Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has signed H. 511, An act relating to eliminating penalties for possession of limited amounts of marijuana by adults 21 years of age or older, into law. Governor Scott last year vetoed a legalization plan, but was open to a bill that addressed DUI and restricted access to marijuana by children, but putting in stricter consequences. A re-worked bill was finalized last fall and the governor agreed that he would sign it if it was signed off by the Legislature this session. Both the House and Senate approved the revised bill earlier this month.

Leonine Public Affairs A sense of harmony prevailed in the Statehouse this past week, as evidenced by the passage of the the FY18 budget adjustment bill with only one dissenting vote. However, that harmony probably won’t last for long. Governor Scott is scheduled to outline his proposed FY19 budget in an address to a joint assembly of the House and Senate on Tuesday, January 23. The governor's speech will give legislators and Vermonters a better understanding of his priorities for the 2018 legislative session. It will also be an opportunity for legislative leaders to put forward their vision for Vermont and express where their budgetary priorities differ from the governor's.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Financial Regulation has signed a contract with Percipient, LLC to de-identify the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) located throughout the estimated 1.5 million pages of Jay Peak records relating to allegations of fraud in the EB-5 program. The de-identification is done in connection with the Expedited Disclosure Plan announced last year by Governor Phil Scott to increase transparency by expediting public disclosure of Jay Peak related records.

by Sue Minter On February 3, I will run through snow and ice with over 1,200 Vermonters to jump into Lake Champlain for the annual Penguin Plunge. This will be my first time taking the Plunge which is the largest annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Vermont--a statewide organization that is part of a global movement dedicated to transforming the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. I will have to summon all my courage to Plunge into the icy water. But I will be warmed knowing that my action will positively impact so many Vermont families.

Vermont Business Magazine With the US government closed for business for the 19th time since 1976, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the States Most & Least Affected by the 2018 Government Shutdown to add some hard data to all the rhetoric. Vermont is relatively low on the list, ranked 41st (New Hampshire, 40th), especially considering that in a separate study the state is ranked one of the highest ranking (5th) in its overall budget dependent on federal finances. WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of six key metrics, ranging from each state’s share of federal jobs and contracts to the percentage of kids covered by CHIP.

by Attorney General TJ Donovan Governor Scott’s administration has proposed a new 925-bed prison campus at a cost of more than $140 million dollars. Before we move forward with such a significant undertaking, Vermonters should ask some tough questions about whether there is a better way to address the need for correctional facilities in the State of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has advised that the State of Vermont has prepared for the possibility of a shutdown of the federal government. This week, the Agency of Administration directed agencies and departments to draw down all available federal funds due to the State, ensuring accounts are as current as possible. The Agency of Administration and the Department of Finance and Management have also worked with Treasurer Beth Pearce to confirm the state has the necessary cash-on-hand to endure a short-term shutdown.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America and a POWDR company, is New England’s largest electric car charging hub with a total of 45 electric vehicle (EV) chargers throughout the resort’s properties. As a part of POWDR’s Play Forever sustainability efforts Killington Resort and Pico Mountain added additional electric vehicles chargers throughout Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. EV charges were installed across the resort at the Sykeship Base Area, Snowshed Base Area, Snowshed Upper Parking Lot, K-1 Base Area and Pico Mountain Base Area for a total of 45 electric car chargers.

by Agriculture, Food and Markets Secretary Anson Tebbetts As you go about your day, it’s likely you pass a farm – or two or more – along the way. Hidden in hamlets and stretched out in the valleys, Vermont’s farms are part of our daily lives. And although farmers have worked the land for over a century, there may be something unexpected, yet rooted in Vermont, happening behind the scenes.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont will host the 2018 Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference on March 6-8. The Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference will take place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Burlington Vermont with optional excursions planned at Hotel Vermont in Burlington, Trapp Family Lodge Bierhall in Stowe, and Sugarbush Resort in Warren.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Green Building Network’s (VGBN) sixth annual Vermont’s Greenest Building Awards Competition is now open for submissions. This statewide competition recognizes residential and commercial buildings that meet the highest standard of demonstrated building energy performance. 2017 awards will be judged on an expanded definition of “green” building, including the consideration of energy, water, health, transportation, size of residence and affordability.

The awards were designed to recognize buildings that have achieved high levels of energy performance and environmentally beneficial design, construction and operations. These buildings set a new standard for environmentally responsible building in Vermont, raising awareness of the achievements being made in the State’s leading buildings.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for December was 2.8 percent. This reflects a decline of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised November rate. The national rate in December was 4.1 percent. As of the prior month’s preliminary data, the Burlington-South Burlington Metropolitan NECTA was tied for the ninth lowest unemployment rate in the country for all metropolitan areas. Overall, Vermont’s unemployment rate was tied for the fifth lowest in the country for the same time period.