Research & Publications

Leslie Black-Plumeau Joins Public Assets’ Board

Montpelier – Leslie Black-Plumeau, Research and Community Relations Director at Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), has joined the board of the Public Assets Institute.

A nonpartisan nonprofit in Montpelier, Public Assets is Vermont’s independent research organization on state budget, tax, and economic issues and the source for timely and in-depth state fiscal and policy analysis.

Leslie’s work at VHFA includes overseeing the agency’s research, data, communications and public engagement activities. She has 25 years of professional experience in program evaluation and public policy research in the areas of housing, human services, and community development. Her work has most recently been focused on Vermont, and she has a broad understanding of housing issues and HUD programs as a result of her many years of experience in Washington, DC as a Congressional housing and community development program evaluator.

Jared Duval, Head of Energy Action Network, to Receive 2024 Con Hogan Award

The Vermont Community Foundation and the organizing committee for the Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial, Community Leadership are pleased to announce that Jared Duval, executive director of the Montpelier-based Energy Action Network (EAN), will be honored with this year’s award.

EAN brings together more than 200 Vermont-based nonprofits, utilities, businesses, universities, and public sector partners to work toward a common goal: to achieve Vermont’s climate and energy commitments in ways that create a more just, thriving, and sustainable future. The network supports research and data-tracking on energy and emissions, with a focus on evidence-based policy analysis.

2023 Con Hogan Award Winner HB Lozito Speaks about the Award and Its Impact

2023 Con Hogan Award Winner HB Lozito Speaks about the Award and Its Impact
Nominations for the 2024 award close on June 27; the winner to receive $15,000 Cash Prize

HB Lozito was honored with the 2023 Con Hogan Award. Lozito is the executive director of Brattleboro-based Out in the Open, which is working to build a multi-issue, multiracial social justice movement of rural LGBTQ+ people. In a recent interview, they talked about their life and work and what receiving the award meant to them both personally and professionally.

Ed Paquin joins Public Assets’ board

Ed Paquin, former state representative and recently retired executive director of Disability Rights Vermont, has joined the board of the Public Assets Institute.

Since 1990 Paquin has advocated on behalf of his constituents and Vermonters with disabilities. His work in the Vermont House of Representatives contributed to expansions of health insurance coverage to low-income Vermonters, equalizing entitlements to home care and nursing home care, and protecting all aspects of the state’s community-based Medicaid Long-term Care system for people with disabilities. He led Disability Rights Vermont in shaping corrections policy to better serve people with psychiatric disabilities and preserving the civil rights of people facing forced treatments in many settings.

“Ed is an excellent addition to the board,” said Board Chair Steve Gold. “His understanding of the real-world consequences of policy, his thoughtful and practical advocacy, and the depth of his knowledge about the gaps in our supports for Vermonters with disabilities and their families will be invaluable as we continue to work for a Vermont that works for all of us.”

Janet Ancel Joins Public Assets’ Board

Janet Ancel has been unanimously elected to the board of Public Assets Institute.

Ancel was the chief architect of Vermont’s groundbreaking state Child Tax Credit, which became law in 2022. Ancel’s state credit was modeled on the pandemic-era expansion of the federal child tax credit, which successfully reduced child poverty by more than forty percent nationwide, with even larger reductions among Black and Hispanic children.

“We are delighted that Janet Ancel has joined us,” said Board Chair Steve Gold, “her leadership on the Vermont Child Tax Credit exemplifies precisely the type of equity-focused, data-driven innovation that Public Assets strives to bring to statewide policy conversations. We look forward to the contribution her leadership and vision will make to our work in the coming years.”

Flood Update

Thanks to everyone who has reached out after the flooding last week. We’re grateful all of our staff and board are safe and sound. But the same cannot be said for our office, much of downtown Montpelier and many other parts of the state.

2022 Con Hogan Award winner Joe Wiah speaks about the award and what it means to him

In 2022, Joe Wiah was honored with the Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial, Community Leadership. The director of the Ethiopian Community Development Council’s (ECDC) Multicultural Community Center in Brattleboro, Wiah is helping refugees integrate into community life in Southern Vermont. In a recent interview, he talked about his work and what receiving the award meant to him both personally and professionally.

Sandrine Kibuey Joins Public Assets’ Board

Sandrine Kibuey has been unanimously elected to the board of Public Assets Institute.

