http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/2890445/detail.html
Killington Residents Endorse Plan To Join New Hampshire
Town Wants To Secede Over Property Taxes
Killington Must Seek New Hampshire's Approval
After years of what residents call unfair tax rates and lost legal battles with the state, the resort community took an extraordinary step, voting to secede from Vermont in the hopes of joining New Hampshire, 25 miles away.
The town of 1,100 said switching state affiliations could save taxpayers $10 million a year.
"We send $10 million to the state of Vermont and get $1 million back," Selectman Michael Miller said. "I think we'll be treated better in New Hampshire."
Trying to secede may be difficult. First, Killington must go to the New Hampshire Legislature and get approval. Then, it must go to the Vermont Legislature and get approval, which isn't likely to happen. The town said if it fails, it will go all the way to the U.S. Congress to get approval.
"It's not easy," Town Manager David Lewis said. "We think it's a long shot."
Town officials passed the first hurdle with Tuesday's vote. Some residents compared the action to Boston's defiant Tea Party more than 200 years ago.
"When you remove all other possibilities, the only thing left is tax revolt," resident Robert Chernin said.
Town officials now hope to get approval in Concord, N.H., in the next legislative session. New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson said he isn't sure exactly how the town can realistically switch stat
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