Vermont governor urges focus on public safety, housing and affordability in State of the State

The joint assembly convened and appointed a six‑member committee to escort Governor Philip B. Scott into the chamber, after which Scott delivered his State of the State address, urging lawmakers to prioritize public safety, housing and affordability.

Scott opened by invoking Vermont’s history of resilience and then focused on demographic trends he said threaten the state’s economic sustainability. Quoting figures from the Joint Fiscal Office, Scott said, “14,000, 28,000, and 48,000,” explaining those numbers represent fewer children, fewer adults in the 40–54 core workforce, and more residents over 65. He warned those shifts could raise per‑pupil costs, depress income and sales tax revenues, and increase demand for services like health care.

On public safety Scott said rising violent crime demands attention. He cited Council of State Governments data showing Vermont’s rankings worsened and listed decade‑over‑decade percentage increases in violent crime, aggravated assault, assault and homicide. “We must make a real effort this session to solidify our place as the safest state in the country,” he said.

Previewing his budget, Scott told the assembly he will submit a fiscal‑year 2025 budget in three weeks that he described as constrained by the end of one‑time federal aid, larger pension obligations and prior spending decisions. “In full transparency, you can expect my budget will increase by about 3%,” he said, adding that little discretionary funding will remain without risking higher taxes or fees.

Scott highlighted education costs and potential property tax impacts if current trends continue, saying an estimated 18.5% increase in statewide property tax bills could occur absent changes and noting a $37,000,000 education fund surplus that will be used to buy rates down. He gave household examples to illustrate how bills could rise for a $250,000 home and a $400,000 home.

On housing Scott called the shortage central to reversing demographic decline. He said Vermont has permitted about 2,200 residential units per year, roughly 700 state‑funded, but needs approximately 6,800 units now. He cited an average public‑private development cost of about $450,000 per unit and said roughly $3,000,000,000 in public and private funding would be required to fill the current gap. Scott argued Act 250 “did exactly what it was intended to do” but now in many cases slows or stops necessary housing and urged “common sense improvements” to speed development of homes affordable to working families and seniors.

Scott also pointed to positive signs — new manufacturing and tech investments, refugee resettlement successes, small businesses reopening after flood recovery and regional trail and infrastructure projects — and highlighted roughly $1,000,000,000 in ARPA‑related investments and more than 500 initiatives in 160 towns as evidence of work underway. He urged the legislature to follow through on federally funded projects, including meeting state match obligations.

Scott punctuated his address with local examples of community volunteerism and recovery efforts from recent floods and invited those mentioned to rise so the assembly could thank them. The joint assembly reconvened briefly and then was dissolved by the chair.

The assembly had earlier approved a motion that a committee of six be appointed to wait upon and bring the governor into the chamber; the motion carried by voice vote and the members named were Representatives Brumstead, McFawn and Fayala and Senators Beruth, Clarkson and Brock.

Next steps: the governor said he will present his formal FY2025 budget to the legislature in about three weeks.