Voters in St. Johnsbury, Concord and Kirby: Please join me Saturday, April 20, 8:00 AM, at Mooselook Diner, Main St., Concord, for coffee and conversation.
This session the Legislature is grappling with very difficult issues.
Property taxes and education finance. A slew of factors conspired to drive up school budgets and taxes. Voters have rejected budgets twice in St. Johnsbury and Kingdom East.
Housing. The shortage of housing of all types continues to throttle our economy. Homelessness is still high. Permit and zoning reform is in process, but with materials and labor costs still going up, more funding is needed.
Public safety. Desperation, drug dependence and violence are fraying our social fabric. Courts are hopelessly backed up; police and prosecutors are understaffed.
Mental health. Pandemic lockdowns, social media, climate and general pollution, more of us — especially young people — are suffering. We lack the infrastructure and staffing to help.
Tight budget. With the end of federal pandemic relief money, the State budget is extremely tight. The House proposes raising taxes slightly on the wealthiest 1%, on transfers of property greater than $750,000, and on large corporations' sales in Vermont. It appears the Senate and the Governor reject these.
All these issues and more — and the looming election — are straining our capacity for self-government. Yet polarization threatens the serious engagement and compromise that's needed. In the face of all that drives us apart, we must be far more intentional about building connections and community.
Let's start by talking. I welcome hearing your thoughts on any of this.