As committee scrambles on school tax plan, administration pitches curveball idea

When the week started, the House’s tax writing committee looked poised to structurally transform Vermont’s education finance system. By Thursday, such changes seemed less certain. And on Friday, Gov. Phil Scott’s administration entered the room, throwing out an unexpected proposal to lower property taxes this year by spreading out the tax increase over multiple years using a yet-to-be-named pot of money. Where that money for the “deferred payable” idea could come from and what effect it might have on the state’s credit ratings remain open questions. Craig Bolio, commissioner of...