Gov. Jim Douglas is sticking by his opposition to raising taxes in Vermont after a series of hearings in which lawmakers took testimony from people saying they would be severely hurt by budget cuts.
Douglas says raising taxes in a recession will make it longer and deeper.
The comment came in response to a call by at least one leading legislative Democrat to consider raising taxes as part of a blend of efforts to deal with growing state revenue shortfalls.
Incoming House Majority Leader Floyd Nease cites former Gov. Richard Snelling’s decision in 1991 to raise taxes during a recession.
Nease says that strategy helped Vermont avoid severe budget cuts.