Recognizing that a lot of VSEA's talking points for lawmakers about the need to protect the state employee pension plan might be lost on some in the general public, VSEA leaders began sharing a new set of talking points this week with members and retirees, asking all to highlight the adverse impact pension buts would have on Vermont's economic well being when talking with the public at large.

You can find your local lawmaker's contact information on this website.

Here are the talking points being suggested: 

1) Pensions support an effective state government and help grow Vermont’s economy 

• Pensions attract the best and the brightest to state service and keep them working for the state longer, gaining valuable experience and institutional knowledge; and
   
• 78% of retired state employees are Vermont residents, spending their pension dollars at the local diner, general store, hair salon, or barbershop, etc.

2) It is unfair to indirectly tax state employees, while holding wealthy Vermonters harmless

• It has been 30 years since the wealthiest Vermonters have been asked to pay higher tax rates to help their state in its hour of need.  (Gov. Snelling R-VT, 1991);
   
• Wealthy Vermonters have recently experienced massive income growth;
   
• Wealthy Vermonters disproportionately benefited from the previous administration's federal tax cut; and
   
• The average state employee’s pension averages just $20,000.

3) State employees’ secure retirement reduces their need to utilize costly government programs

• When state employees retire with a secure pension, they do not qualify for income subsidies like 3Squares, LIHEAP heating assistance or larger property tax adjustments.

4) State employees commit their lives to provide critical services to their fellow Vermonters. Vermont’s politicians should hold up their end of the bargain.  

• State employees plan their retirement based on the commitment made to them when they began their state service. Changing the rules midstream is unfair and wrong.