Top Issues

1) Permit Reform

• Adopt substantive changes to the environmental permit process.
• Adopt stormwater regulations that allow development along Vermont waters while progressing in a scientifically acceptable manner to having Vermont water in compliance with water quality standards.

2) Ensure a Competitive Business Enviroment

• Mitigate health care costs.
• Reduce Workers' Compensation costs.
• Support job creation and economic growth.

3) Create a State Tax Policy that Retains and Encourages Business Investment

• Phase out the Corporate Income Tax.

4) Reduce Energy Costs & Taxes

• Delete add-on charges to energy bills.
• Create a tax credit for businesses investing in energy efficiency or alternative energy technologies for operations.
• Create market-based energy efficiency programs.

5) Travel & Tourism

• Maintain predictable funding for travel and tourism promotion.

6) Recruiting and Retention of Business in Vermont

• Fund an aggressive business recruitment campaign.
• Develop and fund a business retention strategy.
• Funding to conduct long range economic planning for the state.

7) Workforce Development

• Increase annual appropriations for Vermont's training programs.

8) Infrastructure

• Improve corridors: East-West Rt. 4; North-South Rt. 7.
• Accelerate maintenance of existing roads and bridges.

9) Business Assistance

• Increase annual state approprations for the Regional Development Corporations.
• Increase support for international trade programs.

10) Financing Incentives

• Expand sales tax exemption on all fuels and energy used by manufacturers.