[NYLIER]

Originally Posted by flu189

The state spends an enormous amount of money on funding programs from A to Z which could be pared down or eliminated all together.

Where can I get more information on these programs?

[flu189]

Originally Posted by NYLIER

Where can I get more information on these programs?

Start with the state budget report and you will see the balance between revenue and expenditure. Quite a bit of expenditures are hazy, but each department has to account for their activity. For areas that seem to be fuzzy lacking clear and concise accounting on where dollars go and for what it would be a good suggestion to get in touch with your representative to request an explanation. Obviously during the upcoming session the entire budget will have to be scrutinized and our legislators will have to have complete access to all the data in order to be able to make decisions. Considering the magnitude of the current deficit and next years $100+ million it would be nice if the state media placed emphasis on this and reported in depth on the issues and monies involved. Afterall, we pay the bills and vote the people into office who are responsible for spending this money so full disclosure is essential for folks to make decisions on who to entrust with this responsibility especially in times like these.

[NYLIER]

Thank you again Flu189! You have really gotten me off to good start this year!!

[flu189]

Originally Posted by NYLIER

Thank you again Flu189! You have really gotten me off to good start this year!!

LOL, nothing better to do on cold winter nights than do research on topics that either interest you or affect you. Actually, in today's world with such access to information literally at your fingertips it is a shame that so many folks don't bone up on stuff which is relevant to their lives. Maybe a little less trivial reality TV and delving into actual reality would do this state and nation quite a bit of good.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by flu189

This is exactly why you will never be afforded the right to cast votes to determine the fate of our budgets. I don't like it, but Montpelier knows full well that out of state non resident property owners with the motive to keep their costs down would vote down all the budgets and increases. It's all about local control and unless your here your opinion could endanger what we have created here.

Beware of hazardous opinions! tee hee

Out of curiosity would you know if there are any sites which break down the property taxes paid by non residents vs residents? I realize that residents pay more when all is added up, but my interest is piqued as to how much non residents contribute in property taxes which they have no say over except when they ask, "To whom shall I make this payable?"

[mustmove]

Non residents usually pay more but there are some 'flip towns' where residents pay more than nonresidents. There is an expensive newsletter called 'vermont property owners report' that has interesting articles about this stuff. I think it was in one of those that had a table of tax rates with resident/non resident rates. Not sure about the total take I'd imagine the average nonresident house is worth more than the average residents- possibly skewed by a handful of examples. Plus with the land use tax dodge it might be hard to figure.

[flu189]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Beware of hazardous opinions! tee hee

Out of curiosity would you know if there are any sites which break down the property taxes paid by non residents vs residents? I realize that residents pay more when all is added up, but my interest is piqued as to how much non residents contribute in property taxes which they have no say over except when they ask, "To whom shall I make this payable?"

It's possible to research this data, but it is not completely posted on the state web sites. Many state websites are somewhat very slow to post current data and information, some of it years obsolete. As I have said before the state does keep accurate records, after all they have to, but if there is something that you can't pull up CALL your areas legislator/representative and request this data and keep on them until you get a response (even you are are an out-of-state property owning flatlander). Today the new and improved legislative session assumed duties. Kind of funny that our local media put out a request for folks advising that due to white nose syndrome bats may appear in quantities and they want to know about it. I suggest they converge on Montpelier as that is where the the bats (moon) will be found, though I don't know how many will have white fungus on their noses. I assume some other hues may be present not to be confused with the the natural syndrome.

[MTK1]

On the discussion of non-residents and property taxes. There was an interesting article 2 months ago in Seven Days called cottage industry. The state is really taking a massive financial hit with the second home market in VT.

Cottage Industry

In a dismal real-estate climate, Vermont's second-home market hits the skids

Some excerpts below

"In fact, just seven towns — Stowe, Ludlow, Stratton, Dover, Killington, Winhall and Warren — contribute more than $88 million per year to the state’s education fund, which is more than three times what the Vermont Lottery pitches in. That’s a lot of scratch."

"In Stratton, the state took an especially dramatic fiscal hit: Transfer-tax revenues declined from $1.2 million in 2005 to just $33,000 this year."

Full Article here

Cottage Industry | Seven Days

[flu189]

Originally Posted by MTK1

On the discussion of non-residents and property taxes. There was an interesting article 2 months ago in Seven Days called cottage industry. The state is really taking a massive financial hit with the second home market in VT.

Cottage Industry

In a dismal real-estate climate, Vermont's second-home market hits the skids

Some excerpts below

"In fact, just seven towns — Stowe, Ludlow, Stratton, Dover, Killington, Winhall and Warren — contribute more than $88 million per year to the state’s education fund, which is more than three times what the Vermont Lottery pitches in. That’s a lot of scratch."

"In Stratton, the state took an especially dramatic fiscal hit: Transfer-tax revenues declined from $1.2 million in 2005 to just $33,000 this year."

Full Article here

Cottage Industry | Seven Days

Just goes to show that even the "beautiful" people are feeling the strain and will react accordingly. The second home market is over rated. If it comes down to me making payments on my primary home with pool and triple garage for my BMW, Mercedes, and Tahoe, I'll shuck the second Vt party home and just pay to stay at a hotel for the occasional vistits. It's pretty obvious who for the most part owns the second homes here. The days of the 50s, 60s and early 70s where folks like my folks with regular incomes could own a summer cottage out of state are gone. I just recently read that even with ski visits the average family income of Sugarbush skiers is $125K which is over twice of what Vermonters make. Just hope they keep coming because those dollars spent here are critical.