Current News

Five Vermont communities will be able to make their downtowns safer and more beautiful, thanks to grants from the state’s Downtown Transportation Fund. Windsor, Bristol, Rutland, Waterbury and Barre were awarded a total of $388,245 for transportation-related capital improvements, including bike paths, sidewalks, and landscaping.

"We are delighted we can make these opportunities available to help continue to make our downtowns strong. Congratulations to these communities for their hard work and success," commented Patricia Moulton, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

by John McClaughry Last week, the Vermont House completed deliberations on a fiscal year 2016 general fund budget and an associated tax package. The appropriations committee, after months of intense work and no little agony, produced a budget that covers a $113 million deficit. The House-passed bill (H490) reduces the governor’s budget request by $53 million, and calls for $35 million in new revenues. It accepts Gov. Shumlin’s proposal for $10.8 million in labor force savings. Some $24 million in one-time money – including $5 million from the Rainy Day Fund - will go toward closing the gap.

Over Republican objections, the House voted to raise $35 million with two income tax increases (H.489). One caps itemized deductions to two and a half times the standard deduction. The other eliminates the deduction for state income taxes paid, which also hits high bracket taxpayers the hardest.

The Vermont Enhanced 9-1-1 Board joins a nationwide campaign to help Americans of all ages recognize the importance of 9-1-1 and the role they play in ensuring effective and efficient emergency response in times of crisis. Groups including the United States Congress and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), a leading public safety association, have also recognized April as National 9-1-1 Education Month, and are encouraging the media, the 9-1-1 community, the wireless industry, and public information providers to engage in 9-1-1 awareness and education activities this month.

by M Kathleen Shaw, DVM, Vermont Veterinary Medical Association Spring is almost here (really!) and with it comes parasites of all sorts that can infect your pet. Most dog and cat owners understand the importance of keeping their pets safe from parasites such as heartworms, intestinal worms, fleas, and ticks. However, pet owners are now being flooded with ads for generic products and these new brands are creating confusion. In addition, some of the other, better known products have disappeared leaving everyone even more confused. Exactly what parasite control products should you be using for your pets?

by Amy Ash Nixon vtdigger.org A House committee Friday voted down a controversial bill that sought to take away what was characterized by its lead sponsor, Rep. Kurt Wright, R-Burlington, as the “nuclear option” for teachers’ unions and school boards — strikes and contract imposition. The House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee voted 5-3 against the bill, saying it either did not achieve a better outcome or that it wasn’t ready for passage in its current form.

The bill, H.76, was passed out of the House Education Committee recently on an 8-3 vote.

Over the past several months, Verizon Wireless has enhanced fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network coverage in communities throughout Vermont.

AT&T has invested nearly $60 million in its best-in-class wireless and wired networks in Vermont between 2012 through 2014, driving a wide range of upgrades to reliability, coverage, speed and performance for residents and business customers. As part of its Project Velocity IP (VIP), an investment plan focused on network enhancement and expansion, AT&T in 2014 made 15 wireless network upgrades in Vermont, including new cell sites, addition of network capacity, and new wireless high-speed Internet connections.

AT&T provides the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network today, covering more than 300 million Americans with 4G LTE service. AT&T's network also has the nation's strongest LTE signal.

Greg Dewey, PhD, President of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, announced today that former Vermont Governor James Douglas will be the commencement speaker at the May 17 graduation ceremony for the College’s Colchester Campus. This year’s commencement exercises will take place at 1 pm at the Champlain Valley Exposition.

Vermont Business Magazine Corporate Income Tax receipts were strong in March, which could bode well for revenues the rest of the fiscal year. Corporate tax returns were due on March 15 and economists have suggested that business profits could lead to an increase in Personal Income Tax revenues, in what they called an "April surprise." Taxpayers who received dividends and bonuses at the end of last year, predicated on the success of their business, could find themselves paying more in taxes (and getting less in refunds) than they expected and withheld. The result being a windfall of tax revenue for the state.

by Amy Ash Nixon vtdigger.org The House approved a plan on Thursday to merge the state’s 272 school districts into fewer, larger school systems. H361 mandates that school districts study merger options with neighboring districts. By 2019, all districts must be part of PreK-12, “integrated education systems” with a minimum of 1,100 pupils. The legislation also puts a cap on school spending.

Proposed amendments to the bill on Thursday included the elimination of a controversial spending cap on local school districts and the formation of regional districts centered on tech center catchment areas. Both amendments failed and the House passed H361 on a voice vote. For the final version of the House bill, click here.

The Agency of Human Services announced today the selection of the first seven Vermont communities that will participate in the new Promise Communities initiative. This initiative supports collaboration across the education, health care, human service, public, and private sectors to create an all-of-the-above, comprehensive approach to transforming communities to better support children with high needs.

The communities selected to participate in the first part of the initiative are:

· Barre City, Barre Town;

· Bellows Falls;

· Green Street to Canal Street in Brattleboro;

· Franklin County Early Childhood Programs region (includes the schools of Franklin Central and Franklin Northwest Supervisory Unions);

· Rutland City;

· St. Johnsbury; and

· Winooski.

Vermont’s tourism industry professionals gathered this week in South Burlington for the 32^nd annual Vermont Travel Industry Conference (VTIC). Together, they celebrated the success of their peers with six awards; two presented by the Vermont Travel Industry Conference and four presented by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The awards ceremony was emceed by Alan Hebert, board member and treasurer of VTIC, Inc., and strategic planning manager of hospitality and ski areas at Efficiency Vermont.

Vermont Travel Industry Conference Awards:

1. Governor’s SMART Award for Creative Marketing in Tourism: WCAX “Leafie” Campaign