BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermonters are struggling to make ends meet with housing, healthcare and food costs despite wage growth, according to a new report on economic wellbeing in the state.
The “State of Working Vermont” report, published by the Public Assets Institute, takes the pulse of Vermonters and their economic wellbeing.
The report shows COVID-era supports have largely gone away. Despite Vermonters’ wages growing, the cost of living continues to outpace what the state considers a livable wage.
“I think the story of this year is the rollercoaster of what’s happening at the federal level, much of it harmful to working and vulnerable families,” said Steph Yu, Public Assets Institute executive director.
Yu said heading into the legislative session where money will be tight, lawmakers could look at new taxes on higher earners to recoup some of the tax breaks from the Big Beautiful Bill.
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