Current News

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation coauthored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and other leading senators that protects Vermont businesses and innovators who too often become the victims of so-called “patent trolls.” The bill goes next to the full Senate for consideration. The PATENT Act was approved by a vote of 16 to 4. The vote comes after nearly two years of negotiations led by Leahy and other Senate members to craft a comprehensive bill that deters abusive conduct while preserving the strength of America’s patent system.

Governor Peter Shumlin announced today that Commissioner Susan Wehry has decided to step down after 4½ years leading the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living. “I want to thank Susan for her hard work and her dedication to improve the lives of older Vermonters and people with disabilities,” Shumlin said. “We can all be proud that under her leadership, Vermont achieved the status of healthiest senior state in the nation.”

“I am grateful to Governor Shumlin for the opportunity to serve in this role,” Commissioner Wehry said. “I am especially gratified that we were able to pass the ABLE Act and Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities this year, both of which will further our efforts to foster inclusion, self-determination and independence for people with disabilities.”

The University of Vermont Health Network announced today that Standard &Poor’s (S&P), one of the major national bond rating services, has upgraded The University of Vermont Health Network’s bond rating from BBB+ with a positive outlook to an A- rating with a stable outlook. Additionally, Moody’s affirmed their A3 rating with a stable outlook. With this rating upgrade from S&P, the medical center and the network have now earned an A rating from all three major bond rating agencies, which also includes the Fitch rating agency.

Highlights

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a $2.1 million grant to Vermont Electric Cooperative for clean-up and repair efforts following December’s severe winter storm. The FEMA grant of $2,130,871 will cover an estimated 75 percent of the total eligible clean-up cost incurred by VEC.

Winter Storm Damon, in December 2014, devastated Northern Vermont, leaving thousands without power and dealing damage to Vermont’s electric utilities that rivaled Tropical Storm Irene and the 1998 ice storm. Freezing rain and accumulating snow brought down trees and power lines across the region, causing almost 45,000 outages in the VEC service territory that affected about 13,000 members.

SEE STORY

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin today joined PSEG Solar Source, Encore Redevelopment, juwi solar Inc (JSI) and Vermont Electric Power Producers Inc. (VEPP) to dedicate the PSEG Essex Solar Center. The 3.6-megawatt-dc facility is the state’s largest solar farm. The 15-acre PSEG Essex Solar Center (northeast of Burlington International Airport across the Winooski River off South Street in Essex) began commercial operations in October. It uses approximately 12,000 photovoltaic solar panels to generate enough solar energy to power more than 600 homes. Its energy displaces approximately 2,841 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually – the equivalent of removing approximately 600 cars from the road.

Shumlin called the solar farm a glimpse into Vermont’s future.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims in Vermont fell for the second week. After a sharp increase two weeks ago, claims are down to their typically low summer level. There were 444 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont, a decrease of 50 from the previous week's total and 44 more than they were a year ago. Generally, claims have been running below last year's totals.

Altogether 4,661 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 339 from a week ago, and 499 fewer than a year ago. The Department processed 0 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), the same as the previous week.

Changes to disability provisions administered within the Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System will ensure continuing eligibility for retirees on disability, while including a verification process of outside employment to make adjustments to retirement benefits when warranted.

“This update to the disability provisions within the VSERS retirement laws will enable us to ensure someone is not receiving disability payments while gainfully employed elsewhere,” said State Treasurer Beth Pearce. “At the same time, we are providing re-employment opportunities for retirees that are no longer disabled.”

The following changes were made as part of the miscellaneous retirement bill, Act 18, signed into law by the Governor on May 7.

• System members receiving a disability payment must annually file a statement with the State Treasurer certifying the full amount of income earned during the preceding calendar year.

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee, coffee makers, teas and other beverages with its innovative brewing technology, has launched Laughing Man coffee for the Keurig hot brewing system. Laughing Man was co-founded by actor Hugh Jackman, who continues to be involved with the brand, working closely with Keurig on its development.

Laughing Man K-Cup pods are available on Keurig.com starting June 4, 2015. The four varieties at launch include two of the Laughing Man Café’s most popular blends, crafted in collaboration with the Keurig Coffee Department - Dukale’s Blend™ and 184 Duane St. Blend.

Fitch Ratings affirms the senior notes at 'Asf' issued by Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), education loan revenue bonds, senior series 2014A, tax-exempt fixed rate bonds, (VSAC 2014A). The Rating Outlook remains Stable for both classes.

After over a year of research and development, the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (AAFM) and Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) has announced the creation of a Vermont retail stand within the Boston Public Market, opening next month. Harlow Farm of Westminster, VT will operate the stand, demonstrating an innovative public-private partnership that will open a new market channel for dozens of Vermont companies in the Boston metro region.

“Harlow’s Vermont Farmstand” at the Boston Public Market will be an important component of the state’s recently created Domestic Export program, designed to connect Vermont producers with buyers outside the state. Positioned in the heart of downtown Boston, the retail space will provide the state with a premier location from which to promote Vermont products to out-of-state consumers.

Burlington Telecom, Burlington’s only 100 percent fiber-optic network, received high marks in its recent Internet Service Provider (ISP) Customer Satisfaction Survey, a survey for all Burlington residents who pay for home Internet services. The results indicated that 85 percent of BT customers are satisfied with their Internet service, compared to competitors’ 40 percent customer satisfaction in Burlington.

"Our goal and our focus is 100% customer satisfaction," said BT’s General Manager Stephen Barraclough. "We are pleased with our efforts to serve customers, and we will continue to challenge ourselves to improve, with an ultimate goal of reaching 100% satisfaction."

With the launch of Excelerate Essex (E²) – a co-working space – Essex is open for startups. An open house at the new Excelerate Essex will be held on Friday, June 5 from 4 PM to 8 PM at 15 Pearl Street (aka Route 15), just off Five Corners. This public opening is the first chance the community will have to see the new facility and is the first chance Vermonters with business ideas and business plans will have to learn about the affordable membership structure and plans to build a community based on collaboration and sharing of resources.