Current News

by Labor Commissioner Michael A Harrington Here is an update as of Saturday, April 18, 2020. Beginning last Thursday, our team was able to successfully manipulate our system to open up past benefit weeks for claimants who had missed a filing deadline. This change allows claimants to file for one missed week per day, while our system processes each new filing overnight. If you have missed multiple weeks, you should be able to get caught up in your filing over the next few days. As many of you may have heard, the Governor has asked Labor to get as many people paid as possible by tonight (Saturday), at which point, anyone who opened a claim between March 1 – April 4, but has not received a benefit payment, will receive a $1,200 check from the state.

The University of Vermont Health Network The ties that bind us have been severely tested by the COVID-19 pandemic. But even as this terrible virus has kept many of us apart, there are examples everywhere of how we are united in purpose and community spirit – from our heroic health care workers who continue to serve our patients in so many ways, to those who are staying home and trying their best to stay well. In this newsletter, you’ll see the story of a UVM Medical Center nurse who isolated herself from her family in order to protect them. This is another example of how sacrifice is a big part of our effort to combat COVID-19. The work we’ve done so far shows that we’re up to this task, as long as we keep working together, as a community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported 803 total cases of COVID-19, an increase of 24 cases since yesterday's report. There were also three more deaths for a total of 38. Total hospitalizations remained at 56.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) unveiled a proposal to establish the Paycheck Security Act, a program to cover the wages and benefits of employees of affected businesses and nonprofits until the economic and public health crisis is resolved. All employers who have suffered a month-over-month drop in revenues of at least 20 percent will be eligible to receive grants covering a portion of payroll and benefits for at least the next six months.

Leonine Public Affairs Another point of tension percolating between the administration and legislature is the authority to spend the $1.25 billion in emergency federal stimulus the state is receiving. The legislative committees have discussed how they can play a role in determining how the money is spent. It is not yet clear how this will play out. The executive branch has broad authority to spend money during a state of emergency. That said, $1.25 billion is a much larger amount than has historically been injected all at once into state coffers.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America and a POWDR company, has announced a Community Grocery Giveaway happening on Tuesday, April 21 from 11 am to 1 pm. The giveaway is part of Killington Resort’s Play Forever commitment to protect the environment, inspire participation, and pledge to support the local community.

Vermont Business Magazine A statement from the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington Friday night said that, "A UVM Medical Center physician was arrested today in connection with a hidden camera that had been discovered in a staff-only restroom earlier this week.

"When the device was found, our staff did the right thing and contacted the Burlington Police Department, who immediately responded and conducted an investigation with our cooperation, and with support from our security team.

"The physician is on administrative leave pending resolution of the case.

"We thank BPD and CUSI for their work. Our people provide the highest quality care for members of this community, and we will ensure they are supported and informed as we learn more about this unfortunate situation."

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The state will make a dramatic break with federal unemployment insurance rules if the backlog of unemployment claims is not resolved by Saturday night. Governor Phil Scott announced today that he has authorized the Treasury to issue $1,200 checks Sunday to those Vermonters who have unresolved claims. The state will then continue to validate those claims and adjust them going forward. He said people not working must get money in their pockets as soon as possible. No one eligible for unemployment insurance will lose money because of the delay.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced a flag lowering procedure to honor Vermonters who have died due to COVID-19, making the following statement: “This Sunday, April 19, marks one month since Vermont’s first two fatalities as a result of COVID-19. In honor of all the Vermonters we have lost to this terrible disease, I am ordering the U.S. and Vermont state flags to fly at half-staff on the 19th of every month for the remainder of 2020."

Vermont Business Magazine The state’s latest modeling, presented today, shows the growth rate in new COVID-19 cases has averaged below 4 percent for the last 12 days, the rate at which cases double has slowed dramatically, and the number of people requiring hospitalizations remains stable. The Vermont Department of Health reported 11 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths, which stand at 35.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Jeb Spaulding today announced profound changes to the system that includes closing the Johnson and Lyndon campuses of Northern Vermont University and the original Randolph Center campus of Vermont Technical College. The downsizing will happen quickly and occur by the fall term this year. It also will cost 500 jobs. Castleton University will be the only residential college in the system and existing and incoming students will be transferred there. The Williston VTC campus will expand. CCV will remain largely unscathed.

by Louis Josephson, PhD, Brattleboro Retreat As our communities band together to defeat a new and deadly virus, our attention has been laser focused on following trusted guidance from the scientific and medical communities intended to keep us safe. Americans are, rightly so, becoming well versed in the use of phrases such as social distancing, personal protective equipment, self-isolation, herd immunity, and flattening the curve. For most of us, the need to adopt strict infection control measures has become a fact of daily life.