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Vermont governor urges focus on public safety, housing and affordability in State of the State
Summary
In a joint assembly to receive his State of the State, Governor Philip B. Scott warned of demographic shifts and fiscal constraints, previewed a roughly 3% budget increase, highlighted housing shortfalls and called for reforms to Act 250 to accelerate affordable housing.
The joint assembly convened and appointed a six‑member committee to escort Governor Philip B. Scott into the chamber, after which Scott delivered his State of the State address, urging lawmakers to prioritize public safety, housing and affordability.
Scott opened by invoking Vermont’s history of resilience and then focused on demographic trends he said threaten the state’s economic sustainability. Quoting figures from the Joint Fiscal Office, Scott said, “14,000, 28,000, and 48,000,” explaining those numbers represent fewer children, fewer adults in the 40–54 core workforce, and more residents over 65. He warned those shifts could raise per‑pupil costs, depress income and sales tax revenues, and increase demand for services like health care.
On public safety Scott said rising violent crime demands attention. He cited Council of State Governments data showing Vermont’s rankings worsened and listed…
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