The governors’ demand for an additional $500 billion of unrestricted federal money would set a dangerous precedent for even larger future bailouts, such as a $4 trillion to $6 trillion bailout of unfunded pension liabilities (more than two or three years’ worth of federal income tax revenue).
The shutting down of the economy for fear of virus transmission has produced still-uncalculated millions of dollars in lost incomes, closed schools and colleges, and tottering businesses. Not the least of the catastrophic effects is the disappearance of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues over the next two or three years.
COVID-19 is serious. It’s a big challenge. Governor Scott is fighting it with carpet bombing, which hasn’t killed the virus but has devastated most everything else. Attila the Hun could not have done a better job killing an economy in his rampage through Europe.
When the time comes to honor all of those Vermonters who displayed great courage, commitment, and capabilities during the pandemic, I hope that those who were deep in the fight — our janitors, custodians, wipers and environmental engineers — are recognized for also protecting all of us.
We will never know how many more Vermonters have years knocked off their lives, never know how many cases of domestic abuse occurred, how many more high schoolers dropped out a year or two later due to the stay-at-home order.
TCI was a bad idea before the COVID-19 recession. Today it is absolutely unthinkable.
While it would not be wrong for people who are showing the symptoms of the coronavirus to be presumed to have it in order for safety precautions to be taken, to presume and then publicly report that someone had died from the virus is misleading and brings into question all the numbers of deaths that are being reported.
In handing down its decision, the Vermont Supreme Court referred to a study that was produced by UVM Professor Stephanie Seguino labeled “Driving While Black and Brown in Vermont.” The accuracy of this widely distributed and referred to study has been called into question since its release by many, including myself.
We noticed the Vermont State Police launched an “Executive Order Reporting Tool,” asking Vermonters to tell the government if their neighbors aren’t “complying” with the governor’s orders to shutter business and stay home.
Some Vermonters have asked Vermont Daily about the governor’s legal justification for declaring and maintaining a state of emergency, including the closure of businesses.
“Holding fair, free and accessible elections while protecting public health during times of social distancing may mean that as Vermonters we need to prepare to vote in an election that’s different from the elections most of us are used to.”
The annual study gave New Hampshire rave reviews. The Granite State ranked No. 1 of all 50 states for taxpayer Return On Investment. Vermont came in 42nd.