Current News

by Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids “In this second session of what has already been a historic legislative biennium for Vermont’s families, children and our workforce, the Child Care Campaign is laser-focused on supporting policy-leaders in making Act 76 work for all Vermonters. As Speaker Krowinski expressed today, through Act 76, Vermont has established itself as a national leader in child care, and that’s something we can all be proud of. More work is needed to ensure successful implementation of this new child care law, as well as to make the continued investments necessary to fully fund this groundbreaking new legislation and the system overall."

Vermont Business Magazine As the Vermont Legislature convenes today, the Vermont Ophthalmological Society (VOS) is raising the alarm about an expected push from the optometry lobby to allow optometrists to perform sensitive and complicated eye surgeries, such as laser surgery. All ophthalmologists are physicians (medical doctors) and surgeons. They attend four years of medical school and complete a four-year supervised, hands-on surgical residency program. Optometrists complete a four-year optometry program with no required further training and are not medical doctors or surgeons.   

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Treasurer Mike Pieciak today announced a joint effort to develop a comprehensive Resilience Implementation Strategy by July 1, 2025. This timing will coincide with an update to Vermont’s Climate Action Plan, enabling a more coordinated and balanced approach to addressing both the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate efforts to adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Vermont Republican Party It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of yet another longtime Republican activist and 2022 State Senate Candidate Lloyd Dike of Bristol. Chair Paul Dame said: "I personally had the pleasure to know Lloyd and work with him over the past few years. He was a man filled with the energy and hope that is lacking in many men half his age. His persistent optimism and earnest desire to make his community better is something he will always be fondly remembered for and for which he will be dearly missed.

Vermont Business Magazine Community members throughout the Central Vermont region are encouraged to attend the upcoming Youth Opportunity Regional Forum on January 9, 2024, from 5:30-7pm in the cafeteria of the Northfield Middle and High School to discuss how we can improve opportunities for youth in our communities.  The forum will be co-facilitated by a local youth facilitator and the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Free pizza and desserts will be served so that participants can join right after school or work. So far, five regional forums have taken place across the state along with several interviews with various affinity groups. The Central VT forum was originally scheduled for July 1 2023 at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, but was canceled due to the historic flooding. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles is informing Vermonters of recent upgrades to their online services include changes to the web address for registration renewal. The URL "dmvexpress.vermont.gov" has been retired, and they urge anyone with this bookmarked to update it immediately to the new address, "mydmv.vermont.gov." Staying vigilant is crucial, especially in the digital age where scams are prevalent. Please be cautious of third-party websites pretending to be the DMV. Do not automatically trust the top search results when looking for DMV services. 

Vermont Business Magazine One of the standout features of Act 41 (signed into law in June) is the elimination of the license plate validation sticker. Say goodbye to the tedious task of affixing those stickers on your license plates. Act 41 also ushers in a new era of convenience by allowing vehicle operators to present proof of registration electronically on a portable electronic device. This means you can now show up-to-date registration with a tap on your smartphone or other mobile devices.

Vermont Business Magazine The IRS has announced the standard mileage rate for 2024: 67 cents per mile, up 1.5 cents from 65.5 cents in 2023. Issued in Notice 2024-8, on Dec. 14, 2023, it covers the business use of a vehicle (cars, vans, pickups, and panel trucks) and will come into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today released the following statement calling on Congress to reject the $10.1 billion in unconditional military aid being considered for Netanyahu’s right-wing government to continue its brutal war against the Palestinian people: The issue we face with Israel-Gaza is not complicated. While we recognize that Hamas’ barbaric terrorist attack began this war, we must also recognize that Israel’s military response has been grossly disproportionate, immoral, and in violation of international law. And, most importantly for Americans, we must understand that Israel’s war against the Palestinian people has been significantly waged with U.S. bombs, artillery shells, and other forms of weaponry. And the results have been catastrophic.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association Efficiency Vermont Flood Recovery program has been enhanced to include more incentives for qualifying equipment losses. Businesses whose heating, cooling, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment was damaged by flooding can receive a flood recovery rebate of 100% of costs up to $4,000 per product, up to four products, in addition to standard offers. Also, NVDA is updating its Regional Plan, a guiding document that outlines a vision for the region and goals to help achieve that vision. The Plan covers a range of topics, including transportation, housing, energy, recreation, and zoning. We're gathering input from our communities and you can help! Please take a moment to complete the survey before Wednesday, Jan. 3rd.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rose last week, but fatalities have moderated after a small surge in the fall. There were 3 deaths reported by the Vermont Department of Health last week and 2 the week before, for a pandemic total now of 1,083. The VDH reported December 27, 2023, that COVID-19 hospitalizations were up 11 last week to a statewide total of 51, which is the highest total in several months. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 369, up 21 for the week. 

Vermont Business Magazine Texas netted the largest number of movers in one-way U-Haul equipment in 2023, marking the third consecutive year it has finished atop the U-Haul Growth Index. Florida ranks right behind Texas among growth states for the third year in a row, followed by North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Idaho, Washington, Arizona, Colorado and Virginia round out the top 10 states for growth. Vermont ranked 12th, up from 30th in 2022. Vermont was the only Northeastern state in the top half of the ranking.