Current News

by Scott Giles, President, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation The 2023 legislative session delivered transformative education and workforce training initiatives for students, parents, and Vermont. With many newly elected lawmakers, there was a palpable sense of energy under the Golden Dome. The session brought an exceptional spirit of collaboration around the importance of meeting Vermont’s workforce development needs. 

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Carleena Graham, 56, of Accokeek, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to a charge of wire fraud. Chief U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford released Graham on conditions pending sentencing on December 15, 2023. On May 31, 2023, the United States filed a one count information charging Graham with wire fraud. The defendant pleaded guilty to that charge today. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Snelling Center for Government has announced the graduates of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2023. As the culminating event in their 9-month leadership journey, the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) Class of 2023 celebrated their past year with Graduation at Basin Harbor in Vergennes in early June. Many friends and family members joined the cohort for a celebratory graduation luncheon. The cohort was pleased to be joined by Xusana Davis, Executive Director of Racial Equity for the State of Vermont, who had worked with them at other sessions. Xusana provided opening remarks, congratulating the Class of 2023 on successful completion of VLI and recognizing the difference they can make in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Representatives Becca Balint (D-Vermont) and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) – both Co-Chairs of the Congressional Equality Caucus – today reintroduced the “LGBTQI+ and Women’s History Education Act of 2023” following a string of states that have proposed and/or implemented harmful and discriminatory anti-LGBTQI+ education laws. The bill authorizes the Director of the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution to develop and disseminate resources to classrooms for educators to teach LGBTQI+ and women’s history education in a more inclusive and intersectional manner. 

Vermont Business Magazine One year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and stripped women of a fundamental constitutional right, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) called for the restoration of abortion rights and joined legislation to protect and expand access to reproductive health care, including the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act, and the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act.  

Vermont Agency of Transportation Motorists are advised beginning at 11PM on Saturday, June 24, 2023, an oversized transport convoy will leave Milton via US-2 east and proceed south on I-89 beginning at Exit 17 to Exit 6. This oversized transport will proceed at an average speed of 10 to 15 MPH and will be accompanied by police and civilian escorts during transit. This transport will occupy both lanes at times on I-89 south, vehicles will be unable to pass during these times.

by Sarah Lyons, Public Assets Institute There has been a lot of attention on the veto session this week and all that was accomplished this year—universal school meals, improved but imperfect investments in housing, and of course the signature accomplishment: the biggest investment in childcare in the country. But a less-noticed, otherwise unremarkable tax bill signed into law Monday by Governor Phil Scott contained two important provisions also worth celebrating. H.471, amid all of its technical changes, makes the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the new state Child Tax Credit (CTC) available to all qualifying Vermont residents regardless of whether they have a Social Security card or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). 

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center announced today that after an extensive executive search this spring, the hospital’s Board of Directors has named Judi K. Fox as the organization’s President and CEO. Fox has served as the Interim President & CEO since November 2022. Fox, the longtime Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer has been employed at Rutland Regional for more than 33 years, serving the last seven years as the CFO.

Vermont Business Magazine There’s no doubt that the to-do list is long for parents of newborns. Recognizing that those first days are busy, and it’s never too early to start saving for education and training after high school, new parents Alex and Kristina Umbhau decided to open a VT529 savings account before their baby was even born! In addition to having her name put on this existing account, their daughter was lucky enough to arrive on 5/29, qualifying her for an additional $100 deposit in her account through a partnership between VSAC and the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS). 

Vermont Business Magazine The companies of National Life Group are the first in the industry to liberate clients from only one interest crediting day in the year with its new single premium deferred indexed annuities, available June 24. Exclusive to National Life is the new innovative, indexed annuity feature, the Dollar Cost Averaging option, which spreads the index crediting over 12 months. 

Vermont Business Magazine UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice’s annual Fun Run & Jiggety Jog fundraiser for the McClure Miller Respite House exceeded its goal, raising more than $106,000 this year. With more than 200 combined runners and walkers participating, countless volunteers, and key sponsors, the event’s success demonstrates our community’s ongoing commitment to supporting high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care. The event featured a 5k run and 3k walk. More than 600 individuals made donations to the fundraiser. Longtime event participant and supporter, Alice Christian, was the top fundraiser again this year, raising an $5,775.

Vermont Captive Insurance Association The VCIA Annual Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington is one of the captive industry’s most well respected and popular events. Known for its high quality captive education and excellent networking opportunities, this signature event is in its 38th year, and we are thrilled to deliver you the ultimate captive conference summer time experience in beautiful Burlington, Vermont. Join us August 7 – 10.