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Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Interim Chancellor Sophie Zdatny today expressed sincere appreciation for a pledge of support issued over the weekend by House Speaker Mitzi Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe. The VSCS plans for all of its college campuses to open this fall ending weeks of uncertainty about the future of Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College’s Randolph campus. The lawmakers statement said in part: “We are making progress on the steps we outlined and are gathering the financial and operational information needed to be able to fund a transition plan for this year.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced limited elective procedures would resume, which had previously been put on hold as Vermont’s health care system focused on preparing for, and responding to, COVID-19. This does not include elective surgeries that would require a hospital stay, like a hip or knee replacement. The governor’s decision comes as the state’s modeling continues to show spread of COVID-19 has slowed – thanks to Vermonters’ physical distancing efforts – and the state’s ability to track and trace outbreaks of COVID-19 has become more robust. Health care providers who recommence these procedures have been provided guidance and must meet specific mitigation criteria to protect patients and clinicians from possible infection.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Millions of Americans' economic security is being threatened due to this crisis. During this difficult time no one should have to worry about going into default or making additional sacrifices to make their student loan payments. The federal emergency relief bill (the CARES Act) suspends payments and interest accrual for federal student loans through September 30th. I've called on the Department of Education to cancel monthly student loan payments for the duration of the national emergency, and to cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for all federal student loan borrowers. While I'm proud the CARES Act provides much needed relief for federal student loan borrowers, we must do more for the millions of Americans with private student loan payments. We must cancel all student loan payments and halt interest accrual for the duration of this crisis. As we work to address the debt crisis and immediate needs of American families during this pandemic, I will also continue to fight to make college accessible and affordable, and to cancel all student loan debt in the United States.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington, Vermont-based Encore Renewable Energy announced today the approval of all permits required to construct a 5MW solar array in Oakland, Maine on underutilized land near the center of the town. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the company continues to work remotely and is poised to support the economic recovery in Maine with the development and deployment of clean energy across the state. Following the successful passage of a number of forward-looking renewable energy bills by the legislature and the Mills Administration, Maine’s solar market is poised to be a driver of the economic recovery coming out of the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported that there were 11 new cases of COVID-19 statewide for a statewide total of 897. There was one more death for a total of 52. And the number hospitalized decreased by one to 19. Mortality data indicate that women and white people have a lower death rate. The infection rate among females is over 4 percent higher, but the percent deceased from COVID-19 is over 15 percent lower. Whites represent 94.5 percent of cases and 88.5 percent of deaths.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Mutual Insurance Group, headquartered in Montpelier, Vermont, has announced that they will contribute $1,000,000 in charitable donations to assist with COVID-19 relief efforts in Vermont. Two organizations, the Vermont Foodbank and the Vermont Community Foundation have already been named as the first recipients, with $500,000 total being designated for the two institutions.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance (VDPA) is calling on all retail outlets selling dairy products to stop placing quantity limits on them. Today, and going into the future, there should be no shortages within the dairy markets. The reality of farmers dumping milk while stores are limiting the purchase of those products is disheartening. Additionally, during COVID-19 it is even more imperative that consumers access the dairy products they need as well as for their families and neighbors they may be shopping for.

Our country is on the eve of a food crisis which we have not seen since the Great Depression. Farmers are essential for safe and reliable food across our country and at time when the food supply is broken due to pandemic circumstances, it makes little sense for limits to be placed on products that are in abundance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging (V4A) typically provides a robust in-person training as well as webinars, but due to the need for social distancing during COVID-19, our trainings are now online. Through the month of May, V4A is offering some dynamic online trainings at minimal to no cost to the general public.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported that there were seven new cases of COVID-19 statewide for a statewide total of 886. There was one more death for a total of 51. And the number hospitalized increased to 20 from 21.

House Speaker Mitzi Johnson & Senate Pro Tem Tim Ashe Vermont State Colleges plays a critical role in strengthening the economic and human development of Vermont and Vermonters, and a measured, thoughtful transition will prevent a devastating vacuum of educational opportunities and jobs in significant rural areas of the state.

Leonine Public Affairs This week lawmakers got their first glimpse of the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on state revenues next fiscal year. The Legislature’s economist Tom Kavet projects state revenues will be down $143.6 million for the current fiscal year ending in June and down another $427 million for the next fiscal year starting in July. Full of references to testing, social distancing and epidemiological models, Kavet’s testimony sounded more like an update from the Health Department than the legislative economist. As Kavet put it, “current economic conditions are dominated by epidemiological and federal policy events with massive economic consequences, not business cycle economic imbalances in need of correction.”

Vermont Agency of Commerce Governor Phil Scott on Friday released Addendum 12 to the Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order which includes updated mandatory health and safety guidelines for the continued phased restart of business in the state. It also provides updates on the size of work crews for outdoor businesses, construction, manufacturing, and distribution operations. As part of Addendum 12, it was announced that as businesses work toward reopening, each employer will need to develop a reopening and training plan to ensure the health and well-being of Vermonters as they return to work. In advance of farmers markets opening after May 1st, the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has developed a new set of frequently asked questions to provide clarification on published guidance. Vendors will need to significantly alter their business practices and use a “pre-order, local food pick-up” model to eliminate crowds and reduce contact with customers.