Budget Time: A time for action.

If you haven't received a copy of this letter to send to your representatives in Montpelier, please read it over and consider sending it. Make any changes you wish, but don't let them raise your taxes without at least having done something to stop it. The time for talk is over. The budget is under consideration. Several bills are out there that will raise your taxes. What few cuts they have offered are too little and not long-term. We must make them understand that the budget even with this half-hearted cuts is not sustainable. The time to act is now!


As a citizen and taxpayer of this State, I have become concerned that the Legislature is seriously considering a significant tax hike that will affect all Vermonters. I am writing to you and your colleagues to demand that, before raising anyone’s taxes or fees, drastic and necessary action be taken to reduce the size of our state government and eliminate unnecessary agencies and programs.
When a family's income falls short, they don't usually make immediate changes to their housing or food budgets. Food can be tweaked some but housing is usually the biggest expense. Families usually turn to cutting out the extras, like premium cable and other entertainment, eating out, streamline transportation, etc. The state has taken a pay cut and cannot, and will not for the foreseeable future, be able to afford luxuries is currently includes in its budget.
I suggest the following be considered for elimination from the current and future budgets:
Arts Council- While nice to have, it is not necessary.
Office of Chief Marketing Officer- State agencies need a state agency to tell it how to market itself?
Office of Economic Opportunity- Again, nice to have, but not affordable when tax payer’s economic opportunity is being limited by higher taxes.
Department of Education- This Department has more to do with bureaucracy than it does direct education. Cut the red tape by cutting the makers of that tape!
Elevator Board- How many elevators are there in Vermont? How many inspectors does this board need to certify? Don’t localities with said elevators have the resources to check the credentials of these inspectors?
Film Commission- Totally unnecessary and not sure why it even existed in the first place.
Commission on the Future of Economic Development- The problems are now, the future is now.
Department of Information & Innovation- An unnecessary and redundant agency.
Department of Libraries- Most libraries are privately or locally funded. Again this Department is nice to have but unnecessary.
Council on Physical Fitness & Sports- Every school has a physical fitness program. Why do we need a council?
Vermont Scenic Preservation Council- How is this necessary given the number of local and state boards overseeing land use that already exist?
Department of Tourism & Marketing- So million dollar ski areas need our tax dollars to get people to use their ski areas. Get them off the dole.
Vermont Life Magazine- Most magazines are supported by advertising and sales.
Vermont Public Television- Most television stations rely on advertising and fundraising.
Council on the Humanities, Early Education, the numerous (and often ignored) legislative studies, and land use planning grants.- All programs that are nice but not necessary to have.
The State of Vermont is trying to be all things to all people. But as this budget crisis indicates, attempting to pay for everything under the sun is not sustainable. We simply can’t afford it!