(Host) Brian Dubie is basing his campaign for governor on strengthening Vermont’s business climate.
But as VPR’s Ross Sneyd reports, Dubie won’t lay out specifics until the Democrats choose their candidate.
(Sneyd) Lieutenant Governor Dubie is the only Republican running for governor.
So he’s maintained a relatively low profile while the five Democrats in the race scuffle in advance of the August 24th primary.
Dubie says he’s toured the state visiting with voters and with business people.
He says it’s clear to him that improving the business climate means reducing taxes in the long-term.
(Dubie) "It’s really about giving the workers of Vermont the tools they need to compete in this global, very competitive world. So it starts with property tax. It starts with income tax. … Long term it’s just trying to act on what the people that are the job creators tells are the obstacles for further growth."
(Sneyd) Still, the state doesn’t have enough tax revenues to meet all of its current obligations in the coming budget year.
So Dubie says his real plans will have to be focused on the future.
He says he won’t divulge all of the details of what he would do as governor until after August 24th.
(Dubie) "You know, to be forthright. When the primary ends, and I have one opponent, I will step forward with a 10-point plan of which I’m editing and polishing and getting input even as we have this conversation. But I will put forward with clarity exactly how I will meet a budgetary shortfall that looks like it’s $100 million. And also long-term show how I will achieve this goal of making Vermont more competitive by lowering our overall level of taxation."
(Sneyd) Dubie says the concept will be simple. It will involve limiting the growth of state government to about the rate of inflation, or less. And any surplus revenues would be returned to Vermonters through tax cuts.
For VPR News, I’m Ross Sneyd.