Current News
by tim
Statement by Speaker Symington Regarding the Passage of S. 373, "Full Funding of Decommissioning Costs of a Nuclear Plant."
Today the House passed S. 373, "Full Funding of Decommissioning Costs of a Nuclear Plant." This bill will protect Vermonters from a potential financial risk if the Entergy Corporation sells Vermont Yankee to a highly leveraged company, NewCo.
The provisions of S. 373 are straightforward. It requires that if Vermont Yankee is sold, the Public Service Board (PSB) must determine that its decommissioning fund has enough assets and financial guarantees to pay for immediate restoration of the site upon closing of Vermont Yankee. If the fund currently is adequate, the PSB will require nothing further. If the fund is inadequate, the deficiency can be alleviated by either adding funds or supplying a letter of credit or other guarantee.
by tim
MyWebGrocer Hires First Chief Operating Officer
Colchester VT, 2008: MyWebGrocer announced mid-March the hire of their first Chief Operating Officer, Tim Kenney.
Mr. Kenneys role is to keep daily operations scaling and efficient. Focusing on the strategy of the business, Tim will enable the MyWebGrocer team to reach both its short and long term goals. Kenney will closely monitor the professional services, products, and market commitments to continue the companys rapid growth.
by tim
The 2008 Broadband Grant winners were announced by the Vermont Telecommunications Authority.
Canaan/Norton, Canaan/Norton - $50000
EC Fiber (planning), 25 Towns - $25000
Global Net, Fletcher & surrounding area - $50000
Powershift, Elmore, Hardwick - $20000
Ripton Broadband Coop, Ripton - $25000
SVBC, Stamford - $30000
The Broadband Grant Program is an initiative designed to create demonstration projects for providings broadband to all Vermonters. The goal of the program is to test viable models and look for creative ways to extend affordable high-speed Internet access to underserved parts of the state.
For the past four years, the Vermont Legislature has funded the Broadband Grant Program. Last year it was funded with a $200,000 allocation.
by tim
In response to the difficult economic times that Vermonters are facing, we announced today the formation of a bipartisan joint Committee on Economic Recovery and Opportunity. The committee will analyze the work of the legislature and the Administration's economic growth initiative and explore policies that will strengthen Vermont's economy and address the pressures on Vermonters' pocket books.
Throughout this session the legislature has been addressing the softening economy by making painful yet necessary reductions and by investing in our future. This work is reflected in the budget as well as in our legislation on housing, energy, health care and transportation. The Committee on Economic Recovery and Opportunity will conduct a careful analysis of this work in order to understand its immediate effect on Vermonters' pocketbooks and its long-term impact.
by tim
Wilbur Rice, owner of Equipe Sport, is pleased to announce that Tom Byrnes has taken the management reins of the Equipe Sport and Mtn. Riders shop at Mount Snow.
Tom Byrnes is a passionate skier, rider, biker and fly fisherman with more than twenty years of experience in outdoor sales and retail management, and has held positions at the Alpine Shop in Saratoga Springs, New York, the L.L. Bean location in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, and, most recently, at the Killington Resort Shop.
"Customer Service is the keystone of our operation", says Rice. "When potential customers visit any of our locations, they're dealt with fairly by people who know what they're talking about& people who use the equipment, ride the bikes, ride the boards, whatever. That goes for management as well as sales staff, which is why we're so pleased to welcome Tom to the Equipe family.
by tim
DOJ Releases Fourth VSH
Compliance Report
Shows
Marked Improvement In Patient Care, Safety
Waterbury, Vt.--The U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued
their fourth compliance report for the Vermont State Hospital (VSH), based on an
on-site review of the facility conducted in early March, 2008. The DOJ
report shows that VSH is compliant with the key components of the agreement made between the federal
government and the State in July 2006. The report evaluates the progress the
hospital is making in 140 areas, with a 5-point scoring system, ranging from Non-Compliant
to Sustained Compliance.
“I’m pleased that this report highlights the significant
efforts the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and VSH staff has undertaken to
improve the provision of care at the hospital for Vermont’s acutely mentally ill,”
by tim
Speaker will assess worldwide progress in reducing poverty & disease UN coordinator of $3.2 billion portfolio to speak at Saint Michael's on UN Millennium Development Goals Dr. Bisrat Aklilu, executive coordinator of the United Nations Multi-Donor Trust Fund, will speak at Saint Michael's College on Monday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m. in St. Edmund's Hall Farrell Room (3rd floor). Dr. Bisrat, an economics professor at Boston University before joining the UN, will speak on the topic
The United Nations and the Millennium Development Goals: Challenges and Opportunities.
Sponsored by the SMC economics department, the free public lecture marks the occasion of inducting students into the economics honor society Omicron Delta Epsilon. The Millennium Project was commissioned by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2002 to develop a concrete action plan for the world to reverse the grinding poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people.
by tim
Vermont Tourism Reports
Strong Winter Season
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont is wrapping up one of its best winter
seasons in recent memory, thanks to an ideal combination of significant and
persistent snowfall that drew millions of visitors here to enjoy a variety of
recreational activities.
According to the Department of
Tourism and Marketing, tax revenue collected for Rooms and Meals is showing
that this year’s snowy winter has been a good season for Vermont’s
tourism industry. Rooms and Meals tax revenue generated during December,
January and February is up $2.08 million (6.94 percent) over the previous
winter season, and $1.73 million (5.67 percent) over the same period two years
ago.
“The winter season has
been tremendously successful for our ski areas and local businesses that rely on
Vermont’s tourism economy,” said Governor Jim Douglas. “Many
by tim
Governor announces Vermont economic stimulus package
Governor Jim Douglas announced a $214 million dollar economic stimulus package in hopes of making Vermont the first state to bounce back from the national recession. His 15-point plan, which would cost the state $3 million in spending but generate more than $70 million alone in its first year, has caused a rift between Republican and Democratic leaders who are scrambling to review it before the session comes to a close in two weeks.
The package, which the administration says could generate more than $214 million for the state in the next five years, addresses issues of construction, housing, transportation, student loans, and even proposes two tax free holidays.
by tim
"Unbridled Enthusiasm" for Everything Equine
Horses big and small featured at Exposition's Horse Show
Horses big and small will be the focus this weekend at Everything Equine - one of New Englands largest equine educational events.
Everything Equine and Horses 2008 show runs Saturday and Sunday (April 26-27) at Champlain Valley Expositions Robert E. Miller Expo Centre. The annual show, spotlights the impact horse owners have on the state's economy and the many ways horses are used from sport to work.
This year's theme, Unbridled Enthusiasm captures the spirit of the popular show which is part educational event, part consumer trade show and part social get-together for New England, New York and Canadian horse lovers.
by tim
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
JAMES H. DOUGLAS
GOVERNOR
State of Vermont