Public Assets Institute

This week, our policy team — Katrina Menard, Julie Lowell and Jack Hoffman —did a deep dive into the new Census data. What they found offers proof that federal and state programs can significantly reduce child poverty. Government programs like universal school meals, food and utility assistance, and the child tax credit lowered the rate of child poverty in Vermont by 3% points. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eriDfVgZ

Did you experience a spike in your school taxes this year? One of the three school tax cliffs may have contributed. For more detail on the “three cliffs problem” check out our full report: https://lnkd.in/eai5hYkh

We are so excited to share that we’ll be collaborating with The Vermont Humanities Council on a series of events about Gather, the 2024 Vermont Reads Book. Big thanks to Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup and the whole team for thinking big about the intersection of storytelling, policy, and community (and thanks to Tom McKone and the Rutland Herald for the story). https://lnkd.in/dtNuS34t

Have you been hearing a lot about the increase in education taxes this year and wondering what’s behind it? Our E.D. Steph Yu spoke with Keith Whitcomb of the Rutland Herald about our latest analysis: https://lnkd.in/dnRj-_Pq

Median household income is up in Vermont, so why are many of us still feeling squeezed in our household budget? And what can we do to make Vermont more affordable for all?

Pete Hirshfeld of Vermont Public spoke with Steph Yu about the story behind the numbers in our September Jobs Report. How is it that Vermont had the highest rise in median household income in the country since the pandemic and many folks are still feeling squeezed? https://lnkd.in/eD-JVAAb

Join us at 7pm tonight at the Brookfield Old Town Hall for a screening and discussion of film Just Getting By. We’re joining Bess for conversations at screenings around the state this fall and we’d love to see you there. Find a location: https://lnkd.in/eCk5jwu5

This is one you won’t want to miss! Join Natalie Foster and Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak for a discussion on how to create an equitable economic system that works for all. Thursday Oct 3rd 7pm at Contois Auditorium in Burlington. Details & registration: https://lnkd.in/dUSNesTC

Vermont median household income rose to $81,211 last year—a 5.4% increase, after adjusting for inflation. The rebound followed a drop in 2022 and clocked in as the highest jump in the country. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/enNEKvUD

Pleased to share that our own Jared Duval will be honored with this year’s Con Hogan Award from the Vermont Community Foundation. Jared is the 10th and final recipient of the award which honors Con’s data-focused approach to problem solving. More information about the award and info about the event: https://lnkd.in/eqmpCZxp