Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the Vermont State Auditor recently released the findings of an audit they conducted to determine: 1. How the Economic Services Division (ESD) of the Department for Children and Families prevents and detects benefits fraud; 2. If people who received improper payments were disqualified from getting further benefits; 3. Whether improper payments were recovered. State Auditor Doug Hoffer reported that the DCF substantially investigated alleged beneficiary fraud on two of the programs, but not all, and improper payments were not effectively collected. Only 3SquaresVT disqualified fraudulent recipients for a period of time. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Supreme Court has reinstated a finding by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation that Plum Creek over-harvested trees in violation of its forest management plan. The Attorney General praised the Court’s opinion, which recognized the Department’s central role in setting standards for acceptable forest management practices for landowners who seek the tax benefits of the Current Use Program. 

by Mike Smith Last weekend was the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Almost 3,000 people were killed and over 6,000 injured in these attacks. It was the single deadliest terror attack in history. Life in America changed for all of us after 9/11. We could no longer ignore or be oblivious to events in other parts of the world; nor could we feel completely protected from them, even here at home. As a country, we refocused with vigor on our obligation to protect our citizens.

So why, given the lack of equivalence to the massive attack on our homeland, has there been so much attention on the terrorist attack at the diplomatic compound and CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans on Sept. 11, 2012?

Vermont Business Magazine How does a small, employee-owned company in Vermont score among the best companies in the world? Gardener’s Supply Company is among the top winners just revealed with the B the Change Media release of the Best for the World lists, the globe’s most outstanding socially and environmentally impactful businesses. The list spans 20 countries and 44 industries. Gardener’s Supply Company, a direct marketer and retailer, is honored as “Best for Workers,” for its innovative employee-owned model and other strong scores. The Best for the World honors are awarded only to those Certified B Corporations that score in the top 10% of the B Corp community on the B Impact Assessment, a comprehensive set of standards that rigorously measures each company’s impacts on its employees, its community, and the environment. B Corp Certification and the B Impact Assessment are both administered by the nonprofit organization B Lab.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont PBS is pleased to announce the introduction of a new video streaming service that provides member access to a rich library of public television programming. Called VTPBS Passport, the service is available via the web at VermontPBS.org, as well as on other digital platforms such as the PBS app, Roku, AppleTV and more. “We are delighted to unlock this online library of Vermont PBS programs, viewable on your schedule, not ours!” said Holly Groschner, President and CEO of Vermont PBS. “This means unprecedented access to the PBS treasure trove of quality storytelling, journalism and performance is available to all Vermont PBS supporters with monthly donations of just $5 or more. VTPBS Passport is another way for us to bring you Vermont PBS when and where you want it.”

Vermont Business Magazine AARP Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service, is seeking volunteers to assist in tax preparation. Tax season, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers help prepare federal and state tax returns for low and middle income taxpayers with special attention to those 60 and older. Volunteers of all backgrounds are welcome and some computer skills are an extra bonus. You do not need to be an AARP member nor a retiree and no prior experience in tax preparation is necessary. All ages are welcome. Volunteers are needed not only to calculate taxes, but to greet taxpayers to keep the site running smoothly. Tax counselors receive free tax training and become IRS certified by passing the IRS exam. They help residents one-on-one at tax sites in their own communities across Vermont. It’s a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and help others in your community.

You’re invited ….

Vermont Business Magazine The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce has embarked on a bold new ‘Shop Local’ initiative to make e-commerce and associated services free for all local businesses, and to help members further by facilitating all businesses, goods, services, and promotions from independent websites to seamlessly come together into the most comprehensive and integrated database, search engine, and shopping mall platform for the region. The chamber has partnered with SharedMall to support the entire Shop Local infrastructure on the SharedMall platform. “Wanted to let you know that on our website we now have the live sharedmall cart. 

Vermont Business Magazine On September 14, 2016, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets filed the Required Agricultural Practices (RAP) Final Proposed Rule with the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) and the Vermont Secretary of State’s office. This filing represents the final step in the public rulemaking process the Agency has been engaged in since October of 2015. Public comment to the RAPs generally has been that they don't go far enough to meet the total maximum daily load (TMDL) standards set by the EPA. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has the second highest percentage of individuals covered by health insurance of any state in the nation and has the second lowest poverty rate. The US Census Bureau has released its most detailed look at America's people, places and economy with new statistics on income, poverty, health insurance and more than 40 other topics from the American Community Survey. Many states saw an increase in income and a decrease in poverty rates between 2014 and 2015. Vermont's houshold income increased 5.1 percent. During that same period, the percentage of people covered by health insurance increased in all of the largest 25 metropolitan areas. The findings are from the US Census Bureau's 2015 American Community Survey, the nation's most comprehensive information source on American households. Today's release provides statistics on more than 40 social, economic and housing topics for US communities with populations of 65,000 or more. 

by Michael Bielawski/Vermont Watchdog Attorney general candidates Republican Deborah Bucknam and Democrat TJ Donovan criticized Vermont’s handling of the opioid addiction crisis during a debate at Johnson State College on Thursday. The debate, moderated by state Sen. Bill Doyle, R-Washington, was attended by college students and largely focused on drug addiction.

“I think the heroin epidemic is the most serious issue facing our state,” Donovan said, speaking from a conference table in the college’s Ellsworth Room.

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate passed an amendment Thursday introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) that would allow Vermont to apply for up to $10 million for repairs to the Waterbury Dam, which was built in the 1930s. The amendment was included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, which now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“The Waterbury Dam is an essential piece of Vermont’s infrastructure,” said Sanders, who serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Maintaining and repairing the dam has long been a priority for the state. This bi-partisan legislation is a first step in rebuilding aging dams in Vermont and throughout the United States.”

Vermont Business Magazine Heading toward the November 1 open enrollment period for Vermont Health Connect, Governor Peter ShumIin today applauded the dramatic improvements to the system and the expansion of more affordable coverage available to Vermonters. “What we’ve been able to do is take a huge federal investment and accomplish some great things for Vermonters,” Gov. Shumlin said. “We’ve expanded coverage, and now Vermont has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country. We were also able use federal dollars to upgrade an aging state Medicaid technology system and ease Vermonters’ access to the program.”

“I’m proud that we were able to use federal dollars to solve problems that otherwise would fall on the backs of Vermont taxpayers,” the Governor added.