The following three steps will mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and increase community preparedness: Suspend Vermont’s CON laws, remove the plastic bag ban, and use OneCare Vermont data for preemptive care.
In Arlington, Vermont, we are constantly reminded of when the country was once before engulfed in fear. In many places in town we see prints of Norman Rockwell’s 1944 painting, capturing FDR’s speech, The Four Freedoms, one of which is freedom from fear.
The current crisis that is affecting our retirement plans, our investments, and our daily movement will pass, but for now it gives us the opportunity to make a choice between fear or recognizing the blessings we have living in such a wonderful country.
If millions of people become unemployed and lose their livelihood and health care, the consequences could be more severe than the virus itself.
Although the reported deaths from COVID-19 are probably reasonably accurate, the number of reported cases are likely dramatically underreported.
I believe that the United States of America is at a dangerous pivotal point. There are people now who would gladly destroy the freedoms we enjoy, and they are doing this from within.
Vermont has progressively implemented ambitious subsidization of net-metering programs. A March 4 hearing exposed the gross disparity and market perversion of this regulatory scheme.
Attorney General TJ Donovan has sent out a warning to Vermont businesses and consumers about so-called “price gouging” during the coronavirus outbreak. While “gouging” may sound cruel, this condemnation on raising prices could leave Vermonters in an even more difficult spot.
Whether you’re for or against legalizing and the recreational use and sale of pot, injecting the issue of race and sex into this will only intensify feelings of resentment of injustice.
After deciding to make the unprecedented decision to close the Statehouse, our work continues. Without trying to sound like I’m lecturing, I’d like to use my experience there to offer some ideas about what we can all do in this challenging time.
As I stood up on the House floor to report the emergency response bill from my Health Care Committee, I shared that it felt a bit odd to talk about a crisis based on two people being sick in all of Vermont. But I pointed out that the time to make sure the lifejackets are on hand is when the boat springs a leak, not when it is sinking.
Suspending the payroll tax can happen in a matter of days — no new government administrators are needed, no new regulations, no paperwork. The process is already in place. Just suspend it.