Rutland Herald: Group Urging VT to Raise Taxes to Save Programs

The Associated Press – Published: April 15, 2009

MONTPELIER – This isn’t your average tax protest: A group of Vermonters is urging the state to raise taxes as a way to save state programs now on the chopping block.

Calling itself S.O.S., or Save Our State, the group held a small protest in Montpelier on Tuesday, the national income tax-filing deadline.

Leaders of the group say a tax increase of even a dollar a month could eliminate the need for cuts in Vermont’s proposed 2010 budget. Gov. Jim Douglas’s administration opposes tax increases, saying times are already tough for Vermonters.

Hundreds of job cuts are planned, as well as cuts in state programs.