Submitted by RedRipeTomato t3_11vwyve in vermont
InformalCarpenter t1_jcvq6c0 wrote
VT is higher than MA? ... how?
justreadthearticle t1_jcw7ckx wrote
Affordability is only one factor that they looked at. VT is generally more affordable than MA. They also looked at quality of life and healthcare. Healthcare is definitely better in MA and depending on the metrics they use quality of life may be as well.
escapefromburlington t1_jczr9ci wrote
Healthcare is atrocious in Vermont unfortunately. You’re forced to go out of state if you have anything but the simplest and most common ailment.
Glad-Palpitation292 t1_jd2fa8v wrote
My friend had to take his kid to Albany, NY to get an eye exam and some glasses in less than three months' time. So, I'd say we are going out of state for the simplest and most common things, too.
Necessary_Cat_4801 t1_jcy5xvn wrote
I bet when wages are factored in MA is more affordable. Obviously no wages if you're retired but VT is MA costs with MS wages.
kellogsmalone t1_jcxjpan wrote
Mass doesn't tax social security. Vermont does.
Beautiful_Frosting34 t1_jcxswq3 wrote
Grocery prices are more in Vermont than big cities.
friedchicken_2020 t1_jcvtz7n wrote
Because of all the social programs that VT has.
justreadthearticle t1_jcw5vyy wrote
MA has more expansive social programs than VT, and CA has even more. Read the article, affordability is only one thing that they're looking at.
AllyEmmie t1_jcvugto wrote
Irrelevant.
friedchicken_2020 t1_jcvunw4 wrote
Wow...astute comment
Any substance to this or are you just a one word wonder?
Successful_Order_638 t1_jcvwgjh wrote
u/AllyEmmie is likely referring to the fact that the "social programs" you complain about are largely, if not entirely, block funded by federal money, not VT tax money.
friedchicken_2020 t1_jcvy079 wrote
I'm not going to argue with people that have their head in the sand. I wasn't opposing social programs and wow...you guys are so fast to fight. You guys can't possibly be woodchucks.
It's all right here...
friedchicken_2020 t1_jcvwtvi wrote
It wasn't a complaint....that's quite an assumption.
AllyEmmie t1_jcvvhk4 wrote
Nope :) Strawman bullshit doesn’t deserve discussion.
friedchicken_2020 t1_jcvwdjt wrote
It's not "strawman bullshit" if it's true. The more social programs you have the higher your taxes are going to be. It's basic economics. I'm not saying this because I oppose social programs I'm saying this because it's reality.
yertspoon t1_jcw63o2 wrote
Is the amount of taxes the reason it’s more expensive to live in Vermont, or is it more the cost of living?
Willie_the_Wombat t1_jcx01hj wrote
Same thing, have you paid your property tax lately?
yertspoon t1_jcyi6ac wrote
i mean, I see how they’re related. However, I’m really just asking because the article is pretty clear that they’re not using taxes or social programs as any of the metrics, making that other guys entire point moot.
Like an article showing taxes across states would be interesting, but those weren’t the metrics in the article so IDK why that guy is bringing up social programs. Unless i’m mistaken about something?
mobydog t1_jcvwynw wrote
As a Pennsylvanian I can verify that's not true. We have the second highest number of retirees after Florida, we have very low taxes for retirees, and tons of programs at the county and state level.
VWSpeedRacer t1_jcwp1qa wrote
You also have a lot more people per square mile to share the cost of infrastructure. However, the big picture is far more complex than either my or your statements, and the average citizen doesn't want to put the effort into understanding it so they just look for a single data point that draws their desired conclusion.
justreadthearticle t1_jcw6zdv wrote
MA and CA have more social programs than VT.
inthepines3000 t1_jczbjj5 wrote
Yes. And those states have MANY more high earners paying taxes and actually some decent sized companies you may have heard of. Vermont's largest private employer is a dying remnant of IBM with less than 1000 workers. Vermont has become a rich persons playground along with a large number of borderline destitute and desperate people. With fewer and fewer middle-class in-between.
justreadthearticle t1_jczdt07 wrote
Yeah, MA and CA definitely have more high earners and more companies. The point is that saying that more social programs = higher taxes isn't necessarily true. It ignores factors like the size of the tax base, where state income is coming from, and the outcomes of those social programs. Many social programs like free family planning or a housing first model of treating homelessness end saving the government way more money than they cost.
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