Vermonters for Economic Health

The Vermont Business Rountable reports that the principal members of the commission charges with studying tax policy have been selected. See the info below quoted from the blog of Lisa Ventris, VBR President.

This is extremely important work that will shape the future tax policy of Vermont which heretofore has been "raise revenue with the least amount of public backlash." We sorely need a coherent tax policy, one that is fair and provides incentives for job creation. Otherwise our economy will continue to languish.

Pay attention to this work. Public input will be requested and VEH and its supporters should prepare to be heard.

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Study Commissions Taking Shape

Though the weather would indicate otherwise, the summer has just heated up for some Roundtable members. The Blue Ribbon Tax Commissionmentioned last week will include Member Emeritus Bill Schubart, appointed by House Speaker Shap Smith; Kathy Hoyt, former Administration Secretary under Governor Howard Dean, appointed by Senate President Shumlin; and Bill Sayre, who is the Governor’s appointee. The trio will also be selecting several other individuals to join the group and bring technical expertise to the effort.

Also under formation is the Commission on the Design and Funding of Retirement and Retiree Health Benefits Plans, which will include Roundtable member David Coates and former Roundtable director, Doug Wacek, Union Mutual (retired).  Coates, on behalf of the Roundtable, led the public discussion last session around the need to address the unsustainability of Vermont’s state employee and teacher pension programs. Results of the Commission, which begins its work on July 14^th and is chaired by the State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding, will be reported to the Administration and Legislature by mid-December 2009.