News

Press Release: McClure Foundation Awards $345,000 to Programs that Increase Access to College and Career Education in Vermont

The J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation is planning for the 2019-2020 school year by awarding $345,000 in grants to programs across the state that improve equitable access to postsecondary and career education. A supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, the McClure Foundation envisions a Vermont where no promising job goes unfilled for lack of a qualified applicant. 

Eric LaMontagne

Written by
July 31, 2019

  • Press Release: McClure Foundation Awards $345,000 to Programs that Increase Access to College and Career Education in Vermont

    The J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation is planning for the 2019-2020 school year by awarding $345,000 in grants to programs across the state that improve equitable access to postsecondary and career education. A supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, the McClure Foundation envisions a Vermont where no promising job goes unfilled for lack of a qualified applicant. 

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    July 31, 2019

  • Vermont: A world player

    Vermont is not a bubble.

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    July 30, 2019

  • We Believe In Prosperity

    Campaign for Vermont has been working for a future with more prosperity for ALL Vermonters. But what does this mean?

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    July 29, 2019

  • CFV Statement on Proposed Health Insurance Rate Hikes

    On July 23rd, the Green Mountain Care Board hosted a public comment forum regarding the requested rate increases for health insurance by Blue Cross Blue Shield and MVP. There were dozens of people in attendance, many of whom shared painful and personal stories of the real impact rate increases have had, and will have, on their lives. 

    Campaign for Vermont's Executive Director was in attendance and made the following statement in opposition to the proposed rate increases.

     

     

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    July 25, 2019

  • A history of Vermont health insurance rates

    This data is quoted from HealthInsurance.org. It is part of a larger article that goes into fantastic detail about Vermont's system. You can read that article here. 

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    July 23, 2019

  • Commentary: Time is Running Out (John Pelletier)

    This commentary is by John Pelletier, Director of the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College.

    On July 10, Fitch, a major credit agency, reduced Vermont’s bond rating. This was expected, after Moody’s, another large credit agency reduced Vermont’s bond rating in October. Both rating agencies have the same concerns about Vermont and its economy. As a result, future state and municipal borrowings costs will increase.

    Why is this happening? Because Vermont faces daunting “economic and demographic headwinds.” We have heard these concerns for years. Vermont’s population and its workforce is flat or declining, our economic growth is slow and our citizens are old. And our state’s unfunded pension and health care liability for current and future teacher and state employee retirees is large and growing.

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    July 16, 2019

  • VT Bond Rating Downgraded...Again

    Another rating downgrade. The previous downgrade by Moody's was estimated to cost Vermonters an additional $7 million per year. How much will this one cost us?
     
    This should serve as a large red flag that, while not a crisis-level change (we still have the second-highest rating available), we must focus on our long-term financial viability and overcoming our demographic challenges. We need people. People come here for job security and affordability balanced with quality of life. We have the last one down. Without the first two, however, access to that high quality of life starts to become a limited luxury.
    "The report underscores, once again, the State’s demographic challenges as a deciding factor. The AA+ rating ‘is sensitive to changes in the State’s fundamental economic growth trajectory,’ according to the report. It also notes: ‘Material and sustained improvement in the State’s demographic profile, such as through consistent population and labor force gains, could support revenue growth prospects and a more robust revenue framework assessment.’"
    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    July 12, 2019

  • Take our Fiscal Responsibility Poll

    Take our one-question Fiscal Responsibility Poll and let us know if you support mandatory accountability and transparency measures.

     

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    July 11, 2019

  • Fiscal Responsibility: A Universal Concept

    One day you jump into your car and turn the key. After ten seconds of chugging over, the engine finally catches and with big puff of blue-black smoke and a din that sounds like an asthmatic lion, off you go. 15 minutes later, as you sit on the side of the interstate listening to the tick-tock of your emergency flashers and waiting for AAA, it becomes undeniably clear: it’s time for a new car.

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    June 24, 2019

  • Progress Made on Key Education Bills

    Updated on key education bills: water testing, Act 192, paid family leave, dual enrollment, and more. 

    Eric LaMontagne

    Written by
    May 22, 2019