This Issue Update newsletter is part of a series that provides more information on each priority issue on the Alliance's 2025 Legislative Agenda. The Legislative Agenda is crafted annually in partnership with early childhood organizations that are advancing legislative policy solutions related to health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education. The priority issues were selected by the Alliance's Steering Committee.

 

Fair Share for Vermont: Build a Vermont that Works for Everyone

The Governor’s Administration and the Legislature currently focus on the amount of revenue expected when building state budgets, instead of the needs of Vermont residents. As a result of this focus on revenue rather than needs, state programs and services are chronically underfunded. Even as demonstrated needs are increasing, there has been no adjustment to the Vermont personal income tax rates for years. At the same time, wealth and income inequality has grown, resulting in a population of wealthy Vermonters who are able to pay significantly more in taxes than they currently are. The state must raise revenue from those who can afford to pay.

The Alliance supports Fund Vermont’s Future’s “Fair Share for Vermont” Campaign, which is advocating for a new tax bracket on annual personal income over $500,000. This tax increase would generate over $74 million annually in state revenue to improve public goods and services.

Legislative Update

This legislative session, the Fair Share for Vermont Campaign continues to advocate for increased taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters through the creation of a new tax bracket for personal income over $500,000. This plan would only affect the top 1% of Vermont income-earners, and raise over $74 million annually in state revenue.

The Campaign is active in the State House, advocating for the proposal with Vermont legislators and engaging in discussions on multiple bills that would increase taxes on high earners to raise state revenue. 

 

Data and Talking Points

  • The Fair Share for Vermont Campaign is proposing a marginal tax, which means that it would only affect income over $500,000.

  • The proposal would only affect the wealthiest 1% of Vermont taxpayers.

  • More revenue means more money for fixing our roads and bridges, funding schools where our students can thrive, supporting Vermont families, increasing access to healthcare and housing, and protecting our environment.

  • Our state’s resources are consolidated at the top. In 2022, the average income of the top 1% of income earners was 20 times as large as the average income of the bottom 99%, and twice as large as Vermont’s entire General Fund.

 

Lead Organization

Fund Vermont’s Future

Fund Vermont’s Future is a coalition of organizations and individuals focused on ensuring that the state accurately assesses the needs of all people in Vermont and raises sufficient revenue to meet those needs, therefore securing a safe and healthy future for all. The coalition’s Steering Committee includes the ACLU of Vermont, Public Assets Institute, Vermont Conservation Voters, the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Vermont Natural Resources Council, the Vermont-NEA, Voices for Vermont’s Children, and three individual members.

 

Alliance ‘25 Legislative Agenda Issue Spotlight – State Budget Update – 2/3

In the coming weeks, the Alliance is hosting virtual Issue Spotlights that will focus on one or two issues from the Alliance’s 2025 Legislative Agenda. In discussions led by representatives from the issue’s lead organizations, participants will be able to ask direct questions and hear a brief legislative update. 

Our next session will be held Monday, February 3, from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and will focus on the FY26 state budget.

Led by Matt Levin, the Executive Director of the Alliance, this session is a great opportunity to learn more about the Governor’s Proposed FY26 Budget, what issues are likely to be points of contention between the Administration and the Legislature, and how to get involved. 

 
 

The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide coalition formed in 2000 of early childhood professionals, parents, organizations, businesses, and strategic partners committed to improving public policies that impact young children between birth and age eight in the areas of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education.

The Alliance crafts an annual Legislative Agenda in partnership with early childhood organizations, provides year-round advocacy support, and facilitates meaningful interactions with policymakers at key times during the decision making process.

RECENT NEWSLETTERS

Alliance Issue Spotlight – State Budget Update – 2/3; United Ways of Vermont Hiring Executive Director – Applications Due 2/8; Alliance Monthly Equity Discussion – 2/21; Join the Alliance

Issue Update - Housing and Homelessness

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The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund.

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