“If we can work together — and put the politics and partisan agendas aside — we can pass a budget that revitalizes our economy and truly transforms the future by setting us on a path that supports all Vermonters in every corner of our state.”
State leaders in New York appear to finally be ready to legalize online sports betting, but critics don’t care for the approach of having a likely high tax rate and state government monopoly.
“If we’re cautious, we can solve problems and fund projects that have been stalled for years, improving communities, services, outcomes and state government itself. And we can lay the foundation for an economic resurgence around the state, without having to ask more from taxpayers to do so.”
Education budgets also generally are approved routinely. This is the year that this habit absolutely must change. Vermont’s economy is in dire straits. The local education budgets must be scrutinized and challenged before they are approved.
Business tax revenues were much higher than predicted, indicating the businesses which pay it are doing well. Revenues from business profits and enterprise taxes could produce between $768.4 million, a $17.7 million deficit, to $792.2 million, a $6.1 million surplus.
New Jersey ranked the worst, having the highest taxpayer burden of $57,900 per taxpayer, meaning each taxpayer would need to pay $57,900 to pay New Jersey’s debt. Rounding out the bottom 10 were Delaware, Kentucky, California, Vermont and New York.
As of late August, the deficit for the year has surpassed the $4 trillion mark and the national debt is nearing an astounding $27 trillion. In other words, that’s $200,000 for each and every household across America.
We need to quit robbing Peter to pay Paul, because I think we can all see the writing on the wall. We’re looking at higher taxes to refill these gaps.
Vermont, facing a $250 million shortfall in General Fund revenues for the fiscal year that starts a month from now, will have to rethink what it is and what it does. To undertake that task intelligently we must bravely launch a thorough-going performance review.
The Vermont-NEA members have been hurt less financially than any other large group of employees so far. Let them not claim abuse if they are asked to give a little. After all, it is for the good of the kids.
The Scott administration wants all state agency and department heads to consider an 8% budget cut to eliminate the state’s looming 2021 $400 million budget deficit, Administration Secretary Suzanne Young confirmed at a press conference today.
Can the Vermont Legislature cut its way out of a looming $400 million budget deficit in next year’s budget? Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe thinks not.