take that republicans. Progressive policies work: Vt. state revenues above target, surplus possible

[cali]

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont's top fiscal officer says the state's General Fund took in $10.6 million more than expected last month, making it possible for the state to end the fiscal year with a surplus.

Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding said general fund revenues were 6.3 percent ahead of expectations.

So far this fiscal year, general fund revenues are four-tenths of one percent ahead of expectations.

Spaulding says the results were largely because of strong corporate income tax filings.

Spaulding also says Education Fund revenues were about 3.6 percent above forecasts while the transportation fund was down about 4 percent.

He says the General Fund receipts means the state is poised to meet or exceed forecasts for the fiscal year, which ends June 30.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57434758/vt-state-revenues-above-target-surplus-possible/

Republicans love to rag on Vermont and how it has one of the worst environments for small (or any other) business in the country; how it taxes are sky high, etc. BUT

Vermont's unemployment rate is 4.8%.

We don't have and never had a real estate crisis here.

The legislature in overwhelmingly democratic and liberal. Our governor may well be the most progressive in the country. Republicans here run.... nothing. And the republicans we do have, are largely pretty reasonable people.

[Zorra]

1. Reason and sanity generally produce better results than woo and insanity.

The problem is, many republicans are too out of touch with reality to even be able to grasp the concepts of reason and sanity.

It has been said that "you can't argue with success".

Yet, republicans do argue with success the overwhelming majority of the time. They'd rather do it their way, and fail, than do it the reasonable way and succeed. And they fail, over and over, and can't understand why.

I live in AZ. It's so frustrating, having to deal with the ineptness of so many unreasonable republicans, on both a state and national level.

I'm really glad for you, and the people of VT, and for this validation of the effectiveness of sound progressive policy.

I would consider moving to VT in a heartbeat if the winters weren't too cold for me up there.

[Dawson Leery]

2. A heavily Democratic state where Democrats have a 2:1 advantage in the legislature.

[piratefish08]

3. we've been here 6 month now and don't have a single regret in our move!

[cali]

5. that's great!

glad things are going so well.

Hope we have a nice summer.

[mmonk]

4. Since my state went to the dark side in 2010,

I see Vermont as a possibility for my sons to move to. Thanks for the report.

[CTyankee]

12. For younger people, I would say "go for it." Wish I could but I'm a little too old now.

Vermont is great. Wonderful place. I've never met a Vermonter I didn't like...

[mmonk]

7. Why are they so high?

I know about the tolls on the turnpike because they always seem to get me. No other revenue streams?

[mmonk]

13. Thanks for that explanation.

Wonder why people can't figure out the problem and vote accordingly?

[cali]

8. I'm not saying they're sky high. That's the rap the repubs use

Vermont's State and Local Tax Burden Among Nation's Highest


Vermont's 2012 Business Tax Climate Ranks 47th
Vermont ranks 47th in the Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on property, including residential and commercial property.

blahblahblah

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/topic/62.html

[hfojvt]

9. it's Vermont

but I don't know how progressive the budget has been.

This reads kinda bad to me http://www.itepnet.org/press/VT_VTDigger_232011.pdf

and so does this http://www.stowetoday.com/stowe_reporter/news/local_news/article_67678a44-482d-11e1-8d65-0019bb2963f4.html

ITEP says that Vermont has recently lowered tax rates, and I am always skeptical of such a move.