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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

Campaign for Vermont (CFV) recently released an article titled “Vermont is in Trouble.” We were blown away by the response. Over just a few days it was seen by more than 30,000 people, garnered more than 200 comments, and was shared nearly 800 times.

“Over the last 20 years, the state of Vermont has authorized more than $10 million in payments to Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.”

So starts a new VPR investigative piece looking into how state funds have been allocated to the large company, specifically those given through the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive program (VEGI), and their return on investment.

However, there is no report. No numbers exist to show how much of Vermont tax payer’s money has been given to the coffee giant. No reports have been filed showing how those funds have been used. No data can be shown to prove their efficacy.

Key bills remain unresolved, and AOE announces new State Director of Special Education.

Thanks to our friends at VISA for this updated information.