In a counter move to Governor Peter Shumlin’s budget address, a group of advocates have released what they call a “People’s Budget” for Vermont.
Put People First, an initiative of the Vermont Workers Center and partnering groups, wants the state to change the basis on which the annual budget is crafted. The groups were successful last year in getting the Legislature to pass language that says the budget must “...address the needs of the people of Vermont in a way that advances human dignity and equity.”
The Put People First advocates recently delivered their People’s Budget at the Statehouse in Montpelier. Vermont Workers Center President Mary Gerisch says their budget envisions how a budget should work.
The Put People First Budget also calls on Vermont’s leaders to move forward with health care reform in five areas. It should be based on human rights, equitable financing, individual health care needs, and inclusion of all residents. Again, Mary Gerisch.
The Public Assets Institute partnered with the Workers Center to provide technical assistance and analysis. Institute President Paul Cillo notes that the state has begun to move towards a people’s budget concept.
A link to the People’s Budget is available here.
