Mark your calendars, kids. Gov. Jim Douglas will veto the budget bill and is calling the Legislature back June 2.
"If my only choice is between allowing your fiscal 2010 budget to become
law or a veto, I must choose veto," Douglas' letter says. "I cannot abandon
Vermonters' long-term economic security for short-lived political accord."
Douglas acknowledged in the letter that the Legislature may be able to override his veto.
"If this budget becomes law over my veto _ and despite my repeated attempts to
forge a compromise that puts the public interest over special interests _ I am
prepared to accept that outcome. But understand that what you reap is what
you sow; the adverse effects of your tax and spending choices will ripple
through the Vermont economy for years to come and those consequences will be
your sole responsibility."
Douglas told legislators he will give them a new budget proposal Tuesday that will "balance the Legislature's desire for higher taxes with the need for ongoing financial responsibility. That said, I do not expect my ideas will satisfy your demands."
- Terri Hallenbeck
Labels: legislature, politics, Vermont
