Vermont Legislature adjourns session focused on property taxes, housing, climate change

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Legislature adjourned early Saturday, ending a session focused on housing, climate change and addressing soaring property taxes.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott is expected to veto a number of the Democrat-controlled legislature’s bills as the two sides continue to disagree about spending.

The legislature passed a $8.5 billion state budget and a property tax bill to pay for education that would increase property taxes by an average of nearly 14% and create a committee to recommend changes to make Vermont’s education system more affordable.

Scott says Vermonters cannot afford double-digit tax increases and is expected to veto the bill.

The rising cost of education was a focal point this year following an increase in spending combined with the end of federal pandemic aid, Vermont Public reported. Nearly one in three school budgets were rejected on Town Meeting Day in March.

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