Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance (UI) program has announced that the state’s UI contribution rate will index up to Tax Schedule III and the maximum Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) will increase to $583 per week. Both changes take effect today, July 1, 2021, and are in accordance with existing state statute. The UI tax structure for Vermont’s “covered” employers is calculated annually and is adjusted to ensure solvency of the UI benefit trust fund. Employers were also provided relief from UI related benefit charges, which ensured that employers’ experience ratings were not disproportionately impacted due to the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health announced today that after nearly 16 months, this will be the final issue of this COVID-19 Update. It has been a valuable tool to share information with the media, state and national partners throughout this response. We will continue to keep everyone informed through our regular communication channels, including news releases, social media @healthvermont and our website, healthvermont.gov. You can continue to access daily cases and other data, updated regularly, on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard and the COVID-19 activity on the Vermont Dashboard. The VDH is reporting today two cases of COVID-19, one death for 257 statewide and the availability of many walk-in vaccination clinics this July 4th holiday weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced new walk-in clinics available across Vermont throughout the holiday weekend, including at the Johnson Skate Park, Barton Fairground, Stowe Independence Day celebration, and more. More than 452,000 Vermonters have already received at least one dose of vaccine, 82.1% of the eligible population. As of July 1, the Vermont Department of Health is reporting two more cases of COVID-19 but one additional death for 257 total since the pandemic began 16 months ago. This is only the second death from COVID in the last six weeks.

Vermont Business Magazine Angella Gibbons, who founded EarthWalk Vermont and provided environmental mentorship to thousands of Vermont children and adults, has been named the winner of the 2021 GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award. A ceremony honoring Gibbons was held at Goddard College this morning, and brought together dozens of EarthWalk’s supporters and local community members.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) is announcing new yard care rebate offerings to help customers of its municipal electric utility members adopt clean technology. A $25 rebate is available for each electric chainsaw, trimmer, or leaf blower purchased on or after July 1, 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Peter Welch voted today on passage of a five-year, $715 billion surface transportation reauthorization and water infrastructure bill. The INVEST in America Act includes four Welch-nominated transportation projects throughout Vermont, totaling $20 million in funding. The INVEST in America Act will rebuild and modernize the nation’s roads, bridges, transit, and rail by investing in sustainable and climate focused initiatives.

Vermont Business Magazine According to a recent study by the National Women’s Law Center, Vermont has the narrowest gender wage gap in the country. Compared to the average U.S. gender wage gap of $0.18, Vermont has an average wage gap of $0.09 where women make $.91 cents for every $1.00 a man makes. Also, professionals at UVMMC describe the changes that they had to make in response to “a complete shutdown of the internet, electronic medical record (EHR), and e-mail for 26 days” following a vicious cyberattack. And 50 new bee species were added to the state checklist.

Vermont Business Magazine Following approval by the NCAA Board of Governors Wednesday afternoon UVM Athletics is set to implement interim name, imagine and likeness (NIL) guidelines that go into effect on Thursday, July 1. Starting on July 1 it is permissible for UVM student-athletes to benefit from the use of their NIL so long as the compensation received is commensurate with the market and does not violate any NCAA or UVM policy. Compensation may be in the form of cash, product, or receipt of other benefits.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont again is ranked highly in the annual, national ranking in the well-being of children, finishing fourth overall. Vermont also did well in the sub-categories for health, education, family and financial. Massachusetts and New Hampshire also ranked highly in the study. However, within many of the categories, Vermont did the same or worse than in the previous report. The 32nd edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT Data Book describes how children across the United States were faring before — and during — the coronavirus pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Effective today, Vermont PBS and Vermont Public Radio have merged to become a unified public media organization dedicated to community service. The Vermont PBS and VPR boards of directors first announced their intention to merge last September. Finn will lead the new, integrated organization alongside COO Steve Ferreira. Nicole Junas Ravlin chairs the new board of directors, and Marguerite Dibble serves as vice chair.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that he has appointed Monica White as commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), effective today. July 1 is the first day of the state's fiscal year (FY 2022). White served as interim commissioner of DAIL after Governor Scott appointed Monica Caserta Hutt, the previous commissioner, as the state’s chief prevention officer. White previously served as DAIL’s director of operations and led DAIL’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Vermont Business Magazine Audubon Vermont, Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE), and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) has announced the results of a review of a recently released report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The federal report on Birds of Conservation Concern identifies the species of highest priority for USFWS. As noted in the report, recent studies have shown that birds are facing significant threats. In a landmark publication, researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology documented the loss of almost three billion birds in North America since 1970. In 2017, VCE issued a report documenting a number of significant and worrisome trends relating to the decline of Vermont forest birds. In its Survival by Degrees report, the National Audubon Society documented that two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change by the end of the century.