Thinking about all Vermonters
Toolbox
By SUSAN REID - Published: April 27, 2010
We write to you as clergy and members of the congregations of Vermont Interfaith Action, a faith-based grassroots coalition of congregations made up of 3,000 families who are working to make compassion and social justice a reality for all Vermonters.
Our message regarding the 2011 budget process is simple. We desire a Vermont where our citizens come together to help one another whenever there is need, and we do not believe that our citizens and government must settle for less.
Over the years, our state has made great progress increasing the number of Vermonters who have health insurance, providing meals and home care to elders, decreasing teen pregnancy, increasing literacy, and serving people with disabilities. We do not believe that we can afford to lose ground in these areas.
When times have been hard in the past, programs serving our low-income neighbors have grown, and we have either raised the necessary funds through tax increases, or have been willing to work with a deficit in order to bring all of the citizens of our state through difficult times.
We are grateful for the work the legislature has done to date to narrow the $150 million budget gap for Fiscal Year 2011. The cuts proposed in the governor's budget would have caused great harm to Vermonters in need, and the work you have done to address this shortfall in other ways has been remarkable. We thank you for your persistence in maximizing federal dollars and finding additional revenues. This work will make an enormous difference for families desperately in need of a safety net.
We ask that you go still further. As people of faith, we believe that we all are our brothers' and sisters' keepers. We take to heart the notion expressed in scripture that when any of us has two coats, we are obligated to share with those who have none.
Given these beliefs, we urge you to support the following policies:
Maintain the capital gains tax increases implemented last year. The revenues generated by this tax are too critical to lose, and the pain felt by those who would lose services is far greater than that felt by those whose incomes are high enough to make them eligible for this tax.
Use as much of the federal Medicaid funding made available under the stimulus package as is possible and necessary to bridge the budget gap for Vermonters in need. Only when we have met these obligations should any remaining money be used to resolve the State Hospital issue, or to save for a still rainier day.
Make sure Challenges for Change does not create further obstacles for Vermonters in need. This is a collection of initiatives, each with complex implications. Please carefully consider all possible consequences and do not rush to a quick fix. For example, releasing inmates from the Vermont prison system saves money, but also requires that services and supports be available to make this transition work well for inmates and communities alike. A thoughtful process is needed to implement such a release properly, and should not be rushed in the name of cost savings.
Use the rainy day fund aggressively, should it help to meet the needs of Vermonters in these undeniably rainy days.
When planning for contingencies of greater or lesser revenues, seek to do no harm to those most in need. At this point in the legislative session, it is not likely that taxes will be raised, but it may be necessary to do so during next year's supplemental process, rather than cutting services. As people of faith with two coats, we would rather pay more in taxes than settle for less for our brothers and sisters who are at risk of doing without a coat at all.
We thank you for all your work on behalf of our unique and wonderful state. As our leaders, please continue down the path toward a Vermont that practices generosity and caring for all its citizens.
Grace and peace.
Susan Reid represents Christ Episcopal in Montpelier. This letter was signed by 55 other members of Vermont Interfaith Action.
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