Contractors, If We Want Change, We Need to Show Up and Vote
Folks,
Tuesday is Primary Election Day, and I'm asking every contractor, supplier, truck driver, estimator, superintendent, and construction professional in Vermont to take a few minutes and vote.
Why?
Because the people elected this year will help determine what happens with housing, permitting, workforce development, transportation funding, environmental regulations, energy costs, and just about every issue that affects our ability to build in Vermont.
We spend a lot of time talking about permitting delays, workforce shortages, housing shortages, and regulations that make it harder to get projects out of the ground. But if we want a Vermont that is more business-friendly, more housing-friendly, and more development-friendly, we have to participate in the process.
The truth is, many elections are decided long before November.
In Vermont's open primary system, voters can choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. In some districts, the winner of the primary is very likely to become the officeholder because there may be little or no opposition in the general election.
That means a relatively small number of voters can end up making decisions that affect all of us.
As contractors, we know showing up matters. We show up when the weather is bad. We show up when schedules are tight. We show up when the job needs to get done.
Voting is no different.
You don't have to agree with every candidate. You don't have to belong to a political party. You don't even have to be a political junkie. But if you care about Vermont's future, the cost of doing business, the availability of housing, and whether projects can move from the drawing board to reality, then your vote matters.
Too often, our industry complains from the sidelines after decisions have already been made.
Let's not do that this year.
Take a few minutes. Cast your ballot. Encourage your employees, coworkers, friends, and family members to do the same.
If we want to see change, we need more than opinions.
We need participation.
Vote on Tuesday. Vermont's future is being built today, and your voice deserves to be part of the blueprint.
