• Latest

Guest Opinion: Some VT Lawmakers Could Send Workers, Homeowners, and Small Businesses Fleeing

May 14, 2018

Dirty Harry (1971)

January 21, 2021
F&W’s 2021 Conservation Camp Registration is Open

F&W’s 2021 Conservation Camp Registration is Open

January 19, 2021
Ice Fishing FUNdamentals How to Enjoy Yourself and Stay Safe on the Ice This Winter

Ice Fishing FUNdamentals How to Enjoy Yourself and Stay Safe on the Ice This Winter

January 19, 2021
This Old House

Mouse in the House

January 19, 2021

Buffalo Plaid Fundraiser to Support Local Nonprofits

January 19, 2021

Free Tax Filing at Capstone Community Action for Tax Year 2020

January 19, 2021

Leahy-Led Bipartisan Bill Promoting Affordable Health Insurance Is Signed Into Law

January 19, 2021

Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Hires First Female Executive Director, Signaling New Direction for VT Labor Movement

January 12, 2021

Vermont Mutual Distributes $1,000,000 to COVID-19 Relief Efforts

January 12, 2021
Hunters Take 6,136 Turkeys in Vermont in 2020

Hunters Take 6,136 Turkeys in Vermont in 2020

January 12, 2021
Additional Ounce, Priority Mail and Postcard Stamps Available Jan. 24

Additional Ounce, Priority Mail and Postcard Stamps Available Jan. 24

January 12, 2021
One Credit Union Donates $12K to Make-A-Wish

One Credit Union Donates $12K to Make-A-Wish

January 12, 2021
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Saturday, January 23, 2021
The World Online
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

Guest Opinion: Some VT Lawmakers Could Send Workers, Homeowners, and Small Businesses Fleeing

vt-world by vt-world
May 14, 2018
in Letters & opinions
0

By Shawn Shouldice, Capital Connections, LLC

As the Vermont General Assembly closes out this legislative session, NFIB, which represents more than a thousand small-business owners in the state, urges the legislature to consider the cumulative impact of the costly mandates being considered. These proposals will make it harder for small-business owners to grow their businesses, impact employees’ jobs, and ultimately hurt the state’s economy.

At the outset of this session, Gov. Phil Scott called for a balanced budget without raising taxes and fees, and the legislature seemed to agree. But now, some lawmakers seem hell-bent on enacting bills that place huge costs on the backs of small Vermont businesses and residents.

Requiring businesses to offer paid leave for 6 to 12 weeks at 70 to 80-percent of wages will hurt all workers, who are forced to pay for that program. It also puts a huge burden on small businesses that will struggle to handle the workload with so many absences. There are higher costs to the small-business owner who must pay for temporary workers or train replacement employees for specialized jobs.

On top of that, some lawmakers want to raise the minimum wage to $15. Many recent studies show that will result in fewer hours and less pay for the people it’s intended to help. It also leads to a reduction in entry-level positions, leaving unskilled or inexperienced workers unable to get their first job.

All of these additional labor costs, combined with rising health care costs, make it nearly impossible for many small businesses in the Green Mountain State to survive.

The proposed spending spree by certain lawmakers would also send up costs for property owners. This push for another property tax increase comes even as local school boards are working to reduce spending. That proposal could push more Vermonters out of their businesses and homes.

Do we want to send small businesses and homeowners fleeing to other states? Making Vermont affordable is key to its success, and that can’t happen if the next General Fund budget increases beyond the rate of inflation. Instead, policymakers need to encourage entrepreneurship, attract companies to the state, develop and attract a workforce, and make it clear that Vermont is affordable and open for business.

Shawn Shouldice of Montpelier has represented NFIB, the leading advocate for small business, for 15 years. NFIB is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners in Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven.

Previous Post

Guest Opinion: The Trouble With Roadside Saliva Tests

Next Post

Max’s Views: Tully: ****

Next Post

Max’s Views: Tully: ****

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Fall Dining Guide
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In