Problems show state’s leaders failed us

• Vermont Health Connect is a technological disaster costing nearly $200 million and so much more in anxiety for Vermonters who have been forced into enlisting in that dismal system. The fact that it was “free” federal money (who pays federal income taxes?) is beside the point; it was wasted by the administration’s incompetence and lacked any serious oversight by the Legislature.

• Last November, voters said property tax relief was a top priority. Yet after the House passed its proposed Education bill (H.361), we learn that it is probably unconstitutional. Didn’t the governor or the speaker ask their sizable legal staffs about this before the bill was submitted for a vote? Whether the bill is, in fact, constitutional, it will do little, if anything, to reduce school taxes for Vermonters. Therefore, property tax reform gets kicked down the road for at least another year.

• The state budget remains woefully out of balance, driving all taxes higher and higher and, indeed,even introducing a number of new ones on the backs of unsuspecting Vermont residents. While the Vermont economy chugs along at 2 to 3 percent growth, our governor and legislators, the vast majority of whom are from his same political party, continue to push budget growth at the rate of nearly 5 percent. To fuel this spending splurge, they increase existing tax rates and concoct several new ones with which to further burden us: income taxes, sales taxes, health care taxes, property taxes, food taxes, satellite TV taxes, among others. They have even resorted to reducing bona fide deductions that we may take on our state income tax returns.

• The Agency of Human Services, the state government department with the largest budget, desperately needs reorganization. Its core computer system is over 30 years old and the agency continues to rely upon silos of service rather than a more orderly and efficient model of integrated services. This results in many cases in a duplication of services, with concomitant cost increases and a corresponding need for additional personnel.

Do we hear any reform proposals leading to improvements in the agency’s operations from either the governor or the Legislature’s leadership? No, we do not, because our Statehouse does not listen to the needs of taxpayers or to the front-line employees who are most familiar with the day-to-day activities and practices within the agency. It prefers, rather, to abide by the advice offered by those who advocate the status quo and who resist reforms and change.

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The collection of grievances listed above and attributable to Gov. Shumlin, Speaker Smith and other legislative leaders, including many committee chairs, are severely undermining the appeal and affordability of living in Vermont. The fiscal instability, irresponsibility and the ever-increasing dependency upon government that they foster will gradually change the character of Vermont for decades to come. Appalachia, we are on the verge of joining you.

Given the magnitude of the many crises facing Vermonters, it is imperative that a different but well-seasoned set of leaders steps forward with clear and well-considered proposals to put Vermont back on track. Sitting back comfortably, being coy, bobbing and weaving will not cut it anymore.

There exist many experienced leaders who might step forward and who can give voice and definition to the hopes and visions of all Vermonters who have been pushed aside or ignored by the governor and his party colleagues in the legislative leadership. We need those who urgently recognize the need for a new direction in state government.

Among them and in no particular order, but not necessarily exclusively, are: Sen. Joe Benning; Lt. Gov. Phil Scott; Rutland Treasurer Wendy Wilton; Bruce Lisman, founder of Campaign for Vermont; former state auditor, state senator and gubernatorial candidate Randy Brock; former governor Jim Douglas or his key staffers Mike Smith and Neale Lunderville; Rep. Heidi Scheuermann; former three-term lieutenant governor Brian Dubie; Rep. Don Turner; and Rep. Oliver Olsen. That’s a pretty impressive list and all of them would most certainly provide more sensible and more responsible leadership than the current crowd running the affairs of our state.

This commentary is a call for new leadership to step forward soon and announce their interest in being our governor or to step back so we don’t waste valuable energy on those who, in the final analysis, are not available for this challenge. It’s time for those who aspire to lead us to share their vision for change so Vermonters can come to know them well and get behind their concept for growth and improvement in the governance of their state.

It’s important to get this process moving as soon as possible; you can’t turn the Queen Mary around with a single tugboat in one hour or less.

Ralph Colin was a senior executive for a CBS division for many years and was a pilot and public affairs officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for 26 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He has lived in Dorset since 1994. Comment on this column here, or email letters to news@stowereporter.com.