The vast majority of states are facing budget problems this year, and
Vermont is among them. Administration and legislative leaders are
working to cut $37 million from the state budget and they say
everything is on the table. Governor Jim Douglas joins use to look at
the priorities and process for bring state expenses in line with
dropping revenues. We look at what programs and services might be
affected, why Douglas says the cuts should be made before the new
Legislature convenes in January and take listener calls.(Listen)
AP Photo/Toby Talbot
Email us during the show and we’ll try to include your question to Gov. Douglas in the broadcast.
Listener comments:
Doug in Burlington:
In a recent op-ed piece, the governor suggested that we "think differently" as we try to solve the current fiscal problems. Good advice. So why is the governor unwilling to consider all of the strategies available? He is insisting on only cuts instead of a combination of cuts, new
revenue, and deficit spending. This is what his Republican predecessor Richard Snelling did. C’mon governor, why can’t you get out of the box and "think differently"?
Ed in St. Albans:
On the heels of Senator’s Leahy’s hearing in St. Albans where we heard a grim picture about crime in our communities, how will you ensure that public safety isn’t compromised? Specifically, do you plan on cutting the budgets of police or prosecutors when crime may rise as a result of the economic situation?
Hank in Morrisville:
Gas tax – now. Gas is more than half [its previous cost] and now people are misusing it — idling their cars dressed in T shirts. Penalize them.
Steve in Barre:
I believe the time has come to dip into the rainy day fund rather than
continue to cut much needed programs. Closing our courts and laying off
court workers is not appropriate. Further cuts to the state colleges and
university when our per capita higher education support is already the
lowest in the nation is short sighted and perhaps will cause long lasting
damage to those institutions. I also think Jeb Spauding’s notion of a gas tax triggered when prices fall
to a certain level so we can repeair our collapsing highways and bridges is
a good idea.
Finally, these decisions should be made by the Legislature, not the Joint
Fiscal Committee.
Fred in Windsor:
Instead of cutting the much needed judicial services, why not raise fine levels?
Kevin in Roxbury:
Why wouldn’t we shut down some of the facilities we spend so much money to upkeep and send workers home to work. We have an amazing internet infastructure and we could eliminate a lot of wasted costs by putting workers in their own homes.
Elsa in South Hero:
Why not legalize same sex marriage now? Wouldn’t that be beneficial to the economy and bring in more people from out of state without costing the state?
Karen in Weston:
Has there been consideration about the 2020 National Aging initiative to offer a cost savings to Medicaid and Medicare? … I’m concerned over meals programs being cut for seniors and community dinners in Vermont. Food commodities that stretch a food budget save federal and state
resources… less hospitalizaion. Have you considered putting a restriction on state govermnment officials’ meals reimbursement? How will you ensure a work force in Vermont if you force state employees to leave the state, lose their homes? The programs they administered they will be
using themselves.
Bethany in Glover:
In the early 1990s, when the office of public guardianship was created, the Legislature’s intent was clear: only use a public guardian when no member of the public stepped forward to do this duty. Today, that office is big and expensive, and we see no activity to promote, pursue or secure volunteer citizens as guardians. Why not encourage volunteerism among our retirees and
others, cutting back the OPG to administrative only, not delivering services? For the Vermonter needing a guardian, having an unpaid individual serve in this capacity is far superior to a paid employee with 10 or more other wards. Let members of the public serve without pay, bringing a new set of eyes to the ward’s life, and saving the state money. How many other jobs used to be or could be successfully transitioned to volunteers? Esp. in human services?
Kaj in Moretown:
As highlighted by VLCT and the VSBA, Vermont Statute is clear that Ed Fund
surpluses should be used to lower the statewide property tax rate. However,
the tax commissioner appears to be leaving the option open to use the
anticipated Ed Fund surplus of $20 million to help deal with other State budget
problems. Given the attention you have consistently given to the burden of
local education taxes on struggling Vermonters, why would you pass up the
opportunity to use the money (as intended by Vermont Law) to provide some
relief to Vermont property tax payers in 2009?. I understand the State is
facing tough choices, but so are towns,school boards and local property
taxpayers, and their taxes are the biggest contributor to the State Ed Fund
(over 2/3 of Ed Fund expenditures are provided for by the Statewide Education
Tax).
Wayne in Huntington:
An October 2008 report from Legislative Joint Fiscal Office states that just to maintain our existing infrastructure in serviceable condition would require spending $415 million a year for the next 30 years; current spending is only $211 million, a gap of $204 million. Like it or not, the price we pay for gas currently does not reflect the cost to maintain our infrastructure. Only raising motor vehicle fees, actually just another tax, (only Vermonters pay) does not come close to providing the funds needed. Raising the gas tax (everyone pays) raises significantly more money and reflects more accurately infrastructure cost.
1. Raise the gas tax at least $.05. That’s only 50 cents for 10 gallons of gas.
2. Stop funding the Education Fund with Purchase and Use money – now. Direct all Purchase & Use funds into transportation projects.
As a state, we fall further and further behind each year on our transportation infrastructure. With respect, Governor Douglas, you need to stop talking about what you would like to do and actually get going, work with the legislature and make some progress on repairing / replacing our bridges and roads.