FORUM ON TAX POLICIES AND EDUCATION: UPCOMING CHOICES FOR VERMONT

A high-powered public forum with key players at the state level will be held Monday, March 9, at the new Manchester Community Library, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. "Education, Taxes, and Our Future (Review, Reform, and Restructuring): Policy Choices for Vermont" is the title of the forum to deal with major issues and choices now faced by our legislature.

In the November 2014 elections, issues of how education is organized and funded -including property taxes-- were front and center. State leaders know these issues should be addressed now. The next eight weeks will be crucial in Montpelier.

The forum presenters are knowledgeable and influential people on these issues:

Michael Costa, Deputy Director of Health Care Reform - Finance (previously Director of Policy, Outreach, and Legislative Affairs, VT Department of Taxes). Costa will overview our tax system as it relates to education, and policy decisions ahead for Vermonters.

Rebecca Holcombe, VT Secretary of Education. Holcombe will address choices for making education more affordable while focusing on improved educational quality and opportunities for all Vermonters. She will focus on challenges of funding that must be addressed, as well as related organizational and structural issues.

Brian Campion, member of the VT Senate Education Committee (previously member of the House Education Committee). Senator Campion will focus on legislative discussions, proposals, and bills on taxation reforms, educational financing and key related issues.

This free important forum is open to the public and is being presented by the Bennington County Democratic Committee as a public service activity.

According to Chuck Sweetman and Michael Keane, co-chairs of the committee, "this forum was purposely set for the week after town meetings so that the tax policy programs and education issues can be discussed in a larger fashion than just one year¹s local budget. These hard issues need to be dealt with in a rational and thoughtful manner as the choices ahead are crucial for property taxes, education and all our futures."

The co-chairs also noted "these presenters are well respected individuals who have great insight and wonderful presentation styles. As influential leaders in these areas at this crucial time period, these three have much to offer. We greatly thank them for participating. We would encourage anyone interested in these topics of taxation programs, education, and the challenging choices facing Vermonters to attend. It should be a most important, timely and constructive forum."A question and answer session follows the presentations. For more information contact Chuck Sweetman at csweetman2002@aol.com.