MONTPELIER — Vermont’s education property tax bills are projected to increase by an average of 11.9 percent in the next fiscal year, according to the annual “ December 1 education tax rate letter, ” released by Vermont Commissioner of Taxes Bill Shouldice on Monday afternoon. The rise would represent a staggering increase of nearly 41 percent over the past five years, Shouldice said.

“If we allow this landscape to persist, we cannot seriously expect young and growing families to buy homes and settle in Vermont; local voters to approve budgets; or seniors on fixed incomes to retire comfortably in Vermont,” he wrote in the letter, addressed to Rep. Jill Krowinski (D-Chittenden 16), Speaker of the House, and Sen. Phil Baruth (D/P-Chittenden Central District) President Pro Tempore.

“Vermon

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