‘Essential business’ means meeting the needs of all Vermonters by Amy Brady

When I talk to friends about my work in the Statehouse, I am always clear that while I am a registered lobbyist, I consider myself an advocate. The subtle difference is important to me. My work is not to get something passed at all costs. It is to move our state toward equity, to support children, families, and communities. The nuances of legislation matter. The intent matters, as do the outcomes. 

While it might not entirely be fair, the term lobbyist makes me think of affluence. It reminds me of exchanging political capital for the interest of a few — usually those with power and access. That is the opposite of our work at Voices for Vermont’s Children. Our work is to raise the voices of those who don’t have access to the political system, but whose survival is dependent on a functioning government. 

Working in or for the government is not for the faint of heart. Intelligent people with good ideas can be held back by a process that resists change.  Big decisions are made quickly and legislators often rely on people with research and expertise to inform their process. This is healthy and necessary. Voices for Vermont’s Children works collaboratively with many human rights advocacy organizations in Vermont, and we share certain values. We use extensive qualitative and quantitative research and data to inform our thinking. We agree not to pit our issues against each other, and instead push for comprehensive solutions because we know that Vermonters need education, food, housing, child care and other family supports, access to technology, and a clean environment. We believe that proactive investments in meeting human needs is both the morally correct and fiscally responsible approach.

When a group of business lobbyists captures the headline of one of Vermont’s publications just before the session directing the Legislature to operate in a certain way –  we should all pause. It is true that we need an economy that works for the people — one that meets basic needs. This cannot happen solely with economic recovery. It requires economic reform.  Our government worked tirelessly to plug the holes in our economy and our family supports this past year. The cracks in our system have been illuminated. We know that our education and care systems are critical. We know that families are irreplaceable. It has become more clear that universal paid family and medical leave matters, that safety net supports are needed for everyone, and that a livable wage is a part of a functioning economy. 

Although the group of business lobbyists does not explicitly name what it is they are asking our Legislature to put on hold, it seems clear from their statement that anything that doesn’t fall into the category of Covid-19 or economic recovery should be paused. While everyone can agree that slowing the spread of the virus, distributing the vaccine, supporting health and safety measures are essential, we also know they are not the only critical matters at this moment in time. Advocates and Vermonters at large have already spent decades hearing “the timing just isn’t right” for the issues that matter to them. If this isn’t the time for racial justice work, when is? Should we abandon prison reform at a time when there are reports of sexual violence within the system and fewer eyes on prisoners? What about our education system; if educators have ideas on how to support children better, should we tell them “not now”? Our communities are interconnected and our needs are complex. If we do not address the systemic failings that underlie many of our current “health and safety issues” — how are we to truly heal from the impacts of Covid-19? Business lobbyists should know better than anyone that businesses are not well when people are not well. 

Our government’s ability to rapidly shift priorities to center the needs of the people was on full display this past year. This mentality needs to remain front and center. Big change is possible, precisely because we are no longer engaged in “business as usual.” Perhaps that is why our business community is coming out fiercely fighting to hold onto the status quo.  Vermonters — lobbyists, advocates, and legislators included — now have the opportunity to act and think differently then we have in the past. It is my sincere hope that 2021 will mark a shift, where power is shared. In many ways our government is more accessible than ever before. You do not need to be able to be in the Statehouse to watch, listen and participate — anyone with access to the internet can stream committee meetings from the comfort of their home. As we head into the new session, let’s take advantage of this moment and leverage the power of transparent governance that has been provided to us, so that we can truly come together to address the health, safety, and well-being of all Vermonters. 

Commentary in VTDigger on January 13, 2021