The Vermont Chamber has said it, in startlingly emphatic, hey wake-up because it is frightening close to too bloody late challenge, that if listened to, and acted on, could save the Green Mountain State.
The title of the Chamber’s missive which has been printed on various news sites is: “Vermont is in Trouble.” They follow it up with explanations that, if you love this beautiful state you will panic. Which is absolutely the correct reaction. But it is only the correct reaction if you are willing to help do something to solve the myriad pile of problems facing us.
The chamber states the issue this way: “We are aging, shrinking, and pricing out our own children, workers, and entrepreneurs. Schools face consolidation, taxes are climbing, and employers struggle to fill jobs. We’re too dependent on federal funding to support state spending. A housing shortage is driving up prices, slowing economic growth, and leaves young people feeling forced out. Staying the course is not a viable option. It only gets worse from here if nothing changes.”
They suggest some solutions:
Regulatory Modernization: Move from a culture of “permission” to a culture of “production.”
Fiscal Stewardship: Align our budget with economic reality.
Intentional Growth: Actively recruit and retain a diverse, working-age population.
Accountability: Ensure enacted policies achieve their goals.
Each of these is elaborated on by the Chamber. They also go on to say: “Vermont has experienced the nation’s largest percent decrease in population last year, becoming the only state losing population to both natural changes and net migration… Let’s choose abundance because Vermonters can no longer afford to choose scarcity.”
It is a Cri du Coeur that should be heard by every legislator, selectboard or city council, every business owner, civic organization, in the state. This isn’t a project for next year. This is a problem that demands immediate action!
In March I wrote a column remembering Governor Phil Hoff’s Vermont marketing campaign known as “Vermont the Becking Country.” The campaign brought thousands of people to the state. The same slogan might well, with an attractive invitation advertising campaign might get noticed by people and companies on the lookout for new opportunities. Newcomers should be happily welcomed. But missionaries from afar won’t solve our problems. This is a job for Vermonters.
The chamber mentions the crying need for new housing and laments that, “For decades, Vermont has treated growth as a threat to mitigate… True equity requires expanding supply rather than fighting over the crumbs of a shrinking economy.”
Their words need to be heeded. Immediately. We have dug ourselves a very deep hole. We aren’t going to climb out of it in a year or two. It is going to take years of constant hard work and a sizable fortune to get Vermont back to growing rather than shrinking. But if our children and grandchildren are going to have Vermont as a viable choice where to live and work, we need to begin making Vermont viable again immediately.
The Vermont Chamber is correct. They have stated the problem in bold words. They have challenged the government, the business community, the education system, the news media, and every single one of us to step up and begin the hard work of making the Vermont the Beckoning Country once again!
When the legislature returns to Montpelier in the fall, they need to get to work and Governor Scott can’t sit back and wait for the lawmakers to craft a long series of brilliant remedies to fix what is broken. Governor Scott needs to roll up his sleeves and work closely with those writing the bills. He also should gather members from the business world and those from not-for-profit organizations. Getting Vermont back on track is going to take an “All hands-on deck” attitude.
Time is running out for Vermont. The Green Mountain State is too precious to all it to wither away.
