Tom Licata's War

Tom Licata doesn’t look or sound the part of a warrior.  (Or Tom Hanks, for that matter.)  I knew this from having met him a couple times.  So when I finally got around to attending one of his Vermonters for Economic Health presentations, I wasn't sure what to expect. After all, the Act 60 Revolt and Repeal people -- Steve Adams, et al -- don’t exactly look like Sam Adams et al.  I wondered if there'd be any arm-waving and finger-pointing.

What I saw and heard was a well-spoken (and calm), stay-at-home dad.  He was armed, but only with an MBA, a nice suit, and some common sense.

Licata spoke (more calmly than I would have) about $3.5 billion of looming expenses facing our state,  $1.3 billion of which represents what we’ll have to spend just on repairing roads and bridges.

Obviously, we’re going to have to grow the economy to meet these obligations.  We can’t simply raise the rates on our current tax base. And we can’t keep looking for gimmicks, such as leasing our lottery. 

Licata’s approach is to make it easier for Vermont businesses to be competitive.  It’s a simple message that can be packaged with this great sound byte: “We don’t need to stimulate our economy.  We need to liberate it.”

What anger I witnessed didn’t come from Licata, but from some of the frustrated taxpayers in his audience.  Legislators were invited.  None showed up.  Perhaps word got out among members of our General Assembly after the presentation in Essex and South Burlington drew heated exchanges between the taxpayers at those venues and their representatives.

WCAX was there, and their story is here. Licata has another presentation in Jericho on February 4 at the Congregational Church at 7:00.  Speaker Symington has indicated that she’ll be there.  Also, there will be a presentation in Rutland coming up later.  More information will be forthcoming on Licata’s website.

Comments

[Mary Ann]

I wish there were more men like Tom to awaken the public and keep our elected "employees" accountable. Keep up the good work, don't grow weary, don't listen to nay-sayers, keep your eyes on the goal of making VT an example to the rest of the states that higher taxes on businesses affect everyone!