Gubernatorial candidates duel over taxes

Taxes have once again fueled the political mudslinging between Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) and gubernatorial challenger House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho), with both candidates issuing dueling remarks Thursday about their tax policy.

At a press conference, Douglas attacked the state legislature, Symington and state Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin (D-Putney) for failing to respond to rising property taxes.

"In my addresses to the Legislature, in several letters and in many meetings, we repeatedly reminded them that action was essential," the governor said.

Douglas said that he had offered lawmakers two "innovative ways" to help curb rising property taxes: placing caps on property tax growth and leasing the lottery, but lamented the state Assembly's rejection of both proposals.

Symington returned Douglas' jabs stating that the governor was "shifting the blame" and resorting to "partisan attacks" instead of confronting what she considered his own failures.

"The truth is that Jim Douglas' budget proposals over the past six years would have raised property taxes by $103 million," she said in a statement. Symington also mentioned that the lottery and cap schemes would not affect this year's bills.

A recent report from the state Tax Department prompted the press conference, and its findings show the average tax rates for businesses and vacation homes will increase 8.66 percent, while the average tax rate for residences would rise 7.48 percent.

This is the second time this week the governor criticized Symington's record on proposals, which will be a central issue of the Republican incumbent's re-election campaign.

The House speaker said that should be elected governor, her administration would focus on the causes of property tax increases -- "the costs of health care, energy and special education."