Current News

by John McClaughry The pending Global Warming Solutions Act (H.688) has become the must-pass Holy Grail of Vermont’s climate activists. During his six year tenure (2011-2016) Gov. Peter Shumlin enthusiastically signed numerous bills, mostly aimed at forcing electric utilities to rely more on renewable electricity, less on fossil fueled grid power, and none from Vermont’s nuclear plant.

Vermont Business Magazine In Vermont, 26.4% of high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Vaping harms developing lungs and overall health and may place people at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Now, when protecting lung health is more important than ever, the American Lung Association today announced a broad plan to end youth vaping.

Vermont Business Magazine For patient convenience, the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) Breast Health and Imaging Center will offer screening mammograms 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on eight Saturdays this fall. The special Saturday dates include September 12 and 19; October 3, 10, and 24; and November 7, 14, and 21. The American College of Radiology recommends beginning screening mammograms at age 40 and continuing annually thereafter.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Weinberger announced that Jennifer Morrison will not return to the Burlington Police Department as initially planned when she left to care for her husband in June. And while Morrison acknowledged that her husband's health is still on the mend, it is her negative reaction to the City Council and their budget cutting and general attitude toward the Police Department that is the primary reason for not returning.

Leonine Public Affairs The legislature has finished its second week of the fall session, which was largely devoted to finalizing a budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Most of the House committee activity consisted of developing recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee regarding how the remaining federal Coronavirus Relief Fund money should be spent. The House Appropriations Committee then worked to incorporate those recommendations into the budget bill.

Agency of Commerce & Community Development ACCD is continuing to encourage interested businesses to sign up now for the #BuyLocalVermont program. More than 1,000 businesses have registered thus far. Businesses can enroll to take part in the program now, which will launch to consumers September 8, 2020 at 11:00am. For full details on the process to sign up, and to find an informational slide deck and webinar, visit the ACCD Recovery Resource Center.

Governor Phil Scott Every year, on first weekend of September, we celebrate the workers of our nation – those who, throughout our history, have powered our economy and communities. This year, I especially want to recognize the frontline heroes of this once-in-a-century health emergency.

Vermont Business Magazine The week of September 12 – 19 has been designated as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Vermont. The week is part of a nationwide effort to raise public understanding of an invasive forest pest that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the U.S. This wood-boring beetle, first found in Vermont in 2018, is now confirmed in eight Vermont counties. Experience in Midwestern states has shown that once this pest is detected in an area, unless treated with insecticides, the majority of ash trees will become infested and die within a decade.

Vermont Business Magazine The Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP) and Lake Champlain Maritime Museum announced the discovery of two paddlewheels, likely fragments of the Steamboat Phoenix, which caught fire and sank exactly 201 years ago Friday on Lake Champlain. On the dark night of September 4, 1819, the Steamboat Phoenix was floating dead in the water north of Colchester Shoal and burning furiously. Passengers who were unable to board the lifeboats jumped into the water and clung to debris or swam for their lives.

Vermont Business Magazine Tom Sullivan, former president of the University of Vermont, has been elected president of the American Bar Foundation (ABF) for the 2020-2022 term. For the past two years, Sullivan served as the vice president of the foundation's Board of Directors.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has signed an executive order to accelerate a series of reforms and modernizations of public safety services in Vermont, and to initiate a comprehensive, ongoing discussion with state residents—especially historically marginalized communities—about how law enforcement can best serve communities’ needs. The governor’s Public Safety Reform Initiative immediately implements seven key short-term priorities, such as engaging Vermonters in robust participation in the modernization process; ensuring uniform, statewide policies regarding body-worn cameras and uses of force; improving and standardizing data collection by law enforcement agencies; and bolstering practices for hiring, training and promoting law enforcement officers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) will launch the Buy Local Vermont Program to consumers on Tuesday, September 8 at 11 am. The program is funded through a $500,000 dollar allocation of Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. More than 1,000 Vermont businesses have already enrolled in the program, which offers deals to Vermonters in the form of discounts. Vermonters will be able to register for the Buy Local Vermont program at www.thinkvermont.com/local and redeem a $30 discount offer from a participating local business.