Phil Scott in 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
We don't need more taxes; we need more taxpayers
These trends not only mean fewer in our workforce and schools, but fewer customers at businesses, ratepayers for utilities, fewer available for our volunteer fire departments and others who support the needs of our communities. On the campaign trail, a
Burlington business owner told me, "We don't need more taxes--we need more taxpayers." So, this session, let's focus on strengthening those assets to keep and attract more working families, with an eye on reversing our population trends.
Last term, we worked together to create more housing Vermonters can afford. My budget will propose a package focused on growing the housing supply by revitalizing properties and investing in existing neighborhoods. It's not enough. We must do
a better job telling our story and use it to aggressively recruit new Vermonters. Last year we launched a program offering incentives to remote workers who moved here. My budget will again propose a package that targets those likely to move.
Source: 2020 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Education:
Build the country's best cradle-to-career education system
I believe the best opportunity for progress is in early care and learning--to give all kids, regardless of their background, a strong foundation. If we can work together on a high-quality child care system that's affordable and accessible we could set
Vermont apart from other states. Let's make change that gives all our kids an equal shot at success, that puts their interests above special interests, and builds them the best cradle-to-career education system in the country.
Source: 2020 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Use funds to help Vermonters purchase electric vehicles
We can build on our work to protect our environment, communities and kids. We rank high when it comes to air quality, but we can do more to lower emissions in our state, so I'll propose using settlement funds to help more Vermonters purchase
electric vehicles. My budget will propose a long-term funding source for our water quality initiatives, using existing revenues and a new delivery model to put this money to work on the ground. My budget will invest in lead testing at schools statewide.
Source: 2020 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Health Care:
Must increase affordability of health insurance
Vermont has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation. But Vermonters still struggle with the high cost of insurance, especially those in our state marketplace.
That's why I'll propose health insurance reforms focused on increasing affordability for Vermonters and, specifically, young people, as we work to retain and attract more of them.
When actions in Washington put access to healthcare in jeopardy, Speaker Johnson, Senator Ashe, Republican party leaders from both houses and I stood with Senators Leahy and Sanders and Congressman Welch to protect Medicaid funding.
Where else but Vermont would you see such a politically-diverse group joining together to defend access to healthcare?
Source: 2020 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Technology:
We must continue to expand access to broadband
We know that broadband is crucial to parts of the state that are currently under-served or, in some cases, not connected at all. I'm sure most realize this isn't the cure-all to our economic challenges, but as we seek to attract more people to live
and work in Vermont, we must continue to expand access. This session, I'll put forward a package of reforms, and my budget will include investments, to do just that.
Source: 2020 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021