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Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s tax revenue results for January 2021 show that General Fund revenues came in above target, while the Transportation and Education Fund revenues came in below target. Compared to the January revised estimate, the state’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $12.1 million, or 4.8% above the consensus expectations

Vermont Business Magazine School for International Training (SIT) is pleased to announce it will host the Spring 2021 Critical Conversations Webinar Series, which aims to inspire community-wide dialogue on global, interdisciplinary topics within SIT’s Critical Global Issues Framework. Launching in mid-February, the semester-long series will feature more than 40 webinars, all of which are free and open to anyone who is interested.

“This webinar series offers an opportunity for engaged global citizens to explore some of the world’s most pressing challenges and connect with SIT’s extensive network of faculty, staff, alumni, and partners,” said SIT President Dr. Sophia Howlett. “Our inaugural fall webinar series ‘Perspectives from the Global South’ was a tremendous success, and we are proud to be able to offer a continuance this spring now with a focus on ‘Alternative Modernities’.”

by Rob Roper The Vermont Tax Structure Commission released its 180-page draft report to the legislature in January, and one of the major recommendations it makes is to expand Vermont’s 6% sales tax, currently limited to non-essential goods and a few select services, to all goods and services except healthcare. Doing this would be accompanied by an overall rate reduction to 3.6%.

Vermont Business Magazine The VDH reported a relatively low 53 new cases of COVID-19 today and one more death for 191 statewide. Cases across the US and in the Northeast have been declining, with associated deaths also going down.Around 18,800 Vermonters age 70-74 made appointments Tuesday through the state’s registration system – nearly 57% of those eligible – the first day vaccination was expanded to that age group. We continue to provide vaccine to those age 75 and older as well. Nearly 80,000 Vermonters have received at least one dose of vaccine. The federal government is upping the state's allotment by 2,500 doses a week starting next week. They also hope to have approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the end of the month.

Vermont Business Magazine At 8:15 this morning, Vermonters age 70 to 74 were able to sign up and make appointments to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. In just the first 15 minutes the Health Department received more than 7,000 calls from people making appointments to be vaccinated – flooding the Department of Health’s call center and racking up the clicks at the department’s website. By 4:45 in the afternoon, around 18,800 people had signed up – nearly 57% of the 33,200 people eligible. Nearly 80,000 Vermonters have received at least one dose of vaccine. The federal government is upping the state's allotment by 2,500 doses a week starting next week. They also hope to have approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the end of the month.

Vermont Business Magazine VGS today filed its 2021 rate request for November 2021 that it says reinforces its commitment to customer safety and affordability, energy efficiency, and investments in clean energy solutions. The proposal, which requires approval from the Public Utility Commission (PUC), calls for an overall rate increase of 2.6 percent. This adjustment would mean an average residential customer would pay an additional $2.40 per month. This change comes after generally declining overall rates over the last 10 years.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Small Business Development Center is co-hosting a webinar about small business bankruptcy from noon to 2 pm February 17. Also, The Small Business Administration is hosting a two-day webinar from 8:30 am to 4 pm February 24 to 25 for Veterans wanting to learn about the fundamentals of starting a small business.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott has appointed Wendy Knight of Panton to serve a four-year term on the Vermont Commission on Women (VCW), the state’s non-partisan commission working to advance rights and opportunities for women and girls. Commissioner Knight is a communications and marketing executive with over 20 years of government, corporate and entrepreneurial experience in advertising and marketing, food and beverage, healthcare, media, non-profit, and the publishing industries.

The Stern Center for Language and Learning The Stern Center’s visionary founder Dr Blanche Podhajski is retiring after a pioneering 50-year career in the field of education and 38 years at the helm of the Stern Center for Language and Learning. Over 200 people celebrated her extraordinary accomplishments virtually, on February 14, Valentine’s Day, one of her favorite days of the year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Honorable Christina E Nolan, US Attorney for Vermont, has announced she will tender her resignation, effective February 28, 2021. US Attorney Nolan assumed the position on November 27, 2017, following the bipartisan recommendation of Senator Patrick Leahy and Governor Phil Scott; the President’s nomination; and unanimous confirmation by the US Senate.

US Attorney Nolan stated: “I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity for the last 11 years to work for Vermonters in the fight for justice with the talented and good people of the US Attorney’s Office – its criminal and civil Assistant US Attorneys, administrative staff, and support staff – and to have led this outstanding group since November 2017.

Together, we secured justice, promoted public safety, and vindicated victims’ rights on behalf of Vermonters and the American people.

Vermont Department of Health At 8:15 this morning, scheduling for the 70 and older age group for COVID-19 vaccination opened. In just the first 15 minutes the Health Department received more than 7,000 calls from people making appointments to be vaccinated. People may experience long wait time (and some are getting all circuits are busy) as the call center works full bore to schedule appointments. Given this call volume, the Department suggests people go online at healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to make their appointments, and thanks callers for their patience. Everyone will get scheduled and there are enough appointments for all.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that it has launched the use of new devices that will enable people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate easily and effectively with staff at all DMV locations.