Current News

by Tom Pelham Tensions over state spending are fundamental and longstanding. The duality embedded in Vermont’s state motto of “Freedom and Unity”, established in 1788, speaks succinctly to this tension as does this 1953 passage by noted Vermont author Dorothy Canfield Fisher: “The Vermont tradition grapples energetically with the basic problem – how to reconcile the needs of the group, of which every man or woman is a member, with the craving for individual freedom to be what he really is.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Travel Channel has named Bingham Falls in Stowe as one of the nation's best swimming holes. From the best natural diving platforms and hidden slides, to crystal-clear water with colors that change from blue to a golden crimson, Travel Channel announced the top 10 swimming holes in the United States – a perfect list for anyone who wants to “dive into summer.”

Vermont Business Magazine In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent in Vermont, renters need to earn $21.13 an hour, or $43,947 a year. This is Vermont’s 2016 Housing Wage, revealed in the annual Out of Reach report released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a Washington, DC-based research and advocacy organization, and by the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition. The Housing Wage is the hourly wage a family must earn, working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, to be able to afford the rent and utilities for a safe and modest home in the private housing market (affordable means paying no more than 30 percent of income). Vermont ranked 13th highest. Hawaii was first at $34.22/hr. West Virginia was lowest at $13.17.

by Representative Don Turner R-Milton Over the past six years under Governor Shumlin’s Administration and Speaker Smith, Vermont Democrats have exploited their majority status in the Senate and General Assembly to push an unbalanced agenda. It should come as no surprise, however, that the Democrats routinely circumvented rules and on occasion violated the constitution to reward special interests and advance pet projects. After all, corruption and cronyism run rampant in states with unchecked one-party rule. The seize of near-total control over the legislative process culminated in last Thursday’s special session, which was convened to decide the fate of the vetoed energy siting bill (S230). 

Vermont Business Magazine Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation and Cynosure, Inc has announced that it will award its 2016 C Harry Behney Lifetime Economic Achievement award to US Senator Patrick Leahy. The GBIC said it is proud to recognize Senator Leahy for his many contributions to the people and the State of Vermont in supporting dynamic economic development, attracting investment and saving and growing jobs for Vermonters. In addition, Senator Leahy has been a leader in advancing entrepreneurship & innovation advancing opportunities for truly significant economic opportunities for Vermonters in our region and throughout Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Matt Dunne, Democratic candidate for governor, today voluntarily released a campaign finance disclosure to the public at an event outside the Secretary of State’s office, making good on a pledge to give voters and the media open access to all campaign fundraising and spending activity. Dunne said he believes the public has every right to see this information before early voting begins on June 25.

“Vermonters deserve to know how a candidate’s campaign is funded,” Dunne said in prepared remarks. “I’m proud to be running a people-powered campaign, focused on restoring the public’s trust in government. That starts by rejecting corporate campaign contributions and opening our books so that voters can make an informed decision when they go to the polls on August 9th.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ campaign spokesman, Michael Briggs, issued the following statement on Tuesday after the senator met with Secretary Hillary Clinton at the Capital Hilton: “Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton met in Washington on Tuesday evening and had a positive discussion about how best to bring more people into the political process and about the dangerous threat that Donald Trump poses to our nation. Sanders congratulated Secretary Clinton on the campaign she has run and said he appreciated her strong commitment to stopping Trump in the general election.

“The two discussed a variety of issues where they are seeking common ground: substantially raising the minimum wage; real campaign finance reform: making health care universal and accessible; making college affordable and reducing student debt.

Vermont Business Magazine Below is an op-ed from Governor Peter Shumlin and a list of bills passed by the Legislature and signed or vetoed by the governor. All bills passed during the 2016 Legislative session have now been acted upon by the governor.

Vermont Business Magazine Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter has announced her plan for "Vermont Promise," which will provide two years tuition-free at Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Vermont Technical College (VTC). The plan is modeled on the widely hailed Tennessee Promise and will ensure Vermont students the education and training required to access livable wage jobs. Speaking at CCV Winooski last week, Minter was joined by former Chancellor of Vermont State Colleges Tim Donovan, former President of CCV and Johnson State College Barbara Murphy, Representative Clement Bissonnette, former Representative George Cross and former Representative Jason Lorber.

Minter campaign photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced that the next phase of the Burlington Bike Path has broken ground. Bike Path Phase 1b construction will update and realign about one mile of the path from the new Andy A_Dog Williams Skatepark to North Beach, and will include the construction of three new pause places, intended to provide expanded recreational opportunities, including new fitness equipment provided by UVM Medical Center, along the path. Phase 1b rehabilitation will last through this December, with landscaping and finishing touches completed early in the spring of 2017.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) will be hosting its annual Summer Meeting in Burlington on June 21. Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell will welcome the nation’s State Attorneys General. The three-day Summer Meeting is an opportunity for attorneys general to convene with key staff, other government officials and academic, corporate and association representatives to discuss legal issues on a number of topics to include consumer credit reporting, veterans in the workforce, health insurance coverage and mental health treatment, and keeping children safe.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington-based Sustain, the first sustainable, non-toxic, Fair Trade Certified brand of condoms in the United States announces the launch of its line of organic personal lubricant on Amazon. Sustain's lubricant consists of a long-lasting, premium, mess-free formula, free of harsh and potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, glycerin, petroleum and propylene glycol.