Why We Have Abandoned Vermont? 
By Glen A. Wright, CPA

My wife, Rosemarie, and I have abandoned Vermont.

There is no more painful decision for two sixth-generation native Vermonters than to give up residency in the state where we have spent the last 60 years, raised our family and grown a successful business. The moment of truth for us came recently when we had to relinquish our Vermont driver's licenses.

But the tax burden in Vermont has become more than we are willing to bear. We can't take it any more and are taking the only possible alternative: leaving Vermont.That is why we have informed Vermont Tax Commissioner Tom Pelham, Gov. James Douglas and legislative leaders that we have abandoned our Vermont residency and are now residents of Florida.

Our decision has not been a rash one. For years I have tried to convince policymakers in Montpelier that Vermont's high tax burdens are driving native Vermonters away. These warnings have always fallen on deaf ears.

The recent legislative action reducing the state income-tax deduction, the estate-tax exemption reduction and increasing tax on capital gains will have a significant negative impact on us. Becoming Florida residents eliminates our entire state income-tax burden. We will also experience a significant reduction in our property taxes. The value of our house in South Hero is approximately the same as our residence in Ocala, Fla.

My property taxes in Vermont last year were in excess of $12,000. My property taxes in Florida after claiming the homestead exemption will be $4,000.I have been a practicing tax accountant in Vermont for the past 37 years. In that time, I have advised many former Vermonters on the benefits and steps to take to change their residency from Vermont. These clients represent a significant amount of tax revenue to Vermont.

For years, the Legislature has dismissed the fact people leave Vermont for tax purposes because they had no specific evidence of the people leaving. As a practicing accountant, I testified many times to legislative fiscal committees on tax matters, as did many other tax professionals. These committees refused to believe people were leaving Vermont because we professionals, bound by confidentiality, would not disclose names.

Now, I want to go on record that I am leaving Vermont because of its high tax burden.

Vermont's high cost of living is also a burden for many, not just to high-income taxpayers. My mother, 85, was born and lived her entire life in Enosburg Falls. Even though she has a good retirement benefit from my deceased father, she struggles to maintain her house and modest lifestyle. Property taxes, income taxes, sales tax and high fuel and electricity costs have caused her to have to consume the equity in her house in order to live. She is very disappointed with the massive changes in Vermont's way of life.

In her words: "The Legislature has stolen Vermont from the people who live here and then completely destroyed it." She, too, would like to leave Vermont, but it is not feasible for a woman her age.

The majority of Vermonters have become "takers" from government and the number of "givers" is not only in the minority but decreasing every day. If Vermont continues with its current tax policy, there will soon come a time when the "givers" are gone and the only ones left will be the "takers" who will no longer have a source of tax revenue for their taking. In my opinion, I think we are already there and the recent proposed legislation only accelerates the flight of the "givers".

That's why Rosemarie and I are sadly leaving our former home state that now seems intent on destroying itself.

Glen A. Wright formerly lived in South Hero. He has been a practicing tax accountant in Vermont for the past 37 years before he and his wife recently moved to Florida.