FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 15, 2026

Contact: Anika Heilweil, Fair Share for Vermont Campaign Manager, anika@publicassets.org

MONTPELIER, Vt.– The Vermont House Ways and Means Committee has begun deliberation today–Tax Day–of legislation that would increase taxes on the highest-income Vermonters.

The legislation would create a new tax bracket for the top 1% of Vermont income-earners and a surcharge on unearned (non-wage) income for high-income Vermonters. Due to the passage of H.R. 1, the federal tax and budget bill passed in July, the top 1% of Vermont income earners will receive an average annual tax cut of $57,000 in 2026. This legislation would recapture a portion of that federal tax cut to make crucial investments in Vermont and better mitigate the effects of federal funding cuts. 

“The wealthiest Vermonters are getting a massive federal tax break while many Vermont families are struggling to make ends meet–from seniors on fixed incomes, to our low income neighbors, to parents struggling to put food on the table.” said Representative Teddy Waszazak of Barre City, who sits on the Vermont Ways and Means Committee. “With this policy, the House is showing its commitment to all Vermonters–not just the wealthiest among us.”

Earlier in the day, a group of high-income and wealthy Vermont residents sent an open letter to the Vermont legislature and Governor Scott, asking legislators to increase their taxes in response to federal tax and budget cuts, and pressing needs across the state.

The group–which includes Renee Reiner and Michael DeSanto of Phoenix Books, Olympic cross-country skier Hannah Dreissigacker, green energy entrepreneur David Blittersdorf, ice cream impresario Ben Cohen, and others–emphasized the tax cuts that they are receiving this year from the federal government and urged the state to recapture those tax dollars for state investments. 

“We are getting a massive federal tax cut we didn’t ask for,” said Susanna Penfield, a letter-signer from Strafford.  “That revenue should stay in Vermont to address the urgent affordability crisis in our state.”

“The alternative is to make further cuts to crucial state investments and basic services for working Vermonters or increase local and state taxes on those with less capacity to pay,” said Chuck Collins of Guilford, one of the organizers of the letter.  “Both options would be wrong and unfair.”

Recent polling from the 2026 Vermonter poll, administered by the Center for Rural Studies at the University of Vermont, shows overwhelming support for increased taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters: results from the poll show that 80.4% of Vermonters currently support increasing taxes on wealthy individuals and large coalitions, with only 12.4% in opposition.

In addition to broad support from Vermonters–including wealthy Vermonters and legislators–the legislation is supported by the Fair Share for Vermont Coalition, a broad coalition of advocacy organizations and unions. Advocates highlighted broad public support for increased taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters, including from Vermonters who would be affected by the tax: “Vermonters are demanding equitable tax policy, and wealthy Vermonters are asking to pay their fair share” said Anika Heilweil, Fair Share for Vermont Campaign Manager. “We are excited that the House recognizes the need to modernize our tax code, and we are grateful that this legislation is receiving full consideration.”

The Fair Share for Vermont Coalition includes the ACLU of Vermont, AFL-CIO, AFT Vermont, Hunger Free Vermont, Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, Planned Parenthood of Vermont, Public Assets Institute, Rural Vermont, Rights & Democracy, Vermont Conservation Voters, the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont-NEA, VSEA, Voices for Vermont’s Children, and individual representatives.

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