Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Cancer Center is the first in Vermont to begin using a revolutionary new treatment called transarterial microperfusion (TAMP) for pancreatic cancer. This is is one of the most difficult cancers to treat and the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The innovative treatment is designed to deliver therapy directly to the tumor site while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body – helping patients live longer while reducing the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy that dramatically impact quality of life. The company behind the innovative medical device now being used at UVM Cancer Center is RenovoRx.

by Devon Green, Sr. Vice President of Policy & Strategy, VAHHS Don’t be fooled by the number of items in the Update—there was a ton of running around this week. We are thoroughly in the back half of the session where proposals are starting to solidify. Including: Reference-Based Pricing: Chair Lyons and the rest of the members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee are proposing an amendment to S.190 after an agreement between VAHHS and the Green Mountain Care Board that clarifies reference-based pricing for hospitals. For FY 2027, hospitals will be reimbursed at 225% of their Medicare reimbursement for Vermont’s Qualified Health Plans in the individual and small group market. 

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice has hired Dr. Alyson Emmons-Abbruzzi, DO, the agency’s new Medical Director for Home Health, Hospice, and the Palliative Care Consultative Service. Dr. Emmons-Abbruzzi succeeds Dr. Anthony Williams, who served as CVHHH’s Home Health Medical Director for over a decade. Dr. Emmons-Abbruzzi is an accomplished physician who brings nearly thirty years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient palliative care and hospice settings. Board-certified in internal medicine, hospice, and palliative care, and as a hospice medical director, Dr. Emmons-Abbruzzi serves as the Regional Medical Director, Northeast, for Compassus Hospice. 

Vermont Business Magazine United Counseling Service (UCS) is partnering with the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU) on Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education). Project AWARE is a national initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with a goal of increasing awareness of mental health challenges among school-aged youth, train staff and community members to identify early signs of concern and connect families with support and resources before problems become crises. Project AWARE helps our schools and community work together to ensure that every student has the tools and support they need to thrive.

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Bank President and CEO Josephine Moran has been awarded Vermont Bankers Association’s Woman of the Year in recognition of her deep commitment to the cause of lifting-up, mentoring, and supporting fellow women in the workplace.  Moran’s efforts have extended through out her career and provided inspiration and guidance to countless co-workers. In receiving the award this month, Moran was described as a visionary leader who, with generosity and authenticity, she shares her wisdom, lived experiences, and thoughtful insights, standing beside women as they navigate their professional journeys. Her commitment to collaboration shines through in everything she does.

Vermont Business Magazine Credit Union Leasing of America (CULA), the nation’s leading provider of indirect vehicle leasing solutions, today announced it is expanding across Vermont in a new partnership with One Credit Union. The addition of One Credit Union reflects the continued extension of CULA’s footprint in the United States. CULA now supports vehicle leasing in 34 states through more than 40 credit union partners. CULA’s partnership with One Credit Union marks the first time the program will be offered through a Vermont-based credit union serving local members, giving consumers an additional financing option designed to deliver lower monthly payments compared to traditional auto loans.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in suing the Trump Administration over its unconstitutional and unlawful attempt to impose conditions on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, grants, cooperative agreements and mutual interest agreements. In their lawsuit, the coalition alleges the Trump Administration has violated the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). This is the 46th lawsuit filed by Attorney General Clark against the Trump Administration. 

Vermont League of Cities & Towns The post-crossover week of every legislative session is typically a marathon of committee and floor votes. This week became particularly busy for the VLCT Advocacy team, in a bad way. Several last-minute, controversial amendments and strikes were proposed seemingly from nowhere – including the swift removal of a new plan for town highway funding in the transportation bill and a plan to use Local Option Tax revenues in the PILOT Special Fund to pay expenses related to setting the state education property tax (more on both below). We also found ourselves before the House Environment committee for a third time, this time opposing yet another proposal to restrict municipal regulation of farming activity. 

Vermont Business Magazine Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative is hosting an Ice Cream Social, Thursday, March 26, 3:00 - 6 pm at the State House Cafeteria. Legislators and housing developers are invited to come and talk with parents and young adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities who are personally affected by lack of service supported housing choices in Vermont. 

by Maggie Lenz and Gwynn Zakov If there's one thing Vermonters can agree on right now, it's that their taxes are too high. Where they disagree, sometimes sharply, is what to do about it. Last week the House Ways and Means Committee advanced the annual "yield bill" setting education property tax rates, shuffled revenue between state funds, and uncovered a dispute over who gets surplus local option tax revenues. What becomes clear as you watch this play out is that for every dollar the state moves in one direction, it leaves a hole somewhere else, making the search for new revenue more complicated and requiring more creativity. On a very close 6-5 vote, mostly along party lines, the Ways and Means Committee passed the yield bill. The committee's version lands at roughly a 7% average increase. That's painful, but a far cry from the 12% spike projected in December.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation today announced that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted its motion to join the Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board’s lawsuit against Unilever/Magnum as a plaintiff. This decision allows the Foundation to formally participate in the case as it seeks to enforce Unilever/Magnum’s contractual obligations and protect its independence. The court’s decision marks a meaningful step forward for both the Foundation and the Independent Board in their efforts to uphold the provisions regarding the social mission and the foundation established at the time of the company’s acquisition. In response, Magnum told VermontBiz that it has been and continues to be "fully committed" to Ben & Jerry's mission.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.84 per gallon, up 22.8 cents per gallon from last week's $3.61/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.54/g while the highest was $4.00/g, a difference of 46.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 24.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.92/g today.