Letter to the Editor:

The governor has learned well the lessons taught by the White House: cut the programs that benefit the majority and shift the costs downward so he can say he hasn’t raised taxes. The governor would shift health payments and road and bridge repairs to health insurance ratepayers and local governments. Hospitals, which the governor’s budget would cut by about $8 million, would need to shift this loss of funds to insurance ratepayers. The money for local bridge and road repairs so desperately needed throughout the state would also be cut back by the Douglas budget. Local municipalities will pick up that cost shift, and so increase property taxes.

While the governor talks “affordability,” his budget hits working class Vermonters the hardest indirectly, but he can still brag that he hasn’t raised taxes. Will he continue to blame schools for property tax increases?

It’s a sad fact that there just isn’t much money to provide for established programs. Items have to be cut, but what is to be cut is the big question. The Legislature’s budget restores funds for local road and bridge repair.

If the governor is really serious about cutting costs, let him start with his public relations staff. If we need to “feel the burn,” let it start at the top for a change.

DIANE ALBERTS
Rutland

This Letter to the Editor was posted in the Thursday, April 17, 2008 issue of The Rutland Herald. (link to source)

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