2/12 Make Vermont Affordable for All!
Due to the passage of H.R. 1 (One Big 'Beautiful' Bill Act), the top 1% of Vermont income-earners are set to receive an average federal tax cut of $57,000 per filer in 2026. Too many Vermonters are struggling to make ends meet and are worried about the future, and reduced federal funding for programs Vermonters rely on is putting additional pressure on individuals and families. Now more than ever, it’s time for the wealthiest Vermonters to pay their fair share of taxes. More state revenue means more resources to respond to federal funding cuts and to invest in our communities–to fix our roads and bridges, support Vermont families, increase access to healthcare and housing, protect our environment, and more–helping to make a Vermont that’s affordable for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
There is momentum growing in the Statehouse supporting the work of the Fair Share for Vermont Coalition to make our tax system more equitable, raising tens of millions of dollars for the state of VT to better meet the essential needs of people living here. Right now, the leadership in the Vermont House and Senate need to hear from representatives that their constituents support increasing taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters to raise state revenue, including through H. 621, which would only increase taxes on Vermonters making over $500,000 per year. You can use this link to contact your representative.
There has long been a need to significantly address the basic fairness of our taxes and economic system in Vermont, and to generate greater public revenue for investment in meeting the essential needs of the people who live here. But the recent dramatic growth in economic disparities is untenable, and the vast majority of people in Vermont, and the state itself, cannot afford to wait any longer for action. In 2023, the average median national farm income was -$900 - meaning that most farms operate at a loss. In VT, only 43% of VT farms reported net gains in the 2022 census. The $57,000 in tax breaks that the average top 1% income earner in VT will now receive every year with the recent federal tax cuts is far greater than the yearly income of most farms, and 500 times greater than the average tax return for someone in the bottom 20% of income earners in VT. For Vermont as a whole - there is a substantial federal funding shortfall, and we are being told that we must accept cuts to state programs; yet the top 20% of VT income earners will be getting nearly $740 million dollars per year as a result of recent federal tax cuts.
Recent Oxfam International reports highlight that the issue of wealth inequity is not just an issue of taxes, and who pays how much - it is an issue of democracy. Economic power and parity is related to political power and parity. We have an opportunity and imperative to turn this growing disparity, and this narrative around the necessity of austerity, into greater parity and a narrative and lived reality of a Vermont for everyone. A more fair tax system and robust public spending benefits everyone.
Contact Graham@ruralvermont.org for more information, and you can use this link to contact your representatives.
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS!
Sample Message
Sample Phone Call:
Say: "Hi, I'm ____ from [town name]. I'm calling to leave a message for my representative(s) [name(s)] asking them to SUPPORT H.619, H.620, and H.621. These bills create a more progressive tax system that ensures the wealthiest Vermonters pay their fair share. This helps everyone by keeping Vermont affordable and our communities strong. Please support these bills to help all Vermonters thrive."
Sample Email:
"Dear [Representative Name(s)],
I urge you to support legislation to create a tax system that ensures all Vermonters pay their fair share. Right now, Vermont is becoming unaffordable for many Vermonters. Meanwhile, the wealthiest Vermonters receive massive federal tax breaks: the top 1% will get an average tax cut of $57,000 this year, while federal funding for essential services is being cut.
I support legislation to recapture a portion of those federal funding cuts for the wealthiest Vermonters, including H.621, which would create new tax brackets for the highest earners and would only increase taxes on Vermonters making over $500,000 per year. This legislation would create a more progressive tax system that helps everyone by keeping Vermont affordable and vibrant. Please support H.621 and other legislation to recapture federal tax cuts for the wealthiest.
Thank you. [Your Name, Town]"
Emails and messages called in go directly to your Legislators, so this absolutely does have an impact.
You DO have a voice in this matter!