Op/Ed

Letter to the editor: One party trying to fix climate crisis, school costs

Scientists’ predictions about global heating are now undeniably at crisis point. The terrible destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, with another likely to hit Florida this week, are horrors perpetrated by the likes of Exxon-Mobil. Many politicians in the U.S. and worldwide refuse to make hard decisions and face up to what needs to be done to secure a livable future for our children and future generations on this planet.

There is much contention about the as-yet undecided Clean Heat Standard by some state and local candidates, often suggesting that Vermont’s lawmakers don’t care about the additional expense to all of us. They do care, and we simply cannot defer action indefinitely until there is no recourse. This is not hysterical hype, the facts are there for us to read about and, sadly, for too many to experience.

There is also contention locally about our property taxes, due to increased school budgets. A good part of the increase is for skyrocketing medical insurance costs for teachers and staff. I don’t like to pay more taxes, just like everyone else. However, if we want the things we enjoy, we need to pay for them. Work continues in Montpelier to remedy the situation by paying for school budgets another way.

There is no way around it, we must transition away from fossil fuels as rapidly as possible and we must find a way to decrease our property taxes, causing financial hardship for so many, especially retired homeowners on fixed incomes.

Democrats work hard to find ways to fix these problems. Please join me in voting for Democrats on November 5!

Sally Roth

Bristol

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