We Vermonters tend to have a sunny view of ourselves and our B.L.S. Sometimes it’s justified, sometimes it’s overblown, sometimes it’s horse hockey. But there’s one consistent idea in our politics that reveals a strain of self-loathing. Funny thing is, it’s an idea that happens to be untrue.

I’m speaking of the notion that people are fleeing the state. I’ve been hearing this as long as I’ve been covering Vermont politics. It most often comes from conservative politicians bitching about high taxes. People are leaving Vermont in droves, they say, because the Democrats are out of control and taxes are too high. This is usually accompanied by an anecdote featuring an anonymous Vermonter planning or contemplating a move.

Funny thing is, I have yet to see any actual evidence for the claim. If people are fleeing Vermont, they leave no trace in the data.

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