Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In response to President Trump’s proposal to eliminate funding for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) has rallied a bipartisan coalition in support of fully funding this vital program. 174 Members of the House of Representatives signed a letter to the House Appropriations Committee expressing the importance of this safety net program to struggling families.

“LIHEAP helps low-income households and seniors with their energy bills, providing vital assistance during both the cold winter months and the hot summer months,” wrote the Members. “LIHEAP households are among the most vulnerable in the country. For these households, LIHEAP funding has been a lifeline during challenging economic times. Access to affordable home energy is not a luxury—it is a matter of health and safety.”

Seeks 225 donors to unlock $350,000 in challenge funds

Vermont Business Magazine Marlboro College has announced Sugar Rush 2019, an Annual Fund challenge celebrating the sugaring season and culminating with a sugar-on-snow event on April 3. With a total goal of reaching 225 donors, the college stands to unlock $350,000 in challenge funds donated by generous trustees and friends.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan has joined 38 state attorneys general to send a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) criticizing the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Draft Report. The letter was addressed to Dr Vanila Singh, chief medical officer for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

Farmers Encouraged to Review Spreading Rules Going Forward

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s winter manure spreading ban ends today, April 1st, but with another cold and wet March having brought adverse field conditions to most of Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is issuing a spring stewardship reminder to Vermont farmers and Custom Manure Applicators. VAAFM advises farmers and Custom Operators that water quality rules will restrict manure spreading activities until individual field conditions improve. The Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) prohibit the application of manure to frozen or snow-covered fields, as well as on saturated ground where field conditions are conducive to runoff into Vermont’s waters.

Vermont Business Magazine Eight Main Street Grants will be awarded to six Vermont communities from the National Life Group Foundation. This is the second year of the Main Street Grants program that was created to help build community throughout Vermont where National Life is headquartered. The grants include funding for repositioning a community to take advantage of its emerging outdoor recreational opportunities to upgrading heating and lighting systems in an arts center to a mural designed to enhance a downtown streetscape. In all, $85,300 in grants will be awarded to Barre, Brandon, Newport, Poultney, Randolph, and Rutland.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) has entered into a Stipulation and Consent Order with The Lafayette Life Insurance Company for its failure to properly supervise its Vermont insurance agents. Under the terms of the settlement, Lafayette will pay a $300,000 administrative penalty and make several improvements to its supervisory procedures, including annual training and enhanced reporting.

by Representative Pattie McCoy (Rutland-1) The Vermont Senate recently passed a bill that will mandate a $15 minimum wage for Vermont by 2024, with incremental increases from today’s $10.78. This sounds nice, giving low-income workers a raise; however, there are some significant consequences to this that the proponents of the bill and the media are not telling Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine The City of Burlington, Champlain College and Park Burlington have announced a free parking promotion through August during the Great Streets project on Saint Paul Street. Beginning on April 1st, the new covered lots at 194 St Paul Street - with entrances on King or Maple - will offer a first hour of free parking and a rate reduction to $1/Hr for every hour thereafter. See the attached map for the location of the parking lots. You must still use Parkmobile or the kiosk machine to set up your parking session, even for the hour of free parking.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bank was rated the number one bank in Vermont on Forbes 2019 World’s Best Banks list released in March. This is the first time Forbes has recognized the World’s Best Banks based solely on consumer feedback.

Interdisciplinary Events in French, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and Spanish

Vermont Business Magazine The Spring 2019 Language Series, hosted by the Isabelle Kaplan Center for Languages and Cultures at Bennington College, offers interdisciplinary talks and events that enhance and expand the understanding of language and cultures outside the classroom. All events are free, open to the public, and will take place on Bennington College’s campus.

Leonine Public Affairs This was a big week in Montpelier. The House passed the budget, revenue bill and capital bill. Timing is on par with most legislative sessions. With 12 weeks in the books the legislature is two-thirds of the way through the scheduled 18 week session. What is somewhat more unusual - at least compared to recent sessions - is how little controversy there has been.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank NA recently presented a $2,500 donation to Common Roots to help support its food education programs for local preschool and elementary school children. All programs focus on transforming the culture regarding nutritious, fresh, local foods. Founded in 2009, Common Roots has worked with farmers, educators, kids, families and the broader community to enrich local food systems and culture over the past decade. It has five food and access programs, including Farm to School, Growing Gardens, Community Food Shares, Farm to Go and Land-Based Gatherings at Wheeler Nature Park.