The writer represents the Windsor-Windham district (Athens, Chester, Grafton, and Windham) in the Vermont House of Representatives. For details about the payroll tax, visit bit.ly/774-payroll.
CHESTER-As I am out and about in the community, talking with constituents, many have asked about the new payroll tax to fund Act 76, the Child Care Bill.
In the 2023 legislative session, the Legislature passed this act, which already is helping to ease the child care crisis that Vermont is facing.
I voted for this bill because I see it through the lens of a small-business owner and a working mother who needed child care.
Unemployment is historically low; Vermont businesses need workers. When quality child care is available, we have a larger workforce.
That larger workforce also pays income tax, which provides taxpayers with a return on their investment - more people working means more tax revenue. More tax revenue means the cost of running our government for the provision of necessary services is spread across more individuals.
Higher-quality child care translates to Vermont children being better prepared for school, which provides for even more return on our investment because children who are school-ready demand fewer resources. Children have better outcomes when we identify their learning disabilities early.
All of this is a win-win situation for Vermont's working families, for the child-care industry, and our schools.
I was proud to vote for Act 76 and will continue to support working families.
We have already heard from working families and community leaders that this investment is making a positive impact on our communities.
This initiative has been paid for by a nominal statewide payroll tax of 0.44% starting as of July 1. Employers are responsible for 0.33% and employees 0.11%. Employers do have the option to cover the full amount if they so desire.
The funds are invested in the Child Care Contribution Special Fund. We will see more families able to access these funds in October when the program is further expanded.
I always appreciate hearing your perspectives and look forward to meeting with more of you over the course of the next few months.
Heather Chase
Chester
The writer represents the Windsor-Windham district (Athens, Chester, Grafton, and Windham) in the Vermont House of Representatives. For details about the payroll tax, visit bit.ly/774-payroll.
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