Gov. Scott’s decision to veto the budget sent to him by our legislature is mystifying on several counts.
This is a budget passed with overwhelming tri-partisan support, unanimously in the Senate and by a margin of 117-14 in the House. Why should the governor stand in opposition to what is so obviously the consensus of Vermont’s elected representatives?
The governor wants to use $33 million of one time money to avoid a modest property tax increase for next year. This will create an even larger funding gap next year and will require a bigger tax increase to cover the shortfall when that bill comes due.
The legislature has proposed using unexpected revenue to pay down pension debt, which will save taxpayers $100 million in future obligations. Is shaving a few pennies off next year’s tax rate worth $100 million to Vermonters?
The list goes on. This may be good political grandstanding, but it is not sound fiscal management. The legislature needs to present the governor with a new proposal which accomplishes what their original one did — very restrained growth with some prudent investments in our future.
Spencer Putnam
Weybridge