MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Another projected double-digit property tax increase is adding urgency to calls for education funding reform, and Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic leaders on Wednesday say they agree about the need for school consolidation to reduce costs.

Another legislative session, and another year of grappling with federal spending drying up, expensive health care, and the path to making education more affordable.

“This session will be more like a horror movie than a Hallmark film,” said Sen. Phil Baruth, D-Chittenden County.

Lawmakers returned to the Statehouse on Wednesday for a one-day briefing. The buzz in the halls and on the House floor was about what to do about spiraling property taxes.

The Legislature convenes on January 6, and local school budgets have to

See Full Page