Editor’s note: This oped is by Roger Allbee, the Vermont Secretary of Agriculture.
Recently, Governor Douglas returned H.485, An Act Relating to the Use Value Appraisal Program, without his signature. As Secretary of Agriculture, I supported this action as did Secretary of Natural Resources Jonathan Wood.
Vermont’s Agricultural and Managed Forest Land Use Value Program, better known as the Current Use Program, was created in the late 1970’s. Current Use allows agricultural and managed forest lands to be taxed on their use value as opposed to market value.
The Current Use program benefits not only landowners but the entire state of Vermont. We know from a recent study that 97 percent of Vermonters want an open, working landscape. Our landscape, in many ways, defines our state drawing thousands of visitors every year to experience what we enjoy each and every day. In fact, National Geographic Traveler Magazine voted Vermont one of the top five places in the world to visit, and the number one place to visit in the United States. One of the primary reasons for this distinguished recognition was Vermont’s open landscape.
The legislation as passed by the House and Senate would have created a dramatic increase in both the Land Use Change Tax and the Property Transfer Tax. The increase in the Land Use Change Tax alone would have been more than 10 times the existing rate. I understand, like those advocating the legislation, that changes to the program may be needed in the future, however now is not the appropriate time for such changes.
The financial strains and uncertainties our farmers are facing, especially dairy farmers, is unprecedented. The economic recession that has impacted many of us has perhaps hurt our rural communities more than others. H.485 would impose additional taxes and requirements on our agriculture sector at a time when they are struggling under already significant burdens.
Vermont’s working landscape defines our state. We owe our strong cultural identity to the farm and forest landowners who steward these lands. The future of the working landscape is threatened now more than at any other time by the current financial crisis. Adding additional taxes and requirements to our already compromised agriculture industry would have a detrimental impact on farmers in the state and the open working landscape we all treasure.
