This commentary is by Cyrus Patten, an educator and executive director of Campaign for Vermont, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. He lives in Williston with his wife and two children.
[L]ast week, the governor signaled where his attention will be directed during this legislative session: energy and the cleanup of Lake Champlain. Both are good issues that need his attention. But I can’t help but notice his inaugural speech seems to have been written for the few from whom he still enjoys strong support: his friends in renewable energy and environmental protection.
The speech he styled as an announcement of policy proposals was light on actual policy recommendations. In fact he spent most of the speech touting his past accomplishments. It wasn’t until the end that he proposed some interesting initiatives – the creation of an RPS-like program and Clean Water Fund – both of which are already underway.
As many have noticed, he left out issues that dominated not only the election but also the minds of voters for months and years.
• A budget deficit caused by spending that has outpaced revenue since 2010;
• A sputtering economic recovery evidenced by a shrinking workforce and stagnant job growth;
• Rising education property taxes juxtaposed with declining pupil numbers.
All of which contribute to an affordability trend line that is pushing middle class families out of Vermont.
These are not sudden and unexpected issues. They have been festering and predicted for years. In a vacuum of leadership and action, these issues have grown to crisis proportions. Only now have they become priorities for the Legislature and we can only hope, the governor.
When staring down $100 million budget gap, advocates will be pouring out of the woodwork to defend their program budgets.
Campaign for Vermont was formed because these critical issues were in plain sight, undermining our state’s well-being. In response, we authored a series of evidence-based, detailed policy proposals and assembled a network of concerned citizens, now numbering over 1,700, willing to push on our leaders to affect change.
We are, at our core, an economic prosperity advocacy group. The issues Vermonters are most concerned about pertain to their ability to survive here and thrive here.
It is vital that the governor and Legislature address budget reform, education funding reform, and our stagnant economy this session.
While no one can predict the future, it’s clear that our Statehouse leaders are playing “Recession Roulette” with the vital services of state government. Since 1974, there have been six recessions – one every seven years on average. The last recession ended in June 2009, over five years ago though its effect lingers. Should the next recession be just around the corner, Vermont stands naked to its cold winds. Our state budget is a mess and stretched well beyond available revenues, our education funding system is chaotic and expensive and our overall economy is stuck in neutral and the state has less than a 5 percent reserve fund.
Clearly our state government is not prepared for the next economic downturn, should it arrive soon.
When staring down $100 million budget gap, advocates will be pouring out of the woodwork to defend their program budgets. The reality is if we don’t address the structural spending problems within the state budget and the next recession does hit it will decimate our social and health care services, environmental and consumer protection programs, our transportation infrastructure, and even our education system. The risk to middle class Vermonters is too great to ignore.
If the governor has truly heard the voice of Vermonters, he will give these matters prompt attention this session. To kick the can down the road another year or two is a dangerous path to take.
