Current News

by John McClaughry The 2019 legislative session is now history, and it’s worth taking stock of its accomplishments, both positive and negative. On the plus side, the FY2020 general fund budget is balanced (up 3.1%), that is, it’s balanced if the $55 million FY2019 surplus projected last January actually shows up. The main reason for the surplus is the economic boom produced by the 2017 tax bill enacted by a Republican President and Congress. Naturally, the Democrats in Montpelier aren’t eager to make that point, but they’re very happy to spend the money.

The new money allowed the legislature to dedicate 6% of the 9% rooms and meals tax to fund the EPA-required Lake Champlain cleanup. That leaves a $9 million hole in the General Fund next year, to be filled by the newfound surplus money without raising any tax rates. Whether this scheme will reliably fill $12 million holes in following years may prove to be a troublesome question.

Vermont Business Magazine When breast cancer survivors were screened using breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they had more than twice as many biopsies as did those screened using mammography alone and had more breast cancers detected, according to new research published in the journal Radiology. However, the extra screening is not necessarily an improvement over what would have been detected in usual care with mammography, said the authors. In fact, there were no differences between surveillance MRI and mammography in the ability to distinguish breast cancer from other findings (sensitivity) or to rule cancer out (specificity), they explained. Co-authors included Brian L Sprague, PhD, of the University of Vermont and Tracy Onega, PhD, of Dartmouth Medical School, in Hanover.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Violins has recently been approved for a workforce training grant totaling $11,349 from the Vermont Training Program (VTP). Vermont Violins is expanding in-house production capabilities to include high-quality face plates and scrolls that are currently purchased offshore. To meet new production needs, five incumbent and one new hire will be trained on upgraded equipment to allow for this transition. The grant funds will help pay for training in the CAD/CAM design software, instrument set-up and tone adjustment needed for new equipment, as well as support social media marketing plan efforts.

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) Emergency Department Medical Director Ryan Sexton, MD attended the American College of Emergency Physicians’ (ACEP) 2019 Leadership & Advocacy Conference with Gifford Medical Center emergency physician, A. Nicole Thran, MD on May 8 in Washington D.C. This year’s annual conference highlighted the importance of advocating for improving mental health access from the emergency department.

Stephen P. Marsh, Board Chair of Community Bancorp. and Community National Bank, welcomed 170 shareholders to the annual shareholders’ meeting at the Elks’ Club on May 14, 2019. Mr. Marsh led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and asked for a moment of silence for friends and neighbors who have passed. He continued with introductions of Board Members, Executive Officers and retired Directors and recognized Charlie Bucknam for his 11 years of service and retirement as a Director following the annual meeting. Marsh introduced guests Todd Desjardins from the public accounting firm BerryDunn and Denise Deschenes from the law firm of Primmer Piper Eggleston and Cramer, PC. 

Jillian Fisher, 20, of Burlington was crowned Miss Vermont 2019 at the Chandler Center for the Arts on Saturday evening.  Fisher is a rising senior at the University of Vermont studying Animal Science. A talented vocalist, she sang Dream On in the talent portion of the competition.
In addition to the title of Miss Vermont, Ms. Fisher earned $5000 in cash scholarships, including a $1000 Stowe Rotary scholarship, and $3900 of in-kind scholarships to Dale Carnegie of Vermont.

Governor Phil Scott today joined local, state and federal partners to announce over $2.5 million in community development grants to nine communities in nine different counties throughout Vermont.
“From Alburgh to Brattleboro, communities across our state will use these grants to build housing, improve infrastructure, support business growth, restore historic buildings and serve the needs of working families and homeless Vermonters,” said Governor Scott. “There’s no shortage of good ideas in Vermont and these grants are a great tool to bring them to life.”

Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America and part of POWDR, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the National Governing Body (NGB) of Olympic ski and snowboard sports in the USA, have a two-year agreement for Vermont’s Killington Resort to host the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Killington’s place on the 2019 World Cup calendar has been confirmed by the International Ski Federation (FIS). HomeLight will be the title sponsor for the next World Cup at Killington, which will take place November 30 - December 1, 2019, Thanksgiving weekend.

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos will be delivering a keynote address on cybersecurity at Route Fifty’s “Building a New Cyber Security Paradigm” summit in Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday, June 6^th.
“Defending our elections and other government systems from cyber attackers takes constant diligence, and requires continual investment in the robust defense network that keeps the bad actors out,” said Secretary Condos. “With respect to elections, voters deserve to know that when they cast their ballot, their vote is secure, and that when they give information to state and local governments, we’re doing everything in our power to ensure that information is protected.”

In 2019, OneCare Vermont (OneCare) Accountable Care Organization (ACO) anticipates awarding up to $1,000,000 in competitive grant funding, over two funding cycles, to organizations in the ACO Network and their partners, with the goal of improving the quality, cost, and experience of healthcare for Vermonters.
Sara Barry, Senior Director of Value Base Care at OneCare, shared, “Vermont has been a national leader in testing innovations in healthcare delivery and payment reform, so we’re excited to continue to push the boundaries of reform efforts through this new funding opportunity.”

Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Vermont state Representative David Ainsworth.

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of former state Representative David Ainsworth. David was an exceptional public servant and showed it in every regard.

“His commitment to community, family - and, of course, his farming - was unmatched. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him, and I send my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”