Racine Statement on Budget Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2010

CONTACTS:
Doug Racine 802-343-5417
Amy Shollenberger 802-793-1114

MONTPELIER, VT — Today in his budget address, Governor Douglas said, “When the hour is dark, the hearts of Vermonters have always burned bright,” and then he went on to lay out a budget that would hit the most vulnerable Vermonters in multiple ways, and push them to the very edge of survival.

We must not accept that we have to sacrifice our neighbors to get through these tough times. It’s when things get tough that we show who we really are. We all agree that more cuts must be made and that government must be more efficient and accountable. However, we must also ensure that government is responsive to the needs of the people it represents.

The folks who will be hurt the most by the Governor’s budget often do not have a voice at the table when decisions are being made. We must – and I will – stand up for those Vermonters who are struggling to get by, many of whom have lost their jobs in this recession. We must take a balanced approach to the budget. Yes, we will need to make cuts, and we should consider using some of the Rainy Day funds, which are there for just this reason. And, just as last year both the Governor and the legislature supported tax increases, we may have to consider raising revenue fairly and temporarily again this year.