The governor's budget proposal proclaims "no new taxes." Yet, state government has mandated a pension system, which is managed by a state official, for which it refuses to pay its fair share even when the cost goes up for local governments and school districts.
Never fear, the governor and Legislature created a "tax cap" that provides a way out. If the increased cost of pensions exceeds the 2 percent tax levy cap, the local government can legally raise the tax to cover the additional cost of the pension bill. That means the local taxpayers contribute not only the cost of pensions up to the 2 percent levy increase, but also the extra cost beyond that limit.
No new taxes, really?
It's funny how the state can make others pay for its decisions. Yet again, schools and municipalities are forced to be the bad guys instead of the state sharing the burden of the pension costs it mandates. The burden falls on children, who will see cuts to their school programs, and taxpayers.
In other words, no new taxes really means higher property taxes.
PAUL S. PUCCIO
Castleton