Douglas sticks with opposition to new taxes

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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.

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