“We are delighted that Sandrine Kibuey has joined us,” said Board Chair Steve Gold, “she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, and a perspective we value. Her work with a diversity of Vermonters including New Americans, and her commitment to equitable access to public resources and services make her an ideal addition to the board.”

“My work has focused on managing large local, regional, and international projects, and it’s made me care deeply about the policies that affect peoples’ wellbeing. I see my work with Public Assets as an extension of the work I do solving big problems and getting the details right.” said Kibuey, who is director of Statewide Housing Advocacy at Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) directing rapid rehousing housing, advocacy and support services to vulnerable communities including asylum seekers and mobile home park residents.

Stephanie Yu will take leadership of Public Assets Institute January 1

MONTPELIER –– Steven Gold, chair of the Public Assets Institute Board of Directors, announced today that it has selected Stephanie Yu, current deputy director, as the organization’s next president and executive director. Yu replaces founder Paul Cillo, who will step down at the end of this year.

“We are fortunate to have Steph’s experience and insights to lead Public Assets as the organization enters its third decade,” Gold said. “We’re excited about the prospects for Public Assets and for the state with Steph at the helm and are looking forward to the ideas and projects she advances in collaboration with Public Assets’ excellent staff.”

Joe Wiah, Refugee Resettlement Director, to Receive the 2022 Con Hogan Award

The Vermont Community Foundation and the organizing committee for the Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial Community Leadership are pleased to announce that Joe Wiah will be honored with this year’s award. Wiah is Director of the Ethiopian Community Development Council’s (ECDC) Multicultural Community Center in Brattleboro.

The annual award, established by a group of Con Hogan’s colleagues in 2015, celebrates his life’s work by recognizing a community leader who shares his vision of a better Vermont and seizes the responsibility for making that vision real. The awardee shows deep community involvement, generosity, enthusiasm, a collaborative approach, and a focus on data and measurable outcomes in their work.

Public Assets Announces Retirement of Paul Cillo

Paul Cillo, founding Executive Director and President of the Public Assets Institute, is stepping down, the organization’s Board of Directors announced today. Cillo has led the think tank, which focuses on advancing racial, social, and economic justice, for 19 years.

“Paul’s impact on the state of Vermont can’t be overstated, and neither can his impact on turning Public Assets Institute into the respected, high-impact organization it is today,” said Board Chair Steve Gold. “We will miss his skilled leadership, and are so appreciative that he’s leaving the organization in excellent shape. It sets the stage for Public Assets’ continued effectiveness under its next leader.”

Public Assets is hiring

Public Assets Institute is seeking a manager for the Fund Vermont’s Future (FVF) Campaign.

The FVF Campaign aims to change how state priorities and budgets are developed and funded by centering people at every stage of the process, shifting from a scarcity mindset, and budgeting transparently with meaningful public input. FVF is a coalition-based project of Public Assets Institute.

The Campaign Manager will oversee campaign development, implementation, and management and help with both field and legislative advocacy campaign plans, expanding the FVF coalition, building partnerships, educating policymakers and the public, and shaping the public debate. The Manager will provide administrative support to the Campaign Steering Committee.

Clemmons Family Farm ED Lydia Clemmons to Receive the 2021 Con Hogan Award

The Vermont Community Foundation and the organizing committee for the Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial Community Leadership are pleased to announce that Lydia Clemmons, PhD, MPH will be honored with this year’s award. Dr. Clemmons is President and Executive Director of the Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte. Established by a group of Con’s colleagues in 2015, […]

Nominations Open for 2021 Con Hogan Community Leadership Award

Winner to Receive $15,000 Cash Prize Nominations are now being accepted for the $15,000 Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial, Community Leadership. Launched in 2015, the annual award is a tribute to Con Hogan’s life’s work and commitment to public service. The goal of the award is to encourage and reward leaders who share Con’s […]

Mattison Joins Public Assets Board

Montpelier – Tiffany Bluemle, chair of the board of Public Assets Institute, announced that C.D. Mattison of Burlington has been elected to the board.

A non-partisan nonprofit with offices in Montpelier, Public Assets Institute is Vermont’s premier independent research organization on state budget, tax, and economic issues and the source for timely and in-depth state fiscal and policy analysis from the perspective of everyday Vermonters.

“We’re delighted to have Mattison join the board,” said Bluemle, who is the founder of Change The Story Vermont. “She is a passionate, clear thinker with a breadth of experience in the private and nonprofit sectors who will help ensure that our work continues to be relevant to the needs of all Vermonters.”

