In case anyone missed this press release yesterday.  It pertains to a lunch meeting with workers and employers “during the middle of the work week during the middle of the day.”

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State of Vermont

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

For Immediate Release:

May 26, 2009

Contact: Dennise R. Casey

(802) 828-3333

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Governor Douglas to Host Lunch Meeting with Workers & Employers to Discuss Legislative Budget

Montpelier, Vt. – As lawmakers begin their Montpelier hearings, Governor Douglas tomorrow will attend his third budget meeting with working Vermonters and small business owners in Williston at DEW Construction Corp.  The meetings, which are scheduled at convenient times for working Vermonters, are designed to give workers and employers the opportunity to weigh in on the troubling effects of the Legislature’s recent tax increases.

“Vermonters are really hurting and we are not immune to the effects of the national economic recession.  That is why we have to do all we can to pass a balanced, responsible and sustainable budget that invests in economic development,” said Governor Douglas.  “Legislative leaders have failed to do so by passing a budget that raises taxes on small businesses and farmers and leaves a staggering shortfall of over $200 million over the next two years. These deficits cannot be pushed off to the future when the economy could be worse and economic stimulus dollars more scarce.”

While Legislative leaders sit in Montpelier and hear from special interest groups and lobbyists about a budget proposal that isn’t even up for consideration, Governor Douglas is out meeting with working Vermonters, farmers and employers in their communities about the budget proposal that will be taken up at next Tuesday’s special session. Governor Douglas participated in two meetings today, one in St. Albans early this morning and another in Colchester. The Governor also visited the Northeast Kingdom.

“As I travel around the state, and today was no exception, I hear from struggling families, small business owners, and farmers that they are concerned that Montpelier just isn’t listening to them,” said Governor Douglas.  “I want Vermonters to know that I am listening.  Even if you don’t have special interest representation in Montpelier, you have me and I will continue to oppose these unfair income tax increases,” the Governor continued.

Today in St. Albans, a local CPA informed the group that due to high taxes in Vermont, his firm alone will lose more than $250 thousand in tax revenue to the state due to individuals leaving.  That prompted a businessman to announce that he and his wife had just returned from Florida where they purchased a home.

Another Franklin County resident told the group, which included both Republican and Democrat lawmakers that he worked 7 days a week in his small business and was unable to make the trip to Montpelier to weigh in on budget discussions.

A Colchester businesswoman told their group that they had to make very difficult budget choices to keep their company afloat during this difficult time, like adjustments to salaries and benefits for employees, and they expect Montpelier to do the same.

A northeast kingdom businessman told Governor Douglas that he recently reduced his employees’ salaries by 5% in order to prevent layoffs.

Another northeast kingdom worker wrote to his representative and said “Democrats love to plan their hearings during the middle of the work week during the middle of the day!  I would love to attend, but I need to earn a living to pay my taxes and to provide a home.”

Governor Douglas also believes that the Legislature’s budget does not adequately invest in job creation to provide opportunities for unemployed Vermonters and enourage a robust economic recovery.  That is why Governor Douglas has advanced an initative called SmartVermont which will leverage millions in ARRA funds to provide up to $185 in direct support for economic development to assist existing Vermont businesses and enourage new companies to locate and grow here.

In addition to community meetings, Governor Douglas is also meeting with several legislative Democrats who have reached out with ideas, comments and concerns about our current budget situation.

Tomorrow’s meeting begins at 12 noon and runs through the lunch hour.  

WHAT:  Lunch meeting with workers and employers  

WHEN:  Wednesday, May 27, 2009 – 12 p.m.      

WHERE: DEW Construction Corp.

      227 Blair Park Road, Suite 130

      Williston, VT      

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