The following statements were taken from some of the responses provided on the Town Meeting Questionnaire.
Cell and Broadband: I’m in favor of improving broadband but am much less interested in improving cell phone service.
Marijuana: Please do not let Vermont legalize marijuana. Think of our young people and protect them.
Sales Tax: When I moved to Vermont, the state one-day sales tax holiday was a one-day event. I looked forward to the next one but it never came.
Liquor: Lower the cost of liquor to meet New Hampshire. Not only do we charge more, but we also tax it.
Sugary Drinks: A damper on sugar consumption would be a great help in the suppression of the heavy cost of diabetes.
Trash: How will the trash haulers check to see if we are using clear bags when the truck picks up and empties the bins automatically?
Budget: Vermont should not balance the budget with a hodgepodge of cuts and revenue increases.
Payroll: The increase in payroll tax would be hard on small business.
Young Adults: We really need to start doing something for young adults with autism and other learning disabilities. We need an assisted living school.
Assisted Suicide: It’s time to repeal the physician-assisted suicide.
Social Security: We are one of eight states that still taxes social security.
Consolidation: Schools should be consolidated and the class size of students should be increased.
Young People: Too many young people not working. Too early for them to get welfare. They live with their girlfriends who have kids.
Sidewalks: Need to take better care of sidewalks in the winter. Older people walk on the sidewalks.
Sick Leave: Need sick leave for employees. Too many employees come to work sick, afraid they will lose their jobs if they don’t.
Vermont & New Hampshire Primary: New Hampshire would just move theirs to remain #1.
Opiate Use: I worked at the Lund Home and think it’s by far the largest social issue in Vermont. It is directly correlated with poverty and many other social issues.
Senator Bill Doyle serves on the Senate Education Committee and Senate Economic Affairs Committee, and is the Senate Assistant Minority Leader. He teaches government history at Johnson State College. He can be reached at 186 Murray Road, Montpelier, VT 05602; e-mail wdoyle@leg.state.vt.us; or call 223-2851.