COVID-19 Crisis

We are all facing challenges that none of us have experienced in our lifetimes. As Public Assets follows the developments of the global pandemic and resulting economic downturn, we will be doing our best to add context and help you understand what’s happening in Vermont on tax, budget, and economic issues. Public Assets will be […]

Play State of the State Bingo; Win free stuff!

2:00pm Thursday, January 9, 2020

Vermont faces challenges of all sorts. The State of the State address is an opportunity for the governor to share with Vermonters his assessment of the state’s successes and challenges over the past year and to outline his proposals to the Legislature. We’ll be listening closely to what the governor says—and to what he doesn’t say. We hope all Vermonters will be listening as well to this important speech.

Listen along with us and play State-of-the-State Bingo! The first three winners get a Public Assets t-shirt or hat.

Jan Demers to receive the 2019 Con Hogan Award

The Vermont Community Foundation and the organizing committee for the Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial Community Leadership announced today that Jan Demers will be honored with this year’s award. Demers is the Executive Director of Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO), serving Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties.

The $15,000 award, to be used however the recipient chooses, will be presented at a public reception on Wednesday, October 2 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier.

Established by a group of Con’s colleagues in 2015, the annual award recognizes his life work by rewarding each year a community leader who shares his vision of a better Vermont and who seizes the responsibility for making that vision a reality. The award is given to a leader who shows deep community involvement, generosity, enthusiasm, a collaborative approach, and a focus on data and measurable outcomes in his or her work.

Larry Mandell remembered

We were shocked and saddened to learn that Public Assets’ board chair, Larry Mandell, died on January 21.

It was shocking because he was active and by all appearances healthy. I had spoken with Larry a few days before he died and nothing about that conversation suggested that his symptoms would prove fatal. He was in the hospital for some tests. But it turns out that Larry had a rare and fast-acting disease called amyloidosis that caused his heart to stop suddenly.

We were saddened because Larry was a friend and a leader at Public Assets Institute. We miss him.

I had known Larry Mandell for decades, though just to say hello and exchange pleasantries. We had never had a conversation—until November 9, 2011.

21 indicators tell the story of Vermont’s economy

Public Assets’ new report, State of Working Vermont 2018, reveals how Vermonters and their families were faring economically at the end of 2017—the latest year for which most data are available—and how conditions have changed, for better or worse, in recent years. Spoiler alert: The economy is improving, but not for most Vermonters. The report […]

Public Assets Institute Adds a New Policy Analyst

MONTPELIER – Dr. Julie Lowell has joined Public Assets Institute’s staff as a Policy Analyst.

“We’re delighted to welcome Julie to Public Assets. Her academic research and direct social-service work in Vermont make her a great addition to our staff,” Public Assets president and founder Paul Cillo said Monday.

Lowell came to Public Assets after working at Vermont Works for Women for four years, as both a program evaluator and a direct service provider. She has worked directly with survivors of domestic violence, families experiencing homelessness, and women exiting correctional settings, informing her advocacy at the state level to positively impact policy for individuals living in poverty.

Nominations are Open for 2018 Con Hogan Community Leadership Award

Winner to Receive $15,000 Cash Prize Nominations are now being accepted for the $15,000 Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial Community Leadership. Initiated in 2015, the annual award is a tribute to Con Hogan’s life’s work and commitment to public service. The goal of the award is to encourage and reward leaders who share Con’s […]

Holly Morehouse to Receive the 2017 Con Hogan Award

The Vermont Community Foundation and the organizing committee for the Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial, Community Leadership are pleased to announce that Holly Morehouse, Executive Director of Vermont Afterschool, Inc., will be honored with this year’s award.

The $15,000 award, to be used however the recipient chooses, will be presented to Morehouse at a reception on October 4th at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier.

2017 Con Hogan Community Leadership Award Nomination Deadline is June 29

Middlebury, VT – The Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial Community Leadership continues to seek nominations for its 2017 award. Now in its third year, the annual award is a tribute to Con Hogan’s life’s work and commitment. It’s intended to encourage and reward leaders who share his vision of a better Vermont—one that places […]

Stephanie Yu is UVM Fellow

Public Assets Institute is pleased to be making a new connection with the University of Vermont. Policy analyst Stephanie Yu has joined the UVM faculty as a Public Policy and Community Research Fellow at the university’s Center for Research on Vermont. According to the Center’s recent press release, its mission is “to support, foster and […]