Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced through a campaign email today that he is running for a sixth term as governor. He first assumed office on January 5, 2017. While several Democrats have lined up to challenge him, he has not been tested in a general election since his first run. Scott, 67, previously was lieutenant governor, state senator, a construction company owner and, until he entered politics, was best known as a stock car racer.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement announcing she will not seek reelection and will retire from the Vermont House of Representatives at the end of her term: “It has been a tremendous honor to serve my community and the State for the last 14 years. To the people of Burlington’s Old North End and Downtown - thank you for the privilege of allowing me to represent our vibrant community for all these years. “There are many moments that stand out during my tenure in the House, but the times I will remember most fondly are the moments when Vermonters showed true resolve in the face of adversity. 

Vermont Business Magazine Under Vermont’s 2024 Flood Safety Act, unencapsulated polystyrene foam is prohibited from use for floating structures in Vermont’s waters. To help property owners, businesses, and municipalities understand what the requirement means in practice, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released new guidance. The prohibition on unencapsulated foam applies to any individual or company that owns, distributes, or sells foam docks, buoys, or other floating structures in Vermont. Floating structures include but are not limited to docks, mooring buoys, anchor buoys, and navigation markers. This prohibition applies to floating structures on all lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s annual, statewide Summer Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 13 this year, and it will be highlighted by a free family fishing festival in Grand Isle as well as opening day of the state’s regular bass fishing season. A day on the water could lead to a lifetime of great experiences and healthy local food.” Free Fishing Day in Vermont also will be celebrated at the “Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival,” to be held at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station at 14 Bell Hill Road in Grand Isle.  The festival will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $4.51 per gallon, down 5 cents per gallon from last week, up 46 cents/g from last month and up $1.42/g from this time last year, according to AAA. The lowest price in the state this week was $4.18/g. Prices are lowest in Addison ($4.45/g) and Windham ($4.48/g) counties and highest in Essex ($4.57/g), Orange ($4.56/g), and Washington ($4.55/g), according to AAA. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 14 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.42/g today.

Vermont Business Magazine Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced today that he will run for a third term as Vermont State Treasurer. Pieciak won his first two terms with over 60% of the vote. He will kick off his campaign Thursday evening at 5:30 pm in his hometown of Brattleboro at the American Legion. He will be joined by Governor Peter Shumlin, Treasurer Beth Pearce, and 2016 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Sue Minter. Pieciak earned an early endorsement from Congresswoman Becca Balint

by Colleen Geddis As the creator and administrator of Rural Vermont Rising Facebook Group, I feel compelled to address the recent joint commentary from House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Minority Leader Pattie McCoy regarding the legislative debate surrounding Act 181. Our online group is run by me—Colleen, known to my grandbabies as "Meemaw"—an unaffiliated nobody whose usual passion is holistic dog health, not political theater. My goal, to give a voice to thousands of everyday landowners, farmers, and working families who are directly impacted by sweeping changes to land-use regulations. From our inception, our strict policy has been clear: we urge our 15,000 members to contact their elected officials respectfully, professionally, and productively.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, joined the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act, bicameral legislation led by Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), to prohibit the use of the death penalty at the federal level and require re-sentencing of those currently on death row. The lawmakers’ bill is particularly important given that last month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Trump announced that it was bringing back firing squads and seeking to return to the use of electrocution and lethal gas for executions.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today announced that it has priced the previously announced remarketing of $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2. The Bonds were issued pursuant to an Indenture dated December 1, 2014, and drawn down on June 2, 2016. The Bonds have a final maturity date of December 1, 2044.

The US Small Business Administration is hosting a nationwide pitch competition that will bring together entrepreneurs from across the country who are building and scaling businesses within their communities. Selected businesses will be invited to participate in a live pitch competition in Washington, DC, which will culminate in a $1 million prize pool to celebrate the innovation and ambition that has driven American ingenuity for the past 250 years. The Patriot Pitch Competition is an excellent opportunity for New England-based innovators and entrepreneurs to earn the recognition and resources they deserve to continue their daily work to strengthen our economy and provide the essential products and services that keep America competitive, secure and strong.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Speaker Jill Krowinski and Representative Mike Marcotte, Chair of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, made the following statement on the House passage of S.71, an act relating to consumer data privacy and online surveillance: “S.71 marks a significant victory for Vermont families, consumers, and businesses as this landmark legislation puts Vermonters back in control of their own data,” said Speaker Krowinski. “In today's digital economy, consumers deserve to know who is collecting their personal information, how it is being used, and who it is being shared with. S.71 delivers on that promise. The bill had passed the Senate 29-0 in March and 129-3 on May 26.

The Vermont State Police were notified of an incident that occurred at the Marble Valley Correctional Center in Rutland on May 21.  It was reported that 2 Correctional Officers were assaulted by 2 incarcerated inmates.  Review of reports written by several correctional officers, and review of body camera footage of the incident aided in determining that the above inmates provoked a cell extraction after covering their cell window and refusing to comply with extensive attempts to deescalate by correctional officers.  During the cell extraction, both inmates assaulted the 2 correctional officers named above, with minor resulting injuries.