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Former lawmaker urges targeted property-tax relief for Vermonters with disabilities
Summary
Former state representative Lisa Jordan told the Senate Finance Committee that many Vermonters with disabilities rely on SSI/SSDI, face disproportionate property-tax pressure and rising health costs, and urged lawmakers to target any one-time school-funding relief to those most at risk of losing housing.
Lisa Jordan, a former member of the Vermont House, told the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 11 that lawmakers should consider people with disabilities as a substantial constituency when shaping tax and school-funding policy.
"Roughly one-fifth, although maybe as many as a fourth of Vermonters, have a disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act," Jordan said, urging senators to review materials she provided to committee staff and to "include rights in every bill" on Disability Advocacy Day. Jordan acknowledged the demographic attachment was dated (her packet drew on 2009 numbers) but said the overall picture remains relevant.
Jordan described the economic vulnerabilities facing many people with disabilities, noting that unless they find "good, solid, full-time gainful employment" they are likely dependent on Social Security benefits such as SSI or SSDI. She warned that SSDI recipients who crossover to regular Social Security later in life may be undercounted in older data sets, amplifying the case for targeted relief.
Jordan also highlighted caregiving and daily-living supports, saying many people require help with basic activities such as bathing, dressing and shopping. She cited prior legislation, S.51, which briefly included a modest payment to unpaid caregivers but lost that provision during negotiations. "It was $1,000 over the course of a year if you offer 20 hours or more a week," Jordan said of the earlier caregiver provision.
On tax policy, Jordan urged senators to examine how proposals to fund education and manage property-tax increases would affect homeowners and renters with disabilities. She recommended adjusting income-sensitivity thresholds used in property-tax relief so limited resources go to households "most in danger of losing their homes." Jordan stressed that many Vermonters with disabilities live on lower incomes and that recent tax cuts have disproportionately benefited higher-income households.
Committee members thanked Jordan for the testimony and asked follow-up questions about precedents for non-blanket property-tax buy-downs and administrative implementation. Jordan offered supporting research and acknowledged some figures were dated, saying she would supply updated materials if available.
The committee did not take formal action on Jordan’s recommendations during the session but discussed ideas for targeting any one-time education-fund injection toward low- and middle-income households and vulnerable homeowners. Jordan’s packet and the committee’s questions will inform further consideration as the Finance Committee consults appropriations and other stakeholders.
