Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as avian influenza, in a non-commercial backyard (non-poultry) flock in Orleans County this week.  

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), member of the Senate Commerce Committee, joined Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) yesterday in introducing the Fans First Act, which would help address flaws in the current live event ticketing system.

Vermont Business Magazine The Natural Resources Board will host an online public meeting to present its draft legislative report “Necessary Updates to the Act 250 Program.” The online public meeting will be held Thursday, December 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST. The draft report can be found here. A link to participate in the online meeting can be accessed here. Act 182 of 2022 and Act 47 of 2023 directed the Natural Resources Board with reporting to the House Committees on Environment and Energy and Ways and Means and the Senate Committees on Finance and Natural Resources and Energy on “necessary updates to the Act 250 program,” on or before December 31, 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine To support its continued growth and support the regional labor force, Casella Waste Systems, Inc has announced the addition of a Diesel Technician Training program to complement its flourishing Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training School, with its inaugural class already completing its first session. As the current labor market continues to pose challenges throughout the country, and many young people look to secure meaningful employment through careers in the trades instead of opting for traditional college degrees, Casella has created a robust suite of training offerings designed to facilitate a more streamlined entry into the industry. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont): “Unfortunately, under Postmaster General DeJoy’s tenure mail service in rural communities has continued to deteriorate."

Vermont State Police Continued investigation into the motor vehicle crash that transpired during the morning commuting hours of November 22, 2023, has revealed Owen Benoit, 19, of St. Albans Town, VT was traveling at a speed that was far greater than what was appropriate for the road conditions at the time. Evidence indicates Mr. Benoit was traveling over 80 MPH in the moments before losing control of his motor vehicle. Road conditions may have been a contributing factor but were not the primary causation of his loss of control of his vehicle. The vehicle subsequently departed the roadway and struck the motor vehicle that Josephine Buckley, 34, of Essex Town, VT, was attempting to exit after she had previously slid off the road. Ms. Buckley died as a result of internal injuries sustained when she was struck by Mr. Benoit’s vehicle. Mr. Benoit came to the St Albans Barracks on December 7, 2023, and was issued a citation to answer a charge of “negligent operation with death resulting.”

Campaign for Vermont On Tuesday we released our second batch of results from a scientific public opinion poll of Vermonters. The survey interviewed 400 randomly selected Vermont residents to measure their feelings towards state leaders, various issues that policymakers are pursuing, and general sentiments about the direction the state is heading. The Legislature, quite frankly, is out of touch with what Vermonters are asking for. They have squandered opportunities to make meaningful progress on housing. Instead of focusing on creating better education for Vermont students they are more interested in removing the quality educational options we have in independent schools. Instead of investing in our infrastructure and local environment, they prefer to spend big on carbon reduction. These results show that legislative leaders need to stop playing to the fringes of their parties and work to solve basic issues for mainstream Vermonters.

by Anika Heilweil, Public Assets Institute We can build a Vermont that works for everyone who lives here. We can have thriving downtowns, safe roads and bridges, and housing that people can afford. Our children can learn in vibrant and supportive schools. We can protect our environment. We can care for Vermont families at every stage of life. But first, we need to look at our tax code. That’s right—our tax code. In recent decades, wages for many Vermont residents have not kept up with the costs of living. Meanwhile, elected officials tell us that Vermont doesn’t have the money to make crucial public investments to take care of families, infrastructure, and the environment. Yet the data show that this scarcity narrative is rhetoric, not reality. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and representatives from Congresswoman Becca Balint’s (D-Vermont) office met yesterday with JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes to call for the reinstatement of flight service between Burlington International Airport (BTV) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). JetBlue announced in October they would pull out of several airports in early 2024, including BTV on January 4. JetBlue told the delegation that, “When the slot waiver expires, JetBlue expects to restore service from Burlington to New York.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a voluntary slot waiver system through October 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Criminal Justice Council voted 15-1 on Wednesday to strip Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore of his law enforcement certification. While this means he can no longer serve as a police officer, he will continue to be the Franklin County sheriff. The Legislature would need to impeach him in order for him to be removed from office. The council found that he violated the use of force policy and charged with simple assault in a case against a prisoner in August 2022. Despite those charges, Grismore was elected sheriff in November 2022.

by Representative Erin Brady, et al Governor Scott recently described an average projected increase in education property taxes of almost 18% as “unacceptable” and asked school boards to control costs. We agree that people across the state are worried about affordability, from higher tax rates to out of control housing costs. School boards cannot control state level drivers of higher cost any more than they can solve the evils of poverty on their own. The projected education property tax increases are driven by a projected 12% increase in school budgets statewide. We hope to work with the Governor to tackle state level drivers of that education spending. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) is excited to invite food and agriculture enthusiasts to tune into the DigInVT Podcast, a new podcast series that shares the experiences of Vermont farmers, chefs, and others who are committed to their local food partnerships in support of Vermont agriculture. Listeners are invited to pull up a chair, and listen in as each guest shares a behind the scenes look at how they got started in local food and agriculture, and how they currently participate in Vermont’s vibrant local food system.