MONTPELIER (AP) - A new report from legislative budget analysts says Gov. Peter Shumlin has been way too optimistic when he estimates how much might be raised from a new tax on so-called "break-open" tickets.
Shumlin wants to levy a 10 percent tax on the tickets, which typically sell in bars and social clubs and allow patrons to pay a dollar for a payout of up to $150.
The governor would use the $17 million he says would be raised for low-income heating assistance, weatherizing Vermont homes and for a renewable energy fund.
But the Legislature's Joint Fiscal Office says Shumlin's tax would raise something much closer to $6 million than $17 million.
That could place two-thirds of the new funding source for the energy programs in jeopardy.
Advertisement







Font Resize



