote for it not once, but twice?
Vermont is one of the few states in America with a supermajority of Democrats in the legislature, enabling them the power to override their governor’s veto, which is exactly what Clarkson has done as Senate majority leader. Despite having an overwhelming legislative majority for over 20 years, the Democrats and Sen. Clarkson have led Vermont down a primrose path to unsustainable higher taxes for the working Vermonter.
She recently boasted about passing an $8.6 billion budget that includes a focus on climate change in a state where our current carbon footprint is less than 1% of the rest of the country. Even if Vermont could get to carbon neutral in 2035, the difference it will make is minuscule, yet the cost to Vermonters is massive.
Clarkson also favors increased spending for education while Vermont has gone from above the national average in academic scoring to at orbelow the national average. As seen in cities like Chicago and Baltimore increasing per student spending doesn’t improve academic performance. If we love our children, we won’t continue to throw away money on education initiatives (and over 30 studies) that don’t work.
Regarding the $8.6 billion dollar budget she helped pass, Clarkson states in another article in May of this year, “I am proud of how the legislature works together to help improve and support Vermonters and the beautiful state we are lucky enough to live in. It’s easy to forget that the vast majority of our decisions are unanimous. When we do disagree on an issue, we tend to come together and continue to work productively on the next issue facing us. I still feel we are a model for how democracy, at its best, works.”
If so, then why did she vote to override Gov. Scott’s veto of yet another spending bill (S.286) in 2022 and again (S. 5) in 2023?
Gov. Scott and Vermont moderates and fiscal conservatives are outnumbered in Montpelier, which is allowing for this massive increase in taxes and spending favored by the Democrat and Progressive supermajority that vote in lockstep, particularly when it comes to spending.
We need to re-establish balance in our state capital by electing local taxpayers with an eye on reducing costs and burdens to everyday Vermonters. I pledge to represent you, the taxpayer, by being a voice and a vote alongside Gov. Scott and the other financially sensible members of congress who will protect your hard-earned income and work to reduce the out-of-control taxes and spending before Vermont become the most taxed state in America.
Andrea Murray
Weathersfield
Republican candidate for Senate
Windsor District
Filed Under: Commentary • Letters to the Editor
This is an important issue that deserves meaningful debate, but offering misinformation isn’t helpful. Mr. Seiple opposes a carbon tax on propane stating that “propane and natural gas are much more carbon friendly than coal and oil” echoing a fossil fuel industry’s false talking point. Propane is a byproduct of gas and oil processing. The majority of natural gas in the US is extracted through hydraulic fracturing, a process that releases dangerous petroleum hydrocarbons, including benzene and xylene. It also increases ground-level ozone levels and requires the heavy use of chemicals that can contaminate sensitive aquifers. Fracking releases large amounts of methane, a dangerously potent greenhouse gas. Fracked shale gas wells have methane leakage rates as high as 7.9 percent, which ultimately makes natural gas worse for the climate than even coal. The other source of propane is oil refining. Greenhouse gas emissions from refineries are a significant contributor to climate change. Opposing carbon taxes on propane for economic or political reasons is one thing but opposing them while incorrectly stating that propane is a clean fuel is another. Mr. Seiple also refers to a mandate for Vermonters to switch to EVs and heat pumps when there is no such mandate. Vermont requires manufactures to sell a larger percentage of zero emission vehicles over the next 10 years but does not require VT drivers to switch to EVs. It does incentive auto manufactures to focus resources of zero emission vehicles of all types and also incentivizes consumers to buy them. It is a modest and phased program. Some might say too modest of a program given the impact of climate-driven storms on Vermonters. Once again, facts are important to any discussion.
When one party is totally in control, the normal checks and balances built into Constitutions cease to exist.
My property tax rate in Andover is at New Jersey like levels. It is not surprising that in our last primary, the voters chose Republican ballots by almost a two to one margin.
So Linda, here is my plan. Let’s start with reducing the number of Supervisory Union offices – I think close to 49 in half. Since we only have 80k students. Each office has a Business Manager, Secretaries, Director of Special Education and all of those associated unionize positions. Doing this would not cut one cent from the direct education of our children. Second area to focus on: A carbon tax on propane is foolish. Propane and Natural gas are much more carbon friendly than coal and oil. Yet, our elected officials ignore this fact making themselves feel in control while mandating we change to heat pumps and drive electric cars. Now, since you seem to want to push back on Republicans, clearly you support the over taxation of Vermonters while our children suffer from a poor education and the working class can not afford to heat their homes. What is YOUR plan?
Specifics have been outlined for decades by Republicans and conservatives and libertarians. In Vermont we have an education monopoly. Monopolies are expensive and inefficient and do not serve the individual interests of students, parents and taxpayers. Full School choice including homeschooling and a return of local control of education to democratically elected school boards is a great start in eliminating the education bureaucracy, lowering costs and providing for educational excellence. Of course none of these are acceptable policy ideas for the Democrats who rely on the k-12 public education interest groups that fund and endorse their campaigns. Regardless of any legislative action the Vermont public school system is on a collision course with demographics and economics. It is already a spectacular crash.
So what is the plan? I’ve read a number of editorials and posts from Republicans blaming our elected officials. I have not seen a plan, a solution, even an outline of action. Where and what will you cut? How will education be funded? If you take more students away from public schools, who picks up the tab for those left? How will you address the changing climate and its impact on Vermont? What steps will you take to address the housing crisis? We need specifics, not sound bites.