Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an early agenda for the inaugural per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) two-day community engagement event at Exeter High School, 1 Blue Hawk Dr., Exeter, New Hampshire. This event allows EPA to hear directly from New England communities, state, local, and tribal partners on how to best help states and communities facing this issue.

Vermont Business Magazine President Trump on Wednesday nominated recently retired Essex Police Chief Brad LaRose to be Vermont’s next US marshal. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Governor Phil Scott (R) had jointly recommended LaRose to the President in January, to fill the vacancy. If confirmed, LaRose would oversee all US Marshals Service operations in Vermont. With offices in Burlington, Rutland, and Brattleboro, the Marshals Service plays a crucial role in protecting public safety in Vermont and is responsible for apprehending fugitives and sex offenders as well as managing federal prisoners and protecting federal courthouses.

Leahy is a leading member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will consider the nomination.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has joined eight other states to reaffirm their commitment to a clean, low carbon transportation sector with the release of a new Multi-State Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Action Plan for 2018-2021, Governmor Phil Scott announced Wednesday. Together, these nine ZEV states represent roughly one-third of the new car sales market in the United States and 25 percent of the U.S. population.

Vermont Business Magazine Construction is underway at 88 Technology Park Way in South Burlington for ReArch Company and Technology Park Partners’ new Corporate Headquarters, which consists of 8,000 square feet of Class A office space. Technology Park Partners recently sold 88 Technology Park Way to New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) and are leasing back this space to accommodate their continued growth.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement in response to federal immigration policy and the situation on the southern border. He also stated that similar action is not being undertaken at the Vermont/Canada border. He reiterated that Vermont has not been asked to send National Guardsmen to the southern border and nor does the governor intend to do so if requested.

“The recent ‘zero tolerance’ policy adopted by the Trump Administration has raised the concerns of many – myself included – especially as it relates to the separation of immigrant children from their parents. Families should be kept together, and all people should be treated humanely and with dignity.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott’s Communications Director Rebecca Kelley today issued the following statement in response to the ACLU’s questions regarding a social media policy designed to foster civility and protect users from abuse on the Governor’s Facebook page.

Vermont Business Magazine The ACLU of Vermont is demanding Governor Phil Scott stop deleting constituents’ posts and blocking users on his official Facebook page in violation of the state and federal constitutions. The ACLU raised its concerns in a letter to Governor Scott after being contacted by several Vermonters whose posts were censored in recent weeks, apparently because they criticized the Governor for signing gun control legislation earlier this year.

Vermont Community Loan Fund Elaine Toohey’s voice doesn’t waver as she tells of her bouts with homelessness, twice in her life, the second time as the young mother of two small children. The breakup of her domestic partnership was one of those life crises, she describes, like losing a job or a death in the family that, for some, can lead to an emergency situation.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department is one of three municipal utilities to be presented with an E.F. Scattergood System Achievement Award at the national conference of the American Public Power Association (APPA) in New Orleans, LA, on Tuesday. The annual awards are presented to outstanding utilities and honor APPA members that have enhanced the prestige of public power utilities through sustained achievement and customer service.

Vermont Business Magazine The House today again failed to override Governor Phil Scott's budget veto. Needing 94 votes to override, the vote was 90-51, with nine absent. The roll call and comments by legislators are below. If a budget agreement is not resolved by July 1, state government will shut down. Governor Scott vetoed the new budget, H13, June 14.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan and 20 other state attorneys general called on United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end the cruel and illegal attacks on children and families lawfully seeking asylum in the United States. These families are seeking protection from domestic, sexual, and gang violence. In recent weeks, the federal government has separated thousands of asylum-seeking children from their parents. It has also reclassified the protective status of international domestic violence survivors. By letter, General Donovan and 20 other state attorneys general demand that Attorney General Sessions immediately stop putting children in danger by separating them from their families.

“I know Vermonters join me in feeling heartbroken that the federal government is needlessly separating children from their parents,” Donovan said. “This policy is wrong and totally unnecessary and should stop immediately.”

Vermont Business Magazine A total of $23,165 was donated to the Vermont Foodbank as a result of Seven Days' 9th annual Vermont Restaurant Week — $1,785 more than last year. This popular annual event was presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union and organized by Seven Days.