Current News

by Jill Mazza Olson, Executive Director VNAs of Vermont Vermont's not-for-profit home health agencies are deeply engaged in their local communities and they are active partners in Vermont's health care reform efforts. This week was a reminder that federal policy has an enormous impact on the services our home health agencies provide and the people they serve.

Vermont Business Magazine The office beverage service that bought Vermont Pure Natural Spring Water in 2000 has itself just been acquired in a public stock buy. Cott Corporation (NYSE:COT; TSX:BCB), based in Toronto, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Cott will acquire Crystal Rock Holdings, Inc (NYSE:CRVP) for $0.97 per share in cash.

Vermont Business Magazine The White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and Dartmouth Hitchcock based in Lebanon, NH, have partnered together to electronically share Veteran health information securely through the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) Health Program. Veterans who receive care from VA and providers at Dartmouth Hitchcock locations in Vermont and New Hampshire can now take advantage of VLER, which enhances quality of care by enabling non-VA health care providers to gain access VA medical data such as a list of health problems, allergies, medications, vital signs, immunizations and some laboratory test results.

by John McClaughry From Revolutionary days into modern times, Vermonters have championed the liberty extolled in our 1777 Constitution. Article I declared that “all men have certain natural, inherent , and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying of and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.”

That pro-liberty tradition persisted, even through the great economic, social and political changes of the twentieth century that brought ever-greater government interference in our lives. We are now, however, well into an era where that once-vital tradition has lost much of its meaning, or receded beyond mention altogether.

A noteworthy – to some, notorious - landmark of this malign progression is a 1994 decision rendered by Vermont Supreme Court Justice John Dooley. His opinion rested on a wholly invented legal principle: “your life belongs to the State”.

Vermont Business Magazine Leaders and staff from The Bank of Bennington and Southwestern Vermont Health Care gathered in the hospital’s Women’s and Children’s Services family waiting area to dedicate it as Kids Korner. The project was made possible through a $25,000 donation The Bank of Bennington made to Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). The funds were given in celebration of the bank’s centennial year for the creation of interactive, child-friendly waiting areas within the health system.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced he appointed 13 Vermonters to State boards and commissions in the month of January. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website to apply.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's congressional delegation, as well as most of their Democratic colleagues, were disappointed with President Trump's infrastructure plan presented to Congress today. The president's plan leans heavily on privatizing infrastructure, as well as leveraging local and state funds, in order to repair and upgrade large projects. Among those projects earmarked for selling off are the two airports serving Washington, DC: Dulles and Reagan National.

Vermont Business Magazine Most Vermonters will see a tax increase from the new federal law that was supposed to cut taxes. So, Governor Phil Scott today released details on his tax reform plan, the Working Family Taxpayer Protection Act, to ensure Vermonters don’t see a surprise $30 million tax increase due to changes in federal law. The Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changed many components of the federal personal income tax structure that will impact Vermont’s tax system. Most significantly, the TCJA nearly doubles the standard deduction and eliminates personal exemptions, while lowering overall federal tax rates. The net result is most Vermonters will pay less in federal taxes.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan joined a bipartisan coalition of 56 states and territories today urging Congress to end secret, forced arbitration in cases of workplace sexual harassment. Too often employees are required to sign employment contracts containing arbitration agreements mandating that sexual harassment claims be resolved through private arbitration instead of the judicial process. The secrecy surrounding these proceedings can protect serial violators and provide inadequate relief to victims.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine New Hampshire regulators rejected on February 1 a permit for the winning bid by Eversource on a 1,200 megawatt renewable energy contract for the state of Massachusetts. While Eversource has vowed to appeal, losing bidders have renewed their efforts to capture the lucrative contract, which could have a profound economic impact on Vermont. Last week TDI-New England and its under-Lake Champlain project announced it was still interested, with Governor Phil Scott lending his support. And today, Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) and National Grid's GridAmerica Holdings, Inc, announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a services agreement to support the Granite State Power Link (GSPL) project.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Police have released the following information on a fatal shooting on Interstate 89 on Sunday afternoon. At approximately 3:51 pm a Vermont State Police Trooper and an officer with the Richmond Police Department shot a male subject following a traffic stop that occurred on Interstate 89 southbound near mile marker 69 in the town of Bolton. The subject, later identified as Benjamin Gregware, 42 of Sheldon, was the sole occupant of the vehicle and he was subsequently transported to UVM Medical Center in Burlington where he later died. The Trooper and Richmond police officer were not injured.

Vermont Business Magazine An independent fact-finder will begin hearing evidence from The University of Vermont and its faculty union, United Academics, this morning. As part of the process, both parties will present evidence and data to the independent fact-finder, who will make a recommendation at a later time regarding the single open issue, which is to determine the level of an appropriate salary increase. There may be a need for a second fact-finding session in March. UVM and United Academics declared impasse in negotiations on September 12, and attempts at mediation were unsuccessful.