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Agency of Commerce and Community Development Even if you are not submitting an insurance claim, report damage to Vermont 211 by using the Resident Form or Business Form. This data will only be used to help the state apply for a federal disaster declaration. Take pictures and document costs as you repair public infrastructure. If there is a federal disaster declaration, you will be reimbursed.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bankshares, Inc (NASDAQ - UNB) today announced results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend. Consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $2.0 million, or $0.45 per share, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.60 per share, for the same period in 2023, and $4.4 million, or $0.98 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.7 million, or $1.26 per share for the same period in 2023.  The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.36 per share for the quarter payable August 1, 2024, to shareholders of record as of July 27, 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine In late June, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Proposed Rule regarding Medicare home health services payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. The proposed rule contains a substantial cut to Medicare rates for the home health services many Vermonters depend on, creating new fiscal challenges for providers during an already difficult time. For 2025, the proposed rule permanently reduces the standard Medicare payment rate by 4.067%. Last year, CMS ultimately implemented half of the 5.653% cut that it initially proposed. This year’s cut includes the remaining 2.89% of the 2024 proposal, along with an additional cut to reflect claims paid through 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today filed a lawsuit against pharmacy benefit managers Evernorth (owner of Express Scripts) and CVS as well as nearly two dozen affiliated entities for unfairly and deceptively driving up prescription drug prices in Vermont. Pharmacy benefit managers (sometimes referred to as “PBMs”) are the “middlemen” who negotiate contracts with pharmaceutical manufacturers, insurance companies, and pharmacies, and dictate the cost of prescription drugs that consumers must pay. The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleges these companies violated Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act by manipulating the marketplace and reducing access to certain prescription drugs, including lower-cost drugs, through a series of tactics with no transparency in their decision-making process.

Vermont Business Magazine Following a repeat of devastating flooding on the anniversary of last year’s floods, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas reminded Vermonters to be aware of potential residential contractor fraud. She encouraged those seeking to hire residential contractors to do their due diligence by utilizing the homeowner and consumer protection resources provided by the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) and other state offices.

The Vermont State Police on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, arrested two suspects in connection with the February homicide of Kayla Wright, 29, of Derby. Aaron Camp, 34, of Derby faces charges of unauthorized burial or removal of a body and being an accessory after the fact to murder. Terron “Josh” Pendleton, 34, of Waterbury faces one count of being an accessory after the fact to murder. In addition, VSP detectives have applied for an arrest warrant for Jakiy Tramaine Corey Keith, 24, of Hartford, Connecticut, on charges of second-degree murder and unauthorized burial or removal of a body. Keith has been in custody since his arrest Feb. 6 on federal drug charges.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) joined Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in sending a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan and Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, urging the agencies to crack down on the consolidation of emerging generative artificial intelligence (AI) by tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Consolidation stifles innovation, eliminates potential competitors, limits consumers’ ability to choose a variety of products, and puts America’s national security at risk. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber announced this week the launch of www.RelocateToVermont.com, a new web portal aimed at attracting newcomers and supporting their journey to discover the vibrant communities and opportunities in the region. The new web portal serves as a gateway for individuals and families considering a move to Southwestern Vermont, showcasing the unique benefits of living in the area. Designed with user experience in mind, the website is both attractive and intuitive, providing easy navigation and a means for connecting with Lascari himself, who serves as a concierge for anyone curious or serious about living in Bennington County.

Vermont Business Magazine The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Scott administration today to obtain public records related to the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee that were wrongfully withheld by the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) and to challenge the administration’s behind-closed-doors alteration of the Committee’s recommendations to the legislature. The records at issue could shed light on political interference by the Scott administration to undermine the legislature’s response to Vermont’s opioid epidemic. Among the records ACLU is seeking are emails exchanged within the Scott administration before Commissioner of Health Dr. Mark Levine presented an altered version of the Advisory Committee’s final recommendations to the legislature—eliminating the Committee’s recommendation to fund OPCs, a life-saving harm reduction measure that was ultimately adopted by the legislature over the governor’s veto this year. 

Vermont Business Magazine Applications are now open for the Building Communities Grants program, administered by the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS). These grants of up to $25,000 support construction and capital improvements to strengthen Vermont towns and regions. All grants require matching funds and community-supported fundraising efforts are encouraged. The deadline for applications is September 10, 2024. Details and applications are available on the Department of Buildings and General Services website.

Vermont Business Magazine The SHRM Vermont State Council has opened nominations for the prestigious Dolly Shaw Vermont Human Resources Professional of the Year Award and the Vermont Emerging Human Resources Professional of the Year Award. These distinguished accolades seek to recognize outstanding HR professionals who have displayed exceptional performance and have made significant contributions to the field of human resources management. The nominations for both awards can be submitted through our official website and must be received no later than Friday, July 26th, 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced it will again modify its vehicle incentive programs for Vermonters whose personal vehicles were damaged by flooding in an effort to provide increased financial support to households affected by last week’s flooding and to expedite the transition to plug-in electric vehicles. “Me and my team are doing everything we can to give immediate relief to Vermonters as we continue to assess and respond to the needs,” said Governor Phil Scott. “This program will help those whose vehicles were flooded upgrade to a new vehicle that’s better for the environment.”  Meanwhile, a national group ranks Vermont 12th in the nation in EV market share.