Poll reveals 1 out of every 3 Vermonters feels unsafe

NEWPORT –– Campaign for Vermont Prosperity (CFV) recently released the final batch of questions along with the full results of the November poll.

“We embarked on this project to explore Vermonter’s thoughts on a number of recent conflicts between the Governor and Legislature,” said CFV President Pat McDonald. “Consistently we have seen, at least on this set of issues, that the Legislature should be working more closely with the Governor and administration.”

When asked how safe respondents felt in their community, 30 percent felt unsafe. Residents of Chittenden and Rutland counties and families with children were especially likely to express safety concerns.

Respondents also expressed unhappiness with the recently passed payroll tax, which was used to expand childcare credits to upper middle-class families. Even more unpopular was the Legislature’s effort to increase their own pay and benefits with two-thirds of Vermonters saying they would be much less likely to vote for a candidate who supported such a measure.

Finally, Vermonters signaled support for a system to limit state spending to the rate of inflation or population growth – similar to a system Colorado has in place. Two-thirds of respondents had a favorable opinion of such a policy.

CFV board member Ben Kinsley stated that he hopes “legislators take this opportunity to work towards policies that regular Vermonters support instead of catering to the fringes of their respective parties.”

The results released today can be found at CampaignForVermont.org/2023poll.

CFV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization dedicated to the vision of a more prosperous Vermont and a growing middle class. They seek to accomplish these goals by reconnecting Vermonters to their government and advocating for more transparent policymaking.