Editorials
Editorials are opinions supported by the newspaper intended to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and/or inspire readers to take action on an issue.
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Resist the billionaire playbook: What the oligarchs want
February 19, 2025
By U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders I do not often find myself in the habit of thanking Elon Musk, but he has done an exceptional job of demonstrating a point that we have made for years — and that is the fact we live in an oligarchic society in which billionaires dominate, not only our politics…
Vt’s future is a choice between scarcity and abundance
February 19, 2025
By Kevin Chu Editor’s note: Kevin Chu is the executive director of the Vermont Futures Project, an independent non-partisan organization pursuing answers to their mission question: How can we use data to support the evolution of Vermont’s economy towards a thriving future full of opportunity for all? Personal growth is universally celebrated. We encourage people…
Why chaos and scapegoating work for Trump
February 12, 2025
By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the publisher of the Addison Independent, a sister paper of the Mountain Times. As the nation’s increasingly discredited president continues to sow chaos at every level — domestic and international — it helps to understand what we can of his tactics. A recent piece by Jess Bidgood,…
Freedom and unity will trump fear and chaos
February 5, 2025
By James Duff Lyall Editor’s note: This commentary is by James Duff Lyall, executive director of the ACLU of Vermont. The ACLU of Vermont has been defending the civil liberties of everyone who calls this state home for almost 60 years. Right now, many in our communities are understandably worried and afraid of the threat…
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Meeting the moment to build more housing
January 29, 2025
By Lindsay Kurrie Editor’s note: Lindsay Kurrie is the secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. This is a pivotal moment in the history of Vermont that will determine our future. It’s imperative we all realize that housing is the foundation of how we will meet this moment to create the momentum…
Early signs of progress on housing, education reform
January 22, 2025
By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the publisher of the Addison Independent, as sister paper of the Mountain Times. Early statewide conversations on school funding and housing offer some hope that progress on these two crucial issues will finally occur. In his inaugural speech, Gov. Phil Scott hinted his administration will actually put…
Just saying ‘no’ is not an effective or affordable agenda
January 15, 2025
By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison Independent, a sister paper of the Mountain Times. In a written statement released the opening day of the 2025 legislative session and a day ahead of his fifth inaugural address, Gov. Phil Scott encouraged Vermont residents to watchdog the Legislature…
Common ground: Working together to address Vermont’s affordability crisis
January 8, 2025
By Amy Spear and Megan Sullivan Editor’s note: Amy Spear, Killington, is the president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Megan Sullivan, Chittenden, is the vice president of government affairs for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce outlines its legislative priorities with one focus in mind: creating the conditions…
New Year’s resolutions for all Americans
January 2, 2025
By Sen. Bernie Sanders Yes. In the wealthiest country on Earth, let us Make America Healthy Again. Let us go forward together to lead the world in terms of life expectancy, quality of life, and human happiness. But let’s be clear. To accomplish those goals, slogans and rhetoric will not be enough. We need concrete…
No victory on property taxes this year
December 26, 2024
By Ben Kinsley Editor’s note: Ben Kinsley has over a decade of Vermont public policy experience working for non-profit organizations. He currently serves as the interim executive director for Campaign for Vermont, a non-partisan advocacy group seeking to grow the state’s middle class. As a property taxpayer, I was relieved to see that the Dec. 1 …
Prioritizing the magic in education
December 18, 2024
By John Freitag Editor’s note: This commentary is by John Freitag. He was facilities manager for the Strafford School District for 34 years and in 1994 was named “outstanding support staff” in Vermont. He served three years as PTA president at the Newton School and has closely watched and covered school and school funding issues…
Send a message by working together
December 11, 2024
By Dan Smith Editor’s note: Dan Smith is the president and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation. People are tired of politics. Fear, mistrust and polarization have that effect. Trust is the connective tissue of civic structures, and the trend at every level is to trust leaders and each other less and less. As elections…
An answer to Vermont’s housing crisis
December 4, 2024
By Peter G. de Krassel Editor’s note: Peter G. de Krassel is the founder of Breaking Housing Matters and the author of the newly released book “Custom Maid Housing for New World Disorder.” He will host a book signing and presentation regarding innovative housing solutions at the Rutland Free Library on Thursday, Dec. 5 at…
Rutland sets example of how to grow local housing
November 27, 2024
By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison Independent, a sister publication to the Mountain Times. An important concept in building new housing was recently articulated by Devon Neary, executive director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. “Housing,” he said, “doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere. I…
Progressives call out Governor Scott for refusing to call a special legislative session
November 27, 2024
Dear Editor, Like many others, I am disappointed, though not surprised, that Governor Scott will not call a special legislative session to evaluate and respond, as needed, to incoming President Donald Trump’s destructive policies. After all, Scott’s wait-and-see attitude is similar to how he engages in the legislative process: waiting until time is running out…
The season for thanks
November 27, 2024
By Anson Tebbetts Editor’s note: Tebbetts is the secretary of the Vermont agency of agriculture, food and markets. This season, we gather with friends and family. Perhaps you’re getting together for a home cooked meal, a potluck, or a special holiday celebration at the office or workplace. Maybe it’s to visit your favorite restaurant. We…
Welcoming new Americans will strengthen Vt’s economy
November 20, 2024
By Mike Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer As Vermont’s Treasurer, I am committed to growing Vermont’s economy and building a more inclusive future for our state. To keep our economy on a positive track, we must address our demographic challenges and grow our workforce. I regularly hear from employers about the difficulty of finding workers —…
Change election, but will it help solve what’s ailing Vermont?
November 14, 2024
By Angelo Lynn Vermonters witnessed as much of a change election as we’ve seen in the past couple of decades, as Republicans gained six seats in the Senate and 18 seats in the House. The headlines blasted the story: Dems’ supermajority in both chambers was busted. And in the surprise outcome of the election, newly…
Burdened by homelessness
November 6, 2024
‘Not in my backyard’ is hitting Rutland hard, solutions must be statewide By Alis Headlam Editor’s note: Alis Headlam, of Rutland, is a former educator and member of Project VISION. The “not in my backyard” syndrome has put the Rutland area in a very difficult situation. Rutland has become the go-to place for people who…
