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Vermont Business Magazine Beginning at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 7th, Chittenden County residents should tune in to Town Meeting TV’s “Town Meeting Day 2023” election results program airing live on Comcast channel 1087, Burlington Telecom channels 17 and 217, www.ch17.tv, and www.YouTube.com/TownMeetingTV. In addition to comprehensive results for Chittenden County races, this year's “Town Meeting Day 2023” election results program will feature interviews with voters at the polls, conversations with newly elected representatives, and commentary by local politicians and pundits.

by Heidi Tringe & Neale Lunderville When Vermont faces an acute crisis – floods, pandemics, national security events – our first thought is often: “Call out the Guard.” With a phone call from the Governor, the women and men of the Vermont National Guard drop everything to help our beloved state in its time of greatest need. From Tropical Storm Irene to Covid-19, the Guard is critical to Vermont’s response, relief, and recovery efforts. When our national leaders need some of the most well-trained and advanced units in the military – from specialized winter operations to advanced fighter missions – their first thought is often: “Put the Vermonters ahead.”

Leonine Public Affairs Vermont lawmakers hustled to finish work on priority legislation this week as the 2023 legislative session barreled toward the Town Meeting Week break. Legislative traffic control became increasingly tricky as policy committees worked to simultaneously pass legislation in time for crossover and approve their recommendations for the FY2024 budget. The House and Senate Appropriations committees held a public hearing on the FY2024 budget, with the House committee three weeks away from approving its version of the annual spending bill. There was also a noticeable uptick in illness in the statehouse - from bad colds to the flu to COVID-19 - which saw an increase in mask usage and the absence of a number of lawmakers, staffers, lobbyists and journalists.

Vermont Business Magazine It’s a new day here at the WhistlePig Farm in Shoreham, the heart of the Green Mountains... And a new dawn for the future of Single Malt. Introducing The Béhôlden, a whiskey so rare and so fanciful it makes unicorns seem quaint by comparison. In fact, forget about those horned horsies. We’re talking about something far more serious than fairy tale – the new world’s first super-aged Single Malt. WhistlePig 21 Single Malt Whiskey: The Béhôlden is here to outdare tradition, change course on the chieftain o' the puddin-race, and liberate American palates from the haggis quo.

Vermont Business Magazine Skullcandy, the #1 selling brand in true wireless earbuds under $100, announced today its all-new collaboration with Burton, the world's leading snowboard brand. The limited-edition collection includes Skullcandy fan-favorites Crusher Evo true wireless headphones, along with Push Active and Mod true wireless earbuds. Each offering features a bold asymmetrical aesthetic in a unique Naughty Nature colorway inspired by nature's wild energy and the drive to push boundaries on and off the mountain. The collaboration is available globally, exclusively on Skullcandy.com. Both a Skullcandy and Burton ambassador, Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time female Snowboarder of the Year Anna Gasser, lends her image to the Skullcandy x Burton collaboration. She not only drives progress in her sport but in her community as well, pushing boundaries and inspiring up-and-comers to follow their dreams.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Senate advanced S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, on a 19-10 vote. The bill will now head to the House of Representatives. The Senate would need 20 votes to override a possible veto of the bill by Governor Scott, who has voiced his displeasure with the current wording of S.5. "In Vermont, 73% of the energy in the thermal sector comes from fossil fuels, and every bit of that energy is imported, meaning those dollars are leaving our local economy. This policy would create a blueprint for a sector-wide transition for fossil fuel heating providers, requiring them to help their customers stay warm with cleaner, renewable energy sources and phase out the use of fossil fuels over time."

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) held a press conference today at the Howrigan Dairy Farm in Sheldon, VT, calling for passage of the DAIRY PRIDE Act to reverse a proposed FDA rule allowing beverages derived from plants to be labeled ‘milk’. The rule poses a serious threat to the already-precarious dairy industry in Vermont and risks creating confusion among consumers. The Senator was joined by Howrigan Dairy Farm owner and Dairy Farmers of America Northeast Area Director Harold Howrigan, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts, and Agri-Mark member and farmer Joanna Lidback.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott tapped a maple tree at the Connor Maple Farm in St Albans today to recognize the beginning of the new maple season. The governor was joined by Mike and Joanne Connor and their family, Senator Peter Welch, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts and a large contingent of area children, all excited to see the sap run and get a taste of Vermont’s sweet season. The Connor Family has operated their maple syrup business since 2011. They have 9,000 taps in St. Albans Town that produces over 3,300 gallons of Vermont maple syrup each year.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont business leaders met with the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Susan Collins at King Arthur Baking Company in White River Junction as part of her ongoing visits around New England to gauge economic conditions. The meeting, convened by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, provided an opportunity for Vermont business leaders to discuss the state's economic challenges and opportunities. President Collins expressed the importance of hearing directly from business owners, to ensure the Boston Federal Reserve has a well-rounded analysis of the state of the economy.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) is now accepting applications for Congressionally Directed Spending projects. The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee authorizes each Senator to request Congressionally Directed Spending projects for possible inclusion in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills. Constituents may suggest projects for Senator Welch to request by filling out a survey. This survey will be open until Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 11:59 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine For the first time in over two years, average diesel prices in the U.S. today will fall below their year-ago levels according to GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform saving North American drivers the most money on fuel. Diesel prices have declined nearly $1.50 per gallon since reaching record-levels last spring and now stand at an average of $4.35 per gallon, the lowest level since the days immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The lowest price in Vermont is $4.35 in Wells River and the highest is $5.69 in Bradford.

Vermont Business Magazine Chroma Technology is honored to once again be named a Best Place to Work in Vermont by VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. This is Chroma’s 6th year being recognized as a Best Place to Work in Vermont. As a 100% employee-owned company, Chroma is committed to excellence in all aspects of our business and is very proud to receive this recognition.