Campaign for Vermont makes suggestions to Montpelier policymakers

Campaign for Vermont Founding Partner Marc Sherman of Hyde Park, along with Partners William Sayre of Bristol and Sean Walsh of Fairfield joined other Vermont business leaders this week in expressing their concerns about Vermont's economic future, before a joint legislative hearing of the Senate Economic Development and House Commerce committees. Founding Partner and State Representative Heidi Scheuermann of Stowe is a member of the House Commerce Committee.
More than 100 individuals representing businesses from across Vermont participated in "Employer Day" sponsored by the Vermont Coalition of Employment and Prosperity in Montpelier on Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
Testifying before the joint committee hearing, Marc Sherman, owner of Stowe Mercantile, expressed concerns about the cost and choices being proposed in Vermontâ s Health Care Exchange.
William Sayre, President of Duncan Hermanson Corporation, stated that Vermont's tax burden has become one of the highest in the nation relative to income, and that our property tax structure has now become an additional income tax.
Sean Walsh, General Manager of PBM Nutritionals, painted a picture of Vermont businesses trying to compete regionally, nationally and internationally if costs such as energy and affordability for Vermontâ s workforce can't be controlled. Mr. Walsh pointed out that Vermont may have one of the lowest electrical costs in New England, but that his cost per kilowatt hour was already double that of the companyâ s Idaho operation. One recommendation he had to help offset the loss of workers to an aging population, and the exodus of younger workers from Vermont, was to lower taxes, thereby bringing additional taxpayers into the state. He ended his comments by noting that passing the renewable energy bill won't make Vermont more beautiful, but will certainly make it more unaffordable.
Notably, during the hearing Win Smith, CEO of Sugarbush Resort voiced his agreement with Mr. Walsh saying that the ski area had increased revenues by cutting season ticket rates for customers between the ages of 19-29. The policy decision had been criticized by some arguing the company would lose too much money; but the opposite occurred because they broadened their customer base.
Photo: Campaign for Vermont leadership participated in legislative hearing on April 4, 2012 in Montpelier, from left to right are; Marc Sherman of Hyde Park, Representative Heidi Scheuermann of Stowe; a House Commerce Committee member, William Sayre of Bristol, Sean Walsh of Fairfield and Representative Lynn Dickinson of St. Albans, a House Commerce Committee member and representative for the district in which PBM Nutritionals is located.
Montpelier (April 6, 2012)Campaign for Vermont