Senate rejects surtax amendment but passes H 9 33 after multiple floor fights

Summary

The Vermont Senate debated and rejected two high-profile floor amendments to H 9 33 — including a proposed surtax package aimed at the top 6% of earners — before passing the underlying bill as amended. Roll-call votes defeated the surcharge and an under‑30 tax‑exemption amendment; H 9 33 passed on third reading.

A proposed surtax package to recapture federal tax-cut windfalls for the state failed on the Senate floor Tuesday, and the chamber then passed H 9 33 as amended.

Senator Bihofsky, the amendment sponsor, described the package as a combination of a 6% surcharge on the top 1% of Vermont earners (those with incomes over $500,000), a 2% surcharge on the next 5% (incomes $250,000–$499,999), and an investment‑proceeds tax targeting certain unrealized gains. The sponsor said the overall bill package was estimated to generate a little more than $400 million and framed the change as bringing federal windfalls into the Vermont budget to support social programs: "There would be a 6% surcharge added to the top 1% of Vermont earners," the sponsor said during floor remarks and described the…

Senate rejects surtax amendment but passes H 9 33 after multiple floor fights

Summary

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