This commentary is by a group of former Vermont lawmakers. Their names are listed below the text of the commentary.

More than 50 years ago, Vermont recognized the hardship faced by homeowners whose property taxes were rising faster than their ability to pay them. Since then, state fiscal policy has moved, in fits and starts, toward a system where school taxes are based on Vermonters’ income, the best measure of their ability to pay. 

We, former Vermont legislators, urge you not to abandon a half-century of progress. Instead, we hope you will fulfill the promise of Act 60, which we helped pass in 1997, and ask Vermont homeowners with the most income to contribute their fair share to the cost of education by paying based on income. 

Vermont’s education funding system is committed both to fair taxation and local decision making, and we can strengthen both of those. Instead, H.454, the education reform bill that recently passed the Vermont House of Representatives, weakens them. 

Income-based school taxes ease pressure on homeowners with modest earnings that don’t keep pace with rising real estate prices and property taxes. For high-earning homeowners, income is a more accurate reflection of their means than a single piece of property, so taxes based on income are critical to fair school funding for all.

H.454 as passed by the Vermont House takes the state in the opposite direction. The bill would repeal the law’s current provision allowing residents to pay some or all of their school taxes based on their income, which 70% of Vermont homeowners do. Instead, H.454 recommits the state to regressive property taxes that hit low- and middle income residents the hardest.

To temper the negative impacts of the property tax for those with incomes of $115,000 or less, the plan puts in place homestead exemptions, which provide relief for some but still rely on property taxes. Lawmakers have considered homestead exemptions over the last 

50 years and repeatedly rejected them as too complicated and failing to achieve the fairness of income-based taxes.

H.454 does nothing to address the unfair tax break in the current funding system. Many of Vermont’s wealthiest homeowners pay school taxes on their property that are less than their income-based taxes would be. H.454 allows these homeowners to continue to pay property taxes instead of asking them to pay the same share of their income to support education as average Vermonters pay.

H.454 also brings back a foundation formula — state-determined and state-funded grants that can be supplemented by local school districts — which Vermont tried before the state supreme court declared it unconstitutional in 1997. The constitutional problems can be overcome, and H.454 attempts to do so. But this, too, is something the Legislature tried decades ago and found unworkable because it was overly complicated and made tax rates unpredictable from year to year.

None of the sweeping changes in H.454, the associated risks, nor the hassles to school districts are necessary. The sharp increase in taxes last year was due in large part to costs outside of school districts’ control and also to legislative missteps in the previous two years.

And while the governor likes to say the message from the election was that schools are spending too much, that’s not the case. School spending in Vermont as a percentage of the state’s economy has been a stable 5.5% to 6% for decades.

Unfair taxes anger taxpayers and alienate them from participation in decision-making about their schools — and that hurts students, teachers and communities. H.454 does not solve these problems. Rather, in reaching for elusive “efficiencies,” with promises of better education, the bill doubles down on school consolidation, which many Vermonters have rejected; that will alienate more citizens by taking budgetary decision-making out of communities’ hands.

There are immediate, affordable changes to the existing law that would make the system fairer for the Vermonters hurt last year. Instead of rushing to new and unproven — or old, proven-unworkable — financing mechanisms and an unprecedented move away from local control, the Legislature should adopt those changes.

We are proud that for 30 years Vermont has had the most equitable school financing system in the country, supporting schools that produce some of the highest test scores in the country. Not incidentally, our schools hold together many of the small rural communities that make Vermont an enviable place to live. 

H.454 risks destroying much of this. Vermont deserves better. 

Former Rep. Elaine Alfano

Former Sen. Susan Bartlett

Former Rep. Paul Cillo

Former Rep. David Deen

Former Sen. Matt Dunne 

Former Rep. John Freidin 

Former Rep. Martha Heath 

Former Sen. Cheryl Hooker 

Former Rep. Carolyn Kehler 

Former Rep. Karen Lafayette

Former Rep. Gini Milkey

Former Rep. Donny Osman 

Former Rep. Ed Paquin 

Former Rep. Ann Seibert 

Former Rep. Mary Sullivan 

Former Rep. John Tracy 

Former Rep. Michael Vinton 

Former Rep. Mark Woodward 

Former Lt. Governor David Zuckerman

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Robert E. Dziomba Jr., 87, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Springfield, Vt. He was born in Norwich, Conn., on Feb. 1, 1938, the son of Robert and Beatrice (Spicer) Dziomba. Robert was a beloved son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, neighbor, and friend.

Robert attended Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Conn., where he played on the football team. He also enjoyed roller skating and polka dancing in his younger years. Robert married Margaret (Moye) on May 7, 1976, with them settling in Weathersfield Bow, Vt.

Throughout his life, Robert held many jobs. As a young man, he spent time working on his family farm, where his work ethic earned him the nickname “Muscles.” This early work spurred his interest in becoming a long-haul truck driver. Robert logged many miles driving for a number of trucking companies. His trucking career spanned numerous years, with Robert driving for Berwick and Son Trucking in Plainfield, N.H., Moon Trucking in Rutland, Vt., Pike Paving Industries in Lebanon, N.H., and Bellavance Trucking in Barre, Vt.

Forever a fan of stock car racing, Robert enjoyed spending his free time working with local racing teams. Many weekends were spent in the pits of various New England racetracks pitching in wherever he could help. Robert spent many nights at the track working in the pits with Pappy Martin at Waterford-New London Speedbowl, Ray Crosby and John Baptistella at Claremont International Speedway, and Junior Colson at Monadnock Speedway.

When Robert retired from trucking, he spent his days working with Chuck Strobel in Ascutney, Vt., assisting with Strobel’s wood processing business. His days were filled with processing, splitting, and delivering countless cords of wood all around the Connecticut Valley.

He is survived by his children Sara Moulton (Keith), Steven Moye (Amy), and Kelly Warnock (Jim); siblings Barbara O’Hearn, Edie Hedrick (Jim), and Beatrice Lokos; grandchildren Jacob Moulton (Audrey), Katherine Moulton (Cameron Labrie), Conor Warnock, Ryan Warnock, Emma Moye, Alexander Moye, and Robert Carter (Kate); and great-grandchildren Austin and Logan Carter.

He was predeceased by his parents, wife Margaret Dziomba, brother Brad Dziomba, brother-in-law Gus Lokos, brother-in-law William O’Hearn, and brother-in-law Mark Moye.

Visiting hours will be held at the Davis Memorial Chapel, 99 Summer Street, Springfield, Vt., on Thursday, May 22, from 12-1:30 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Following the service, there will be a Celebration of the Lives of Margaret and Robert Dziomba, at Sherie’s Place, 30 Main Street, Springfield, Vt., from 2-4 p.m.

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule. Here’s a look at May 10, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 10 drawing

05-20-28-39-42, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life VT numbers from May 10 drawing

05-12-19-43-47, Lucky Ball: 14

Check Lucky For Life VT payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 10 drawing

Day: 6-5-8

Evening: 5-1-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 10 drawing

Day: 5-2-9-0

Evening: 6-6-5-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from May 10 drawing

03-05-11-18-31, Megaball: 05

Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
• Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
• Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
• Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
• Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
• Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
• Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

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