House Speaker Mitzi Johnson and Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe have outlined their key priorities for the legislative session that begins in January.
Speaking at a Statehouse press conference Thursday, Johnson said she wants the House to take a serious look at how education is financed.
"I would like to be able to make some changes to that education funding system," Johnson said, "reduce the reliance on property taxes a little bit and to make the system more transparent, I think is what most Vermonters are asking for."
Ashe says he's committed to passing a bill raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour over a period of years.
"My top priority in general, set aside specific proposals of the day," Ashe explained, "is to lift the economic well-being of very low-income workers. "
Ashe and Johnson both say it's critical for lawmakers to find a sustainable long-term funding source to finance water quality issues.
They don't have a specific plan, but they say they're willing to look at a number of options.
