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Phil Scott on Budget & Economy
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We don't need more taxes; we need more taxpayers
These trends not only mean fewer in our workforce and schools, but fewer customers at businesses, ratepayers for utilities, fewer available for our volunteer fire departments and others who support the needs of our communities. On the campaign trail, a
Burlington business owner told me, "We don't need more taxes--we need more taxpayers." So, this session, let's focus on strengthening those assets to keep and attract more working families, with an eye on reversing our population trends.
Last term, we worked together to create more housing Vermonters can afford. My budget will propose a package focused on growing the housing supply by revitalizing properties and investing in existing neighborhoods. It's not enough. We must do
a better job telling our story and use it to aggressively recruit new Vermonters. Last year we launched a program offering incentives to remote workers who moved here. My budget will again propose a package that targets those likely to move.
Source: 2020 Vermont State of the State address
, Jan 9, 2020
I won't sign a budget that exceeds reasonable limits
Lt. Gov. Phil Scott called for a collaborative approach to improving affordability for families. "I will neither propose nor will I sign a budget that exceeds these very reasonable limits. Working families need a break," said Scott, R-Vermont. "What
we're really doing is creating an environment that is helpful to them and a state government that is by their side and not on their back."Republican Bruce Lisman presented what he calls a multiyear approach to recast state government. "I'd manage
the damn budget. Set spending at 2-3 percent per year to reset our finances and no new taxes. And find 2 percent efficiencies with a brilliant, motivated management team. Recharge our government by bringing real managers into it,
those people we find not because we know them but because they're talented," Lisman said.
Both Republicans have said the state's health exchange has hurt the business climate in the state.
Source: WCAX coverage of 2016 Vermont gubernatorial debates
, Dec 16, 2015
We're spending beyond our means; but cuts instead of taxes
I was encouraged to hear the Governor acknowledge the fact that we are, and have been, spending beyond our means. There was a lot of information in the speech, and it will take some time to gather the facts before delving into too many specific details.
For example, during the speech I was having difficulty adding up the cuts proposed versus the additional taxes levied.There were a number of areas within the speech where I do have concerns, one being that, while
I agree we have a structural problem with the Medicaid cost shift, I'm hesitant to fund the 'fix' through a payroll tax. Opening the door to even a small increase will, in my opinion, lead us to further tax growth. Once that seed is planted, we have a te
over-fertilize, and I fear there will be further proposals to increase taxes on Vermonters and small Vermont businesses, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
Source: Response to 2015 Vermont State of the State address
, Jan 15, 2015
Page last updated: Jun 30, 2020
