by Don Keelan

There are two economic sectors in Vermont whose voices, when needed, are conspicuously silent—the business community and the State’s non-profits. First, let us address the MIA of the business community. 

For many years, I have either been present at or read about real estate developers’ presentations of their workforce/senior housing plans to a town’s planning/zoning boards. 

The developer is standing alone in the public arena, detailing its real estate development plans, and is confronted by the ever-present members of the NIMBY contingent, neighbors/abutters, and the eternal no-growth advocates. The nay-sayers present the traditional script: the proposed housing project will increase traffic, burden our infrastructure, increase our taxes, and over-populate our schools. In truth, they just do not want the housing project in their community.

The sector not present but which has the most to gain is the business community. They are the ones who are in critical need of a local workforce. They are constantly letting us know that they must curtail service, limit hours of operation, or, in the worst case, close their business because there are no employees available. You can also add hospitals and other medical facilities to the sector. They, too, are unable to attract medical professionals due to a lack of housing in their operating area. 

So why is it that when a housing project is being proposed, other voices are not heard? A case in point occurred this past winter in Dorset, Vermont. A conceptual plan for 125 housing units on Raptor Lane, in its very early stages, was presented to the town’s residents. 

The developer was not making a formal application. The developer, in cooperation with town officials, presented a concept. The outcry against the project was overwhelming. 

Objections were vetted at several public hearings, in the press, and through a blitz of negative social media comments. For now, the project is in limbo. Dorset residents are to re-group and present to the town what they would like to see developed, if anything, on Raptor Lane, a town-owned parcel. 

Absent were the voices of area employers, businesses, medical institutions, tourists, and hospitality establishments, who continue to cry out about the lack of workforce talent in the area. 

And then there is the other sector, the Vermont nonprofit institutions. This sector, based on gross revenue and employment, is one of the largest, if not the largest, sectors of the Vermont economy. 

Its sources of revenue are derived from operations, government grants, and, most importantly, contributions to fund operations and capital improvements for equipment and buildings.

It is no secret that much of the latter comes from higher-income Vermont residents–the so-called wealthy–who have become the target of the apostles of Vermont’s bi-coastal, ever-absent senior U.S. Senator. 

Reporter Peter Hirschfeld, writing for Vermont Public on March 27, 2026, confirmed the above: “House Democrats revive push to tax the rich, despite their leadership’s misgivings.” 

Specifically, increasing the tax rate by 3% on household incomes above $500,000 and an additional 2% on income over $1 million is just for starters, as we have gained from experience. The base will be lowered and soon followed by the latest confiscation scheme by the anti-wealthy contingent, a tax on personal assets.

So, where are the voices of the beneficiaries of those fortunate enough to donate to worthwhile charitable, cultural, educational, and medical institutions? The non-profit world remains silent. 

The federal and state income taxes that exist today are progressive by statute. The more one earns, the greater the tax. It has been such since 1913, when an income tax was allowed under the 16^th Amendment to the Constitution. It has been reported that about 80% off all income taxes are paid by the top 10% of filers. They are also the major contributors to the non-profit community. So why is it that they are allowed to be ostracized by the Bernie crowd without any support at all from the non-profit world?

Frankly, I have no idea why the business community and the nonprofit sector remain missing in action when their opinions and support can be so vital. They need to come out of hiding and provide the support. Otherwise, do not whine when the labor force they need or the dollars they are requesting are not there. They had a chance but stayed muted on the sidelines; it is safer there.   

The author is a U.S. Marine (retired), CPA, and columnist living in Arlington, VT.