Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to H.107, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance bill, on a vote of 92-52. Governor Phil Scott opposes the mandatory aspect of the plan and along with Governor Sununu of New Hampshire has proposed a plan that's voluntary and presumably less expensive. The legislative plan did not receive the 100-vote veto proof majority, though Scott has not said whether he would veto the bill or not if it reaches his desk as is, which is probable. The legislative plan will cost at least $95 million and workers will pay a 0.55-percent payroll tax. It would provide 90 percent wage replacement on the first $27,000 of wages and 50 percent on rest up to $116,538.

Vermont Business Magazine The 2019 Best of Business Awards (BOB Awards) winners have been announced by Vermont Business Magazine. This awards program celebrates the best Vermont companies in more than 100 business-to-business categories. VBM readers choose the winners! Starting on January 1, 2019 and closing on March 1st, VBM surveyed its magazine and digital subscribers. We asked our readers – the business leaders of Vermont – who they trust to provide their services in over 100 different categories. After nearly 13,000 votes, we compiled the go-to list in the state for everything from Best Bank and Best Public Relations Firm to Best College for an Online Degree. Some of the questions and answers were based on a regional perspective while most of the categories were looking for statewide winners.

Vermont Business Magazine It is unfortunate that the Senate reached an impasse on the emergency disaster supplemental appropriations bills.  For months, I repeatedly urged Senate Republican leadership to take up and pass the House bill, H.R. 268, and for nearly 3 months they did nothing.  During those three months, American communities suffered, and new disasters struck the Midwest and Southeast.  The new criticism from Republican leadership became that Democrats pushing for more comprehensive aid to Puerto Rico in H.R. 268 must not care about these American communities affected by more recent disasters.

by Brandon Arcari The Vermont Senate has passed a proposal, Prop. 5, which would amend the Vermont constitution to guarantee "personal reproductive liberty" to Vermonters.

The proposal, in conjunction with a House bill already passed this year, would protect abortion in the state both legislatively and constitutionally, making removing those protections much more difficult. Both the bill and the amendment are in reaction to the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, due to concerns over his stance on Roe v. Wade case that protected abortion nationally. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General T.J. Donovan today announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), accusing them of illegally weakening key federal nutritional standards for school breakfasts and lunches. In Vermont, 46,000 children participated in the school lunch program and 25,000 children participated in the breakfast program last year. The coalition contends that the USDA’s rollback of sodium limits and whole grain requirements for school meals, lacks legally-mandated scientific basis, and was adopted without public notice and opportunity to comment.  

by Brandon Arcari, Vermont Business Magazine Three Vermont energy efficiency utilities announced a partnership with the state department of Public Service and the Agencies of Natural Resources and Human Resources to offer a $500 incentive to Vermont households for weatherization projects. The incentive is available for households that bring in less than 120% of the area median income.

Vermont Business Magazine Batteries are now eligible for state energy efficiency incentives in Massachusetts, and this first-in-the-nation policy should be considered by other states, according to a new report published today by Clean Energy Group (CEG). The report details how Massachusetts, a national leader in energy efficiency, recently became the first state to formally incorporate energy storage as an active demand reduction measure in its energy efficiency funding program, and it explains the simple steps other states can take to do the same.

The state’s January 2019 action was supported with original economic analysis provided by CEG.

Vermont Business Magazine Sivan Cotel of Vergennes, VT has joined the University of Vermont Health Network Board of Trustees.  He is Co-Founder and Director of Operations for Stonecutter Spirits in Middlebury and serves as Chair of the Board of Directors at UVM Health Network – Porter Medical Center. Cotel was previously the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of WhistlePig Whiskey, and provides counsel to new craft spirits companies on operational and business planning.

Cotel spent the first part of his career in financial services at Bear Stearns, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, after graduating with honors from Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s degree double-majoring in Psychology and Music and a Master's degree in Psychology.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Precision Tools, the Swanton manufacturer of high precision tools used in the automotive, medical and aeronautic industries, has added Career & Education Wellness, powered by VSAC, as a new benefit to provide employees and their families with enhanced education and training information.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott on Wednesday announced he’s appointed 100 Vermonters to State boards and commissions during the months of February and March. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities.

The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website athttp://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

Appointments made by the Governor during the months of February and March are listed below:

Access Board

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center and Vermont HITEC, a not-for-profit education center, are now accepting applications for a no-cost 8-week Phlebotomy training program that will lead to guaranteed jobs upon successful completion. Up to 8 selected participants will attend an 8-week program starting June 3, 2019, with employment beginning July 29, 2019. There will be 6 part-time and 2 full-time positions available as Phlebotomists, enrolled in a Registered Apprenticeship with stepped-up performance-based wages. All positions are full-time or part-time with benefits at UVM Medical Center.

Vermont Business Magazine Former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas will deliver the commencement address at Castleton University's 232nd graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 18. Douglas was named the 80th governor of Vermont in 2002 and was re-elected for three terms with a majority of the vote. He was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in November 1972, and would become the House majority leader during his third two-year term at the age of 25. Douglas was elected Secretary of State in 1980, a post he held until 1992. He also served as Vermont state treasurer from 1995 to 2002.

"I believe that former Governor Jim Douglas will offer our graduates an important perspective about what can happen when we set aside our differences and focus our energy into creating positive change," said President Dr. Karen Scolforo. "I have no doubt his words will engage, encourage, and inspire."