Current News

by Governor Peter Shumlin In my years of public service, I have never heard a clearer message from Vermonters than the one they sent this past November on school spending and property taxes. This issue goes right to the heart of affordability and economic opportunity in Vermont because when property taxes rise, wages don’t and Vermonters have less money in their pockets. It’s a problem that has been generations in the making, and digging out of the mess we’re in will take time. But we must start now.

The Griffin Report recently announced Nicole Junas Ravlin, Co-Founder and Partner, People Making Good™ PR will be inducted as a 2015 “Women of Influence in the Food Industry” in the publication’s tenth annual edition of the list. This prestigious tribute honors women nominated by their peers for their highly visible contributions to the food industry, their professionalism and the awareness they have generated for the potential of other women in the food industry.

With public safety at the top of the list of concerns if the state were to legalize marijuana, Vermont Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn will be among a delegation to travel to Colorado next week to study the effects of marijuana legalization in that state. The delegation includes Chittenden County State's Attorney TJ Donovan and advocates for and against marijuana legalization in Vermont.

"Colorado was the first state to legalize marijuana, and we want to see the impacts of that law." Commissioner Flynn said. "Legalization is being discussed in Vermont and we believe that an on the ground look at how it has been implemented will give us a unique insight into the issue. It is important to learn as much as we can about the regulation, the effects on communities, and any other information that will provide policymakers with as much information as possible when considering decision points around this issue."

Vermont Business Magazine Playing to its strength, the state is counting on improving Vermont’s manufacturing industry by increasing workforce development and enhancing tax incentives, which includes linking them to the livable wage rather than the minimum wage. Matching jobs available to skills available in the workforce has been an ongoing problem in Vermont for many years, before, during and since the end of the Great Recession.

With steady job growth over the past year and hundreds of job openings throughout Vermont, but with a nearly stagnant labor force, Governor Peter Shumlin on Wednesday outlined a number of steps the state is taking to train Vermonters for those jobs, prepare young Vermonters for skilled manufacturing positions in the state, and help Vermont businesses continue to expand and grow jobs.

by Amy Ash Nixon vtdigger.org The first attempt at crafting an education reform bill calls for fewer school districts, the phasing out of small school grants and simpler explanations for the property tax implications of school budgets to voters. The House Education Committee began looking at a 27-page draft that would also prevent any legislative mandate that would increase education property taxes this year.

Vermont is participating in conversations with other states and with software vendors, and in an abundance of caution, has immediately suspended the issuance of all personal income tax refunds temporarily as of February 4. As the tax season heats up, the Vermont Department of Taxes continues its vigilance to protect taxpayers and taxpayer money against any possible tax refund fraud, but the early signs are that states are seeing another increase in fraudulent filings this year. In fact, there are reports in other states of particularly troublesome fraud trends. Given the nature and level of fraudulent activity, concerns are being raised that a tax preparation software vendor experienced a data breach of previous year returns, however no such breach has been confirmed. The department is reviewing the situation, and will issue an update on when we will resume refunding as soon as possible.

Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) announces the election of Michele Nelson to serve as VELCO's Chief Financial Officer effective immediately. Nelson had been serving as the company's Vice President of Finance since 2012. The VELCO Board of Directors unanimously approved Nelson's elevation at their February 5 meeting.

In making the announcement, VELCO Board Chairman Lawrence Reilly stated: "Michele earned this promotion through her sustained performance results and continuing expansion of responsibilities. Her unparalleled expertise in regional utility rate and tariff structures,project financing options and disciplined fiscal approach are more valuable than ever as the electric industry continues to rapidly evolve."

Applicant briefings will be held during the week of February 9th for communities in Addison, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, and Windsor counties included in the Public Assistance disaster declaration that was signed this week. The declaration covers damages which resulted from the severe winter storm from December 9-12, 2014.

The Public Assistance disaster declaration allows communities and public utilities in those counties to receive 75 percent reimbursement for storm response and recovery. Eligible costs include debris removal from public rights of way and repairs to public utilities.

Data Innovations, a provider of software for medical laboratories based in Burlington, announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Roper Industries, the parent company of Sunquest Information Systems Inc, a maker of laboratory information systems. Data Innovations is a portfolio company of Battery Ventures, a global investment firm. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The deal highlights Battery's continuing focus on investments in the healthcare-technology sector. In the last 10 years, Battery has invested in 19 healthcare-IT companies.

"We continue to be excited by this segment of the software market, and the acquisition of Data Innovations by Roper is one more example of the value these companies are creating," said Chelsea Stoner, a Battery general partner and Data Innovations board member.

For the third year in a row, Chittenden County has exceeded its goal for 80 percent of development occurring in areas planned for growth. In 2013, 85 percent or 373 of the total 439 units of new housing development occurred in the areas planned for growth. The goal of 80 percent was set in the 2013 ECOS Plan, the combined Regional Plan, Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Chittenden County. It is one of 8 strategies of the Plan.

According to the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, this is important because focusing development of new housing in areas where the infrastructure, services, jobs, and transit options are close by will create and sustain a built environment that is more valuable. SEE MAP BELOW

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Wednesday joined other senators in introducing the bipartisan Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act (Small BREW Act). The legislation, sponsored by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), would recalibrate the federal beer excise tax that small brewers pay, cutting the tax nearly in half. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) is also a cosponsor.

Governor Peter Shumlin and Transportation Secretary Sue Minter today announced the recipients of $2.1 million in federal funds for municipal grant projects under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The funding will be used for construction projects in Burlington, Jericho, St Albans, Cabot, Williston, Rutland City, Essex, Colchester, Montgomery, Enosburg Falls, and Killington.

“Investments in infrastructure are key to economic growth in Vermont,” Shumlin said. “Every little bit helps, and these investments will make a difference for communities around the state.”