PROGRESS • AFFORDABILITY • OPPORTUNITY PHIL SCOTT’S COMPREHENSIVE BLUEPRINT FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH Restoring Vermont’s Fiscal Fundamentals, Strengthening the Economy & Making Vermont More Affordable for Families and Businesses TABLE OF CONTENTS Phil Scott’s Blueprint for Economic Growth includes a 12-part Economic Growth Plan, and his plans for Government Moderniza- tion, Truth in Budgeting and Fiscal Responsibility, Transportation Priorities and Opiate Action. With more than 50 specific ideas, initiatives and proposals, this booklet lays out the foundation for the Phil Scott Administration’s approach to strengthening the economy, making Vermont more affordable and addressing our state’s top public health and safety priorities. Listening, Learning & Leading .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 A letter from Phil Scott. Protecting Jobs & Retaining Employers .........................................................................................................................................7 Vermont’s employers are some of our most important economic resources. This section outlines Phil’s proposals to ensure these job creators can be competitive in the regional, national and global markets. Investing In & Expanding Vermont’s Workforce .................................................................................................................... 9 Vermont’s workforce is another critical economic asset and it is shrinking at an unsustainable rate. This section outlines Phil’s proposals to grow our workforce through strategic, pro-growth investments in areas such as education and training. Affordable & Accessible Healthcare .............................................................................................................................................. 13 The healthcare discussion in Vermont has been driven by ideological crusades and failed experiments, when we should have been working together to craft a system that is more efficient and innovative, and provides care for everyone. This section outlines Phil’s plan to put healthcare reform back on track with the goal of making healthcare more affordable and accessible for every Vermonter and every business. Revitalizing County Economic Centers ....................................................................................................................................... 17 What little growth we’ve seen in Vermont over the last six years has been concentrated primarily in Chittenden County and surrounding regions. This section outlines Phil’s proposals to give every region of the state an equal opportunity to grow and prosper. Aggressive and Realistic Telecommunication & Broadband Expansion ........................................................ 19 For too long, politicians have been overpromising on the state’s ability to make high-speed broadband Internet service avail- able to everyone in Vermont. This section outlines Phil’s approach to such investments and his commitment to having an honest conversation with Vermonters. Pro-Jobs Tax Policies ................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 As most taxpayers know, Vermont is a high-tax state. This section outlines Phil’s proposals to reduce the tax burden on work- ing families and businesses by prioritizing economic growth; getting state spending in line with growth in the economy and wages; and making state government more efficient. Affordable & High Quality Housing for Working Families ...................................................................................... 23 Creating more affordable housing options for all Vermonters is an important strategy for retaining and attracting young working families. This section outlines Phil’s proposals to improve housing, expand the definition of affordable housing and provide more affordable housing opportunities for Vermonters of all income levels. Responsible Regulatory Reform ....................................................................................................................................................... 24 Upholding Vermont’s history of environmental stewardship is important to our state, but it is also critical to find a balance between these values and the need to grow the economy. This section outlines Phil’s proposals to improve regulatory processes to increase efficiency and predictability of environmental permitting deliberations. Clean & Affordable Energy for Families and Businesses ........................................................................................... 25 Vermont must produce more energy to help reduce the rising costs of living and doing business in our state. This section outlines Phil’s proposals to lead Vermont towards energy-independence – and help communities who choose to host energy infrastructure as part of their local economic development strategy – through the use of cleaner and more affordable energy. www.philscott.org 3 Aggressively Marketing Vermont ..................................................................................................................................................... 27 We need to more aggressively promote Vermont as not only the nation’s premier destination for tourism and recreation, but as an investment and business-friendly state. This section details Phil’s proposals for more strategically marketing Vermont and capitalizing on tourism to recruit more full-time residents. The Bottom Line ..............................................................................................................................................................................................29 Phil’s commitment to Vermonters. Addendum #1: Truth in Budgeting and Real Fiscal Responsibility ................................................................. 31 Phil’s plan to install truth in budgeting and real fiscal responsibility focuses on prioritizing economic growth and affordabil- ity, setting clear budget limits and strengthening Vermont’s workforce through pro-growth investments. Addendum #2: Gov’t Modernization: Efficiency Through Innovation ........................................................ 33 Vermont’s state government is functioning on outdated systems that no longer meet the everyday needs and expectations of 21st century citizens. Phil has put forward five proposals to modernize – and where necessary, restructure – government. Addendum #3: Improving our Transportation Infrastructure ........................................................................... 35 Phil’s plan for smarter investments in transportation infrastructure will enhance commerce, facilitate tourism and travel, and foster small business growth, contributing to job creation and additional economic activity. Addendum #4: Restoring Faith & Trust in State Government ............................................................................... 37 Without trust in our public institutions, Vermont lacks the crucial foundation needed to move forward and ensure a secure and prosperous future. To address this deficit, Phil has introduced a plan to restore faith and trust in government. Addendum #5: Addressing Vermont’s Opiate Epidemic ............................................................................................ 38 Phil’s plan to address Vermont’s opiate epidemic serves to focus the state’s efforts in the areas of education/prevention, treat- ment and enforcement, with specific proposals, initiatives and ideas to support each of these areas. 4 www.philscott.org LISTENING, LEARNING & LEADING To Vermonters, I am the only candidate for Governor who knows what it is like to live paycheck-to-paycheck while raising a family (two talented, independent, beautiful young women!) and growing a family business in Vermont. As a small-business owner, I put my faith in the skills, work ethic and ingenuity of working Vermonters every- day. That’s why you can count on me to lead a state government that leverages these core values – a talented workforce and our commitment to hard work and innovation – that focuses on restoring the economic and fiscal fundamentals that support job retention and creation and result in a vibrant economy that expands the middle class and lifts wages. After six years dominated by one party, a shrinking workforce, $700 million1 in new taxes and fees, chronic budget deficits and a series of failed – and incredibly expensive – experiments, current and future generations of Vermonters cannot afford more of the same2. To take Vermont’s economy in a more prosperous direction, economic growth and making Vermont more affordable for fami- lies and businesses must be Montpelier’s highest priorities. And they will be when I am Governor. 1 http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/appropriations/fy_2014/FY09-FY14%20Appropriations.pdf . http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/appropriations/fy_2017/5_year_appropriations__FY12-FY17%2005-16.pdf 2 Since the year Democrats took complete control of the budget, Joint Fiscal Office data shows state dollar spending growth of $700 million. That’s a 4.9% annual growth rate in state spending (not including federal funds or the nearly $200 million in increased Education Fund spending/property taxes. At $700 million, on a per capita basis, this total increase amounts to $4,467 in added taxes, fees, etc.