Vermont’s Cultural Conundrum  
By Tom Licata

Governor Douglas and our Legislature are both earnestly trying to assemble packages that would either give Vermont an "economic stimulus" or provide for the difficult cuts necessary to balance our budget. Inter-generational equity requires us to be honest with ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. Our long-term problems can’t be solved by "kicking the can" down the road through increased borrowing and delaying the tough calls. These problems are far deeper and more serious and demand bolder solutions. Vermont ranked dead last in a recent nationwide study of economic competitiveness and its property taxes are growing at twice or greater the rate of Vermonter’s wage growth; this trend will continue to erode our communities’ abilities to pay for basic government services

I founded Vermonters for Economic Health (VEH), a grassroots, citizen-led organization in 2007. More than 800 Vermonters have signed our on-line petition. To educate Vermonters on our deteriorating economic condition, beginning in the fall of last year we've conducted nine "Town Meeting Forums" throughout the state. Several Senators, Representatives (including Speaker Symington) and the Governor's emissaries have attended.

Among our observations has been a disturbing lack of understanding and "sense of urgency" from Montpelier to confront squarely what Vermonter’s face: (1) 0% private-sector job growth over this past decade (2) $3.5 billion of looming costs with no plan to pay for them (3) Vermont's demographic free fall: losing our youth at four times the national average (4) Vermont's housing shortfall: expected to grow to over 30% of need over the next four years (5) A federal government whose financial assistance will only decrease over time. With an entitlement deficit of some $50 trillion and our depreciating dollar, we can no longer rely on Federal bailouts.

Vermont’s cultural conundrum is this: We seem to want to escape the realities of our basic human limitations and personal responsibilities. We depress the "good" that might be achieved through common sense measures and instead pursue unrealistic and damaging forms of the "perfect." This exacerbates our social and economic unrest as this behavior becomes increasingly damaging to our economy. So far, our legislature seems unwilling to sensibly reform our land-use, permit regulations, tax policies, education system and workers compensation laws. Meanwhile, our housing needs increase, our private-sector job growth withers, our young people are forced from their home state and middle class families struggle to pay ever-increasing taxes.

VEH believes Vermonters increasingly want more straight talk from their elected State officials. We don’t need rhetoric or platitudes. Give us numbers, metrics and measurable goals in a plan to achieve the economic activity necessary to produce the tax revenue, productivity, housing, demographic and private-sector job growth required.

Would Vermont look different under this scenario? Yes, it would. Our youth would not have to leave for lack of hope and opportunity, because the climate for private-sector job growth would improve. Housing would become more available. With a broadened tax base, the burden on our elderly and retirees would no longer force them from their homes. More money would be available for health care and our infrastructure needs. With 75% of Vermont’s land forested, farmed or conserved, Vermont will not turn into metro New Jersey.

To pursue these bold solutions, VEH will recruit, promote and fund independent-minded legislative candidates for November’s election and beyond. We welcome current legislators – from all political parties - to join us in building a Vermont economy that provides hope, opportunity and prosperity for all. We may not tell Vermonters what they want to hear, but we will tell them what they need to hear. We ask you to vote for VEH-endorsed candidates in November.

Our mission is simple: To promote economic health and fiscal responsibility in government. Ultimately, economic health will only occur when Vermonters are ready to mobilize and change Montpelier’s entrenched culture.  This citizen-led organization is providing that venue. The one big question that remains is: Are Vermonters ready to do so?

Tom Licata is from Burlington. VEH can be found at VermontersForEconomicHealth.org