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Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


3.09.2007

 

Hearing the same chorus

Last legislative biennium, when health care was the big issue, Republican Gov. Jim Douglas and the Democratic legislative leaders would come forth and declare what they'd heard from Vermonters. It often seemed like they were listening to a whole different set of Vermonters.

When House Speaker Gaye Symington told me to today that she'd been out listening to voters in southern Vermont the other day I was half-expecting her to have heard something wholly different from what Douglas heard in the Northeast Kingdom.

It didn't happen, though.

Symington said the message she heard was that voters didn't want to take their frustrations out on their local school budgets, but that they are frustrated by property taxes, health care costs, energy costs and myriad of other pocketbook strains.

Hmmm. That's the same thing Douglas was hearing.

She said she also heard people say they want property tax reform but they're not comfortable with some of the proposals they're hearing. They're scared of having their local control taken away.

Hmmm. Same thing Douglas heard.

They don't like Douglas' school budget increase cap. They're wary of of the education commissioner's school district consolidation plan, and they don't like the Legislature's proposal of tightening the penalty for schools that spend more than average.

Symington said, nonetheless, she thinks that last one has particular promise. Exactly what the governor said.

The only difference is Symington doesn't like the tone of the governor's criticisms - or a good many of his budget choices, and Douglas doesn't like the fact that the Legislature isn't embracing his ideas. If they can just get past that, they might have some common ground. At least they're hearing the same things. Maybe they should go on tour together.

- Terri Hallenbeck

Comments:
Of course the dimocrats don't like anything; the bosses at the VT-NEA haven't given them permission to do anything and, sadly, thats who pays their bills.
 
Perhaps Madam Speaker should share what she's heard this week with her committee chairs who made statements on WCAX and VPR that voters sent the message that "all is well, no such thing as discontent with property taxes - it's just RHETORIC (says Ancel)" Vermonters are not happy and the Speaker would do well to open her ears and mind to what they are saying to her - it ain't rhetoric
 
They hear, but are they listening?

Deaf ears and inaction permeate the statehouse. The representative in GI county actually tried justifying the high taxes by saying "the rest of the state doesn't have such nice views." Classic.

There is a disconnect between Vermonters and the government that purports to represent them. The golden dome just doesn't seem to get that Vermonters are barely hanging on. All they see is things they can do with the money, not worrying about where it comes from. Too much silver spoon mentality.

We need to reduce the tax burden, or find some other way to reduce the costs of living in our state. Or we might as well change our name to USED-TO-BE-VERMONT.

Rednalsi
 
We can hope that Vermonters turn out in force on Wednesday night for the public hearing that purports to listen to the common man. Tell Ancel & Obie just what's on our minds.
 
Too bad the Speaker doesn't like Jimmies tone - the truth hurts don't it
 
If Obie had his way, VT would have the highest personal income tax rates of any state - we're close to the top already.

Douglas and the GOP should seriously look at a flat-rate state income tax with a huge exemption. Right now, the state income tax rates range from 3.6 to 9.5%. A flat tax at around 5%, with the first $40,000 exempted from all tax, might bring in more revenue for the state than the current "progressive" rates, and would remove a major disincentive for businesses to locate in VT and create new jobs here. Flat taxes have worked for other states and other countries - VT should give it a try.
 
Is it about pleasing the Democrats/Progressives they are married to or is it about solving problems?
 
Passing school budgets is about not making your neighbor mad! It is no great endorsement.
 
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