Public Policy Positions

VBSR’s Legislative Team advocates for member-driven public policy positions in the Vermont Legislature. VBSR is the voice in Montpelier for socially responsible business supporting sustainable economic development, environmental protection, workplace quality, publicly financed healthcare de-coupled from employment and healthy communities.

VBSR supports economic development policies that build on Vermont’s strengths: our extraordinary workforce, high quality of life, beautiful open spaces and clean environment. We believe healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy environment are the foundations of a healthy economy.

When making decisions about energy and transportation, we also need to think about the long-term health and welfare of our society and our environment. Ultimate success requires that we move away from a carbon-fueled energy and transportation economy, move toward renewable and local sources of energy, take aggressive action regarding climate change and commit to being the first climate-neutral state in the country.

A healthy environment is essential to a strong economy. VBSR supports:

• enforcement of existing environmental laws to protect our natural environment,

• wise land use decisions in order to ensure smart growth and to maintain open space, and

• development built on a human scale that encourages less-polluting forms of transportation.

VBSR supports universal access to healthcare that is accessible and affordable. By reforming our healthcare system, Vermont could take a leadership role in business attraction, retention and success.

VBSR supports public policies that support people, families and community. Healthy people and healthy communities are central to keeping a productive and sustainable business climate. People who come to work knowing their children are well cared for, that they will be able to pay their bills, and who are respected and valued by their employers, are people who will strengthen and grow our economy.

It’s in the best interests of business for children to be fed, for people to be educated and literate, for families to be adequately housed, for everyone to have full access to health care, and for the natural environment and its resources to be protected. Business cannot both see to these social needs and meet the challenges of the marketplace. There is a role for government as an equalizer.