Supports legislators who support affordability, challenges those who don’t
by VDC staff
Vermont’s rolling hills and scenic vistas are home to a growing economic problem, according to Americans for Prosperity Vermont. The group says decades of tax hikes, regulatory hurdles, and slow wage growth are driving families out of the state and making it harder for those who remain to make ends meet.
“Poverty has climbed to 10.2%, and nearly one-third of Vermonters are struggling just to get by,” said Rachel Burgin, state director for Americans for Prosperity Vermont. “We’re watching young people leave for other states with better job prospects, while those who stay are burdened with unaffordable housing, soaring taxes, and limited opportunities.”
Burgin pointed to Vermont’s high per capita tax collections — third highest in the nation — and a projected housing shortage of more than 35,000 units by 2029 as key drivers of the crisis. She said restrictive land-use laws like Act 250, initially designed to protect the environment, now often create “costly barriers to development” that worsen the housing crunch.
According to the group, property and income taxes have risen sharply to fund education, but the benefits have not kept pace with costs, hitting low-income households hardest. Many families, Burgin said, now spend more than half their income on rent or mortgage payments.
To address these challenges, Americans for Prosperity Vermont has launched the Vermont Affordability campaign, which Burgin described as an effort to “educate and mobilize residents around government accountability and economic prosperity.” The initiative focuses on halting tax increases, reducing housing costs by reforming building restrictions, and eliminating energy mandates that raise utility bills.
Through town halls, digital outreach, and community events, the group is urging Vermonters to contact lawmakers, sign up for action alerts, and volunteer. Burgin said AFP is also recognizing legislative leaders who champion fiscal responsibility while challenging those whose policies “burden hardworking families.”
“The time for action is now,” Burgin said. “Progressive policies are failing, and Vermont’s future hinges on rejecting measures that fuel higher taxes, excessive regulation, and limited opportunities. We want to create a Vermont where affordability thrives, businesses flourish, and opportunity is accessible to all.”
More information about the campaign is available at GreenMountainProsperity.com.