For the past thirty years, Vermont has been at the forefront of an experiment with progressive policies.
Now we can say definitively that that experiment has failed.
On Education: In 1997 before Act 60, Vermont spent below the national average per pupil, and we were consistently in the top 5 states for student outcomes. Today we spend more than every other state but one, nearly twice the national average, and our student scores are below average dropping faster than every other state. That’s failure.
Healthcare. In the 1990s Vermont had a competitive health insurance market with many providers, and affordable rates. Today, following multiple paths toward to single payer, we have one major insurance provider and the most expensive healthcare premiums in the nation, as well as declining access to quality, timely care. That’s failure.
Economic Opportunity: Despite (or likely because of) creating one of the most progressive tax systems in the country, one of the most generous welfare programs, and pursuing the economic “opportunities” of Green New Deal policies, Vermont now ranks 51st in the nation (that’s not a typo) for economic momentum, and losing more private sector jobs than nearly every other state. That’s failure.
Affordability: Vermont is now the ONLY state in the country to experience natural population loss AND negative net migration and is the fasted shrinking state per capita because the highest property tax rates in the nation, the third highest per capita tax burden, and costly and restrictive regulations on property owners are making it so more and more people simply can’t afford to live here. That’s failure.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Other states with different policies and philosophies are thriving. Growing their economies, attracting workers, and improving the quality of life of their citizens. Success is a choice. Vermont can choose success -- or continue down the road of failure. Let’s choose success!
We have to wake up. It’s better to be right than feel right. It’s time to start a revolution.