Current News

by Paul Cillo I’m writing about the Ways and Means Committee’s work this session on education funding. I understand the challenges the committee faces in making changes to the system, and it appears that there is a lot about the plan that has not yet been worked out. Nevertheless, I want to share some thoughts about the plan so far based on Public Assets Institute’s analysis of the information the committee has posted on the Legislature’s website.

Vermont Business Magazine David Silverman, President and CEO of Union Bank, and Vermont State Representative Dylan Giambatista will join the Vermont State College System Board of Trustees. Silverman is a 1985 alumnus of Johnson State College and has retained long and strong connections with the college. He has supported internship and career opportunities for students, served on the President’s Roundtable, and participated in panels supporting Johnson as it works with Lyndon State College to become Northern Vermont University. He has been instrumental in making Union Bank one of the most profitable banks in New England. He was founding Chairman of the Community Health Services of Lamoille Valley, President of the Lamoille Economic Development Corporation, and Chairman of the Vermont Bankers Association. He and his wife live in Morrisville.

by Vermont Secretary of Administration Susanne Young Governor Phil Scott recently released the details of a Vermont personal income tax reform plan, the Working Family Taxpayer Protection Act, which protects Vermonters from unintended impacts of recent federal changes. The Administration is taking action because, if we do nothing, Vermonters – mostly working families with children – will pay more in state tax on their 2018 income.

It seems counterintuitive, but while many Vermonters will see their federal taxes go down, about half will see their state taxes increase. Why? Because the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changed the way federal taxes are calculated, which means the way Vermont taxes are calculated will change – increasing taxable income at the state level.

Leonine Public Affairs The crossover deadline is only two weeks away. Around this time bills start to move more frequently and that was the case in the seventh week of the 2018 session. That movement resulted in several significant debates in the House and Senate this week.

by Chris Graff Vermont Business Magazine I first visited the State House in 1967 with my Woodstock Elementary School eighth-grade class. Phil Hoff, a Democrat whose 1962 election as governor shocked the state – he was the first Democrat to win that office since the Civil War – took the time to greet us and shake hands. Dick Mallary, a Republican who was then the speaker of the House, gave a short talk. But what I remember most vividly about the first trip north to see the workings of government is the men’s bathroom in the basement. The room is huge; the fixtures brass, the countertops marble. Its lavish decoration clearly belied its lowly purpose. I was so impressed that I took photographs (and still have them).

Vermont Business Magazine For ice cream lovers who only indulge on special occasions or limit themselves to a weekly treat, Ben & Jerry's has created Moo-phoria, a new line of light ice cream with satisfyingly euphoric flavors. Suddenly, Wednesday is the new weekend! Moo-phoria pints are full of all the wonderful chunks and swirls that fans adore, along with rich and creamy vanilla, chocolate, caramel and peanut butter flavors. What's missing? Sixty to seventy percent fat and at least 35% of the calories found in traditional ice cream. Each ½ cup serving of Moo-phoria has 140-160 calories. And like all Ben & Jerry's flavors, Moo-phoria doesn't have artificial sugar substitutes or sugar alcohols.

Vermont Business Magazine News in Brief for January 2018: Keurig owner snaps up Dr Pepper in $18.7 billion deal; Scott signs bill to legalize marijuana; Hallquist to run for governor as Democrat; St Michael’s College names Sterritt 17th president, first woman; Vermont unemployment rate falls to 2.8 percent; and more.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank N.A. recently presented Special Olympics Vermont with an $11,154 donation, which included $6,154 raised by New England-area employees and a $5,000 sponsorship for the Special Olympics Vermont Penguin Plunge. Nearly 30 Community Bank N.A. employees participated in the event on the bank’s CBNA Super Hero Team. Prior to the event, the team raised money for the causes through personal donations, candy bar fundraisers and bake sales. More than 30 branches participated in the fundraisers.

Vermont Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson’s Statement on Vermont School Shooting Threat: Two days ago, America was once again shaken by a massive act of violence against innocent children and educators. Yesterday, we learned that even in Vermont, a state looked to as a beacon of safety, hope, and the promise of goodness in America, we faced a similar threat against a school. Thanks to the hard work of our local and state police, the threat was intercepted before tragedy could strike.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today delivered the following remarks at a press conference with leadership from the Agency of Education, Department of Public Safety and the Vermont State Police. The Associated Press reported that Jack Sawyer, 18, is being held without bail for threats made regarding Fair Haven High School.

Vermont Business Magazine A new USDA grant of approximately $389,000 will enable the new Northern Vermont University (the official name of Johnson State College and Lyndon State College as of July 1, 2018) to develop a distance-learning network that will increase live course offerings and delivery methods for students throughout Vermont and the country. With both mobile and fixed videoconferencing technology, the one-year grant will fund delivery of a range of courses and connect NVU and its two campuses, Johnson and Lyndon, to Vermont Technical College, and Vermont high schools and adult learners around the US.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims are nearly unchanged over the last several weeks, after the tumult of the holidays subsided. For the week of February 10, 2018, there were 475 claims, 7 more than than they were the previous week and 79 fewer than they were a year ago. Altogether 6,040 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 12 from a week ago, and 741 fewer than a year ago. For most weeks of 2017, including the last several months, claims have registered below the year before.