State Finance: Services, Grants, and Taxes (1987, recommended for review in 2019)

State Finance: Services, Grants, and Taxes (1987, recommended for review in 2019)

Positions against deficit financing, in favor of federal grants, and positions on property and income taxation. In specifics this position is recommended for review and update.
Position In Brief: 

Against imposing a ceiling on programs.  Reluctant to reduce services caused by inflation.  Against deficit spending.  Favors continuing to receive federal grant monies.  Favors redistribution of tax burden, particularly the property tax burden.  Believes schools and churches should be taxed on income-producing properties.  Approves tax on Vermont-derived income of non-residents.

Position History: 

approved 1987

The League of Women Voters of Vermont holds the following positions regarding state finance in Vermont. The League:

  1. Recognizes the rapidly growing costs of state government, and does not wish to impose a ceiling on programs.
  2. Is reluctant to reduce services because of inflationary pressures.
  3. Is not in favor of deficit financing as a means of meeting the increased costs of government, but does not rule out the possibility of short-term exceptions to this in case of overwhelming human needs or severe environmental problems.
  4. Favors the continuation of categorical grants to states from the federal government.
  5. Strongly favors the redistribution of the tax burden in Vermont, particularly the property tax.
  6. Supports land use assessment rather than fair market value as a further means of redistributing the tax burden.
  7. Believes the taxing of any income-producing property of schools and churches is desirable and justified.
  8. Strongly approves of the present tax on the Vermont-derived income of non-residents.
Issues: 
League to which this content belongs: 
- Private group -