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by Mike Smith Many liberals and progressives are bewildered over the national Democratic strategy to win the 24 seats needed to regain control of the US House of Representatives. At a time when many in the party are motivated and energized, these liberals and progressives are urging their party to challenge Republicans at every opportunity across this country to maximize their chances for success. However, Democratic leadership in the House is insisting on a more focused strategy, concentrating their efforts and resources in the cities and suburbs where voters are likely to be angrier with President Donald Trump, rather than in rural districts.

This strategy explains why the Democratic House leadership left congressional candidates in Montana and Kansas to financially fend mostly for themselves in recent special elections, ultimately leading to their defeat when many thought those contests were winnable.

Vermont Business Magazine Although there are still some slopes to be conquered (Killington had its last run on Superstar on June 1), many skiers and snowboarders can agree that the national 2016/17 season turned out to be successful, with several Vermont resorts teaming up with other large North American ski companies. Resorts acrossthe United Stateswere able to benefit from a flurry of winter storms that arrived just in time for the holidays, translating to 30 percent and 4percent increases of total skier visits from last season for the months of December and March, respectively, according toKen Schapiroof Condor Capital Management.

Overall, average resort snowfall increased 36percent from last season. Accordingly, recent figures by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) showed that nationwide skier and snowboarder visits rose to 54.7 million, a 1.5percent increase from 53.9 million during the 2015/16 season.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Representative Linda Joy Sullivan (D-Bennington-Rutland) hosted dozens of Vermonters at a town hall-style meeting Friday in Dorset. Sullivan was one of several House Democrats who voted for and nearly pushed through legislation that would create a statewide, teacher health insurance plan. Democratic leadership and the teachers' union oppose Scott's proposal.

In Dorset, a press release said the discussion focused on the governor’s education savings proposal, which would allow the state to realize up to $26 million in annual education savings available through a transition in school employees’ health plans, while investing nearly $50 million to keep out-of-pocket costs the same.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) is recruiting citizens interested in water quality to serve as cyanobacteria monitors for Lake Champlain and select inland Vermont lakes. LCC will host training sessions starting June 6 for new and returning monitors. The program provides critical data on where and when blooms are happening and is relied on by health, environmental and recreation agencies to keep people informed about lake conditions.

LCC initiated the citizen-based near-shore monitoring program in 2003 and has steadily expanded the network of trained volunteers and monitoring sites every year. During the 2016 season LCC monitors submit nearly 1,200 reports from over 100 sites on Lake Champlain and several inland lakes. The focus of the cyanobacteria monitoring program is to raise awareness of the issue, build a database of information on bloom frequency, and identify and publicize potential health hazards.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power customers who bring their energy statements and a special code to Freedom Nissan in South Burlington now throughSeptember 30will get $10,000 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of a 2017 Nissan Leaf. The newly dubbed “Leaf Power Program” is the newest in GMP’s many programs encouraging Vermonters to go green and reduce costs. The Nissan Leaf is a 100 percent electric vehicle.

“At GMP, we are committed to helping our customers find ways to use clean sources of energy and to save money, as we partner on a new energy future,” said Mary Powell, GMP’s President and CEO. “The Leaf, a fully electric car, allows the owner to never have to rely on gasoline or get oil changes again. And with the growing number of charging stations for electric vehicles across the state, Vermont is ready to go electric.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced Friday that Vermont will join the US Climate Alliance, a new bipartisan coalition of states committed to meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. “Vermont is a leader in environmental policy and natural resource management. That’s one reason Governor Charlie Baker and I encouraged the Trump Administration to remain committed to the Paris Climate Agreement,” said Gov. Scott. “The President’s decision to withdraw the nation from the agreement only strengthens our commitment and makes the work of states more important. I am proud to join this bipartisan group of governors and reaffirm Vermont’s commitment to fighting climate change through the U.S. Climate Alliance.”

Vermont Business MagazineThe Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) to clean up and begin redeveloping the neglected property at 11 Arch Street in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont. The grant is one of 279 FY17 Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup grants awarded by the EPA to 172 communities throughout the United States.

by Julie Moore, Secretary, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources President Trump’s call to abandon the Paris Climate Agreement, slash federal funding for clean air and water, and reduce protections for threatened and endangered species have made national headlines, and created grim reading for those who care about protecting the health of our people and our environment.

But, as is often the case, we are charting a different course in the Green Mountain State. Instead of political gamesmanship, Vermonters of different parties and across branches of government are expanding our commitment to clean water.

Vermont Business Magazine MSI is hosting a Certified Production Technician (CPT) course offered through Community College of Vermont (CCV - http://ccv.edu/explore-ccv-programs/credentials-training/certified-production-technician/) for 15 interested employees at their Morrisville headquarters. The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council created the Certified Production Technician Credentialing as a new set of tools to ensure that both entering and incumbent workers are flexible, easily trainable, and highly motivated knowledge workers able to keep pace with technological change—the “Industrial Athlete of the Future.” CPT is the only certification in manufacturing which has been accredited by the American National Standards Institute under ISO standard 17024.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to forty-seven separate price scanner violations, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markers has issued more than $210,000 in penalties to Vermont Dollar General stores since 2013, including $24,000 in penalties this year, said in a press release issued Thursday. Agency inspectors have observed repeated pricing inaccuracies which could shortchange consumers, such as discrepancies between the posted shelf price and the price charged at the register.

By enforcing weights and measures standards at retail stores, the Agency’s Consumer Protection Section works to make sure Vermonters get what they pay for. Inspectors are on the look-out for faulty price scanners and inaccurate scales – errors that cost shoppers money.

Vermont Business Magazine The 158th Fighter Wing Commander Colonel Patrick Guinee will relinquish command to incoming Wing Commander Colonel David Smith onSaturday, June 3, 2017. After an honorable career of 26-years serving our country and leading the Airmen of the 158th Fighter Wing Colonel Guinee will be retiring from the military. ColonelSmith has served as the 158th Fighter Wing Vice-Commander for the past two-years and has had a successful career as a leader within the Vermont Air National Guard to include 26-years as an accomplished F-16 pilot.

Vermont Business Magazine At ExxonMobil Corporation’s May 31 annual meeting a majority of shareholders, includingVermontStateTreasurerBethPearceand theVermont Pension Investment Committee (VPIC), voted to support a resolution urging ExxonMobil to act to address climate change. The successful action comes after repeated efforts by Pearce and VPIC to urge greater transparency and disclosure about exposure to carbon risk.