by Mary Collins 

We are, in effect, engineering the end to the middle class here in Vermont – which is the beginning of the end of Vermont as we know it.

We cannot sustain our state on government grants that support programs and needs otherwise unmet by more traditional means – as in affordable (and equity-building) housing (not expensive rentals that enrich property owners); equity in education (not workforce development curriculum that feeds corporate need at the student’s and state’s expense); not a division of labor that creates a working class in service to the wealthy. 

And not a system of public higher education that has been neglected for decades and asserts that an infusion of COVID money will suffice – as if that’s what will restore our colleges – while at the same time cutting programs, faculty, and staff, and increasing the Chancellor’s Office’s payroll to over $10 million annually. 

Further, buildings and other assets are being considered for sale without the required legislative approval to do so. And now the VSC administration is backpedaling about it.

This is what Vermont is becoming and as we turn that corner, it will be impossible to restore the balance:$55 million is given to UVM each year by the State of Vermont – of which 72% of this year’s incoming freshman class is from out of state.  57% of the graduates of UVM leave Vermont upon graduation. And what are the statistics for our State Colleges?  There is NO data provided to the public. Are they even doing the research?

$12.9 million was received by VTC to fund an enhanced engineering degree, of which corporations who hire these graduates have multi-million dollar contracts with the Department of Defense.  And where did the grant come from?  The Department of Defense.  VTC no longer offers an agriculture degree.$2.5 million was secured for a Dental Hygiene program at Vermont’s State Colleges. NO students were enrolled.  Where did that money go?

Vermont receives over $1 billion in revenue each year from the Arts but has mangled its Arts education programs at its State colleges. Why?  Because the Governor and his “Transformation 2.0” team do not value Arts curriculum.  And their report to the legislature was deeply flawed and NOT endorsed by faculty and staff – but who listens to them anyway? There are approximately 5600 high school graduates in Vermont each year. Over 90% of eligible kids graduate with only 40% continuing to college, ANY college – in or out of state.  If 100% of these high school and college students stayed in the state post-graduation, roughly 12,000 young professionals would be added to the workforce offsetting the estimated 

11,375 annual retirees – who, as we know, cannot afford the taxes being heaped upon us.

$400,000 is now the cost of an entry-level home in Vermont. And what is the median household income?  Just $72,000.  That’s household.  So, how can a young Vermont family afford to buy anything and then pay exorbitant taxes on what they’ve purchased?

Only a handful of legislators are listening or seem to even care.  And each letter I’ve sent to the Governor is replied to with the line, “Thank you for expressing your view on ‘this issue.'”  No specificity, no signature from Phil, or even from a real person, but rather, from the “Constituent Services Office”.  Here’s what I get:

Office of Governor Phil Scott, 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609 governor.vermont.gov Dear Mary L: Thank you very much for reaching out and expressing your view on this issue. We will be sure to pass along your message and appreciate you making your voice heard. Sincerely, Constituent Services Office Office of Governor Philip B. Scott State of Vermont P: 802-828-3333|F: 802-828-3339 109 State Street, PavilionMontpelier, VT 05609 Learn more about Governor Scott’s focus on making Vermont more affordable, growing the economy and protecting the vulnerable at governor.vermont.gov.

I’m just getting started…  I don’t expect an answer.