Option Taxes Slammed by Voters

 

Nov 2, 2004 Election Results:

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Pre-election polls

 

localoptiontaxes.com Poll

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Municipal governments in Barre, Montpelier and Berlin were advocating the enactment of local option taxes as new sources of revenue. They believed local taxes on retail sales, rooms, meals, and alcohol are superior to cutting costs, growing the grand list or increasing property taxes.

Unfortunately, such taxes represent a only a temporary bandage with significant long-term consequences. These taxes mask core problems while avoiding property tax increases for only a year or two.

YET...

Barre to explore revenue options
( Times Argus) November 6, 2004
BARRE ­ Mayor Peter Anthony says he won't revive the short list of local options taxes that was bombed by Barre voters on Tuesday, but he warned they shouldn't be surprised if some other revenue-raising initiative appears on the ballot in March. Read more...