Current News

by John McClaughry Every time a disturbed or hate-filled individual embarks on a murderous shooting spree, as at the Covenant School in Nashville last month, politicians rush to the media to urgently announce “we’ve got to do something” to stop “gun violence.” When pressed, they either propose that the government somehow “keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them”, or ban the private possession of some or all types of guns altogether. Over the years I have written half a dozen columns assessing the merits of such proposed remedies. At the risk of repeating myself, here are the most important insights.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont health leaders, including the Vermont Medical Society, the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, the Vermont Psychiatric Association the American College of Physicians Vermont Chapter and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Vermont Chapter, strongly believe that everyone should have access to reproductive care that includes safe and legal abortion. “We vehemently oppose regulations, restrictions, or mandates that impede access to evidence-based care. Our organizations denounce the decision by the federal District Court in Texas issued last Friday that intends to restrict access to mifepristone and interfere with the ability of health care clinicians to deliver the highest quality evidence-based care for their patients."

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations Going into this week, the big thing on my mind is the House Judiciary Committee’s discussion on the violence against health care workers bill, S.36. The Committee has had wide-ranging discussion and is grappling with how best to protect health care providers and patients. This is a difficult topic, and VAHHS appreciates their work. Workplace Violence: The House Judiciary Committee heard from several witnesses with concerns over how S.36, which allows for warrantless arrest for certain misdemeanors would apply to a patient who is not stabilized. Advocates testified that patients might not seek treatment if they are in fear of being arrested. The committee is interested in narrowing the scope of the bill. There will likely be an amended version and further discussion this week.

by Executive Director Jill Mazza Olson The legislative session reached an important milestone with the passage of the Budget by the House. Policy committees are taking up bills that “crossed over” from one body of the legislature to the other in advance of a deadline imposed by House and Senate leaders. While there are procedural mechanisms that can allow a bill that failed to meet the crossover deadline to pass in the same legislative session, in general bills that failed to meet the deadline will not be finished this session. Because this is the first year of a two-year biennium, some policy bills may pass only one chamber this session with the expectation that they will be taken up by the other chamber next year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Yoga Place, located on 532 Main Street in downtown Bennington, held free yoga classes during heart health month to benefit Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s Cardiology Services. The Valentine’s Day weekend classes attracted many new faces to the practice of yoga. Those who attended graciously donated $535 to benefit SVMC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Vermont Business Magazine Nationally renowned scholar and political columnist George F. Will is the featured speaker at the Ethan Allen Institute’s Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration at the Doubletree by Hilton in South Burlington on Wednesday, May 31. The topic of his talk is “Why Conservatism is Important in a Place Like Vermont”. George Will, described by the Wall Street Journal as “perhaps the most powerful journalist in America,” is widely regarded as one of the most influential conservative/libertarian journalists and commentators in the nation. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1977 and has been awarded sixteen honorary doctorate degrees.

Vermont Business Magazine State Treasurer Mike Pieciak stood with state and local leaders to announce a substantial expansion of the “10% in Vermont” local investment program. The program authorizes the Treasurer to invest up to 10% of the State’s average daily cash balance for economic development in Vermont. The state’s average daily cash balance has grown substantially in recent years due to increased state revenues allowing the program’s lending capacity to expand from $39 million to $100 million. In total, when combined with funds that were not committed from the original program, there is now $85 million available to support local economic development. The program was first launched in 2014. It allows the treasurer’s office to invest up to 10% of the state’s average daily cash balance into economic development projects across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine State Treasurer Mike Pieciak stood with state and local leaders to announce a substantial expansion of the “10% in Vermont” local investment program. The program authorizes the Treasurer to invest up to 10% of the State’s average daily cash balance for economic development in Vermont. The state’s average daily cash balance has grown substantially in recent years due to increased state revenues allowing the program’s lending capacity to expand from $39 million to $100 million. In total, when combined with funds that were not committed from the original program, there is now $85 million available to support local economic development.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has signed a proclamation declaring April 11-15 Community Development Week. The designation and proclamation focus on the success and impact of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds housing and economic development projects and public services in communities across the state. CDBG is a federal program championed by Vermont’s congressional delegation and administered by the Vermont Community Development Program within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. It provides approximately $7 million in funding each year for projects that help create jobs and housing, provide critical services like childcare, and improve infrastructure and facilities throughout Vermont. In the last year over $6 million of grant funding has been awarded to towns, villages, and cities, leveraging over $96 million in investments throughout Vermont communities.

Vermont Business Magazine During spring flood season, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants to remind Vermonters about safety, insurance, and the benefits of floodplain protection. Most streams fill with spring rains and snowmelt every year or two. As they spill over onto floodplains, small frequent floods offer many benefits from clean water to wildlife habitat. The sounds of wood frogs, spring peepers, and red-winged blackbirds fill the air while geese graze on nearby fields. Silt and nutrients help build nearby soils instead of polluting downstream lakes.

Vermont Business Magazine Northfield community members are encouraged to participate in the second phase of Northfield: Our Common Future Community Forums to set actionable priorities together for the future of their town. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 18 from 6:30pm to 9pm at the Northfield Middle High School. This event is the second phase of a three-part Community Visit process that provides an opportunity for members of the Northfield community to review potential action items, discuss and advocate for what is most important for their community, and vote on and sign up to begin moving priorities forward.