Editor’s note: This commentary is by Richard Watts, who is the director of the Center for Research on Vermont.
[P]resident Donald Trump may have handed Vermont a solution to the state’s demographic challenges with his recent push to send people seeking asylum on our southern border to sanctuary cities. The president, according to press reports, sees it as punishment.
For places like Vermont it should be something to celebrate. Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger took the first step in that direction Monday when he responded to the president’s threats by saying Burlington will welcome immigrants. Other sanctuary cities around the country have said the same.
The mayor’s welcome of these new possible Americans was warm and genuine in the face of the unfolding tragedy at our southern border where desperate — mostly women and children — are fleeing violence. These newcomers will make us “more prosperous, more diverse and stronger,” Mayor Weinberger said.
The Legislature should take the next step and declare Vermont a sanctuary state. And then join Weinberger in welcoming the president’s plans. It is the right thing to do. And it would be good for the state.
Vermont’s demographic challenges are well documented. In the last census 10 of our 14 counties lost population or had zero growth. Vermont is already the oldest state on average. And the number of babies being born is not enough to grow the population. Overall growth has been close to flat and current projections have the state losing population for the next 20 years. The only way we grow is through in-migration.
In his state of the state address this spring, Scott named labor shortages as Vermont’s top problem. The state has lost 16,000 workers in the last six years, according to Scott, with 13 of the 14 counties seeing workforce declines.
The Vermont Futures Project has called for adding 10,000 new workers a year to meet goals for economic growth.
Last year the governor said we needed a “bold, sophisticated campaign to identify and persuade working-age individuals, families and entrepreneurs to relocate [to] Vermont.” And this year the governor’s budget allocated $2.5 million to do just that.
So, what if we declared Vermont a sanctuary state. And welcomed tens of thousands of new immigrants. Yes it would be challenging, but it would be just the kind of bold vision that Vermont needs.
As the governor said: “… every new worker we recruit to live here allows a business, a community, a school and tax revenue to grow.”
It’s the right thing to do and it would be good for Vermont.
