Current News

The Vermont Legislature voted this afternoon to override Governor Douglas' veto of the state budget. The House vote came earlier and garnered the exact number to override on a 100-50 vote, with all Democrats and all Progressives, plus one independent, voting to override. The Senate vote came at 2:10 and was a foregone conclusion, with the final vote 23-5. Democrats hold 23 of the seats. One Republican joined the Democrats (Snelling R-Chittenden) and one Democrat (Carris D-Rutland) and one Republican (Illuzzi R-Essex-Orleans) did not vote.

Governor Douglas' promise to veto the Vermont state budget unless lawmakers made drastic changes to the $4.5 billion piece of legislation were made official late yesterday afternoon when he returned the bill to the Clerk of the House without his signature. This is the first time in Vermont history that a governor has vetoed the budget. The governor has repeatedly said the budget spends too much, taxes too much and where it does make spending cuts, it makes the wrong cuts. Democratic leaders have been equally faithful to their belief that spending must both meet the added cost in state spending related to things like unemployment and welfare because of the recession, and also that state government, much like the federal government is doing, must assist in economic stimulus by infusing money into the system.

The state is asking for feedback from archeological experts, developers, and the public on a proposed new method to pay for protecting archeological sites and new rules for historic preservation.
Officials with the Agency of Commerce and Community Developments’ Division for Historic Preservation are planning a series of meetings this summer to discuss a new funding system to pay for archeological studies undertaken as part of Act 250, as well as other protection activities.
“We’re looking for feedback as we move forward with proposed rule changes,” said Betsy Bishop, Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development. “We want to make sure that the Division for Historic Preservation’s practices are consistent with the law, and that all applicants have clear expectations that everyone agrees upon.”

J.D. Power and Associates ranked People s United Bank highest in customer satisfaction for the New England region in its 2009 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study. People's United is the parent company of Vermont's Chittenden Bank.
People s United garnered the highest ranking customer satisfaction score of 751 points, which was 30 index points above the New England regional industry average of 721. The bank performed well in the Customer Satisfaction Study factors: Convenience, Transactions, Account Initiation/Product Offerings, Account Statements, and Fees.

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles will participate in Road Check 2009, an international safety activity that will take place June 2-4 throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. International Road Check 2009 will emphasize promoting both safety and security on North American highways through the inspection of commercial vehicles and drivers. Along Interstate 91 in Guilford and Putney, more than 30 truck and bus safety inspectors from DMV’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, several municipal police agencies, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, I.R.S Fuel Compliance and the U.S. Border Patrol will be on the job night and day during the 72-hour period checking vehicles and drivers at inspection sites. In addition, roving patrols will inspect vehicles and drivers traveling on other highways.
Certified inspectors will check critical vehicle safety elements, as well as determine drivers’ fitness for duty.

Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch and a representative of Senator Patrick Leahy announced today the release of $39 million in economic stimulus funds during a press conference at the St. Albans Bay Village Pavilion. The grants and low-interest loans, to be distributed through the Environmental Protection Agency, will go to 41 wastewater clean-up projects and 42 drinking water projects throughout Vermont. The funds, which were made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will help municipalities finance overdue improvements to wastewater and clean drinking water projects essential to protecting public health and the environment, while creating new jobs in Vermont.

Governor Douglas will sign into law five pieces of legislation today at venues across the state: S.26 An Act Relating to Recovery of Profits from Crime, the Disposition of Property Upon Death, Transfer of Interest in Vehicle Upon Death, Homestead Exemption, Unclaimed Property, Credit Card Fee Disputes, and Patient s Privilege; S.125 An Act Relating to Expanding the Sex Offender Registry; H.222 An Act Relating to Senior Protection and Financial Services; H.313 The Vermont Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; and S.51 An Act Relating to Vermont s Motor Vehicle Franchise Laws. The details for the bill signings are below.
S. 26 and S.125

The U.S. Small Business Administration will offer government guaranteed loans to finance inventory for eligible auto, recreational vehicle, boat and other dealerships under a new pilot program announced today by SBA Administrator Karen Mills. Dealer Floor Plan (DFP) financing will be available beginning July 1, according to Mills. She announced the new program during a visit to Kokomo, IN, with Dr. Ed Montgomery, President Barack Obama’s Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers.
“Countless small businesses, including dealerships, across the country are facing significant challenges as a result of the uncertainty in the auto industry,” Mills said. “Floor plan financing can offer some dealerships the opportunity to get through these tough economic times by allowing them to keep their inventory and cash flow intact, as well as save the jobs these small businesses provide.”

The Paramount Theatre in Rutland announced today an expanded and varied Tenth Anniversary Season of presentations at the Paramount Theatre. The Paramount has expanded to EIGHT performance Series at the theatre, including SUMMER MUSIC, POPULAR MUSIC, CLASSICAL MUSIC, THEATRE, THEATRE DEVELOPMENT, FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, COMEDY (new this season) and an upcoming, soon-to-be announced film series as well. Bruce Bouchard, Executive Director commented, We, at the Paramount, are immensely proud and happy about what has transpired inside this building and around this community in the past 14 months. In challenging times, both the board of the theatre and the entire community has responded with a resounding vote of confidence and support, and have created the context for success for the organization for years to come. Bouchard continued, We have set perhaps the most ambitious, varied and diverse season to date for the Paramount.

Beginning June 1, VPR presents a special series exploring the history, culture, and natural resources of Lake Champlain. Champlain 400 marks the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain s exploration of the region. Each Monday in June, VPR News will air Stories from the Lake. In the morning, Morning Edition host Mitch Wertlieb focuses on the lake s history, from the days when whales frolicked where ferry boats now sail to the stories of how battles and trade helped to form a nation.
In the afternoon, All Things Considered host Neal Charnoff looks at culture and life in the Champlain basin, from what the region looked like when Champlain arrived in 1609, through the warriors, farmers, and sailors who followed.
Champlain 400 continues throughout the summer with a broad range of special programming, including:

Union Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Karyn J. Hale to Vice President, and Carrie R. Locklin to Assistant Treasurer. Hale is a member of the Bank s Finance Department. Locklin is a member of the Bank s Audit and Compliance Department.
Hale has been employed by Union Bank since November 2005. During her employment Hale has had an active role in developing and maintaining the Bank s compliance with Section 404 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act and recently has been serving as Finance Officer, responsible for supervising the Bank s accounting department. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of Vermont and maintains memberships with the AICPA and the VT Society of CPAs. Hale successfully completed the Graduate School of Bank Investments and Financial Management from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. Hale resides in Lyndonville with her husband Rick and their son.

Based on preliminary estimates, ski areas nationwide tallied 57.1 million visits for the 2008/09 season, making it the fifth best season on record. Over the last 10 seasons (1999/00 – 2008/09), the industry has averaged 56.7 million visits. The 2008/09 season represents a 0.8 percent increase from the 10-year average, and just a 5.5 percent decrease from the record 2007/08 season of 60.5 million visits. At 13.8 million visits in 2008/09, the Northeast region was up 5.5 percent from its 10-year average. Meanwhile the Southeast region, at 5.62 million visits, was up 3.8 percent from its 10-year average; the Midwest region, with 7.41 million visits, was down 1.1 percent from its 10-year average; the Rocky Mountain region, with 19.79 million visits, was up 1.3 percent from its 10-year average; and finally the Pacific West region, with 10.54 million visits, was down 5.8 percent from its 10-year average.