Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s proposal to gut longstanding federal policy that reduces vehicle emissions harmful to the environment and block Vermont and other states from imposing emission standards stricter than the federal government:

Vermont Business Magazine On July 31st, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service alerted state officials that an emerald ash borer (EAB) beetle was captured on a purple detection trap in the town of Stamford, VT. This location is within five miles of another recent EAB detection in the town of North Adams, MA. This invasive insect was first discovered in Vermont in February, and has also been confirmed in Orange, Washington, and Caledonia counties.

by Secretary Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets As we head into deep summer, a host of laws are taking effect that will advance Vermont’s rural economy. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets worked closely with the Legislature and Governor Scott in the 2018 session to bring attention to Vermont’s farmers and working lands. While preserving and enhancing the Vermont we love, these new laws make Vermont more affordable, take care of those most in need, and grow the Vermont economy.

In the hip city of Burlington, Creston Lea builds one of a kind electric guitars, while in southern Vermont, Douglas Cox turns out violins for classical musicians around the world.

by Christine McGowan, forest program director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Creston Lea and Douglas Cox live about as far apart as two Vermonters can get, but are connected by their craft as luthiers. As summer concerts fill stages and meadows across the country, handmade instruments built by these two luthiers using Vermont maple, spruce, butternut, and even reclaimed wood salvaged from old barns will be played by musicians ranging from Vermont Symphony Orchestra music director, Jamie Laredo, to former Oasis lead guitarist, Noel Gallager.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Wednesday afternoon was named as one of four Senate Democratic conferees on the 5-year Farm Bill. The Senate and the House now have passed their separate versions of the bill. Senate and House leaders hope to forge a final compromise bill soon after Labor Day. Leahy is a former chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a principal architect of past Farm Bills. He also is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Leahy said it is even more important now for Congress to send a final Farm Bill to the President’s desk, with farmers in Vermont and across the nation coping with the economic fallout of the budding trade war with many of America’s principal export markets.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 10,600 megawatts of solar power were installed last year in the United States, and local Vermont solar developer and installer Green Lantern Solar has been recognized by Solar Power World magazine for its contributions to the industry. Green Lantern was highlighted as one of the nation’s top 20 solar developers and a top 100 solar contractor. The Top Solar Contractors list is developed by Solar Power World to recognize the work completed by solar contractors across the United States. Produced annually, the Top Solar Contractors list celebrates the achievements of U.S. solar developers, subcontractors and installers within the utility, commercial and residential markets, and ranks contractors by kilowatts installed in the previous year. The 2018 list was released on July 24.

Vermont Business Magazine South Burlington-based Dynapower, the leading independent manufacturer of power electronics for energy storage, has introduced a DC-DC partner program for central, solar inverter manufacturers. The program enables participating central, solar inverter manufacturers to include Dynapower’s patent-pending DC-DC converters as part of their utility-scale offering.

by Ricky Klein I love the Earth because it’s where people live. This bias is the foundation upon which I build my actions. When I advocate water policies, give testimony on industry standards, write op-eds exactly like this one, I think it helps to know that I care about this planet because it’s where people live. I am urged to develop a love for the Earth - and ideally all the habitats and inhabitants that it supports - for its own sake. For those who are capable of this mighty feat, bless your blue-green heart. I genuinely believe that the devastation wrought upon the environment is a real and constant pain for you.

I, however, feel a deep love for this planet because it’s the one people live on.

by Susanne Young, Secretary of Administration Recent tax changes championed by Governor Phil Scott are helping to make Vermont more affordable for families and small businesses, grow the economy and better protect the vulnerable. This Administration has worked hard to ensure the budget did not raise any general fund taxes or fees and held the average statewide property tax rate level for residential property owners. That was unprecedented. This year’s budget held the line and did not raise taxes or fees while keeping the statewide residential property tax rate level for a second year in a row.

Vermont Business Magazine Despite gaining the support of a majority of senators voting, an amendment to bolster election security efforts by the states, offered by Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), was blocked Wednesday by Senate Republicans. Leahy’s amendment would strengthen election security ahead of the 2018 midterms by providing $250 million in grants to states.

The amendment to one of the four annual Appropriations bills pending on the Senate Floor fell on a vote of 50 to 47, gaining support from a majority of senators but failing to reach a 60 vote threshold. Leahy’s amendment would have assisted states in improving election cyber security and replacing outdated election equipment.

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing Wednesday afternoon to consider legislation authored by US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) to expand access to dental care for veterans. “The goal of my legislation is really pretty simple: to improve and expand access to dental care for veterans throughout the country,” said Sanders.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) today filed emergency regulations and proposed final rules in response to the United States Department of Labor’s (DOL) June 19 final rule on Association Health Plans (AHPs). The emergency rule is effective immediately. Both rules filed today govern only fully-insured AHPs (i.e. AHPs that purchase coverage from an insurer and do not self-insure).