Current News

by John McClaughry The pressure is on, in Washington and Montpelier, to take far-reaching (and long overdue) action to insofar as possible prevent future police-citizen interactions of the sort that led to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Last Wednesday in Washington, Senate Democrats mustered 45 votes to prevent even consideration of a reform bill. That produced the familiar partisan gridlock that will likely prevent any reform action until after the November election.

In Vermont, legislators are agreed on mandating police use of body cameras, banning potentially lethal suspect control techniques like chokeholds, and creating a better guide to use of force by police.

Vermont Business Magazine Forbes announced that One Credit Union has been named Best-In-State Credit Union for Vermont. Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to produce its third annual look at the Best Credit Unions In Each State. Consumers were asked 20 questions about their financial dealings. Credit Unions were rated on overall recommendations and satisfaction, as well as five subdimensions (trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services and financial advice).

With the economy in turmoil after the outbreak of the coronavirus, credit unions across the country have been forced to step up their game. Credit unions are mainstays in American life, offering low-cost financial products and personalized customer service.

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board has scheduled the FY21 hospital budget hearings to be held in August 2020. These meetings will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams and conference call-in number. The information on how to attend the hearings will be posted on the GMCB Website once the August schedule is posted. The first hearing is August 18 and run through August 28.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Supreme Court on Monday struck down a medically unnecessary Louisiana abortion restriction in a 5-4 decision in June Medical Services v. Russo. This means access to safe, legal abortion in Louisiana is protected for now, but attacks on our reproductive rights continue. The court ruled that Louisiana’s abortion restriction, which is identical to one it struck down four years ago in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, cannot stand under that precedent — it is unconstitutional to impose medically unnecessary laws that burden a person’s right to safe, legal abortion.

Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, reminded Vermonters on Monday that some US states are hitting single-day records of COVID-19, with the result that their hospital resources are being stretched, and re-opening plans have come to a halt. It appears people in the states seeing an increase in cases have not followed health guidance strictly, particularly social distancing and wearing masks, said Dr Levine, calling it a lesson for Vermonters to keep up our prevention efforts. In Vermont, the VDH is reporting six new cases for a statewide total of 1,208. none of the new cases are related to the outbreaks in Winooski or Rutland or Windham counties. There are no new deaths.

Vermont Business Magazine As Vermonters spend more time in the water this Fourth of July weekend and throughout the summer, health officials want you to know what cyanobacteria blooms look like so you can avoid them. With the recent heat wave, many Vermont waters are warmer than usual for this time of year. Warm waters create ideal conditions for cyanobacteria (sometimes referred to as blue-green algae) to grow.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, the Vermont Community Foundation announced $380,500 in grants in the fourth round of grantmaking from the VT COVID-19 Response Fund. As Governor Phil Scott continues to “turn the spigot” to re-open the state’s economy, Foundation staff focused this round on expanding access to housing, medical care, support services, and other essential items people need to stay safe as social distancing relaxes. Grants went towards providing care for vulnerable populations like the uninsured, New Americans, and people transitioning out of corrections, supporting many of the state’s LGBTQIA-support organizations and substance use disorder recovery centers, as well as helping childcare centers and farmers markets adapt to health standards.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) customers can now sign up for Save and Share, a pilot program that empowers customers to reduce energy use, saving them and all GMP customers money while also raising money for the Vermont Foodbank during this unprecedented time of increased need. Customers who enroll will get notifications about predicted energy peaks so they can reduce their own energy use during times when power is most expensive, and often dirtiest. This program will further add to savings generated for customers through the network of stored energy GMP already uses to manage energy peaks.

by Devon Green, VAHHS Vice President of Government Relations Everything about the legislature has changed, but one thing remains the same—just when it seemed impossible for all the necessary bills to pass before “leaving town,” it all came together, including a $275 million package for Vermont’s health care providers and an extension on COVID-19 regulatory flexibilities. The legislature has adjourned for now, but they will be back in August to pass the remaining three quarters of the FY 2021 budget and examine and adjust the disbursement of Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF).

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Sunday reported that the state has reached 1,202 cases of COVID-19. However, there are only 11 new cases since Thursday and no deaths, which remain at 56. Health Commissioner Dr Levine is encouraging Vermonters to “manage your exposure budget,” meaning using common sense to decide how much risk you’re taking on in your daily activities.

Leonine Public Affairs The Vermont Legislature spent long hours every day last week working to finalize tax and spending bills for the first quarter of FY21 and allocate hundreds of millions of dollars received from the federal government and placed in the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The Senate authorized almost $100 million in “Phase II” CRF spending for Vermont businesses and nonprofit organizations. This follows $70 million authorized in “Phase I” a few weeks ago. The Senate also authorized over $60 million in relief funding for housing which follows $23 million in housing grants in Phase I.

Agency of Commerce & Community Development On Monday, June 29, 2020 at 9 am, the Addison County Economic Development Corporation and the Addison County Chamber of Commerce will host a free webinar with local and state experts to explain the status and breadth of recovery funding programs and other resources for Vermont businesses. Also, see full new guidance on re-opening of the economy.