Vermont Lawmakers Can Fund Essential Public Goods and Services When Wealthiest Pay Fair Share

Statewide coalition calls on elected officials to increase taxes o the wealthiest residents to raise revenue, meet pressing needs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 4, 2024

Contact: Anika Heilweil, Fund Vermont’s Future Campaign Manager, anika@publicassets.org

MONTPELIER, Vt.–– In response to Governor Scott’s State of the State Address, legislators and advocates are highlighting the need for a different approach to state tax policies in order to support Vermont communities. The Fund Vermont’s Future coalition in November released its proposal to raise revenue through taxes on the wealthiest Vermont residents.

“In the face of a statewide housing crisis, flood recovery response, and other pressing needs, the solution is to look for creative solutions, not to implement austerity budgeting. To adequately address the needs of the state, it is crucial to increase revenue,” said Anika Heilweil, Fund Vermont’s Future Campaign Manager.

Advocates are calling on the state’s elected officials to address the state’s budgetary pressures while acknowledging skyrocketing income and wealth inequality that has resulted in a small number of Vermont residents earning considerably more money while wages for the majority of Vermonters are not keeping up with rising costs of living.

James Duff Lyall, Executive Director of the ACLU of Vermont, noted that it is imperative for legislators to act with urgency: “Especially now, we need the wealthiest Vermont residents to start paying their fair share to build a state that works for everybody who lives here. Disparities in wealth are too large, and our communities’ needs are too great to be met with austerity budgeting. It’s time for creative solutions to build a Vermont that cares for our families, communities, and environment.”

The coalition continues to advocate for the Fair Share for Vermont Proposal, which the coalition introduced in a press conference at the Statehouse in November. The proposal would create a 3% surcharge on personal incomes over $500,000.

Said Amy Rose, Policy Director at Voices for Vermont’s Children: “The collective challenges of the present moment require real, comprehensive solutions to meet the state’s needs. This session, we’re calling on legislators to think beyond austerity and ensure a strong, fiscally responsible, and truly sustainable future for all Vermonters by increasing taxes on those most able to pay. It is important for those who have benefited most from our economic structures to contribute their share of taxes back to the state.”

The Fund Vermont’s Future coalition includes Public Assets Institute, the ACLU of Vermont, Vermont Conservation Voters, the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Vermont Natural Resources Council, the Vermont-NEA, and Voices for Vermont’s Children, as well as individual representatives Alex Hilliard, Hamdi Jafar, and Amanda Janoo.

More information is available at fairsharevt.org