Current News

​by John McClaughry A large insurance company has been flooding the television channels with an advertising slogan “Only Pay for What You Need”. It’s an interesting exercise to apply that idea to various public spending issues. Typically, at the state level, our elected legislature decides how the tax dollars they collect from Vermonters are to be spent – supporting schools, maintaining highways, implementing public health measures, subsidizing favored energy producers, paying for law enforcement, and so on. Once the spending bills are enacted into law, all taxpayers are obliged to pay the taxes to cover the spending, whether or not they approve of the spending. The majority rules.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson—a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show—will feature Physical Therapist Caitlyn Boyd, DPT, and Respiratory Therapist Chad DeGrenier, RRT, on its September 8 program. The show will air at noon. The two will share information about pulmonary rehabilitation and how it can help those with breathing difficulties.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Health is reporting two more COVID-19 deaths since Friday for 282 statewide, with 78 new cases, 33 hospitalized and 12 in the ICU. Hospitalizations were up two from yesterday and ICU stays were up one. Daily case counts have fallen over the last week as hospitalizations have remained relatively high.

Vermont Business Magazine A group of Vermont legislators are calling for "bold progressive legislation" to support working Vermonters this Labor Day. In the second year of a pandemic that has devastated the economy and many families’ lives, they are committed to increasing access to affordable housing, income-based education financing, health insurance and mental health care, and secure pensions.

“With unprecedented federal money coming into Vermont to rebuild, now is the time to transform our economy to ensure Vermonters are able to recover equitably, stronger, and more resilient than before. We know that it will take all of us inside and outside the State House to build an economy that works for everyone, and we are ready for that fight,” said Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, P/D-Chittenden 8-1.

New Administrative Directive calls for increased mask wearing in buildings

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Supreme Court has once again amended its order declaring a Judicial Emergency. Administrative Order 49, which was originally adopted in March of 2020, has been amended numerous times in order to ensure the Judiciary continues to be responsive to public health guidance relating to COVID-19.

The current amendments, like previous measures, aim to protect the health of Judiciary employees and the public while providing necessary services and access to justice for all Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine The board will develop policies and programs to accelerate community efforts that advance the State’s goal of achieving universal access to reliable, high-quality, affordable, fixed broadband achieving speeds of at least 100 Mbps symmetrical.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement: “Today we recognize and thank the workers of our great country – the men and women who support their families, fuel our economy, and continue to build our nation. The hard work and grit of the American worker makes us who we are as a people."

Vermont Business Magazine Reducing energy costs through increased efficiency or on-site renewable energy production is a goal for many agricultural producers and rural small businesses. And while the payback is often substantial for these kinds of projects, both from cost savings and reduced environmental impact, initial project costs present significant barriers. The good news: USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program can help.

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine It was a sun-splashed late spring day with a light breeze whipping up the waters of Lake Champlain. A couple of intrepid windsurfers were plowing through the waves. And in the parking lot of HULA, the new multi-million dollar high-tech business Xanadu in Burlington’s South End, the man who created it, Russ Scully, rode in on a bicycle to talk. Tall, blond, tanned, incredibly fit, with cheekbones that look like they could cut glass and wearing flip-flops, Scully, 52, looks like a surfer dude and talks like a buttoned-down businessman. That he happens to be both is one of the engaging mysteries about him.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 900 cyclists are expected to roll in the 16th annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling Vacations on September 11 in Middlebury, Vermont. The ride’s longer routes loop though Charlotte. The ride is the Kelly Brush Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event focused on the foundation’s mission to improve the lives of those with spinal cord injury through sports and recreation.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont. Construction crews will be off on Monday, September 6, in observance of Labor Day. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine This week marks the last full week of the federal pandemic unemployment benefits. The benefits extended regular UI payments, included “gig” workers with the PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) program and added $300 a week to all claimants who lost work because COVID-19. Whether workers coming off unemployment will help fill holes in the workforce was a question before the Delta variant hit in early July. Now there is evidence that Delta is indeed keeping workers away.