Current News

by Dr. Erin Forbes, VVMA Communications Committee Chair Mountain View Animal Hospital Dog bite prevention week is April 7 to 13 this year. Dog bites pose a serious health risk to communities as more than 4.5 million people are bitten in the US each year. It is estimated about half of those bitten are children, and of those bitten 1 in 5 require medication attention. Also, children are more likely to be severely injured by a dog bite. Bites typically happen during everyday interactions with dogs. It is important to know that any dog can bite, and bite risk is not based on the dogs age, sex, or size. Any breed may bite. Fortunately, most dog bites are preventable and there are things you can do in your house/community to help prevent them.

by Norah White, Community News Service Lawmakers are trying again to pass a bill to replace the state’s expungement system with a more expansive process of sealing records — after Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a similar effort almost two years ago. Vermont currently has a dual-track system for people looking to clear up their criminal histories: for certain offenses and with certain caveats, people can have their criminal records sealed or expunged. The new bill, H.655, would switch the process almost entirely over to sealing, with certain rare exceptions, while expanding the list of crimes that qualify for clearance. In exchange for increasing the number of crimes that can be cleared, lawmakers are shifting to sealing as a compromise. Expungement entirely wipes someone’s conviction from the official record — the goal being to see them treated as if they had never been convicted. Sealing a record is meant to have the same effect; however, the record is still maintained and accessible to courts and law enforcement, among others. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Made in Vermont Marketplace is an extraordinary opportunity for Vermont companies to showcase their Made in Vermont products to an audience of thousands of prospective customers in one weekend. The trade show is dedicated to promoting the great variety of Vermont-made products . . . from furniture, specialty foods, clothing, wines and so much more! Only Vermont based companies that make their products in Vermont are eligible to exhibit.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center announces the return of its annual Spring Community Education Series, beginning with an important session led by Dr. Simha Ravven, Howard Center's Chief Medical Officer. This first session, scheduled for March 27, will explore the nuances of mental health treatment and the legal framework surrounding it, emphasizing Vermont's approach to psychiatric care. Dr. Ravven will utilize a case study to navigate through the complexities of Vermont mental health law, addressing both voluntary and involuntary psychiatric treatment protocols in various settings, the complexities of mandated community treatment, and exploring the limits of voluntary treatment. 

Vermont Business Magazine Mississippi has the highest percentage of preterm births across the US, according to new research, with 14.79% or 5,119 out of a total 34,609 births in 2022, based on CDC data. Louisiana and West Virginia rounded out the top three. The state with the lowest number of preterm births is New Hampshire, with only 8.17% or 985 preterm births out of the total 12,062. Vermont ranked fifth lowest at 8.86%, or 467 births out of 5,275 total births. Across the United States, there were approximately 3,661,220 reported births in 2022, and approximately 380,035 of these were preterm. That is equal to 10.38% of all births across the country being babies that are born prematurely. 

by Mike Del Trecco, VAHHA, CEO This weekend’s epic snow, just as spring officially “arrives,” feels about par for the course for this year so far. Doesn’t it just feel like everything is a bit “off”? Although I am happy to see the snow, I have to say it feels like it is coming at the wrong time. We get through these dark, long Vermont winters by having enough snow to make skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and just being outdoors enjoyable and that really did not happen this year. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking these days have been particularly hard. When we look at the issues facing our state there are no simple solutions or easy answers. I feel this way when I think about our health care work and the major challenges we face. Vermonters are older and sicker. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Despite the Personal Income Tax taking a hit, the State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $188.6 million, exceeding the $181.1 million monthly consensus target by $7.5 million, or 4.1% for the month of February. Combined receipts are $45.5 million, or 2.2%, above the updated $2,044.2 million target adopted at the most recent Emergency Board meeting in January. General Fund revenues for February totaled $110.3 million, $4.7 million, or 4.4%, above the $105.6 million monthly consensus cash flow target. The $12.0 million of combined receipts above target by the Meals and Rooms Tax, Insurance Tax, Net Property Transfer Tax, and Other categories more than offset the -$7.3 million combined underperformance by the Health Care Taxes, Personal Income Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Estate Tax, and Liquor proceeds. State fiscal year-to-date General Fund receipts are $34.3 million, or 2.5%, above their $1,350.8 million target adopted at the most recent Emergency Board meeting. 

Vermont Business Magazine Small business owners looking for professional development may now apply for SBA’s T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined Program. This free program offers small business owners across Vermont a unique opportunity to accelerate their business growth through an intensive, executive-level training program. T.H.R.I.V.E. stands for Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate. The program combines online learning with in-person sessions, focusing on leadership enhancement, strategic financial management, market innovation, and cultivating a thriving company culture. Over a six-month period from late June, 2024 to December, 2024, participants will engage in an interactive curriculum, receive coaching from experienced business experts, and develop a three-year strategic growth action plan.

by Norah White, Community News Service Two jobs legislators want created as part of a bill to standardize restorative justice referrals may not be guaranteed — which could make the rollout of the bill harder. Lawmakers since January have been tinkering with H.645, which would codify the practice of pre-charge referrals so the process is the same regardless of county. The bill also aims to create a standard for funding the state’s restorative justice centers, which sponsors say is inconsistent and disorganized. The bill passed the House mid-March and is now in the Senate judiciary committee.

Vermont Business Magazine Treasurer Mike Pieciak connected with Vermont business leaders at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport for the latest installment of the Wellspring Forum series on March 22, 2024. Each event in the series has convened top business and policy leaders at a unique business and is moderated by Vermont Chamber President, Betsy Bishop. Treasurer Pieciak took audience questions and addressed employer concerns, including struggles with the scale of financing important services in Vermont such as education, health care, and technology, along with ongoing affordability and workforce woes. The Treasurer also spoke about his work on VT Saves, Baby Bonds, and promoting housing growth in Vermont through recent substantial investments.

Vermont Business Magazine Research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) generated $92.89 billion in new economic activity nationwide last year — or $2.46 of economic activity for every $1 of research funding, according to a report from United for Medical Research (UMR). Vermont received 108 grants valued at $58,638,753. The University of Vermont received 99 grants worth over $52 million. NIH’s Role in Sustaining the U.S. Economy, published annually by UMR, also found that the $37.81 billion awarded to researchers in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in Fiscal Year 2023 supported 412,041 jobs.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Thursday took to the Senate Floor to celebrate his successful fight to include additional funding to support the Federal Public Defender program in the appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, which was passed by Congress last week. This funding will help the Federal Public Defenders avoid layoffs and end a hiring freeze. Senator Welch also addressed the important role public defenders play in promoting the rule of law and supporting the Constitution. His advocacy will continue in the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget to provide more resources to the understaffed organization.