Many thanks to the 101 citizens of Warren who participated in the Town Meeting survey. Aside from opiates, Warren supported reduction of prison population through alternatives for non-violent offenders. Over 20 returns had written comments. Some comments are below.
Energy
“We are on the wrong track with energy. Our costs are rising and we are getting nowhere.”
Food
“Eighty percent of the food products in a grocery store contain GMO ingredients. It would be ridiculous to label all of these, and it would have no meaning.”
Health Care
“Single payer will be unaffordable, as indicated by Shuman’s own studies. Doctors are already leaving Vermont. Any state cost control will only cut availability and quality of care.”
“I’m not opposed to single payer; however I think there is a serious problem with our “medical establishment” and their business model of “health care.” This model is/will be intrusive of our individual rights to choose our own care and this same model means that what care is provided will be extremely expensive.”
Drugs
“U.S. drug policy is a failure. All drugs need to be legalized and regulated. Drug companies need to be held responsible for prescription drug abuse. They are the pushers. Legal drugs eliminate pushers and gangs.”
Minimum Wage
“The current minimum wage has not kept up with inflation and is not sustainable. Minimum wage employees often require public and charitable assistance to make ends meet for even basic living requirements. This is, in effect, a subsidy for business.”
Taxes
“Once again, property taxes are too high and going up. Seniors cannot afford their property taxes. Something has to be done quickly.”
Jobs
“I have more skills than you can imagine, and I still cannot get a loan.”
Affordability
“We need to have jobs for young people so that there will be active earners in the next generation to maintain affordability.”
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.
