Current News

by Representative Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe For the first time - in recent memory anyway - our state's tourism and hospitality industry came to Montpelier en masse two weeks ago for our First Annual Tourism Day at the State House. Through my years in the House, I have seen far too often that many legislators and other state leaders simply don't understand the industry itself, or the incredible impact the industry has on our state as a whole. As such, investments made into the marketing of Vermont as a tourist destination have fallen further and further behind our competition - throughout the region, nationally, and globally. 
 

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump vetoed the resolution to end US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen: "I am disappointed, but not surprised, that Trump has rejected the bi-partisan resolution to end U.S. involvement in the horrific war in Yemen...

by Brian J Sullivan, Esq, MSK Attorneys, Burlington For many years, employers in the travel and tourism sector of the Vermont economy have encountered difficulties in finding American workers to do important work to keep that industry functioning. Although important, that work is often menial in nature and requires performance of repetitive tasks. Finding local residents to empty the trash, clean floors and windows, wash dishes and bus tables has proven extremely challenging. Even after offering hourly rates above minimum wage, employers in this crucial sector of our economy have found that they must rely on aliens to perform that labor.

This phenomenon is not unique to Vermont.  Throughout the country, businesses with seasonal or periodic demand for entry-level employment have encountered the same challenges. 

Vermont Business Magazine On April 16, 2019, the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort that focused on drug trafficking in the Brattleboro area. During the three-day operation conducted last week by federal, state, local, and county officers, and federal and state prosecutors, law enforcement arrested or charged 16 individuals, searched 3 residences and 1 hotel room, and seized approximately 1,000 bags of heroin and 70 grams of cocaine base.  Twelve individuals have been charged in federal court with participating in drug trafficking crimes.  Two have been charged in state court with drug possession crimes. Two charged in federal court are fugitives, as of a late Tuesday afternoon statement from the Vermont State Police.

Those charged in federal court include:

Vermont Business Magazine Following continued investigation and laboratory analysis, the substance Trooper Flansburg encountered has been identified as heroin. The results of any medical tests must remain confidential due to Trooper Flansburg’s personal privacy rights. The ultimate cause of the incident in March is inconclusive.

Vermont Business Magazine Women Business Owners Network (WBON) is pleased to announce the launch of WBON+, a new small group program to help women business owners succeed. Combining the value of collective knowledge and experience with the support of community, WBON+ matches women business owners with peers who commit to meeting monthly in a structured fashion to explore challenges and provide encouragement.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Congressman Welch (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that Vermont will receive $21 million in new affordable housing and community development funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and NeighborWorks America.  These new funds will help reduce and end homelessness by investing in rental assistance, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of affordable housing and community development projects.

by the Public Assets Institute The purpose of the minimum wage is to provide a floor for most workers’ hourly pay.

Policymakers already agree that Vermont should continue to set a minimum. The question is whether now is the time to raise it. An assessment of economic indicators shows that low-wage workers, especially those making minimum wage, have lost ground compared with higher-wage workers and compared to the cost of living.

by Sen. Patrick Leahy When I became a senator for Vermont in 1975, one of the first votes I cast was for a law to stop funding the war in Vietnam.  That law passed by one vote.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Public Utility Commission opened a proceeding to consider ways to facilitate the review of net-metering systems, including net-metered solar projects. The goal is part of the Commission’s ongoing effort to clarify and streamline the review process wherever possible, while also ensuring that the Commission and all stakeholders can review the potential impacts of a project before the Commission determines whether a project serves the public good.

Vermont Business Magazine As the popularity of craft beers and breweries continues to rise, so does the variety − and strength – of those beers. The ever-changing options in the size and types of beer available means it’s important to know that you could be drinking more alcohol than you intended.

During Alcohol Awareness Month, health officials are reminding Vermonters to “Know Your ABVs,” or alcohol by volume, so you can adjust how much you’re drinking and keep yourself safe.

Vermont Business Magazine WHAT: The American Lung Association is releasing the results of its 20^thannual “State of the Air”report, including air quality grades of counties and rankings of cities in Vermont as they compare to others nationwide based on ozone pollution and particle pollution.