Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott yesterday signed special session bills S4, an Act Relating to Miscellaneous Judiciary Procedures, and S5, an Act Relating to Racial Equity in State Government. He said these Special Session bills addressed concerns that previously led him to veto similar bills during the regular session.

Scott issued the following statement:

“I am pleased to sign these bills today and appreciate the Legislature’s work in passing legislation that aims to enhance racial equity in state government and update and clarify certain judicial procedures.

Vermont Business Magazine This morning at Burlington’s City Market electric vehicle charging station on Flynn Avenue, Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) unveiled legislation he authored to make electric vehicles more affordable, easier to purchase, and easier to charge. Currently, a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 is available for buyers of electric vehicles. However, the number of credits is capped at 200,000 vehicles for each manufacturer. That cap is expected to be hit by manufacturers as early as this year, rendering the credit unavailable to buyers.

Welch’s legislation makes three important changes to the credit:

First, it eliminates the per manufacturer cap, allowing manufacturers and dealers to offer the credit to an unlimited number of buyers for the next 10 years.

Vermont Business Magazine Énergir (formerly Gaz Metro), the parent company of Vermont Gas Systems and Green Mountain Power, has joined an international effort to increase use of renewable natural gas. Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), along with Énergir, a Canadian natural gas utility, and French utilities GRDF and GRTgaz announced today a new collaboration aimed at advancing the research and development of renewable natural gas and technologies such as power-to-gas. The collaboration will focus on research and development, public policy, and outreach. For instance, power-to-gas uses otherwise wasted wind and solar power to create renewable (synthetic) natural gas which then supplies the pipeline.

Vermont Business Magazine Lyft, the fastest growing ridesharing service in the U.S., today announced that as of this Sunday, July 1st, it will be operating statewide in Vermont. Lyft has been available in Burlington and other areas since May of 2017, and is now expanding to the Rutland and Barre areas. To celebrate Lyft’s arrival, new passengers can use the code LYFTLOVE18 to receive $5 off their first ride. Users can enter the code in the “promos” section of the app.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced he will oversee the drawing of the winning raffle ticket for a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle on Saturday, June 30 at Green Mountain Harley Davidson in Essex Junction. Scott purchased the motorcycle using funds raised at his inaugural gala through Vermonters United to Help, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization of which he is a board member.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, June 30, the nineteen-member delegation from Special Olympics Vermont will be on their way to Seattle for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. From July 1-6, Team Vermont will join thousands of Special Olympics athletes and coaches from across the nation, along with tens of thousands of volunteers, family members and fans, for a week of special events and competitions in 14 team and individual sports.

“We are so proud of Team Vermont and the hard work they have put in to prepare for the USA Games,” says Sue Minter, President and CEO of Special Olympics Vermont. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these athletes to compete on the nation stage and be at the center of a fifty-year-old movement that has grown into an inclusion revolution.”

Vermont Business Magazine Brett Smith, President and CEO of One Credit Union, announced the winners of the 2018 Scholarship Awards. To qualify applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better, demonstrate financial need, and be eligible for membership at One Credit Union, as well as submit a 300 word essay explaining their experience with teamwork and community building.

Nicole Ashe is graduating from Williamstown Middle High School with plans to study at the University of Maine Business School. Nicole has maintained more than one job at a time while achieving high honors. Beyond her academic commitments, her community work through the National Honor Society demonstrates an enduring commitment to help others.

Vermont Business Magazine On September 14, 2018, Peter E Randall Publisher will release: The Best Is Yet to Be–written by Larry Sudbay, Vermont businessman and co-founder of SymQuest Group. The Best Is Yet to Be is a unique collection of inspiring stories, some found and some authored, by a visionary entrepreneur. Sudbay shares the lessons he’s learned while also revealing his inspirational secrets to success. This insightful narrative offers an excellent platform to professionals, managers, and speakers seeking motivational anecdotes to show that the best is truly yet to be. Award winning illustrator Steven Kellogg’s charming paintings lend a sense of levity and delight. This reflective book is an intimate rendering of a dynamic life well lived.

Excerpt from the story “Giuseppe’s Outlook,” condensed for clarity:

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) has awarded the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) $150,000 through the Windham County Economic Development Program (WCEDP) to design and deliver its Pipelines & Pathways Project, which will provide personal learning plan engagement opportunities for Windham County’s four public high schools. The goals of the Pipelines & Pathways Project are to create workforce-oriented curricula, expand classroom relationships with local employers, and to develop clear learning and career pathways accessible to all students.

Vermont State Police On 06-28-2018 at 07:33 am Vermont State Police responded to the report of a two car motor vehicle crash on Interstate 91 in the Town of Hartland. The crash occurred in the area of mile marker 60 north bound near Exit 9. Investigation revealed that the 2008 Chevy truck being operated by Joshua Rondeau of Charlestown, NH, was traveling south bound on I91, lost control and crossed the median striking the 2007 Toyota Matrix head on which was traveling north bound. The operator of the Toyota Matrix, 36 year old Laura McNaughton of Perkinsville, VT was pronounced dead at the scene, her 8 year old child, Isaac McNaughton sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. The operator of the Chevy truck and two juvenile occupants, 8 year old Makayla Rondeau and 11 year old Shane Esh were also transported to DHMC with non-life threatening injuries.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Futures Project has announced that Laura Pierce has joined its Board of Directors. Pierce currently works as the Senior Director of Information Services at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

Pierce said, "I first learned about the Vermont Futures Project while attending the Vermont Young Professionals Summit and was immediately impressed by the vision and research-based approach of the organization. I'm dedicated to the mission of the organization and I'm excited to join the Board of Directors and have the ability to contribute my perspective and energy."

Laura Pierce, RRMC

Leonine Public Affairs The 2018 Special Session of the Vermont General Assembly effectively came to an end late Monday night when Governor Phil Scott announced he would let the third iteration of the FY19 budget bill become law without his signature. The House and Senate plan to return to Montpelier on Friday, June 29, and are expected to pass a motion to adjourn sine die, which in Latin means “without a day” or indefinitely. This will be one of the latest legislative adjournment dates in state history.