Affordability and Making Sense

How have you been affected, directly or indirectly, by the economy?

John King of Vermont Public Television discusses VPT’s ongoing initiative to address Vermont affordability issues ranging from the cost of food, housing and heating to offering moneywise tips from seniors and innovative community-based concepts like community time banks.

Resources:

Fine affordability resources around the state.

Healthcare

Airs: Thursday, March 19 at 8:00 p.m. on Vermont Public Television

This month’s Public Square program looks at issues affecting the affordability of health care. The program will feature highlights of the White House health reform forum held March 17 in Burlington. President Barack Obama has asked governors to host forums in regions around the country, and Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass., and Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vt., hosted the March 17 event.

Panelists:

• Peter Sterling
  Executive Director, Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security

• Hunt Blair
  Assistant Director, Vermont’s Health Care Reform

• Greg Marchildon
  Executive Director, AARP-Vermont

• Bea Grause
  President, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems

Resources:

Find healthcare resources around the state.

Healthcare

Where do you turn when you need help with healthcare?

Pam Smart of Community Connections at Northeast Vermont Regional Hospital explains what her organization does to assist Vermonters with legal help, transportation, and access to healthcare coverage.

Resources:

Find healthcare resources around the state.

Unemployment

Airs: Thursday, February 26 at 8:00 p.m. on Vermont Public Television

This month’s Public Square program will feature the services offered to Vermonters by the Vermont Department of Labor. Employees from various areas of the department will be interviewed on camera and be on the phones to directly help viewers who call in with specific questions.

Panelists:

• Pat Moulton Powden
  Commissioner

• Valerie Rickert
  Director of Unemployment Insurance

• Andy Condon
  Chief of Economic Labor Market Information

• John Vowles
  Workforce Development Regional Mgr.

• Rose Lucenti
  Workforce Investment Act Grant Manager

Resources:

Find unemployment resources around the state.

Unemployment

In December 2008, the unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in Vermont. In these unsettling economic times, finding creative ways to save money is essential. One way for communities to overcome these obstacles is to participate in Time Banks. The Onion River Exchange in central Vermont employs a barter system that allows members to exchange services without using money. Are you interested in starting a time bank in your community?

Resources:

Find unemployment resources around the state.

Livable Wage

Do you make a livable wage? According to information from the Vermont Department of Employment and Training, 45% of jobs in Vermont have a median wage that pays less than $11.58/hr ($24,086/yr.), the livable wage for a single person in 2003.

Chart compliments of the Vermont Livable Wage Campaign

Resources:

Find livable wage resources around the state.

Moneywise Seniors

Did you know that approximately 13% of Vermont’s population is made up of individuals who are over the age of 65? Most of Vermont’s senior citizens live on fixed incomes, so economic downturns can hit them especially hard.

Resources:

Find senior resources around the state.

Cost of Housing

Did you know that the median price for a home in Vermont has doubled in ten years? Even though affording a roof over your head can be tough in Vermont, there are many organizations across the state that are there to help!

Resources:

Find housing resources around the state.

Home Heating Costs

Are you concerned about home heating costs this winter? With the rising cost of fuel, there are several things you can do to “button down” your home for the winter.

Resources:

Find home heating resources around the state.

Rising Food Costs

Is the price of food affecting you and your family? With the cost of living increasing so dramatically, people will be forced to make the decision between buying food and/or heat.

Resources:

Find food resources around the state.