BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Property taxes are expected to rise again this year.
Republican members of the house are holding a press conference later on Wednesday, just days after a state report estimated a 5.9% property tax increase this year.
That increase is less than the staggering almost 14% last year, but leaders under the golden dome are still looking for ways to curtail the costs.
Democratic leaders gathered on Tuesday promising to find relief.
A commission will look for savings in areas like class sizes, teacher health care benefits, and mental health services for students.
Democratic House speaker Jill Krowinski says coming to a solution will take buy in from all Vermonters .
“There are going to be things that none of us want. but this is our moment. we can’t lose this moment. while it’s going to be difficult, my mission is to make sure we stay at the table, hear from the governor and produce results for Vermonters,” said Krowinski.
When it comes to enacting change this session, democrats and republicans will have to negotiate on any solutions as democrats no longer hold a supermajority that could withstand a veto from the governor.
The tax hike is attributed to many of the same increased education expenses as last year, like teacher health care, student mental health needs, and deferred building maintenance.
House republicans meet at 9:45 on Wednesday before an all-member briefing in the statehouse when education funding and property taxes will be a key issue when the session starts in January.