Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc (VITL), operators of the Vermont Health Information Exchange (Vermont HIE), and Medicity, the leading provider of population health management solutions, has announced that VITL has launched its external connection to the Veterans Health Information Exchange (VHIE), also known as the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) program. This makes it easier for providers inside and outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to share health information for the more than 48,600 veterans who live in Vermont.

Vermont Business MagazineHome Care Assistance of Greater Burlingtonhas announced the grand opening of its office in Essex Junction. The Grand Opening Event will be held onWednesday, May 24thfrom 5pm to 7pm. The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce will be present for a ribbon cutting ceremony at5 pmfollowed by an office tour, light hors d’ oeuvres and beverages, professional networking and a special presentation on Home Care Assistance’s exclusive programs.

“I am excited to share what makes Home Care Assistance unique in the home care industry,” said Tom Lee, co-owner.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center’s Career Connections supported employment program for adults with mental health challenges recently received high marks from the Vermont Department of Mental Health. Based on the December 2016 review, Career Connections was awarded the highest rating in Vermont at this time, 118 out of a possible 125. Because of its exemplary rating, Career Connections has been recommended to other states and countries as a model for similar programs.

Vermont Business Magazine A statewide survey of Vermont CEOs suggests optimism for the state's economy has waned somewhat from the previous quarter's survey, especially in regards to labor, cost of living andthe health care industry, while the information sector retains strength. There appears to be an overall uncertainty in the economy.Today, Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable (VBR) and Jeffrey Carr, President, Economic & Policy Resources (EPR), announced the Q2 2017 outlook results of their joint initiative, the VBR-EPR Business Conditions Survey and Index.

Overall Finding

The latest survey, which was conducted during the first two weeks of April 2017, achieved a response rate of 70 percent overall and included a 50 percent or greater response rate from 12 of 14 represented sectors within the membership. Survey results show that:

Vermont Business Magazine The question of how Vermont can and should invest in its youngest citizens was a major focus in the State House this legislative session and it’s looking like next year’s budget will include a small but much-needed funding increase for early care and learning programs. As the Legislature adjourns for the year, efforts to make high-quality child care accessible and affordable to all Vermont families who need it will continue moving full steam ahead.

by Senator Bernie Sanders The good news is that Vermont has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the country; fully 88 percent of our kids leave high school with a diploma. All of us – parents, educators, community members and most of all, our hardworking students – should feel great pride in that accomplishment.

The bad news is that Vermont is close to the bottom in terms of college enrollment rates. While nearly 75 percent of high school seniors say they want to pursue postsecondary education, just 53-59 percent (depending on the survey) actually enroll. Not surprisingly, the gap is widest for students whose parents didn’t attend college, students from low-income families, and students with disabilities.

by Representative Don Turner The time to act is now. The Legislature faces a rare opportunity to make Vermont more affordable for all. The Affordable Care Act requires re-negotiations of all teacher health insurance plans beforeJanuary 1, 2018. This provision allows the state to save money by dropping the high premium or “Cadillac” insurance plans. Working alongside the Vermont School Boards Association and the Vermont Superintendents Association, Gov. Phil Scott has created a proposal to negotiate all healthcare contracts for teachers and school employees under a single statewide plan. It would bring about an estimated $75 million in savings.

by Mike SmithThe attack usually comes from someone you don’t know. Their goal is to supplant the truth with doubt, to undermine credibility and diminish achievements, and to destroy character for reasons that often remain unknown. They are like thieves, bent on robbing those human qualities that are most valuable to their victims—qualities such as integrity and honor. And no one is immune from these personal attacks. I know, because what I just described happened to me.

Vermont Business MagazineSenatorBernieSanders(I-Vermont), along with Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), introduced two pieces of legislation to help workers around the country form employee-owned businesses.

Vermont Business MagazineMobius convened the 2017 Vermont Mentoring Symposium at the State Offices Complex in Waterbury on Tuesday, May 9. This statewide event brought together more than 60 youth mentoring program staff, board members, and supporters from across Vermont for a day of networking and professional development.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power announced Friday a first-of-its-kind program that includes the Tesla Powerwall 2 and utilizes Tesla’s cutting-edge GridLogic software platform.According to Kristin Carlson, GMP's VP of Strategic & External Affairs, this partnership will help customers make a dramatic step forward in energy independence by using stored energy to help drive down the costs of the grid and improve the comfort, energy use, and resilience of their own homes. The program will also help directly lower costs for all customers by reducing transmission and capacity costs, especially during peak energy times like hot summer days, while also increasing reliability, she said.

Leonine Public AffairsWhile the Vermont General Assembly initially planned to adjourn Friday, May 6th, a disagreement between the Democratic-controlled legislature and Republican Governor, Phil Scott regarding education spending and teacher health insurance contracts prevented that from happening. As a result, the plan was to come backon Wednesdayof this week for a two day session to wrap things up. However, even after going an extra day through today (Friday), the legislature and administration still had not reached an agreement. As a result, the full Senate plans to returnon WednesdayorThursday next week(5/17 or 5/18). The full House could return as early asTuesday(5/16) and will be notified by email as to the exact return date.