Phil Scott on Budget & Economy

Lack of housing is a crisis; let's treat it like one

We need to keep our spending within existing revenue

We need to keep our spending within existing revenue

Focus on affordability, economic growth & protect vulnerable

Vermont's problems, Scott contends, are borne out of a declining demographic and the pressure it puts on economic growth. He contends making Vermont affordable starts by taxing less, something he says he's been focused on for years. "We're already one of the highest taxed states in the country. I don't know how much more people can bear," Scott said.

Ultimately, Scott says a vote for him is a vote for civility in politics and for affordability, economic growth and protecting vulnerable Vermonters. Siegel argues the status quo is not working for Vermonters and that the state needs new policies on housing, substance use and climate change.

Invest ARPA funds in transformative infrastructure projects

We must recognize housing policy is workforce policy

We know we need more workers, and that also means we need to keep the good jobs we have and add more of them. That is why I will propose expanding the Capital Investment Grant program, which we created with $10 million last year, but we received applications for six times that amount. This program is helping employers, like childcare and senior centers, museums, theaters and agricultural businesses, enhance their facilities and keep good jobs and services here - so let's do more.

We don't need more taxes; we need more taxpayers

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.

I won't sign a budget that exceeds reasonable limits

Republican Bruce Lisman presented what he calls a multiyear approach to recast state government. "I'd manage the damn budget. Set spending at 2-3 percent per year to reset our finances and no new taxes. And find 2 percent efficiencies with a brilliant, motivated management team. Recharge our government by bringing real managers into it, those people we find not because we know them but because they're talented," Lisman said.

Both Republicans have said the state's health exchange has hurt the business climate in the state.

We're spending beyond our means; but cuts instead of taxes

There were a number of areas within the speech where I do have concerns, one being that, while I agree we have a structural problem with the Medicaid cost shift, I'm hesitant to fund the 'fix' through a payroll tax. Opening the door to even a small increase will, in my opinion, lead us to further tax growth. Once that seed is planted, we have a te over-fertilize, and I fear there will be further proposals to increase taxes on Vermonters and small Vermont businesses, who are already struggling to make ends meet.