Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In response to decreased demand for COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) COVID Resource Center vaccination hours will reduce hours starting Monday, February 21. The center will be open for vaccinations 8 am–noon Friday and Saturday through March. Vaccines will be available 1–5 pm Monday through Wednesday and 8 am–noon on Thursday at SVMC ExpressCare/Respiratory Evaluation Center at 120 Hospital Drive in Bennington.

Vermont Business Magazine As the world faces the third year of the coronavirus pandemic and a growing crisis in schools around the country, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on Wednesday evening held a virtual student town meeting to hear directly from young people about the challenges they are experiencing today and how the federal government can begin to address their needs.

Leonine Public Affairs It is officially crunch time in the Vermont legislature as committees begin the final push to pass legislation in time for crossover. The last two weeks in February can be the most dynamic of the entire legislative session with the crossover crunch, in part because everything is still in play. The last few weeks of the session - usually in May or June - are the most critical because that is usually when legislation either passes or dies. However, by that point the bills still in play have been winnowed down significantly, and from a pure volume standpoint things are simpler.

​by Dawn Schneiderman Among the many healthcare proposals being considered in the Legislature this year is a policy that is deceptively appealing. At first glance, it seems like a great idea, but when we do the numbers, it is clear that this would significantly increase Vermonters’ retirement healthcare costs. A pair of bills in the Senate and House, S.239 and H.282, would allow an annual open enrollment period each year for Vermonters to buy a Medicare Supplement plan or to switch plans with no financial penalty. While this seems like a positive idea, neighboring states that offer rolling enrollment periods are accompanied by staggering premium increases.

by Katie Keszey, Community College of Vermont Grace Brown was in a Starbucks store two years ago when she watched, dismayed, as a barista struggled to help a customer who was deaf. Finally, Grace found a pen and paper and helped the stranger place their order. “I was very frustrated for them,” she said. Before the person left, they signed something to her, which she later discovered meant “thank you.” The encounter inspired the Burlington High School senior to start learning American Sign Language (ASL). Last spring, she took ASL I as a dual enrollment class offered by CCV at BHS—a free college course that gave her college credit as well as credit toward high school graduation.

Vermont Business Magazine Lawson’s Finest Liquids is debuting a new addition to their lineup of specialty beers - Super Session #3 with Comet hops. The single-hopped IPA is part of Lawson’s Finest Liquids longstanding Super Session series featuring a wide array of unique flavors. Super Session #3 will be available throughout spring in the brewery’s nine-state distribution area. Super Session #3, Comet features zesty Comet hops with hints of grapefruit and tangerine backed by unique grassy, herbal elements. The beer has a 4.8% ABV for a light, refreshing and approachable beer to kick off the spring season.

​Vermont Business Magazine Get ahead in your studies or take a course for fun during Castleton's summer session. Courses are offered in six-week sessions. Summer Session One runs from May 16-June 26. Summer Session Two is July 5 to Aug. 15. Offerings for undergraduate and graduate students are delivered in a variety of formats, including hybrid and online.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 263 cases of COVID-19 for Thursday, down from Wednesday's 243. There were four additional COVID-related deaths for 583 statewide. The fatality rate has remained relatively high and has been running about two a day on average. COVID cases have been falling here and across the nation, but the fatality rate has yet to fall.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The usual suspects of personal income, corporate income and consumption taxes continue to bolster Vermont’s revenues. Personal income, the most important General Fund revenue source, was nearly 12% over its target for the month. The volatile corporate income tax was over 81% ahead. And the rooms and meals tax was 28.3% above targets. Combined, General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts in January were a combined $305.9 million, or 5.8%, above upwardly revised monthly consensus expectations.

by Leslie McCrorey Wells As the co-owner of Burlington restaurants, Pizzeria Verità, Trattoria Delia, and Sotto Enoteca, I know how hard this past year has been on our industry partners. During the first 18 months of the pandemic, we furloughed staff, lost revenue, and accumulated debt. At the same time, we worked harder than ever to adapt, pivot, and persevere to keep our businesses viable and our workers and customers safe. Even with the extraordinary challenges faced by Vermont’s independent restaurants, we were lucky. We received funding through the first round of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which has been instrumental in helping our businesses to survive. Only 366 of the 947 Vermont restaurants that applied for RRF relief were awarded funds, leaving a $120.5 million hole in our state’s restaurant industry

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont and the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) announced today an agreement on successor two-year contracts for the Supervisory, Corrections, and Non-Management Units covering more than 6,000 employees. Terms for the unionized workers include a 3 percent wage increase this year and 2 percent increase in 2023. VSEA members have voted to ratify the contract settlements that include, in addition to the wage increases, lump sum payments, shift and weekend differential increases, hearing aids reimbursement benefit, and options to purchase additional life insurance.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Public Utilities Commission on Thursday denied a request by GlobalFoundries to make its Essex Junction facility an independent energy utility. Last April, GlobalFoundries filed a petition with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to do just that, but yesterday, the PUC denied the request because it would require an exemption to the state's renewable energy requirements.