OpenCampaign

Economy

Community Voice

Cost of living and energy burden

Affordability is framed as a structural crisis: tax burdens rising faster than paychecks, housing and other costs squeezing families, and low-income Vermonters facing the highest energy burden in the nation (over 10% of income). The governor ties relief to disciplined budgets, housing/energy/health proposals, and avoiding new taxes while still investing in weatherization and related measures from prior stimulus.

How should Vermont reduce the cost-of-living and energy burden on residents?

Tap a point along the line below to show where you stand.

How important is this to you?

Sources

Gov. Phil Scott — https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2026-01-20/watch-listen-phil-scott-2026-budget-address
Affordability has become one of the most talked-about issues in national politics today... The cost to rent or own a home is just the tip of the iceberg. Think about this: low-income Vermonters face the highest energy burden in the nation paying more than 10% of their income on energy.
Gov. Phil Scott — https://governor.vermont.gov/press-release/governor-phil-scott-delivers-2026-state-state-address
families are dealing with the ever-increasing cost of living and a tax burden that rises faster than their paychecks. So they’re looking to us for relief.
Vermont Chamber of Commerce — https://www.vtchamber.com/vermont-2026-budget-affordability-reform
Vermont’s affordability crisis is the product of structural imbalance, not a lack of spending. With a $9.4 billion budget proposed without broad-based tax increases, the Governor framed the year ahead as a return to fiscal reality
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Major new subsidies, ratepayer protections, and taxes on higher earners to lower household costs
  2. Expand energy assistance, weatherization, and targeted affordability programs
  3. Combine limited relief programs with spending discipline and no broad tax hikes
  4. Prioritize cutting taxes and regulations over new assistance programs
  5. Reduce state energy and climate mandates and spending to lower costs quickly