Current News

A new 50-state analysis of state income taxes by Public Assets Institute shows that Vermont ranks in the middle of states compared to the rest of the country. While much has been made of Vermont’s high tax rates, the amount taxpayers actually pay in Vermont is lower than in many other states because of deductions and other adjustments and the state’s progressive rate structure. This analysis looked at the total income taxes paid in each state in 2008 and divided it by the total adjusted gross income (AGI) - that is, income before deductions and other adjustments.

Using this ‘effective tax rate’ measure, Vermont was 23rd among states when they were ranked highest to lowest. Forty-three states levy a personal income tax; seven do not. Vermont also ranked 23rd in per capita income.

US Representative Peter Welch and Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee on Tuesday reacted to an announcement by Pinnacle Foods that the company has agreed to remove caramel color from its Log Cabin ‘All Natural Syrup.’
Welch and Allbee wrote the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month, calling on the FDA to investigate whether the brand violates its guidelines by marketing as ‘natural’ a product containing added colors, flavors or artificial substances.
In a statement released to the media, Pinnacle Foods announced that it was changing its ingredients in an effort to comply with FDA guidelines.
Welch and Allbee called the move a step in the right direction, but said that Pinnacle’s labeling does not make clear that the table syrup product is not, in fact, all-natural maple syrup.

US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that HUD will provide $58,568 to the Vermont State Housing Authority to provide permanent housing for 10 homeless veterans in the state. The funding is provided through The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH), a coordinated effort by HUD, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and local housing authorities to provide permanent supportive housing for veterans experiencing homelessness.
‘Our veterans deserve something better than a life on the streets,’ said Richard A. Walega, HUD New England Regional Administrator. ‘President Obama has given us very clear marching orders that, as a nation, we must end the curse of homelessness especially for those who answered their country’s call to serve.’

Foliage is nearing peak color in the Northeast Kingdom and in higher elevations across the state.
Vibrant foliage will continue to develop around Vermont, and most areas of the state will be displaying multiple stages of colorful foliage throughout the week. Foliage is close to peak color in the Northeast Kingdom and in higher elevations, including sections of the Green Mountains. Look for bright color between Jay Peak and St. Johnsbury, Stowe and Pittsfield, and Killington and Wilmington.
‘Expect brilliant color in most locations this weekend, with peak color at the highest elevations,’ said Orange County Forester David Paganelli. ‘The lower elevations and southern areas should be peaking during the middle or end of next week.’
The foliage progression will continue to unfold around Vermont over the next several days.

Work can officially begin on the Burlington Waterfront North Project as the result of a signed agreement between the US Department of Transportation and the City of Burlington for $3.15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today.
‘Recovery Act dollars are helping make Burlington a better place to live and work,’ said Secretary LaHood. ‘Here in Burlington, as in so many cities and communities across the country, Recovery Act projects are strengthening our infrastructure and creating well-paying jobs.’
The project involves the rehabilitation and reconstruction of a section of Lake Street, the principal north-south access roadway servicing the downtown Lake Champlain waterfront, and the realignment and improvement of the Waterfront Bike Path.

Effective September 15, having successfully completed its integration into Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), the firm's Vermont office will no longer be marketing itself as ‘VHB Pioneer.’
The merger of the two firms that took place in January 2008 was built on an existing relationship between VHB and ‘Pioneer Environmental Associates LLC’ of Vermont. For nearly three years, VHB has benefited from the excellent reputation of the Pioneer name in Vermont as the office continued to integrate transportation and land development services with environmental consulting expertise, strengthening the firm’s regional prominence in Vermont and Northern New England. The North Ferrisburgh office now has a staff of over 30 professionals, and offers a full suite of services to better serve clients in the region.

FairPoint Communications technicians in Vermont are driving new vehicles. FairPoint will purchase almost $6 million new vehicles throughout northern New England. These vehicles are in addition to the $15 million FairPoint spent on vehicles and customization in 2008.
FairPoint technician Marc Sancibrian, left, joins Mike Smith, FairPoint’s Vermont state president, with one of the company’s new bucket loaders.
About FairPoint
FairPoint Communications, Inc. is an industry leading provider of communications services to communities across the country. Today, FairPoint owns and operates local exchange companies in 18 states offering advanced communications with a personal touch, including local and long distance voice, data, Internet, television and broadband services. Learn more at www.FairPoint.com.
Source: FairPoint Communications. SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (September 24, 2010)

To continue to stay ahead of rising demand for wireless voice, 3G multimedia and Internet access in Addison County, Vermont, Verizon Wireless has expanded its local network.
New cell site provides increased wireless voice and 3G data coverage for the town of Vergennes and portions of Route 7 and Route 22A, as well as the surrounding area.
Source: Verizon Wireless. VERGENNES, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-

Vermont began its apple harvest about ten days earlier than usual and producers expect to wrap up the 2010 season early as well -- by late October. Despite a few problems through the season -- ranging from late frosts to labor shortages and hail, most growers are optimistic that this will be a good year. They are finding prices holding steady or increasing slightly in response to the national crop forecast, which is down about six percent from 2009. Vermont’s 2010 crop is expected to be 786,000 bushels, a 17 percent drop from last year, and a 14 percent drop from the state’s five-year average.

Plasan, a key provider in survivability and combat-proven armor solutions for vehicles, airborne platforms and personal protection, will showcase its latest survivability solutions and armor technologies at the Modern Day Marine Expo September 28-30 in Quantico, Virginia.
Dan Ziv, CEO of Plasan, said: "Plasan is proud of our long relationship with the USMC, and we are pleased to showcase our latest innovations at Modern Day Marine. Plasan's designers and engineers are combat veterans, using our hands-on experience to deliver survivability solutions."
Since 2004, Plasan has been working with the Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Corporation to deliver armor and survivability solutions to the U.S. Marine Corps. This includes delivery of crew cab and cargo armor for the USMC MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) Standard Cargo vehicles and the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR).

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $68 million in grants to help seniors, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers better understand and navigate their health and long-term care options. A total of $636,104 in grants has been awarded in Vermont.
‘We know how difficult it can be for individuals and caregivers to deal with a sudden illness or chronic disease while at the same time trying to navigate through a complex health care system to figure out where to go to get appropriate help. The Affordable Care Act seeks to give people more control over their own care, while lowering health care costs and improving quality,’ said Secretary Sebelius.

The blending of old and new into a state of the art facility to serve prospective and current students at Champlain College was celebrated Friday at the Roger H Perry Hall on South Willard Street.