Councilor’s Corner - December 2024
Below is a copy of my submission to North Ave News’ Councilor Corner, a monthly column which rotates among the City Councilors of Burlington.
Neighbors -
I wanted to take a moment to discuss the realities facing our city, realities that many elected officials, the media, and the wealthy and well connected do not talk about enough or ignore entirely.
The vast majority of Burlingtonians cannot afford to buy a home and struggle to afford rent. The median sale price of a home in Burlington is over half a million dollars. 31% of renters pay more than half of their income on rent in Burlington. We are experiencing record levels of families and individuals forced to sleep outdoors.
Healthcare costs are out of control. UVM Health Network has a monopoly on healthcare in Vermont - controlling upwards of 60% of the market (the highest of any hospital in the US). Vermonters pay the highest average premiums in the US - more than $1,200.
Our municipal and state property tax system is unfair and untenable. During the last reassessment, when COVID hit, the burden of funding our city’s general fund shifted away from commercial property owners, leaving residents with significantly higher tax bills. Statewide, the highest-income Vermonters pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than many in the middle.
The University of Vermont does not take enough responsibility for its effect on our housing market. And Montpelier hasn’t taken action to force their hand. Many colleges house students all four years, but not UVM. This is a major driver of Burlington’s vacancy rate of 1%, leading to skyrocketing rents and poor housing conditions.
We can’t solve all of these challenges locally, but there are reasons to be hopeful.
Workers in Burlington are increasingly unionizing and winning fair contracts.
The Mayor has introduced her ModernGov initiative which is focused on rightsizing our city bureaucracy, eliminating inefficiencies, and bringing government into the 21st century.
The BTV Housing Trust Fund Administrative Committee, which I serve on, recently allocated over two million dollars to support the creation and maintenance of affordable rental units and home ownership opportunities.
Grassroots organizations and labor unions are pushing back on major institutions, demanding accountability and fairness.
Celebrating this progress is good, but we cannot let up and we cannot solve these challenges as a city alone. Regional partners, Montpelier, and our federal government must have the courage to join us in taking on powerful political and economic interests in the years to come. Residents must work with one another to demand that courage. Bold action for the working and middle class is needed - so far it's been too little, too late.
