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January 05, 2006
EAI Hails Governor’s State of the State Remarks
Ethan Allen Institute President John McClaughry today hailed Gov. Jim Douglas’s State of the State message for its appeal for legislators to adopt an “Agenda of Affordability”.
“The Governor’s message focuses attention on the regrettable fact that our state is becoming less and less affordable for everyone but those of high incomes and ample wealth.”
“Vermont has the sixth highest cost of living in the country, and the third highest tax burden. It takes only a little analysis to identify the leading “cost culprit” as too much government, too high taxes, and not enough freedom.”
“The Governor’s firm opposition to increasing the income tax rate, his call for backing off expanding the public schools by two more preschool grades, his proposal to cap the growth of public education costs to the rate of inflation, and his plan for covering Vermont’s uninsured without raising taxes are all very positive steps that deserve strong legislative and public support.”
“But even if all of these sound proposals were adopted, Vermont would still be heading for demographic and fiscal trouble. That’s because we Vermonters have developed an unaffordable addiction to government. It’s good to hold the line, and Vermonters can be thankful that they have a Governor who will do that. But unless we roll back government spending, taxation, and regulation and make Vermont truly a land of freedom and opportunity, we will still slide into the same pit of penury and stagnation– just not so precipitously.”
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