sarah
Montpelier Must Lead With Vision, Not Manage Decline
To the Editor:
We are all talking about the crisis Vermont is facing: a lack of affordability in healthcare, housing, goods and services, and rising taxes, all of which is contributing to our shrinking workforce. Those who keep our communities running are increasingly voting with their feet and moving elsewhere. Yet, as this year’s legislative session ended, little has changed. Our lawmakers have offered band-aid solutions to the symptoms, with little apparent strategic vision.
We are living inside a doom loop. Fewer workers result in reduced production and strains in the service sector, driving costs. Higher costs mean higher taxes. Higher taxes push out more working families. And the cycle continues.
This session offered only short‑term patches. One-time tax buy‑downs. Proposals around the margins of policy debates. There has been no comprehensive plan by either the executive branch or the legislature to address the interconnected drivers of affordability: taxes, healthcare, and housing.
We need to reduce tax burdens on working Vermonters while continuing to raise revenue for schools and infrastructure. Vermont has tens of thousands of second homes used only briefly each year. While the legislature acknowledged the need for different tax treatment of non‑homestead properties, it failed to lay out a broader plan to reduce the burden on working Vermonters, stabilize revenue, and reinvest in long‑term affordability. Owning a second home is a luxury good and should be taxed as such.
What we need now is not more managed decline, but a unified strategy to become the best place to build a career, start a business, raise a family, or retire in the Northeast.
These issues should be non-partisan. If we want a future defined by abundance rather than scarcity, we need leadership, not committee-driven managed decline.
Gabe Lajeunesse, Montpelier
Editor’s note: Lajeunesse is a candidate for the Vermont State Senate and a former member of the (now defunct) Friends of The Bridge.
Vote for Pelin
To the Editor:
Early voting begins June 27, and Election Day for Vermont’s primary is August 11. I encourage everyone to learn about the candidates and participate in this important election.
I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside Pelin Kohn on the Montpelier City Council for the past three years, as well as working with her on the Child Care Task Force, Economic Development Committee, and regional discussions on homelessness. Through that work, I’ve seen firsthand how she approaches public service, and I can honestly say she is one of the hardest-working people I know.
Pelin shows up prepared. She takes the time to understand complicated issues, asks thoughtful questions, and genuinely wants to know how decisions will affect residents, families, businesses, and taxpayers. She doesn’t rely on talking points. She does the work.
What I appreciate most is her ability to bring people together. She listens respectfully, values different perspectives, and creates opportunities for people to get involved. Whether it’s helping establish the Montpelier Youth Committee, advocating for a more accessible and welcoming local government, or organizing community conversations, Pelin consistently works to strengthen civic participation and community connections.
As an educator, parent, immigrant, and elected official, she brings a unique perspective and a deep commitment to Vermont. She approaches challenges with curiosity, compassion, and a determination to find practical solutions.
At a time when Vermonters are grappling with affordability, housing, child care, and economic opportunity, I believe Pelin will be a thoughtful and effective voice in the Statehouse.
I am proud to support Pelin Kohn for the Vermont House and hope you’ll consider supporting her as well.
Adrienne Gil, Montpelier
Letters to the editor represent the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of The Bridge. Submit your letter by email to editor@montpelierbridge.com. Preference is given to submissions by those who live in central Vermont, should not exceed 300 words in length, and may be edited for brevity and accuracy.
