Governor Scott echoed many of the Vermont Chamber’s priorities in addressing the workforce shortage while presenting his FY23 budget proposal to the Legislature. His approach to increase affordability, attract diverse workers, and address the housing and childcare crises aligns with the Vermont Chamber’s advocacy work. Growing the workforce will require strategic investments in housing, particularly in increasing the available stock for middle-income homeowners, as well as investments in childcare for working parents. His budget funds and expands existing worker relocation programs to include more in-demand occupations and includes the exemption of military pensions from income tax to attract this diverse population to work and live here. The budget proposal also included a $50 million tax cut to improve affordability. You can read the Vermont Chamber’s statement in response to the budget address here.