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. ³Education, Taxes, and Our Future (Review, Reform, and Restructuring):
Policy Choices for Vermont² 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, ³this 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.²

The co-chairs also noted ³these 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.² A question and answer session follows the
presentations. For more information contact Chuck Sweetman at csweetman2002@aol.com.

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