Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) led all Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee – the Senate committee with jurisdiction over immigration laws, humanitarian protection laws, and constitutional oversight – in demanding answers about the Department of Homeland Security exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic by claiming new, sweeping powers to summarily expel large, unknown numbers of individuals arriving at our border in clear contravention of existing federal laws. The Judiciary Committee Democrats reiterated that in our democracy, no crisis – however great – gives the Executive Branch unilateral authority to ignore or defy duly enacted laws.

by Lissa Harris, Strolling of the Heifers Executive Director The staff at the Strolling of the Heifers has been closely following the impact of COVID-19 to our food and farm related businesses. We are heartbroken by the number of food businesses having to shutter their doors, unsure if they will ever re-open. And we are witnessing first hand, in our own hometown of Brattleboro, what this unprecedented event is doing to our downtown businesses and our community. It’s clear that we will not be able to move forward with the Stroll Weekend events planned for June 4th through the 7th. For some events we have a clear plan forward in place already and for others we are still researching the best options.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting an increase of 32 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since Monday's report, but no new deaths, which remain at 23. There are a total of 575 cases in Vermont. For the first time, a resident of Grand Isle County has tested positive. There are still no cases in Essex County. Chittenden County has by far the most cases with 308.

by MVP Health Care President and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Del Vecchio Now more than ever, our members must have access to services that can help them manage their health in a personal way. As a health insurance company, it is our duty to do everything we can to support our members, our frontline providers, and our communities as they navigate this difficult situation. We want our membership to know that we are here for them during this crisis, and we remain committed as ever to providing the best care possible during and after COVID-19. As a result, we have implemented the following changes for our 700,000 members across New York and Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Commissioner Michael Pieciak today announced the approval of a plan submitted by Allstate and its affiliate insurance companies to reduce their auto insurance premiums for Vermont policyholders by approximately 15% due to reduced driving during the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan will amount to over $500,000 in savings for Vermonters. As Vermonters do their part to stay home to protect their families, friends, colleagues, and others from the virus, and to comply with the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the frequency of auto accidents has declined significantly.

​Vermont Business Magazine To help the increasing number of people filing for unemployment insurance benefits, the Vermont Department of Labor has added claimant-focused sessions to its schedule of Virtual Town Hall events. The first event will take place on Wednesday, April 8, from 8:30am-9:15am. Participants will be provided program updates and hear directly from Department staff.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (CGCS) 2020 new program initiative, Norwich announced the new online Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics program and the online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Information Systems program, both of which are set to begin in September 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine Less than a month after launching its hand sanitizer operation to support and protect the community’s brave healthcare professionals and first responders during the COVID-19 crisis, Caledonia Spirits has expanded its production efforts so significantly that it can now offer the product to the general public. Now available at barrhill.com/cleanhands for ordering, Barr Hill Hand Sanitizer is being produced on Gin Lane in Montpelier by Caledonia Spirits’ dedicated distillery team. The general public can order the not-for-profit hand sanitizer for pickup at the distillery in a variety of quantities, ranging from six 4-ounce bottles all the way up to a 55-gallon drum. Caledonia Spirits is also making one order size – 24 x 4-ounce bottles - available for direct shipment to the customer. All orders will take approximately 2-3 weeks to process.

Vermont Business Magazine Monday night, Mayor Miro Weinberger delivered the annual State of the City address through the online platform Zoom, during which he reported that the State of the City is a State of Emergency. The mayor outlined the crisis that we face in our response to the COVID-19 coronavirus, how we can start thinking about what the months ahead will hold, the work that City government has done and will continue to do through this pandemic, and a vision for how Burlington can emerge from this crisis as an even stronger and more just community.

Agency of Commerce & Community Development The Vermont Department of Labor has announced that it will hold its next Virtual Town Hall events on Tuesday, April 7 at 2:00 pm (Topic: Resources for the Self-Employed) and Thursday, April 9 at 2 pm (Topic: Employer Services and Rapid Response). For more information visit the Department of Labor website.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders The federal relief package that was passed last week is the largest in American history. As I've said before, I am proud that much needed relief is going to the working families of this country who are currently suffering due to this crisis. A major accomplishment of this law, while not enough, is the direct aid to individuals in the form of cash payments. To be clear, we must do more and I am continuing to fight in Washington to ensure that benefits are quickly made available to help the American people throughout this crisis.