Current News

by Maggie Lenz and Nick Charyk on behalf of Atlas Government Affairs At a time when national politics is often defined by horrifying displays of division, Vermont’s State House is proving that collaboration and pragmatism can still get things done. Rep. Gina Galfetti, a Republican from Barre Town, and Rep. Teddy Waszazak, a Democrat from Barre City, have teamed up as co-chairs of the Flood Caucus to introduce H.397, the Omnibus Flood Bill. This bill is the result of input from legislators across the state who have been working together to develop a broad and coordinated approach to flood resilience and recovery following the disasters of 2023 and 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine To celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Vermont business leaders will come together at the Lawson’s Finest Liquids taproom on March 9 to share their stories and support for lifting up women in business. A panel discussion, moderated by Lawson’s Finest CEO Adeline Druart and featuring prominent women business leaders from across Vermont, will discuss the current business landscape and its impact on women in business. Panelists include: Karen Colbert, CEO of King Arthur Baking Company, Sas Stewart, founder of Adventure Dinner, Libby Parent, president of Vermont’s Original Bag Balm, and Sascha Mayer, cofounder and chief experience officer of Mamava. 

by Camila Van Order González, Community News Service It was about 20 minutes in when a lone trumpet sounded through Middlebury College’s Wilson Hall Feb. 20. “Hey, man, you’re not helping,” Gary Winslett, the political science professor who coordinated the evening’s controversial event, told the trumpeter from the stage. “You’re not helping your cause, bro.” “It’s embarrassing for me, as a trans person, that you’re doing this,” said one of the speakers, Brianna Wu, executive director at the progressive RebellionPAC and former congressional candidate. “Can you please stop and let the adults have a discussion?”

by Hannah King, Executive Director of the Vermont Bar Foundation Justice should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. In Vermont, the gap between legal needs and available resources continues to grow, leaving too many individuals and families without meaningful access to the justice system. This is not just a legal issue—it is a fundamental challenge to the fairness and integrity of our community. The Vermont Bar Foundation (VBF) is committed to bridging this gap. As the primary funding source for civil legal aid in the state, the Foundation supports organizations that provide critical legal services to low-income Vermonters. From housing and employment disputes to domestic violence protection and family law matters, these services are often the last line of defense for our most vulnerable neighbors. Yet, funding for legal aid remains insufficient to meet the growing need. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) on Friday released the Vermont Congressional delegation’s scores for the League of Conservation Voters’ 2024 National Environmental Scorecard, which highlights our state’s leaders’ work to protect our environment and democracy. Since 1970, LCV’s Scorecard has been the primary tool for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress. The 2024 Scorecard shows how Vermont’s delegation fought back against attacks on our democracy and environmental protections. In stark contrast to Vermont’s members of Congress, for the second year in a row, extreme Republicans in the House of Representatives embraced chaos. They pushed messaging bills and radical amendments on government funding that were so harmful their own leadership pulled them on more than one occasion — resulting in the least productive Congress in recent history. 

by Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts Investing in our food and forest economy is great for Vermont. One of Vermont’s signature programs is the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative. Once again Governor Phil Scott has proposed allocating $1 million dollars to this economic development program. If we look at the history the results are impressive in all of Vermont’s 14 counties. Since 2012, the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has supported Vermont agriculture and forestry businesses with critical investments that have grown their businesses.  With $18.8 million invested in 555 farm, food, and forestry projects, and an additional $30.9 million leveraged in matching funds, the Working Lands program has played an important role in the growth of Vermont’s economy. It’s supporting new and legacy businesses, helping them buy critical equipment or providing them with services. We track the results in a detailed impact report.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union and WCAX-TV have concluded their second annual Great Vermont Coat Drive, collecting more than 1,000 new and gently used coats to help Vermonters in need. Building on last year’s success, this year’s drive saw an increase in early contributions, with Vermont Federal members donating coats even before the official launch. All collected coats will be distributed through Lund, the Vermont Department for Children and Families, as well as regional non-profit organizations.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today announced an offering of up to $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2022A-2 under an indenture between the Issuer and the bond trustee, dated as of June 1, 2022. The Bonds represent the drawdown (which would no longer be available to the Company if not occurring by June 1, 2025) of the remainder of the Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2022, the initial proceeds of which, in the amount of $35.0 million, were loaned to the Company in June 2022. 

Vermont Business Magazine As Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress attempt to advance legislation to give massive tax breaks to billionaires and undermine Social Security, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy, and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), introduced the Social Security Expansion Act. The legislation would expand Social Security benefits by $2,400 a year and ensure Social Security is fully funded for the next 75 years by applying the Social Security payroll tax on all income above $250,000. Importantly, this legislation would not raise taxes by one penny on the over 91 percent of American households who make $250,000 or less.

Vermont State Police Following autopsy at the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, the deceased individual is identified as Jeremiah Wild, 29, of Craftsbury. The autopsy determined his cause of death to be thermal burns and smoke inhalation. The manner of death is classified as undetermined. VSP’s investigation is ongoing, but the death is not considered suspicious.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group continues its commitment to ending childhood hunger by naming the Vermont Foodbank as the sole recipient of the 2025 National Life Group Do Good Fest. The announcement comes alongside a $29,674 donation raised through the company’s Share the Good program, which matches associate donations to charities. Beth Rusnock, President of the National Life Group Foundation, and Executive Director John Mullett presented the check to Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles, marking another year of partnership in addressing hunger in Vermont. This initiative is a core aspect of National Life Group's mission to support nonprofits focused on community development and ending childhood hunger, two issues central to the company’s values.

Vermont Business Magazine Each year, the Legislature must approve a mid-year budget adjustment to account for shifting needs and ensure fiscal responsibility. While House leadership agrees with almost all of the Administration’s proposed budget adjustment, key differences remain - particularly regarding a short-term extension of housing support for Vermont’s most vulnerable populations, investments in affordable housing, and critical funding for communities still facing flood recovery. Today, the House Speaker, Rep. Jill Krowinski reaffirmed the Legislature’s commitment to passing a responsible FY25 Budget Adjustment Act (BAA) that prioritizes the well-being of Vermonters while maintaining a balanced budget.