VSEA members met virtually on Saturday to conduct the union’s business for the upcoming fiscal year, which primarily means adopting an operating budget and passing or defeating bylaw change proposals. One highlight of this year’s meeting was the announcement of officer election winners by the VSEA Elections, Rules and Nominating Committee. The winners are:
President – Aimee Towne (ESD)
First Vice President – Margaret Crowley (Judiciary)
Second Vice President – Leslie Matthews (DEC/ANR)
Treasurer – Eric Davis – (DEC/ANR); And
Clerk – Karen Marchant (Corrections)
In testimony this week to the Pension Task Force, charged with drafting a proposal(s) to ensure funding for the state employee, teacher, and trooper pension plans, Public Assets Institute President Paul Cillo offered a proposal to address the issue that doesn’t involve cuts to existing pensions.
From Cillo’s Remarks:
It is true that most Vermonters pay enough in taxes. But that’s not true for all Vermonters. Many Vermonters at the top, with much greater amounts of discretionary income, still pay less as a percentage of their income in state and local taxes than their lower-income neighbors, according to a 50-state analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
Additionally, the 2017 federal tax cuts left $500 million in formerly collected federal taxes in the hands of Vermonters—most of it in the hands of the top 20 percent of taxpayers. This is money previously paid in taxes that is no longer being collected—$500 million each year.
So the suggestion that all Vermonters are overtaxed is not true. A revenue strategy targeted to those at the top could raise additional needed revenue without hurting those who already pay enough. Specifically, a one percent surcharge on the income of the top one percent of Vermont taxpayers would raise about $33 million, three percent would raise $100 million. As you’ve heard from Graham Campbell, eliminating Vermont’s capital gains exclusion would raise another $15-20 million per year.
Full Remarks
Members & Retirees Emailed Zoom Links For Tomorrow’s 77th VSEA Annual Meeting
Governor’s Vaccination Mandate To Extend To All State Employees, Beginning September 15
VDOH Employees’ Letter, Expressing Concerns About COVID Guidance, Sparks In-Person Meeting With Commissioner
Brattleboro State Office Building’s Re-Open Date Pushed Two Weeks
VSEA Mourns Passing Of Longtime Corrections Employee
VSEA Organizers Stand Ready To Help With Members’ Worksite Issues
Next Week’s Union Meetings And Events
Quote Of The Week!
Solidarity Stories:
Hawaii Governor Signs Executive Order Mandating Proof Of Vaccinations For Visitors To State Facilities
Worth A Read! How Workers Can Safeguard Pensions
Colorado State Worker Pens Excellent Commentary On Public Pensions
UAW Members Take Strike Vote At John Deere
Undelivered Nabisco Orders Climb From 5.3% to 7.1% As Strike Continues
Important Reminders:
VSEA Diversity Committee Seeking Members
AOT Stewards Needed! Become A Worksite Steward Today!
View/Download Your Contract on VSEA.org
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Yesterday, Governor Scott extended his COVID vaccination mandate for state employees working in correctional facilities, the Vets’ Home, and the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital to all state employees.
“We feel it’s the best way to put this pandemic behind us,” Scott said of requiring vaccinations. “I continue to urge other employers to follow suit.”
After learning of the mandate, VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard reminded reporters that many state employees are working in jobs that cause them to come in contact with the general public.
“It’s not just the employees who are in these buildings,” Howard says in a Seven Days story.
Other press about the announcement:
See Also:
VSEA Executive Director Clarifies That Any Vaccination Requirement Triggers Impact Bargaining
Next Week’s Council & Annual Meeting Are Now All Virtual
VSEA Executive Director Clarifies That Any Vaccination Requirement Triggers Impact Bargaining
VSEA Supervisory Unit Reaches Agreement With State On New Retention & Recruitment Incentives
With COVID Restrictions Tightening Statewide, VSEA Organizers’ Remind Of Accessibility
Update: Brattleboro State Office Building Remains Closed. Target Date Is September 13
Have A Union-Made Labor Day BBQ!
Next Week’s Union Meetings And Events
Quote Of The Week!
Short History Of America’s First Labor Day Celebration
Americans’ Support For Unions On The Rise
Nabisco Strike Approaches One Month: Grocers Prepare For Possible Snack Shortages
VSEA Diversity Committee Seeking Members
Please Sign These Petitions To Get AC Installed At Southern State And Northern State
AOT Stewards Needed! Become A Worksite Steward Today!
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