Current News

Vermont Business Magazine For the ninth consecutive year, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has been recognized as one of the top 50 Property and Casualty insurers in the United States by Ward Group, an Aon Hewitt company and one of the industry’s most respected benchmarking organizations. Every year Ward Group identifies the industry’s top insurance companies through a comprehensive financial analysis of approximately 3,000 U.S. property and casualty insurers. The “Ward’s 50” recognizes insurers for their consistency, safety and superior financial performance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources announced today that Andrew Mitchell is to pay $9,937 for operating properties in both West Burke and Lyndonville as salvage yards without first obtaining state and local permits. Salvage yards provide important waste management services to Vermonters by reusing and recycling materials from junk automobiles, including hazardous waste like battery acid, gasoline and other vehicle fluids. If released to the environment, hazardous materials like these can negatively impact public health by infiltrating drinking water, or damage the environment by saturating soils and groundwater.

Vermont Business MagazineAccording to a newUSDepartment of Agriculture-funded study, lack of access to affordable health insurance is one of the most significant concerns facing American farmers, an overlooked risk factor that affects their ability to run a successful enterprise.

Vermont Business Magazine After 10 years leading the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, longtime Executive Director Mary Alice McKenzie is leaving her position. She will be replaced by Tanya Benosky, the Club’s Director of Development and Communications. Prior to join the Boys & Girls Club, McKenzie had career opportunities that included serving as Chief Executive Officer of McKenzie of Vermont, General Counsel of the Vermont State Colleges and Chair of Central Vermont Public Service.

“However, it is the Club that has transformed me as a person,” McKenzie said. “To be part of something bigger than yourself, in service to our youth, makes you realize that you are the caretaker of an important legacy that must be passed on in the best shape possible. I hope I have done that.”

Among her many accolades, in 2014 she received Champlain College's Distinguished Citizen award.

by Jack Hoffman Public Assets InstituteDespite the recent turmoil in Rutland, Vermont owes it to itself to take a good, hard look at the benefits of welcoming the world’s growing numbers of refugees. We have excess capacity in our schools, and refugees’ families could fill many of the empty classroom seats while bringing diversity to our communities. It’s not just the right thing to do, it would also give a boost to the state’s economy. Vermont should lead the way—like we did with same-sex marriage and equitable education funding.

Vermont Business Magazine Following the direct actions of June 28 and July 10, in which 140 Americans, including many with serious health conditions, were arrested in their senator’s DC offices for civil disobedience, still more constituents plan to flood Capitol Hill Wednesday to stop the repeal of the ACA. Organizers say Vermont residents will also participate in this latest oppostion to "repeal and replace" Obamacare.

People with disabilities and life-threatening chronic illnesses, cancer survivors, Medicaid recipients, Affordable Care Act (ACA) policyholders, registered nurses, doctors, and others directly impacted by the Senate healthcare bill will be traveling from all states represented by Republican senators to descend upon Capitol Hill on Wednesday, July 19, with a strong message: “Kill the bill—don’t kill us!”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Attorney General TJDonovan has concluded that the Department of Motor Vehicle’s (“DMV”) facial recognition program is not fully compliant with Vermont law and should remain suspended unless or until the Vermont Legislature provides DMV with authorization to use biometric technology.

DMV’s use of facial recognition technology does not comply with Act 154. This is based upon a review of the relevant legislation and legislative history and DMV’s use of biometric technology. Act 154, which required DMV to issue photo IDs, also prohibited DMV from using biometric technology as part of that process — except as might be required by federal transportation laws relating to commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The statute reads, in pertinent part:

Vermont Business MagazineToday, a bipartisan group of governors issued the following statement in response to recent developments and proposed changes to the Senate health care bill. Vermont Governor Phil Scott was among the signatories. The governors are meeting in Providence for the annualNational Governors Association Conference. A Senate plan torepeal and replace the Affordable Care Act fell apart Monday night and some Republican senators have talked about simply repealing what has become known as Obamacare.

Vermont Business MagazineVermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve energy onWednesday, July 19,Thursday July 20, andFriday July 21, between the hours of 3pmand 7pm.This is when demand for electricity is expected to spike as a result of high temperatures throughout New England.

Vermont Business Magazine Grace Cottage Board of Trustees has announced that CEO Roger Allbee will be retiring as Administrator of Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital in Townshend as soon as the Board finds a suitable replacement. The Board said in the announcement that it is pleased with the direction that Grace Cottage has taken during the last three years, and during this time of rapid change in healthcare. It has a great team of primary care providers, a Critical Access Hospital that has been recognized nationally for its patient satisfaction, a strong OT/PT/and speech program, an expanded Community Health Team that further extends Grace Cottage’s mission, and it has integrated mental health within its primary care.

Vermont Business Magazine Technology is making it easier for patients and providers to interact, thus improving communication, safety and patient-provider relationships. New tools are helping patients become more actively involved in their care and maintaining their health, according to results of the 19^th Annual Health Care’s Most Wired survey, released by the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Health Forum.

Vermont Association of Hospitals and HealthSystemsOn Monday in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office in the State House, Vermont leaders from all major political parties encouraged the USSenate to adopt smart, sensible changes to the Affordable Care Act and protect the good work Vermont has done in health reform.