As usual, GOP cherry picks its facts

The column under Loati’s byline, though likely her opinion, is likely not her writing. No, it appears it was a boilerplate construction, co-written by a committee of the sub-minority party and published in various media throughout the state. It was rather hysterical, in both senses of the word.

First came a plethora of numbers of many sorts: odd, irrational, imaginary and negative. They were used as evidence that my taxes would soon be a googol of dollars, and the state’s budget would soon be a Googleplex of dollars. Most citizens will soon be condemned to an unimaginable hell built by and mainly populated with damned, tax-and-spend, snowflake, woke liberals.

The second part of the article of confederation was a call to action. Citizens were exhorted to GET REAL and were presented a platform on which Vermont Republicans could stand — surprisingly like Sims’ points of concern. Spurred on, I got real, conducted some real research and found more real numbers. In summation: the committee’s numbers don’t add up.

The $1 billion cost for renewable energy over 10 years? That same 2022 Vermont Department of Public Service report contains other estimates: a benefit of $649 million from reduced carbon emissions; electricity rates rising by about 3 percent a year; and if peak load demands are reduced the rise in electric rates will be reduced.

The 70-cent-per-gallon rise in fossil fuel price from the affordable heat act? An admitted, very rough, early estimate by the Agency of Natural Resources. Other estimates since predict a savings of up to $7,500 per household by 2030.

Act 127’s effect on property taxes? Negligible. The pie didn’t get bigger, it was cut differently. For every Stowe with its increases in schooling costs there is a Morgan Center with decreases. The high property taxes are mostly due to soaring real estate prices which, in turn, are due mostly to increased demand.

The local GOP committee simply cherry-picked the worst possible figures it could find or make up to paint the most dismal picture possible.

Upon getting real I found myself apple-picking a few prime numbers from the likes of vermont.gov, The Urban Institute, Statista, U.S. News & World Report. All are the most recent I found from the last five years. When comparing ranks across states, first is always the best.

General health care: 20th in cost, 29th in quality, eighth in access; first in number of COVID-19 deaths per 100,000, first in percent of population current on COVID-19 vaccinations.

Education: fourth in pre-K through 12th grade, 38th in higher education.

Transportation and infrastructure: first in transportation, 28th in internet access.

Business and employment: 20th in economy, eighth in unemployment, fourth in mean credit score; second highest possible credit rating for the state (Aa+).

Environment and climate: second in environmental quality, first in eco-friendly behaviors, 33rd in climate change contributions.

New housing and cost of living: 15th in cost of living; 32nd in median monthly housing cost; 35th in cost of living; second worst in the percentage increase from 2022-2023 for buying a home.

Taking a bite out of crime: fourth in public safety, third in corrections outcomes, 18th in property crime, eighth in violent crime.

I’m bold enough to say this is a fairer portrait of Vermont than the work of the sub-minority propaganda committee. As for Loati? “Her logic was a combination of half-truths and clichés, her worldview a compound of misconceptions.” (John Kennedy Toole)

Rick Barton

Hardwick