Current News

by Governor Peter Shumlin Pursuing clean energy policies in Vermont isn’t just about doing what is right for our environment and protecting our unrivaled quality of life. A thriving clean energy sector is also integral to our economy, keeping young people in Vermont, and making the state a more affordable place to live. That is why I feel so strongly that we must lead on creating a clean energy economy based on Vermont values. If we do so, we will add to the 15,000 jobs already supported by the clean energy industry, help homeowners save hundreds of millions on energy costs, and do our part to help combat climate change.

The Barre Town School District was chosen to receive $60,000 from EPA to pay for three new school buses that emit less pollution than the older buses. The Vermont school district will receive the rebates through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act funding. Barre Town School District was among five fleets in New England and 76 fleets in 30 states that will receive more than $3 million in rebates through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, administered by EPA. Nationwide, the funds will pay to replace 210 older diesel school buses with new buses that are more than 90 percent cleaner. The replacements will reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that are linked to health problems including asthma and lung damage.

Norwich University’s Career Services Center has received $12,000 in grant funding from the Vermont Department of Labor to support student internships by providing partial reimbursements for gas mileage. The funding is calculated to support 50 students with up to $500 in mileage reimbursement during the calendar year of 2015. Students qualify by applying to the Career Services Center. Eligible students will receive $.25/mile after the first 20 miles.

“Even though gas prices continue to fall, many students at Norwich find it difficult to pay fuel costs to commute to internships in Burlington, and that can be a barrier to even pursuing those opportunities,” said Jim Graves, internship coordinator. “This grant funding will support more internship options for more Norwich students.”

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org Lawmakers have just 10 weeks to resolve a widening budget gap that could run as high as $130 million, and no one knows at this point where the money will come from. Five days after Governor Peter Shumlin proposed a budget on January 15 that addresses a $94 million potential deficit, state tax revenues were downgraded by $18.6 million. In the intervening weeks, the Shumlin administration has yet to present a proposal to fill the hole.

AFT Vermont released a report entitled "Reclaiming the Promise for Affordable Public Higher Education in Vermont" Friday at the Vermont State House. Faculty members, a student, and Vermont legislators gathered to highlight the decades of disinvestment in the Vermont State Colleges and University of Vermont and to call for renewed commitment to funding from the state.

"For 35 years the state has neglected public higher education, placing a significant burden on Vermont families as they struggle to pay one of the highest tuitions in the country," explained Linda Olson, vice president of higher education for AFT Vermont. "When the Vermont State Colleges were created, the state's commitment was to fund them 'in whole or substantial part.' We are here to reclaim that promise."

As expected, the Burlington Board of School Commissioners introduced Yaw Obeng as the new, permanent Superintendent of Burlington Schools on Thursday. Obeng comes to Burlington with more than 20 years educational experience as a teacher, principal, and district administrator in the Toronto and Halton, Ontario Schools. School Board Chair Patrick Halladay announced the hiring decision.

"Throughout our thorough and inclusive search process, we worked diligently to find the best leader for our school district. We sought a leader with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to help us build on our considerable strengths and address our challenges. Yaw Obeng has the experience and enthusiasm we wanted for our District."

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has been active in the media with talks on whether or not he will decide to run for presidency in 2016. Records from the Federal Election Commission confirmed that Ready for Bernie Sanders 2016 Super PAC is live and active to support a possible run to be the next US president.

New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU), as part of its ongoing mission of community support, recently made contributions to four important Franklin County organizations. “NEFCU is committed to giving back to the communities that support us,” noted Senior Marketing Executive Cindy Morgan. “We appreciate the opportunity to help these four wonderful organizations fulfill their helping missions.”

Recipients of $5,000 donations included:

• Franklin-Grand Isle United Way

• Franklin County Home Health Agency

• Tim’s House

• Martha’s Kitchen

Mayor Miro Weinberger, accompanied by Governor Peter Shumlin and other community leaders, today announced a partnership with the Permanent Fund for Vermont’s Children, the State Department of Health, the Burlington School District (BSD), and the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) to create and implement a major new Burlington Early Learning Initiative. The initiative is focused on improving kindergarten readiness for Burlington children, reducing special education and other public spending over time, and breaking the cycle of multi-generational poverty.

HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI), the new parent company of Vermont Castings, today announced sales for the fourth quarter ended January 3, 2015, of $646.7 million and net income of $7.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income per diluted share improved 30 percent from the prior year quarter to $0.65, which excludes restructuring charges, goodwill and intangible impairment, transition costs and gain on sale of assets.

For fiscal year 2014, the Corporation reported sales of $2.2 billion and net income of $61.5 million, or$1.35 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income per diluted share improved 38 percent from the prior year to $1.97, which excludes restructuring charges, goodwill and intangible impairment, transition costs and gains on sale of assets. HNI acquired Vermont Castings last fall.

Fresh off of two productive events featuring Vermont businesses, Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott is partnering with the Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce and other regional organizations to host the “Franklin and Grand Isle County Economy Pitch” on February 16, 2015. During the two-hour session at the St Albans Historical Museum, legislators and the general public from the Franklin County/Grand Isle region will hear representatives of the region’s business community propose steps lawmakers could take which will, in the eyes of businesses, have a positive impact on the State’s economy.

“Vermont’s business community is very good at problem-solving and thinking outside of the box,” Scott said. “In my opinion, no issue on the table right now other than public safety is more important than growing our economy and easing the financial burden on Vermonters, and I’m heartened to see so many lawmakers eager to consider fresh ideas.”

Secretary of State Jim Condos would like to remind all eligible, Vermont voters that early voting is now open for Town Meeting Day. Early voting only applies to those towns that vote by Australian ballot. “Town Meeting Day can be a great opportunity for community members to come together, discuss the issues that are specific to their particular locality, and have important debates before voting. However, many Vermonters have the realities of busy lives to contend with and the flexibility of Early Voting allows these Vermonters to still exercise their constitutional right to vote and, in this way, still participate in local decision making,” stated Secretary Condos.

Condos added, “Many of Vermont’s most important issues are decided on a local level and often the outcome comes down to a very small number of votes. I urge Vermonters to make their voice heard: vote on Town Meeting Day or, for Towns that use Australian ballot, vote early if you so choose.”