Current News

by John McClaughry Gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter, a Democrat, is an ardent believer in the idea that human –caused emissions of carbon dioxide will ultimately cause catastrophic “climate change” – “historic drought, fires, storm surge and seal level rise.” Accordingly she promises that her government will drive down CO2 emissions (“carbon pollution”), and make Vermonters rely on 90% renewable energy by 2050, no matter what.

The most straightforward way of doing that is to get the legislature to levy increasingly burdensome taxes on all fossil fuels, until people can’t afford them anymore and switch to something else (or move away). That is the promise of the carbon tax, and it’s urgently advocated by a coalition named Energy Independent Vermont, shepherded by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG).

Vermont Business Magazine Pico Village Water Corporation, which operates a local water supply system in Killington, has agreed to pay $37,000 in civil penalties to the State of Vermont, to settle violations concerning the management and operation of a water supply system that services approximately 90 individuals in Killington.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin has reappointed Charlotte Dennett of Cambridge and Kerry Secrest of Brattleboro to serve on the Vermont Commission on Women (VCW). Both will serve additional four-year terms.

Vermont Business Magazine Nearly 200 Vermont businesses completed the latest semi-annual economic survey in July regarding the outlook of Vermont’s small- to medium-sized businesses. The survey, presented by Davis and Hodgdon Associates CPAs and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, revealed that while business owners do not see improvement in the Vermont and US economies, they are less pessimistic than they were in January. The survey also revealed that health insurance costs (60.1 percent) was the top issue, ahead of taxes (49.4 percent) and finding qualified emplolyees (48.9 percent).

​Vermont Business Magazine US Senate candidate Scott Milne sent the following letter to Senator Leahy today in response to Leahy’s rejection of his debate and clean campaign challenge. In it, Milne said it exposes Leahy’s hypocrisy on these issues by pointing to Leahy’s own words supporting the very proposals Milne has offered.

Vermont Business Magazine Military and overseas voters should register to vote and request an absentee ballot for the November election as soon as possible.  This will help ensure that all ballots, which must be returned by mail, are received back from the voters no later than Election Day. Ballots will be sent to all military or overseas voters that have requested them no later than Friday, September 23, 2016. Ballots will be sent the same day for any requests received after that deadline.

Secretary of State Jim Condos said: "Many Vermonters are enlisted in the military helping to protect our freedoms, including our freedom to vote.  We are thankful for their service and the sacrifices they make in being away from home.  Other Vermonters reside overseas but retain their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democracy.

Vermont Business Magazine Commissioners and Secretaries from: Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation; Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Agency of Transportation; and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Moderated by Lake Champlain Basin Program.

Vermont Business Magazine The parent company of Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, Peak Resorts, Inc. (Nasdaq:SKIS), has announced that it has reached an agreement to sell $20 million of its Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock to CAP 1 LLC, a family client of Summer Road LLC. The Company expects to use the proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes and for the execution of its strategy for future growth, including expansion through acquisition.

Mount Snow Resort.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims plunged last week to a very low level, as typical for summer, but are running higher in 2016 than in 2015. For the week of August 20, 2016, there were 389 claims, down 161 from the previous week's total and 25 more than they were a year ago. By industry, claims plunged for  Manufacturing. Service, the usual leader, led the way with 56 percent of all claims, which for actual claims was about the same as last week. 

Altogether 4,384 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 54 from a week ago, and 76 more than a year ago.

The Department processed 0 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08).

by Mike Smith Political debates play a very important role in a campaign. Especially when there is an open seat for governor and Vermonters are looking for ways to get to know a candidate. Voters gain meaningful insight into the positions and demeanor of a candidate through a well-structured debate. But some candidates will attempt to manipulate the debate format to their advantage. This could include limiting the number of debates, the scope of the topics to be discussed, even the time, date, and place of the debate. Some candidates may even try to place requirements on which candidates can participate, sometimes requiring that all be included in order to limit their exposure and avoid direct confrontation with one’s principal opponent.

Vermont Business Magazine The Securities and Exchange Commission last week announced enforcement actions against 71 municipal issuers and other obligated persons for violations in municipal bond offerings. Among those was a single Vermont entity, Casella Waste Management, based in Rutland. The parties settled the actions without admitting or denying the findings and agreed to cease and desist from future violations.

Vermont Business Magazine The Rowell Family of Green Mountain Dairy Farm in Sheldon believe in showing their community what farmers do to produce safe, wholesome and nutritious food in Vermont and beyond. On August 27, the Rowell’s opened their farm to over 1,000 visitors for Vermont’s 3^rd Breakfast on the Farm. The free, public event included a pancake breakfast, self-guided tours of the dairy farm and a peek into the life and business of dairy farming in Vermont – home to over 850 dairy farms that make 63% of the milk for New England, according to USDA data.

The Rowell farm dairy barn. VAAFM photos.