House Republicans’ Reaction to Governor Scott’s State of the State Address
Housing. Public Safety. Education. Three pillars of our State in dire need of transformation. The three-legged stool. Without housing, young families will not move to Vermont. Without safe communities and a safe Vermont, young families will not move to Vermont. Without a robust Education system, young families will not move to Vermont. We have a demographics problem. Our three-legged stool is failing our great State of Vermont.
We spend over 2 Billion Dollars on Education; the second highest rate per student in the nation. Yet, we have abysmal testing scores.
We have crime ridden neighborhoods. Illegal drugs are rampant in our communities. People do not feel safe in their own homes. We need to focus on public safety.
If we are to change our demographics, then we need housing. Right now. ACT 250 reform needs to happen. Right now.
This is the eighth State of the State Address Governor Scott has given. These are perennial issues that have been highlighted each and every year by Governor Scott. We stand ready, willing and able to support initiatives to change the paradigm of the past several years. The time is upon us. The needs have been upon us. We need to act. Now.
We stand ready, willing and able to support the initiatives of our Governor.
We stand ready, willing and able to reach across the aisle to massage ACT 250 to allow more housing to be built quickly and affordably.
We stand ready, willing and able to reach across the aisle to find quick solutions to our public safety issues that face every community in this state.
We stand ready, willing and able to reach across the aisle to take a deep dive into our Education system to see what works, what doesn’t and what solutions will bring the best bang for our 2 Billion Dollars that we spend each and every year. Vermonters deserve nothing less.
Vermont Chamber Statement on Governor Scott’s State of the State Address
The following statement can be attributed to Vermont Chamber of Commerce President, Betsy Bishop:
“The Vermont business community is heartened by Governor Phil Scott’s reaffirmed commitment to the economic vitality of Vermont. The Governor understands that business success is crucial to the well-being of all Vermonters. Over the past decade, the Vermont Chamber has called attention to our severe demographic challenges, and the Governor shares our deep concern for the accumulating workforce impacts.
We are optimistic that the priorities of the business community, the Governor, and legislators, can align during the 2024 legislative session. There are great collaboration opportunities on workforce housing solutions, and climate recovery and resiliency measures. As always, we look forward to working with policymakers to find solutions rooted in the economic reality of Vermont.”
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to advancing the Vermont economy. Trusted by the businesses that make living, working, and thriving in Vermont possible, we prioritize collaboration and uphold the core values that define our state. As the preeminent not-for-profit business organization, we advocate, build community, and provide resources for businesses statewide.
Vermont Lawmakers Can Fund Essential Public Goods and Services When Wealthiest Pay Fair Share
In response to Governor Scott’s State of the State Address, legislators and advocates are highlighting the need for a different approach to state tax policies in order to support Vermont communities. The Fund Vermont’s Future coalition in December released its proposal to raise revenue through taxes on the wealthiest Vermont residents.
“In the face of a statewide housing crisis, flood recovery response, and other pressing needs, the solution is to look for creative solutions, not to implement austerity budgeting. To adequately address the needs of the state, it is crucial to increase revenue,” said Anika Heilweil, Fund Vermont’s Future Campaign Manager.
Advocates are calling on the state’s elected officials to address the state’s budgetary pressures while acknowledging skyrocketing income and wealth inequality that has resulted in a small number of Vermont residents earning considerably more money while wages for the majority of Vermonters are not keeping up with rising costs of living.
James Duff Lyall, Executive Director of the ACLU of Vermont, noted that it is imperative for legislators to act with urgency: “Especially now, we need the wealthiest Vermont residents to start paying their fair share to build a state that works for everybody who lives here. Disparities in wealth are too large, and our communities’ needs are too great to be met with austerity budgeting. It’s time for creative solutions to build a Vermont that cares for our families, communities, and environment.”
The coalition continues to advocate for the Fair Share for Vermont Proposal, which the coalition introduced in a press conference at the Statehouse in November. The proposal would create a 3% surcharge on personal incomes over $500,000.
Said Amy Rose, Policy Director at Voices for Vermont’s Children: “The collective challenges of the present moment require real, comprehensive solutions to meet the state’s needs. This session, we’re calling on legislators to think beyond austerity and ensure a strong, fiscally responsible, and truly sustainable future for all Vermonters by increasing taxes on those most able to pay. It is important for those who have benefited most from our economic structures to contribute their share of taxes back to the state.”
The Fund Vermont’s Future coalition includes Public Assets Institute, ACLU of Vermont, Vermont Conservation Voters, the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Vermont Natural Resources Council, the Vermont NEA, and Voices for Vermont’s Children, as well as individual representatives Alex Hilliard, Hamdi Jafar, and Amanda Janoo.
More information is available at fairsharevt.org.
Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems Statement in Response to Governor Scott’s State of the State Address and Start of the 2024 Legislative Session
The following statement is from Mike Del Trecco, President and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health System regarding Governor Phil Scott’s State of the State address and the start of the 2024 legislative session.
“The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems represents all of Vermont non-profit hospitals, which are working tirelessly to serve their communities in these difficult times. Vermonters are struggling with big issues like economic turmoil, substance misuse, mental health challenges, lack of access to community-based services including transportation, long-term care and more. The result of these challenges is that more and more of our neighbors end up in our hospitals sicker than before and with limited options when they are ready to leave. This drives up the cost of living for all of us.
“We know that access to safe, modern and healthy homes is foundational to living and healthy, thriving life. Too many Vermonters lack this basic necessity, including our health care workforce. We support and applaud efforts to provide shelter to the most vulnerable, make targeted investments that create more housing statewide and streamline important development regulations. We know this will lead to healthier lives for our patients of all ages and demographics.
“We know the challenges are great, but working together, we can make meaningful and measurable progress. We are grateful for our elected leaders, appreciate their public service and look forward to working alongside them in the months to come.”
VAHHS is a statewide membership organization devoted to improving the health status of communities throughout Vermont and to serving our members in their efforts to develop and sustain high quality health services for Vermonters.
