Disclaimer: Jason Maulucci is both the President of the UVM College Republicans and a staffer on Phil Scott’s election campaign.

During an election cycle in which the two major party nominees for president are as unpopular as they are, it is easy for voters to become disengaged and turned off by the political process.

These sentiments are especially detrimental for the many down-ballot races whose results often have the most direct impact on people’s daily lives. So while the national debate continues to rage with millions of dollars being spent attempting to bring their opponents down, it is critical for folks to look into the candidates running in their own backyards.

Here in Vermont, there is a compassionate, hard-working candidate running for Governor whose issue-oriented, positive campaign should be a model for all those who seek to run for office.

His name is Phil Scott. Lieutenant Governor Scott is the type of public servant Vermont needs in the governor’s office to move this state forward. He is an experienced problem solver who knows how to work with anybody, regardless of party, in order to get things done.

As lieutenant Governor, Scott has established a reputation for being someone who puts people ahead of party, results over who gets the credit, and somebody who treats everybody with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

As a small business owner, Scott also understands the hardships that so many Vermonters are facing every day just trying to get by.

With fewer people working in Vermont than there were just 7 years ago, an aging population and the cost of living continuingly on the rise, Scott knows that the next governor must prioritize and focus like-a-laser on the economy.

There are so many of us at UVM who have a deep affection for Vermont. We love the community, the breathtaking landscapes and the people. And, when we graduate, we’d love to stick around here, too.

Yet, as we’ve seen from our friends who’ve graduated, there simply isn’t the economic op- portunity here needed to attract and retain young talent. Students, after working hard for years in college — racking up debt from student loans — have to leave the place they love in or- der to find jobs that will pay the bills.

Additionally, those of us who have lived off-campus know just how expensive it is to live here. Nationally, it is recommended that one spend no more than a third of their income on housing.

Here in Burlington, however, nearly 50 percent of people are spending more than 50 percent of their incomes on housing. That percentage only increases when you take a look of those under the age of 30. Scott knows that these trends are simply unsustainable.

Vermont’s population has been relatively stagnant over the past couple of decades at roughly 625,000 people. Yet, since the last census, there are nearly 30,000 fewer people in the state who are between the ages of 25 and 45.

When you think about that a step further, that 25 to 45 age demographic is your workforce. They are the ones who are start- ing businesses, buying homes, raising families and, importantly, paying taxes.

They are “us” when we graduate from UVM. When there are 30,000 fewer of them, the financial burden is spread on those who are still here in Vermont. Increasingly, those remaining to foot the bill are seniors living on fixed incomes who can no longer afford their retirement so they themselves either have to leave the state or go back to work.

If we don’t enact policies that help attract businesses to the state, make Vermont more conducive to starting new companies and drive down the cost of living, we won’t have the revenue we beed to invest in important areas like higher education.

We need someone in Montpelier who understands these issues and will work tirelessly with anybody to address these challenges. Phil Scott will be that governor. He has a wide range of support from both Democrats and Republicans.

He doesn’t just say he’ll bring both parties together; he’s actually done it. He doesn’t just sympathize with small business owners struggling to get by; he’s been in their shoes.

Phil Scott lives by the golden rule and is a true public servant. If you want to build a more affordable, economically vibrant Vermont, a place where you can stay, work and live after you graduate, and elect someone who runs their campaigns in a way that we can all be proud of, I urge you to join me and vote for Phil Scott to be our next governor Nov. 8.

Sincerely,

Jason Maulucci

SGA President