Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In an effort to improve safety on local roadways, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is pleased to announce the Small Scale Local Safety Grant Program funded with Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds. The goal of this program is to address simple improvements that will increase safety on the local roadway system. Projects should ideally be ready for construction in 2023-2024. Small scale grant awards are capped at $35,000, and the minimum award amount is $5,000.

Vermont Business Magazine A new federal grant will help Vermont provide mental health and substance use services to more people throughout the state. The Vermont Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Department of Health, has been awarded a $1 million, one-year state planning grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a network of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).  

by Megan Sullivan The 2023 legislative session has been underscored by new and increased taxes and fees on both individuals and businesses, leading to $150 million of likely cost increases for Vermonters. This significant burden is particularly concerning given the ongoing economic pressures of high inflation, workforce shortages, and declining state revenue from personal income tax. All of this is happening as the state settles into a post-pandemic baseline.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Steven J. Malaney Jr., 59, of Burlington, Vermont, was arraigned today on four felony counts and one misdemeanor count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against Mr. Malaney are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), which included personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Burlington Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. VT-ICAC’s investigation included the execution of a search warrant into Mr. Malaney’s residence and his electronic devices.

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, chaired by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), will hold a hearing Wednesday, May 31, at 10 am ET titled, “Solving the Child Care Crisis: Meeting the Needs of Working Families and Child Care Workers.” Today, the care workforce at large represents millions of workers across the country, including 2 million child care workers. Despite their important work, on average, child care workers make less than parking lot attendants and pet sitters at just $13.31 per hour, and more than 50 percent rely on public assistance programs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Sergeant Ryan Wood, 36, and Trooper Zachary Trocki, 29, were arraigned today for Reckless Endangerment in Vermont Superior Court, Windham Criminal Division. The charges are the result of Attorney General Charity Clark’s independent review of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on June 17, 2022, at approximately 2:38 a.m. in Newfane, Vermont. During the incident, less than two minutes after responding to the scene, Trooper Trocki shot Marshall Todd Dean with a Super-Sock bean bag projectile fired from a Remington 12 gauge shotgun from a distance of approximately 77.8 feet, causing Mr. Dean to fall from the roof that he was standing on and sustain life-threatening injuries. Separate criminal charges against the troopers were dismissed May 25.

Vermont Business Magazine State Auditor Doug Hoffer released a new audit today examining the Agency of Digital Services’ performance managing large State IT projects. The audit reviewed six IT projects with combined estimated costs exceeding $16 million and found that despite comprehensive project management systems the projects generally cost more and/or took longer to complete than anticipated. Five of the six selected IT projects had significant cost increases and/or schedule delays caused by a variety of reasons.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont over the Memorial Day weekend were Vermont- $3.55/g, up 7.3 cents per gallon from last week's $3.47/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.39/g while the highest was $3.79/g, a difference of 40.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 2.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.55/g. This increase in prices could be short-lived.

Green Mountain Care Board Wednesday, May 31, 2023: Board Meeting (1:00pm): VITL FY24 Budget – GMCB Staff Presentation – Potential Vote; OneCare Vermont Guidance – GMCB Staff Presentation – Potential Vote.

Vermont Business Magazine VITL, which securely delivers health data for Vermonters, announced May 26 that vice president of finance and chief financial officer, Robert “Bob” Turnau, will retire after seven years with the organization and a career in finance spanning nearly 40 years. VITL has named Cara Callanan as the organization’s new chief financial officer (CFO).

Vermont Business Magazine Whether it is during a sporting event, a recreational outing with friends and family, or an everyday activity like yard work or driving to the store, knowing how to both spot the signs of life-threatening bleeding and what you can do to STOP THE BLEED, can help save lives in an emergency. Dillon said that no matter how rapidly emergency responders arrive on-scene at an accident or in response to a traumatic injury, bystanders are almost always able to make a positive impact.

by Lauren Norford, LICSW Miriam knew she should be happy about her recent birth and healthy baby. She had been edgy and irritable throughout the pregnancy, and the birth of her baby should have been cause only for celebration. Yet Miriam felt a sense of dread as she cared for her baby. She felt “imposter syndrome,” had bouts of crying and sadness, and wondered if her feelings would be discovered by someone.

Sometimes she had trouble eating and sleeping due to her mood. Miriam began to doubt herself more and more and was afraid to talk to anyone about what she was feeling.

Monique was 30 weeks pregnant and in a state of constant worry. Despite her doctor’s reassurance, she always felt like something bad was going to happen to her baby. Sleep at night was difficult, and she struggled to eat enough during the day. Monique felt her anxieties must be what all pregnant parents experience, so she didn’t speak up to her providers.