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by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org Lawmakers got right to work on opening day of the second half of the biennium. Within an hour of the first gavel fall, senators and representatives were in committee. There they began the work of legislating ‘ of evaluating statutory changes, assessing the effectiveness of programs and listening to the conflicting points of view of state officials, constituents, advocates and lobbyists.
By the end of the day, several committees had already voted on draft legislation. A bill to allow child-care workers to unionize passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee. A Senate and House conference committee voted out a campaign finance bill that will lift the ceiling on contributions to political parties to $10,000 and allow parties to make contributions in unlimited amounts to candidates.

On the first day of the Vermont legislative session Tuesday, Speaker Shap Smith addressed the House of Representatives, setting forth his priorities and highlighting the need to work across the aisle to tackle a number of difficult issues.’
‘We all share the same goals for Vermont. We want a healthy economy with good jobs. We want to make sure that our friends and neighbors have the tools necessary to unlock their individual potential. And we want strong, lively, vibrant communities that are safe for our kids,’ said Speaker Shap Smith.
Speaker Smith’s priorities include closing a $70 million budget shortfall within current revenue, reviewing increased education spending and seeking ways to slow its growth, funding shortfalls in retiree teacher health care, investments in our downtowns, and working to address the growing opiate epidemic.
Full text of the speech can be found below.
Speaker Smith Opening Remarks January 7, 2014

Vermont Wood Pellet Company has announced that Chris Brooks, co-founder and CEO, will be stepping into the dual role of CEO and president. Brooks’ co-founder, Katie Ewald Adams, will is moving into a more strategic role as Chief Marketing Officer. Adams will remain active in promoting the VWP brand as it continues to expand, both in her role within the burgeoning wood pellet industry as well as the voice and spirit that have contributed to VWP producing the ‘Best Softwood Pellet of the Year,’ as reviewed by WoodPelletReviews.com.
This #1 ‘Best Softwood Pellet of the Year in the East’ award has been given to VWP four years in a row. Over the last few years, US and Canadian pellet mills have produced a total 230 different brand names for sale to home and commercial users.

The Vermont Senate Education Committee Tuesday voted unanimously to support the Early Educators' Right to Organize bill. The committee chose to pass a bill that mirrors the bill the committee supported last year as an amendment to the Miscellaneous Education bill. The amendment was ruled non-germane on the Senate floor, and so the full Senate did not have a chance for a full Senate vote. This year, the Education Committee chose to offer a stand-alone bill.
The vote occurred at approximately 2:45 pm, and was a unanimous, 5-0 vote, with the full committee present. The Chairman, Senator Dick McCormack, indicated that he will report the bill on the Senate floor. The bill is expected to be referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee before moving on to the full Senate.

Revision Military, a world leader in protective soldier solutions,’ wins a contract for PEO Soldier’s Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) Soldier Protective System (SPS). The 2 year development-to-acquisition program is to refine the US Army’s next generation helmet system, a contract worth an initial $783,000 with additional options valued at $15 million.’

Sugarbush’s Mt Ellen turns 50 years old this winter. The resort will be hosting a multiday celebration from Thursday, January 9th to Sunday, January 12th. Previously Glen Ellen, the mountain has numerous events paying homage to the mountain traditions of old.
The fun kicks off on Thursday with a $6.50 ski day based on 1963 lift ticket prices. The ticket is valid all day at Mt Ellen for all ages. Later in the day, a series of traditional competitions occur. The Mad River Valley Citizen’s Challenge, running from 2 PM ‘ 4 PM, is a dual slalom race on Inverness and is open to the public. Alongside that race is the Valley Restaurant Cup, an old Glen Ellen tradition where employees from restaurants throughout the Valley compete in a foot race holding a tray of drinks throughout the base area in their ski or snowboard gear. Following the competitions, an après party with music by The Gulch will take place in the Green Mountain Lounge from 3 pm ‘ 6 pm.

The Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) as part of its many business services is offering several workshops for those thinking about starting their own business ‘ taking their idea and turning it into a full-fledged venture.’ The workshops on -’ ‘How to Start Your Own Business’ and write a business plan will be held at Vermont Technical Center (VT Tech) Williston Campus ‘ Continuing Education.

by Morgan True vtdigger.org With school children opening today's legislative session with a song put to the words of the Gettysburg address, the featured moment on opening day was a speech to the Legislative health care committees by Governor Peter Shumlin.’
Governor Shumlin took full responsibility (SEE VIDEO BELOW) for the rocky rollout of Vermont’s health care exchange, but said it won’t affect the state’s move toward a publicly funded universal health care system.
Shumlin made his comments in a rare appearance before a packed hearing of the House and Senate health care committees in Room 11 on the first day of the legislative session.
‘No one is more disappointed than I am that we fell short in our rollout of the exchange, and I take responsibility for those failures,’ Shumlin said, but later added that he has never been more committed to ‘ushering in America’s first universal affordable publicly financed health care system right here in Vermont.’

Governor Peter Shumlin Tuesday called on Congress to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program, which expired on December 28, 2013. The Governor said about 650 Vermonters lost the benefit with the program’s expiration, losing an average weekly benefit of approximately $300. Up to 2,300 Vermonters could lose assistance over the first half of 2014.’
‘Vermont has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, yet many Vermonters continue to look for secure work as we pull out of the worst recession in history,’ Gov. Shumlin said. He thanked President Obama and Vermont’s congressional delegation for fighting for the program.’
Nationally, more than 1 million jobless workers saw their benefits expire ‘ including 20,000 recent military veterans ‘ and another 1.9 million will lose their unemployment benefits over the first half of 2014.’

Governor Peter Shumlin today announced the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation will be awarding $504,279 in grants to 15 municipalities and non-profit organizations across Vermont for recreational trail projects. Grants are provided through the Recreational Trails Program, and more money is on the way.’
Recreational Trails Program funds come from the Federal Highway Administration, helping to improve livability for Vermonters.’ Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of trails and trailhead facilities for non-motorized, motorized, and/or multiple compatible recreational trail uses. ‘
"Vermont’s outdoor recreation opportunities are so important to our way of life and our economy. These grants provide opportunities for Vermonters to spend more time on our trails, encouraging outdoor activity and healthy living,’ said Governor Shumlin.’

The legislative health care debate begins on Day One of the 2014 session Tuesday when Governor Peter Shumlin appears before a joint committee. The early and unusual address to the House and Senate health care committees takes place at 11 am in Room 11 at the Statehouse.
The governor is expected to respond to the fitful start of the state’s new health care exchange and outline his plans for a publicly financed system due in 2017.
Opening week

11 a.m. Tuesday: Gov. Peter Shumlin addresses to joint health care committees, Room 11.

Members of the Vermont State Employees’ Association’s (VSEA) Election, Rules and Nominating (ERN) Committee counted ballots at union headquarters Monday and announced the ratification of new contracts by VSEA members belonging to the union’s Supervisory, Corrections and State Colleges Units.
‘Judging by the votes, it’s pretty clear that VSEA members in these three Units are very pleased with their new contracts,’ said ERN Chair Mary Poulos, herself a DOC employee. ‘It’s a great testament to the hard work of the rank-and-file VSEA bargaining team members who negotiated the agreements.’
VSEA President Shelley Martin hailed the votes and the fact that each contract features respectful and well-deserved pay increases as well as very sought after improvements in benefits and working conditions.