Current News

IBEW LOCAL 300 'PLUS 5' CONTRACTORS OFFER FREE SIX-YEAR WARRANTY

South Burlington, Vt. - (Jan. 28, 2008) - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 contractors are reminding customers about their best-in-class Plus 5 Electrical Protection Plan.

Unique to the IBEW, Plus 5 is a complimentary extended maintenance agreement on materials and workmanship that services the wiring in a new or remodeled home for an additional five years beyond a builder's standard one-year warranty. The plan adds nothing to construction costs and involves no administrative or legal procedures on the part of the consumer. In the event that a problem arises during the coverage term, a certified Plus 5 contractor will immediately fix the issue at no cost to the homeowner, builder or developer.

(January 14, 2008)-- Secretary of Administration Michael K. Smith released General Fund revenue results for the month of December, the sixth month of fiscal year 2008. General Fund revenues totaled $104.21 million for December 2007, +$0.11 million or +0.1 % more than the $104.10 million consensus revenue target for the month. This brought the fiscal year-to-date total in the General Fund to $559.12 million (+1.6%) above the cumulative revenue forecast of $550.17 million.
The monthly consensus cash flow targets reflect the most recent fiscal year 2008 Consensus Revenue Forecast that was agreed to by the Emergency Board on July 24, 2007. The States Consensus Revenue Forecast is updated two times per year, in January and July. The January Emergency Board meeting was held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008.

VERIZON WIRELESS EXPANDS VERMONT VOICE AND WIRELESS BROADBAND SERVICE

January 23, 2008
Vermont Continues Its Pursuit of Boston Talent

Networking Event Seeks To Woo Professionals North

BOSTON – Dim lighting and hip music formed the backdrop as the well-dressed young man and young woman munched seared tuna appetizers and sipped wine.

After a brief introduction and some small talk about work, she cut right to her bottom line.

Would he consider moving to Vermont to work for her company?

Welcome to the brave new world of economic development, Vermont-style.

For the second time in less than a year, economic development officials from the State of Vermont, with employers in tow, came south looking to poach a few of Boston's young workers.

Governor Douglas Testifies in Support of GHG Emissions Standards
Says EPA Waiver Denial Is 'Legally and Factually Unsound'
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Governor Jim Douglas today (January 24, 2008) urged Congress to hold the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accountable to the Clean Air Act.
Testifying before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Douglas said Vermont is a leader among the 12 states that have adopted California's tough tailpipe emissions standards and in 2005 was the first state to sign on to California's amendments.
Under the federal Clean Air Act, California has the right to set its own vehicle emissions standards, as long as it obtains a waiver from the EPA. The Clean Air Act also allows any state to opt-in to the California standard, which becomes fully enforceable once California obtains a waiver. Over the past 30 years, the EPA has granted California more than 40 such waivers, denying none.

Governor's Budget Address

Achieving Prosperity Through Affordability
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

(January 18, 2008)--Senator Patrick Leahy and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce are trying to halt the Department of Homeland Securitys plan to implement untested security procedures at the US-Canadian border. The DHS argues that the plan, which will be put into affect starting February 1, is ultimately beneficial to the country because it will allow billions of dollars in economic business and trade to continue to flow from Canada during USs recent economic slow-down. Canada provides the US with 50 billion dollars of transportation trade each month. The LCRCC is concerned with how the new border laws will affect the greater Champlain region. The LCRCC is a non-profit concerned with creating a health environment that makes the region a good place to live, work, and conduct business.

Manosh closes hardwood sawmill in Morrisville

by Kevin Kelley

January 23, 2008
Merchants Bancshares, Inc Announces 2007 Results

(January 22, 2008)--Union Bank will add Lura Jacques as Assistant Vice President and Trust Officer of the western service area and Lois Pigeon as Branch Manager to its new St. Albans Office.

Lura was a Wealth Advisor for TD Banknorths St. Albans office for the past nineteen years. She currently serves as Treasurer of the St. Albans Rotary Expo and Homeshow and as secretary of the St. Albans Rotary. She is also a board Member with Franklin County Court Diversion. Her educational background includes graduating from Champlain College, New England School of Banking, and earning a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation from Cannon Financial Institute.

Lois Pigeon is a long time active resident of St. Albans, where she has been involved with Vermont National Bank, which became Charter One and then Citizens. She also owns a small business with her husband.

Vermont Department of Labor is reporting the seasonally adjusted employment rate for December 2007 at 4 percent, up one tenth of a point from last month and two tenths of a point from last year. There was no difference from November 2007 values. For the December 2007 month the US as a whole had an unemployment rate of 5 percent, up three tenths of a point from November.

Seasonally adjusted job levels grew by 400 or 0.1% from November to December, and by 800 or 0.3% since December of 2006. Heath Care and Social Assistance, and Leisure and Hospitality provide 200 extra jobs each in December, while the construction and local government lose 200 each. The VDL is reporting that despite the surge in unemployment rates, Vermonts unemployment levels are considerably low when compared to national averages.

Representative Cola Hudson, R-Lyndon, died January 20 of congestive heart failure. A farmer and janitor, he first served in the Vermont House in 1973. He served in the State House up to the week before his death. He was 81.
Below are comments from the governor and Speaker of the House.
Official Statement of Governor Douglas on the Death of Representative Cola Hudson
I was saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, Representative Cola Hudson of Lyndon. His family, friends and community are in our thoughts and prayers.