Today's snowy weather made me think about the "bare roads" policy proposed by several Vermont Republican lawmakers. This policy would ensure that Vermont’s state roads be as free of snow as much as possible, however it would also come with the price tag of $35 million a year, and an additional $20 million just to implement it. The current Vermont transportation policy on this issue is a “safe roads at safe speeds” standard, which asserts that drivers need to use caution when driving on snow-covered roads. You can read more about this policy in this article in the Burlington Free Press: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110203/NEWS03/102030304/Republican-lawmakers-urge-bare-roads-policy-on-Vermont-roads. While I certainly don’t like being stuck in my house all day because my road isn’t plowed out (after all, there is only so much “Price is Right” and “Days of our Lives” that one can watch) however I don’t believe that it is worth the price. With the current budget being as tight as it is, I just can’t see taking money away from struggling social service agencies and educational programs just so I can drive ten miles faster during a storm. I sincerely hope that lawmakers keep in mind what is truly important when assessing which policies to cut funding for. I have also found that Republicans have few ideas about what agencies money should be cut from for this program, and continue to assert that this policy will not raise taxes, which I find difficult to believe.
Also, if anyone is lucky enough to be vacationing in warmer climates this week, check out these pictures of today’s storm to see what you missed: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=BT&Date=20110307&Category=NEWS02&ArtNo=307001&Ref=PH
