Vermont recently received recognition from the Rockefeller Institute for Government as being a leader in adapting to new labor trends. 

At the behest of a single citizen, Montpelier is looking at a bill that would allow Vermonters to purchase a license plate with an emoji on it. For those that aren't aware, emojis are those little circular face icons that are usually smiling, frowning, wearing goofy glasses, etc. The stated claim is that sales of the plate would bring a “revenue boon” and attract more people to Vermont. Consider this: the $26 conservation plates currently offered only bring in roughly $140,000 annually. It’s hard to imagine enough additional people would be willing to shell out for a plate with a $2 sticker on it to create a boon for anyone other than the sticker printers. And maybe I am out of touch, but who in their right mind would choose to move their life based on a license plate?

Below is the full text of Vermont Governor Phil Scott's 2020 State of the State address as given on January 9, 2020. 

The Remote Worker Grant Program (RWGP) is an economic development initiative launched by the VT legislature in 2018. The RWGP provides funds to professionals who want to relocate to Vermont but still maintain employment out-of-state. These funds are used to offset their cost of moving here. According to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s Department of Economic Development (ACCD), the managing entity of this program, this program benefits Vermonters “by increasing the population of taxpayers in the state as well as increasing the number of children enrolled in Vermont schools. It also helps to build the employment base as Vermont faces a workforce shortage and employers are struggling to find workers.”

It is not quite the legislative-kickoff season, but things are heating up nonetheless. The team at Campaign for Vermont is hard at work putting the finishing touches on our upcoming goals and strategies. We will be pushing hard for funding of a robust and effective Ethics Commission; we will be presenting proposals to boost school revenues WITHOUT raising taxes; we will be working with partners on initiatives that aim to ensure a strong and modern workforce while reducing barriers to education and training opportunities; and we will be introducing legislation which will establish a revolutionary financial accountability system. All of this in addition to our constant support of efforts to increase accountability and transparency in Vermont government. 

You will be receiving more on all of that soon. In the meantime, here are some articles you may helpful and interesting. 

I, and the whole CFV team, appreciate your engagement and involvement. We look forward to a busy and effective legislative session. Thank you for being a supporter of our efforts to achieve a more prosperous Vermont, for all Vermonters.

Sincerely, 

Eric LaMontagne
Executive Director

Vermont, we have a unique opportunity on our hands. When the legislative session kicks off this January, lawmakers will be asked to re-allocate funds for the newly created Ethics Committee, and in doing so take a critical step towards a foundational element of a more prosperous state. It is up to us to demand action. If we cannot trust government officials to act in our best interest, then reforms in healthcare, education, and economic development will never reach their full potential.