Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont): “Unfortunately, under Postmaster General DeJoy’s tenure mail service in rural communities has continued to deteriorate."

Vermont State Police Continued investigation into the motor vehicle crash that transpired during the morning commuting hours of November 22, 2023, has revealed Owen Benoit, 19, of St. Albans Town, VT was traveling at a speed that was far greater than what was appropriate for the road conditions at the time. Evidence indicates Mr. Benoit was traveling over 80 MPH in the moments before losing control of his motor vehicle. Road conditions may have been a contributing factor but were not the primary causation of his loss of control of his vehicle. The vehicle subsequently departed the roadway and struck the motor vehicle that Josephine Buckley, 34, of Essex Town, VT, was attempting to exit after she had previously slid off the road. Ms. Buckley died as a result of internal injuries sustained when she was struck by Mr. Benoit’s vehicle. Mr. Benoit came to the St Albans Barracks on December 7, 2023, and was issued a citation to answer a charge of “negligent operation with death resulting.”

Campaign for Vermont On Tuesday we released our second batch of results from a scientific public opinion poll of Vermonters. The survey interviewed 400 randomly selected Vermont residents to measure their feelings towards state leaders, various issues that policymakers are pursuing, and general sentiments about the direction the state is heading. The Legislature, quite frankly, is out of touch with what Vermonters are asking for. They have squandered opportunities to make meaningful progress on housing. Instead of focusing on creating better education for Vermont students they are more interested in removing the quality educational options we have in independent schools. Instead of investing in our infrastructure and local environment, they prefer to spend big on carbon reduction. These results show that legislative leaders need to stop playing to the fringes of their parties and work to solve basic issues for mainstream Vermonters.

by Anika Heilweil, Public Assets Institute We can build a Vermont that works for everyone who lives here. We can have thriving downtowns, safe roads and bridges, and housing that people can afford. Our children can learn in vibrant and supportive schools. We can protect our environment. We can care for Vermont families at every stage of life. But first, we need to look at our tax code. That’s right—our tax code. In recent decades, wages for many Vermont residents have not kept up with the costs of living. Meanwhile, elected officials tell us that Vermont doesn’t have the money to make crucial public investments to take care of families, infrastructure, and the environment. Yet the data show that this scarcity narrative is rhetoric, not reality. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and representatives from Congresswoman Becca Balint’s (D-Vermont) office met yesterday with JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes to call for the reinstatement of flight service between Burlington International Airport (BTV) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). JetBlue announced in October they would pull out of several airports in early 2024, including BTV on January 4. JetBlue told the delegation that, “When the slot waiver expires, JetBlue expects to restore service from Burlington to New York.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a voluntary slot waiver system through October 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Criminal Justice Council voted 15-1 on Wednesday to strip Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore of his law enforcement certification. While this means he can no longer serve as a police officer, he will continue to be the Franklin County sheriff. The Legislature would need to impeach him in order for him to be removed from office. The council found that he violated the use of force policy and charged with simple assault in a case against a prisoner in August 2022. Despite those charges, Grismore was elected sheriff in November 2022.

by Representative Erin Brady, et al Governor Scott recently described an average projected increase in education property taxes of almost 18% as “unacceptable” and asked school boards to control costs. We agree that people across the state are worried about affordability, from higher tax rates to out of control housing costs. School boards cannot control state level drivers of higher cost any more than they can solve the evils of poverty on their own. The projected education property tax increases are driven by a projected 12% increase in school budgets statewide. We hope to work with the Governor to tackle state level drivers of that education spending. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) is excited to invite food and agriculture enthusiasts to tune into the DigInVT Podcast, a new podcast series that shares the experiences of Vermont farmers, chefs, and others who are committed to their local food partnerships in support of Vermont agriculture. Listeners are invited to pull up a chair, and listen in as each guest shares a behind the scenes look at how they got started in local food and agriculture, and how they currently participate in Vermont’s vibrant local food system.

Vermont Business Magazine Compliance with workplace safety requirements for farmworkers who are exposed to dangerous pesticides is lacking, according to a new report from the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law and Graduate School in partnership with Farmworker Justice and the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic. Improving pesticide safety compliance requires stronger enforcement and monitoring, training, shifts in workplace norms and policy change. The degree of compliance with existing regulations varies from farm to farm, and enforcement can be inconsistent. The health consequences of these failings can be severe, long-term and even fatal for the people who plant, tend, harvest and pack our nation’s food. 

Vermont Business Magazine According to GasBuddy, average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.42/g, down 1 cent per gallon from last week. They're down 14 cents/g from last month and down 26 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state is $2.99/g in Brattleboro, while the highest is $3.89/g in Island Pond. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.17/g today. International prices have stabilized, and demand has fallen, which could further lower prices.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) voted Wednesday to advance debate on President Biden’s national security supplemental package and released the following statement: “Tonight, I voted to advance debate on a national security supplemental funding package. If the United States Senate is indeed the ‘world’s greatest deliberative body,’ we owe it to the people to have constructive debate around how their dollars are spent. This supplemental package contains many important funding priorities for the U.S. and our allies: Humanitarian assistance for the more than 1.5 million civilians who are trapped and suffering in Gaza; funding to fight back against Putin’s aggression in Ukraine; resources for our Southern border and money to interdict dangerous drugs. But, we still have work to do..."

Vermont Business Magazine The Sunshine-makers at Lawson’s Finest Liquids have been recognized as Brewbound’s 2023 Craft Brewery of the Year. The award was announced today during the craft beer industry trade publication’s annual business conference in Santa Monica, Calif.  Lawson’s Finest’s award win comes during an impactful and innovative year. In 2023, the brewery earned B Corp certification, reached over $2 million donated to nonprofit organizations since 2018 through its multi-pronged Social Impact Program, celebrated the addition of Adeline Druart as CEO, and solidified its commitment to earth-friendly brewing with the completion of its rooftop solar array.