In addition to reining in spending, taxes, tolls and fees, let's rein in how much the state borrows.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I can tell you if you look at the polls, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, they do not think we should increase the debt limit.
We have to be realistic about what the state can afford, and put an end to abuses of the system that cost millions.
There is a limit to how much the United States Treasury can borrow.
Republicans spend and borrow, Democrats tax and spend.
I've made a commitment that state spending in Vermont won't grow any more than the rate of inflation plus population growth.
I've, we have in this state, like many other states, we're experiencing an enormous budget deficit that we're trying to grapple with. But we will have progress despite the deficits.
What we should be doing is responsibly addressing the primary drivers of our debt and deficit issues.
Obviously, there has to be a profound change in direction. Otherwise, interest on the national debt will start eating up virtually every penny that we have.
Municipal debt outstanding doubled in the past 10 years. And in the past 30 years, the U.S. has been in real economic nirvana.
Now we are raising the debt limit 3 times, up to $8 trillion, so that our children and our grandchildren will have to pay for the cost of our expenditures.