VLCT questions

Shumlin proposal

MONTPELIER — The Vermont League of Cities and Towns is questioning who’s going to pay for Gov. Peter Shumlin’s proposals for improving the state’s education system.

It cites the governor’s proposal that some of the money for expanded childcare will come from the state education fund, which is raised from property taxes and supports statewide school funding.

The governor also wants to make free school lunches available to more low-income students, and allow high school seniors to start college early.

The league says that about 70 percent of the $1.3 billion cities and towns raise each year in property taxes is used for education, and that plans to boost education spending often affect local property tax rates.