Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Last night, the Burlington Board of School Commissioners approved a $73.76 million FY18 General Fund Budget and bond authority for inclusion on the Town Meeting Day Ballot in March. The 5.6 percent budget increase will raise average property taxes $209 a year.

Vermont Business Magazine Farmers and agricultural leaders fromVermontandNew Hampshiregathered on January 10 to review their goals and commitment to environmental sustainability as part of the annual meeting of the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers’ Alliance (CRWFA). Much of it is aimed at farming practices to reduce runoff into the river.

“We reviewed our successes, discussed challenges and shared ideas to preserve the quality of our watershed,” Paul Doton, CRWFA board chair and dairy farmer of Doton Farm, said.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Tammy Baldwin led a group of her colleagues in sending President-elect Trump a letter calling for his cabinet nominees to disclose any payments they may receive from former employers that is contingent upon accepting a job in the federal government. Senator Baldwin was joined by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in sending the letter.

Vermont Business Magazine On the Senate Floor this afternoon, Senator Patrick Leahy addressed the Senate on the pending Republican-authored legislation to enable and facilitate repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly known as Obamacare. The vehicle being used by Republican leaders for this is a budget resolution, S.Con.Res.3, “To Instruct Committees To Draft Legislation To Repeal The ACA.”

Floor Remarks Of Senator Patrick Leahy

On The Budget Resolution, S. Con. Res. 3

(To Instruct Committees To Draft Legislation To Repeal The ACA)
Senate Floor

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Vermont Business MagazineThe High Meadows Fund, a supporting organizationat the Vermont Community Foundation, has issued aRequest for Proposals(RFP) that represents a commitment of $180,000 towards promoting planning and action to build resilience within Vermont’s watersheds. “Through this Initiative, we seek to inspire communities to work together to protect people, farms, homes, roads, and water quality, not just in their own towns, but also upstream and downstream,” saidHigh Meadows Fund President Gaye Symington in a statement.

Vermont Business MagazineThe International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis(ISTH), in partnership with John Wiley and Sons, Inc, announces the launch of the Society's new open access journal,Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis (RPTH), with its inaugural issue to publish in conjunction with the meeting of theISTH 2017 CongressinBerlin, Germany,July 8-13.Mary Cushman, MD, MSc, professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at theUniversity of Vermont, and director of the thrombosis and hemostasis program at theUniversity of VermontMedical Center inthe United States, will lead the launch of the journal as its inaugural Editor-in-Chief.

by Representative Heidi E Scheuermann (R-Stowe) The 2017-2018 Legislative Biennium began last week with great anticipation as our new Governor, Phil Scott, was sworn in. In his first Inaugural Address, Governor Scott was sincere in his conviction and humbled by the task before him. He reflected on his youth in Barre, and the strength, kindness, and compassion of Vermonters he has experienced first-hand throughout his life, as the American flag that draped his father's casket, after the double-amputee died of injuries sustained in the D-Day invasion, flew in front of the State House.

Governor Scott then continued with honesty about the challenges we face, and he made clear again that his priorities would be exactly what they had been on the campaign trail: a renewed focus on economic growth, a promise to end unsustainable increases in state spending, a vow to protect our most vulnerable, and a commitment to make Vermont affordable again.

Vermont Business Magazine Forecasters are saying a wind storm is set to swing through Vermont, causing power outages starting tonight. The high wind warning calls for gusts up to 60 mph that could bring down trees, branches and lines. The western side of the state is expected to bear the brunt of the winds. Green Mountain Power said in a statement that crews are prepared to ensure customer safety and get the power back on.

“We have our crews deployed around the state ready to respond and will also have extra crews available to help customers,” said Kristin Carlson, Green Mountain Power’s chief communications officer. “Our top priority is restoring power as quickly and safely as possible.”

GMP file photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott signed four executive orders on Inauguration Day, establishing his strategic priorities, and creating teams in support of his efforts to address the opiate epidemic and modernize state government. Executive Order 01-17, “Governor’s Strategic Goals,” directs all State agencies and departments to utilize their powers, duties and programs to establish strengthening the Vermont economy, making Vermont more affordable, and protecting vulnerable Vermonters, as cornerstones of their strategic and operational goals. Joined by members of his Cabinet and senior leadership team, Scott emphasized the importance of the Executive Order in cementing the economy and affordability as the clear priorities of his Administration.

Vermont Business Magazine SunCommon of Waterbury, joined by Governor Scott, unveiled its latest innovation, theSolar Canopy,at the first public installation at Montpelier’s Hunger Mountain Co-op, a local grocery store, on Monday. The timber frame solar structure is a first for Vermont and expands solar options beyond the traditional rooftop and backyard. SunCommon said in a statement that the Solar Canopy’s versatility allows Vermont households and small businesses to go solarover their driveways, parking lots, patios,or woodpiles, or create a new, functional outdoor space.

by Patrick Leahy This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will meet in a legendary room that has been the site of such historic events as the Watergate hearings, and Senator John Kennedy’s presidential campaign announcement. This ornate room has since been named for my friend, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, and more recently senators have met in this room for the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Attorney General Eric Holder.

As senators prepare to gather in the Kennedy Caucus Room next week for the confirmation hearings of Senator Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General of the United States, I cannot help but wonder what Ted would think. Thirty years ago he said this about the current nominee who then was a nominee to be a district court judge:

Vermont Business MagazineBrattleboro Memorial Hospital has announced that Patricia “Patty” O’Donnell has been elected as Chairperson of the Board of Directors.O’Donnell has served in various capacities on the Board, including several committees such as Quality, Planning, Joint Conference, and Board Executive.She represented the towns of Vernon and Guilford as a State Representative from 1998 to 2010. During that time, she served on both the Appropriations and Human Services Committees, where she became well-versed in healthcare issues in Vermont.

Additionally, she worked as Trustee of the Brattleboro Retreat Center from 2011 to 2015.She served on the Vernon School Board for 3 years, the last year as its Chairperson. O'Donnell also served on the Vernon Selectboard from 1997 to 1999 and was re-elected in 2011 for a two year term.