We need to raise the income tax or do serious harm to our state. The candidate that says this will get my vote and, I believe many others and could very well take the primary while the remaining candidates split the “no new taxes” vote.

I’m sure there are plenty of stupid ways that the state spends money – - maybe we should have a maple fleece award for the person that can point out the dumbest ways.

But the fact of the matter is that many state offices are seriously understaffed and unable to function well. Schools, despite massive increases in medical ins. costs have kept their budget increase to 2% in recent years.

So legislators – - get real and do what must be done. We need a significant income tax surcharge to address the budget mess. There are many people in Vermont that are doing just fine with steady work and decent pay. They can easily afford the surcharge.

PJ