January 13, 2003

Vermont Jobs and Tax base

Vermont's fundamental dilemma and tax base is that jobs paying 'good' wages to people in the middle of the wconomic pecking order are evaporating so there's less upward mobility without specialty training. This job loss is an uncomfortable reality of globalization and tends to stratify the low end wage earners from the higher wage earners. The long term remedy to be pursued is multi-faceted reaching into education, tax policy, busines and public investment, and many other factors that feed into the perceived 'business climate.' There is no quick fix and Vermont will compete with the other states for the same supply of present and future jobs. We need to find ways to differentiate ourselves.

Effective permit reform is a good place to start. Thanks Gov. Douglas.

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