Current News

by Jim Condos Secretary of State With barely two weeks remaining before the start of fiscal year 2019, and in good faith to the over 625,000 Vermonters I represent, I feel the need to speak up and bring to your attention some of the very real impacts a government shutdown, caused by the current budget impasse, would have on the government services my agency provides – critical services which Vermonters rely on and deserve.

Failure is not an option. The co-equal branches of the Administration and the Legislature must come to an agreement on a responsible, sound budget by July 1^st. There have been numerous opportunities for compromise.

When a budget passes with almost unanimous tri-partisan support, a continuing fight feels very much like partisan positioning to score political points at the expense of Vermont businesses and families.

by Representative Patricia A McCoy (R-Poultney/Ira) Regardless of how the political debate over whether to raise property tax rates ends, the Education Fund is going to spend nearly $1.7 billion dollars next year on 76,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade. That is about $22,000 per student – the most in the nation and nearly twice the national average. Meanwhile, we have about 27,000 fewer students in our schools than we did 20 years ago and enrollment continues to decrease by about 1,000 students each year. On average, there are about 4 students for every adult in our schools, down from 7 students for every adult in 1997.

Vermont’s economy, generously described as average by national standards, and its taxpayers struggle to support this level of education spending and this growing inefficiency.

Vermont Business Magazine A new scam is targeting Vermont attorneys. The Attorney General’s Office warns that a fake “GoFundMe” campaign purports to raise money for a child with a rare disease using GoFundMe.com. According to the Vermont Bar Association, the phony campaign referenced its organization and requested that VBA members make contributions. GoFundMe.com is a popular online fundraising platform.

The VBA issued the following alert on its website:

“Recently, a Go Fund Me request entitled ‘Support Josh’ was sent with reference to the Vermont Bar Association, requesting that our membership support a member's child with a rare disease, using our info@ email address. The link goes directly to PayPal. The Vermont Bar Association did not send this email. Please note that the VBA will never send a Go Fund Me request to its members. Our IT firm is looking into this matter. Please contact the office with any questions.”

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy welcomed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Monday announcement that Vermont will receive an allocation of $4 million in fiscal year 2018 to fight the opioid epidemic across the state. The funding, a significant increase over past years, is part of a new State Opioid Response Grant program created as part of the Leahy-negotiated 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law this spring. Vermont’s $4 million grant is a direct result of language that Leahy fought for in the bill guaranteeing each state at least $4 million to fight this deadly crisis.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont ski industry fought through uneven weather throughout the 2017-2018 season to post a small increase in visitors. According to Ski Vermont, the state managed 3.97 million skier days, a 1.2 percent increase from the previous season. Ski Vermont revealed the results as members, supporters and friends of the Vermont ski and snowboard industry gathered last week at Stowe Mountain Resort for the Vermont Ski Areas Association’s 49th Annual Meeting. Alpine and Cross-Country members, associate members and marketing partners were among those who celebrated what turned out to be a successful season.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) announced late last week that the Interior and Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bills approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee include significant wins for Lake Champlain. Leahy, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has long fought for resources to protect Vermont’s ‘great Lake.’ The Interior and CJS bills approved by the Appropriations Committee include at least $12.5 million for Lake Champlain, and include funding for other competitive grant programs for which Lake Champlain protection work is eligible. The Lake Champlain Program would receive $11 million for fiscal year 2019, a $2.6 million increase from the fiscal year 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Public Assets Institute On Vermont’s jobs front May was a down month in a year of ups and downs. The number of nonfarm payroll jobs fell by 500 last month, after increasing by 600 in April. Employers reported 314,600 nonfarm jobs in May—1,400 more than last May. Meanwhile, Vermont’s unemployment rate remained at 2.8 percent in May.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Police Chief Brandon del Pozo was transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center after sustaining injuries in a single-bicycle accident in Keene, NY, on Sautrday. Physicians treating him in the intensive care unit for a head injury and broken bones are optimistic about a full recovery. However, del Pozo may remain at the UVM Medical Center for a sustained period. Deputy Chief Jan Wright is serving as Acting Chief of the Burlington Police Department.

“Our thoughts are with Brandon and his family at this time,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Chief del Pozo has done so much for the community, and we look forward to him returning to command. Until then, I have full confidence that the Burlington Police Department will continue to keep the city safe and perform at the high, effective level that Burlingtonians expect.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve energy tomorrow, Monday, June 18, between the hours of 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. This is when demand for electricity is expected to spike as a result of high temperatures throughout New England

Leonine Public Affairs Governor Phil Scott vetoed H.13, the second version of the FY2019 budget bill last week. The move was not surprising and results in the legislature and governor being no closer to resolving their disagreements than they were a week ago. With July 1st and the beginning of the new state fiscal year only 13 days away, the state is inching closer than ever to a government shutdown. Most onlookers still find it hard to believe the impasse will actually result in a shutdown and that something will have to give in the next two weeks. That said neither side shows any indication of backing down.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington School District (BSD) announced Monday morning changes to personnel positions within the District. Burlington High School (BHS) Principal Tracy Racicot will take over as the Director of Burlington Technical Center (BTC), a position she held previously. After two years in leadership positions within the District, Noel Green, currently Assistant Principal of BHS, will take over the BHS helm as Interim Principal. The changes will take place over this summer break.

Noel Green, BHS photo.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, June 4 convened the third annual 2018 Vermont Mentoring Symposium at the Waterbury State Office Complex. This day-long conference is the only professional development and networking opportunity of its kind focused on youth mentoring in Vermont, and brought together nearly 60 youth mentoring program staff, board members, and supporters from across the state for a day of networking and professional development.