Op-eds, commentary and letters from Vermont voices. The views are the authors', not FYIVT's.
Gregory Thayer poses open questions to Vermont's Democratic Socialists of America members. Writing from a conservative perspective, he argues that history's verdict on centrally planned economies is clear, and that free-market capitalism, p
Vermont ranks dead last in the nation for economic momentum, according to the Vermont Futures Project. Robert Roper examines the data, challenges an AI analysis, and argues that Vermont's highly progressive tax structure isn't a strength bu
With Vermont’s top legislative leaders stepping aside, Rob Roper argues the state’s long progressive experiment has produced unaffordable taxes, health care, housing, education, energy, and homelessness outcomes. He says voters now face a N
Free markets are often mistaken for chaos, but this essay argues they are a sophisticated form of decentralized governance. Through voluntary exchange, price signals, innovation, and human connection, markets coordinate society more effecti
Vermont has a doctor shortage, a school funding crisis, and a demographic problem. School choice helps with all three. Families move here for it. Doctors can be recruited with it. Independent schools often educate students for fewer tax dol
Thirteen Senate Democrats joined every Republican in repealing Act 18, the Clean Heat Standard, but Democrats also advanced the fossil fuel dealer registry on party lines. Republicans split the vote to put lawmakers clearly on record: one v
Lawmakers in Montpelier are pushing back against proposed SNAP reforms that would restrict junk food purchases, arguing it limits personal choice. Critics say that stance clashes with years of efforts to tax sugary products for public healt
I am calling for Becca Balient to resign from the United State House of Representative. Balint's disgusting and shallow comments at her recent public meeting in Newport claiming that we need immigrants "to wipe our asses" and other
Let’s Slash Bloat and Restore Sanity Rob Roper recently highlighted that, despite a modest increase in Vermont’s state budget this year, it has grown at more than twice the rate of inflation since 2019, resulting in nearly $2 billion in
As President Trump reclaims his position in the White House, he enters a political landscape that is markedly different from the one he faced during his first term. In examining his recent first 100 days. Trump is doing everything that h
Can Rutland County's Agricultural Society & The Vermont State Fair survive Vermont's 3 Acre Rule? The arbitrary nature of being placed on a list for sacrifice because of a 3 Acre Criteria is troubling. Especially when it s
H.461- An act relating to expanding employee access to unpaid leave passed both the House and Senate, its fate now in the hands of Governor Scott. Having failed to pass a taxpayer funded paid family leave program, lawmakers pivoted to this
