Gov. Jim Douglas (R) called for tax reforms and environmental measures and asked the Democratic-controlled Legislature to make affordable health care its top priority in his Jan. 9 speech. For the most part, the governor proposed tweaks to current programs, rather than new initiatives.
Douglas recommended lowering the top and middle-class income-tax rates but increasing the capital-gains tax on investment income. He also suggested the state cut property taxes and increase school construction projects by leasing the lottery to a private concern, an idea sure to spark debate.
On health insurance, Douglas called for programs to prevent obesity, reduce insurance costs for small businesses and allow more young adults to remain on their parents’ insurance plans.
Douglas also recommended cutting carbon emissions in the rural state by setting up a database to link commuters to carpools and helping businesses set up vanpools. He also proposed to double the number of park-and-ride spaces over the next decade.
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