Source: Burlington Free Press, January 4, by Elizabeth Ready “Vermonters take pride in being good neighbors. But as the economic downturn drones on, our patience and the safety net become tattered and frayed. There is a sense of scarcity, even among we who have plenty, and this can translate to a collective inertia when it comes to taking on big issues such as poverty, homelessness, low wages and unemployment. What does this mean for the state budget? My hope is that Gov.-elect Shumlin will use the budget debate to remind us in practical ways of our interdependent community. Each issue affects the others. State government must reach beyond the paradigm of raising taxes or slashing spending to engage more stakeholders in new ways. The governor might try a three-part budget test. Consider how he might work to end homelessness: 1. Match the solution to the task: Most people believe housing is a basic human right. The first step to ending homelessness will be to acknowledge in a clear and certain voice that all Vermonters must have housing first, before they can tackle other issues…” Full Story: Time for Shumlin to get the tough things done. PDF of Story: Time for Shumlin to get the tough things done.
Vermonters take pride in being good neighbors. But as the economic downturn drones on, our patience and the safety net become tattered and frayed. There is a sense of scarcity, even among we who have plenty, and this can translate to a collective inertia when it comes to taking on big issues such as poverty, homelessness, low wages and unemployment.
What does this mean for the state budget? My hope is that Gov.-elect Shumlin will use the budget debate to remind us in practical ways of our interdependent community. Each issue affects the others. State government must reach beyond the paradigm of raising taxes or slashing spending to engage more stakeholders in new ways. The governor might try a three-part budget test. Consider how he might work to end homelessness: 1. Match the solution to the task: Most people believe housing is a basic human right. The first step to ending homelessness will be to acknowledge in a clear and certain voice that all Vermonters must have housing first, before they can tackle other issues.
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