Current News

Leonine Public Affairs Week four of the legislative session started on Tuesday morning with the Senate holding a veto override vote on H.158, a bill that would have expanded Vermont’s bottle bill. The Senate failed to override Governor Phil Scott’s veto by a vote of 17 in favor and 13 opposed. The vote failed as it did not reach the two-thirds necessary to successfully override a veto. The vote likely ends the debate on expanding the bottle bill for 2024. On Tuesday afternoon Governor Scott delivered his FY2025 budget address to a joint assembly of the legislature. The address focused on the governor’s top priorities - affordability, public safety and housing. Scott reiterated his call to curb the spending trends of the past few years that were fueled in part by billions of dollars in Covid-era federal programs. With those federal funds winding down, the governor urged lawmakers to curb spending, making the case that more increases will impose too much of a burden on Vermont taxpayers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, visited the Roots Farm Market in Middlesex Friday to discuss the recently introduced Withstanding Extreme Agricultural Threats by Harvesting Economic Resilience (WEATHER) Act. The WEATHER Act would require USDA to develop an index-based insurance policy that reimburses farmers for crop and income losses after natural disasters. This bill was introduced by Sen. Welch following extreme weather events severely impacting farmers across Vermont. Senator Welch was joined by Jon Wagner and Karin Bellemare, owners of Bear Roots Farm and Roots Farm Market; Justin Rich of Burnt Rock Farm, President of the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association; Grace Oedel, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association of Vermont; and Representatives from the Office of Sen. Sanders. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders will hold a roundtable discussion with Vermont first responders on Monday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. to hear about challenges they face and what the federal government can do to support them. The discussion with firefighters and EMS providers will cover range of issues, including recruitment, wages, training, and equipment costs. Sanders and attendees will provide updates on several Congressionally Directed Spending projects for which Sanders secured more than $1.5 million in federal funding. The funding is being used to quadruple the number of spots at the Vermont State Firefighters Association cadet academy, establish more affordable EMS training, and build a new ambulance station in Waterbury.

Vermont Business Magazine Polly, the trailblazer in embedded auto insurance, released its 2024 Embedded Auto Insurance Study today, which details profound trends in consumer buying preferences and expectations, with a focus on buyers 45 and younger. The study, which explores the role of insurance in the car buying process, reveals that these buyers prefer a seamless car shopping experience that includes insurance. The growing consumer preference for integrated insurance provides dealerships with an opportunity to unlock new revenue streams while enhancing the customer experience, as they become a one-stop-shop for today's modern car buyers.

Vermont Business Magazine Ben & Jerry's latest innovative flavors are so good, fans will reach the bottom of the pint in a blink of an eye. The new PB S'more, a riff on the classic campfire dessert, and Impretzively Fudged, a flawless showcase of chocolate and pretzel, are the perfect salty and sweet pair inspired by chocolate bark. Just in time for National Peanut Butter Day, PB S'more features what are perhaps Ben & Jerry's biggest chunks to date. Extra-large pieces of chocolate peanut butter cups are the star in this pint. Its base is a toasted marshmallow ice cream, combined with graham cracker pieces and a marshmallow swirl, to capture the s'more experience. At Ben & Jerry's, you can never have enough marshmallow.

Vermont Business Magazine On December 15, Jericho residents Gail and Tim McKenna continued their tradition of generosity with a contribution of $2,222.50 to Howard Center from their CATCH 22 Flag Football fundraiser. This year marks their ninth consecutive year of supporting Howard Center, with their donation amount reflecting significant numbers in their lives. Their ongoing commitment enables Howard Center to provide essential services in mental health, substance use, and developmental support for individuals and families within the community.

Vermont Business Magazine Max Murray (Kennebunkport, ME) from the University of Vermont soccer team announced today he has signed a name, image and likeness (NIL) partnership with Folino's Pizza. The Vermont-based company has locations in Burlington, Shelburne, Williston. Murray will appear in photos and videos and promote the restaurant on his social media accounts. The partnership was brokered by Pliable, a marketing company that helps high school, college and professional athletes build their athlete brand. Murray, 21, recently announced he will return for his fifth year to play for the Catamounts. He has 13 goals and 6 assists during his past two seasons, in which the team has appeared in the NCAA tournament twice, including an appearance in the quarterfinals in 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine Waterfowl hunters who did not remove their hunting blinds from the waters of the state earlier must do so before February 15 on Lake Champlain or May 15 on inland waters according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. State law requires removal of the blinds before these deadlines to protect natural areas and to prevent boating accidents after the ice melts. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the House gave final approval to H.839, the FY24 Budget Adjustment Act. This is an annual bill, passed midway through the fiscal year, that rebalances accounts and ensures that our state always maintains a balanced budget. The BAA totals $132.5 million of which $56.6 is from the General Fund. Today’s final vote followed yesterday’s 112-24 roll-call vote. From here, the bill moves to the Senate.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) announced today that Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato and Merck CEO Robert Davis have reconsidered their positions and have agreed to join Bristol Myers Squibb CEO Chris Boerner at a hearing the committee will be holding on the outrageously high price of prescription drugs in the United States. The hearing is now scheduled for Thursday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m. ET. At a press conference yesterday, Sanders had announced that the HELP Committee would be voting to subpoena the CEOs of Merck and Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday, January 31 after they declined an invitation from a majority of the HELP Committee.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP) and the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation today announced grants totaling $319,090 to 19 municipalities and non-profit organizations in six counties to facilitate the restoration and rehabilitation of Vermont landmarks and important historic buildings and structures. These grants will help to leverage more than $1.5 million in additional efforts. Grants awarded this year will support work on historic Vermont landmarks, including the Rockingham Meetinghouse, Middlebury Congregational Church, and the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington. 

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Police say they arrested the Addison County State's Attorney for suspicion of driving while under the influence Thursday evening after she showed up at the scene of an untimely death in Bridport, officials said. State police had asked prosecutor Eva Vekos if she wanted to have a walk through the crime scene on Swinton Road where a 44 -year-old man was found dead on Wednesday morning, officials said.  State Police Crime Scene Search Team members were wrapping up their site work about 36 hours after the initial call and police normally ask the local prosecutor if they want to observe the scene of an untimely death in case there are decisions to be made, including criminal charges. Vekos, 54, of Middlebury arrived about 8:50 Thursday night and troopers detected the odor of intoxicants and saw indicators of impairment such as slurred speech, Patrol Sgt. Eden Neary reported. Vekos refused to undergo standardized field sobriety tests at the scene and was placed under arrest for DUI – refusal, Neary said.