Vermonters are being taxed to extinction. We need changes in Montpelier. Our Legislature has a strong left-leaning majority that is passing bills into law costing millions over and above the basic needs of our citizens. The individual earning $20/hour wage is better off utilizing Vermont’s social safety net and not working at all.

We are made to feel guilty for attempting to reduce an annual expenditure of $150 million a year to house the unfortunate, when that program barely existed five years ago. The major education tax increase in the 15% range for all is, in part, the result of poor planning on the part of our Legislature, which refused Phil Scott’s recommendation to use some of the state’s rainy-day fund to temper the tax increases. In process, it’s likely another tax, or surcharge price for the Clean Air bill that is under consideration. To think regulated efforts on the part of fuel dealers comes for nothing is a fantasy. We are already one of the cleanest states in that regard, but thinking that the already green state of Vermont, with a population of 650,000 residents, is going to move the clean-air needle in a world of billions, is a big stretch.

Low-cost housing is being funded to the tune of multi-millions. In the final analysis it is being funded by the working Vermonter. The supermajority in our Legislature being led by the left-leaning Democrats is a runaway train as evidenced by the numerous vetoes overriding our commonsense governor.

All of the above efforts may be noble in nature, but only if affordable by working Vermonters. Clearly that is not the case. It is time for a change in both houses in Montpelier. For the above reasons, I encourage voters to forget party loyalty and elect practical, conservative, business minded candidates such as Steven Heffernan, Chanin Hill and Renee McGinnis to Montpelier.

Our supermajority Legislature is spending and taxing the Vermont worker and business owner to unaffordability!

Peter Norris Sr.

Monkton