Current News

by John McClaughry The red hot policy issue in the state right now is S.5, the (un)Affordable Heat bill passed by the Democratic supermajority in the House and Senate. Governor Scott vetoed it last Thursday. Largely out of sight, the annual transportation bill (H.479) has easily passed both chambers and is now the subject of a committee of conference to negotiate the final version, which should appear this week. The theme of this bill indicates how “climate change” has become its leading concern, inasmuch as transportation is the leading cause (40%) of carbon dioxide emissions. The bill contains a great deal of spending to retard climate change while avoiding politically dangerous ideas like driving up heating fuel prices to reduce thermal emissions (S.5).

Vermont Business Magazine May is Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of older people across America. In Vermont, this is a population that is growing. According to the US Census, 28.4% of people in Vermont are over the age of 60. As older Vermonters live longer, healthier lives, they are helping build strong and vibrant communities by contributing their time, talents, and accumulated experiences in so many ways - through work, artistic creation, civic engagement, and volunteering to name a few. Support for an aging population does present challenges – What will it take to ensure all Vermonters have equitable opportunities, including for financial security, independence, health and wellness, social connection, housing, and transportation? A 2023 University of Vermont Center for Rural Studies poll found 64% of Vermonters are concerned that the state does not have adequate resources to address the needs of a growing older population.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group’s executive leadership team will volunteer at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center’s (MSAC) FEAST Kitchen, which provides nutritious meals in person and delivered via Meals on Wheels to seniors and families in the Montpelier community on May 9. Aligned with National Life’s corporate cause to help end hunger and to help kick off its first week of service since before the pandemic, a group of eight leaders along with other National Life volunteers will assist in preparing and handing off meals for delivery.

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS S.36, the workplace violence bill, has passed both the House and the Senate and is going to the governor’s desk. Thank you to all the health care providers who contacted legislators—they heard you. I especially want to highlight and thank all of our witnesses. Your testimony was heart-wrenching, and it made the case for S.36 undeniable. S.36 is just one step in addressing workplace violence. VAHHS will be working with VPQHC over the summer and fall to determine what resources are needed and what recommendations should be made to the legislature next year.

Vermont Business Magazine Girls on the Run Vermont has received a $5,000 grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures designed to combat health disparities and advance fitness and friendships among adolescent girls. The announcement comes as Girls on the Run councils across the country prepare for their spring 5Ks, end-of-season events that are trademarked for their powerful positivity and celebratory atmosphere. Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a leader in positive youth development, and its experience-based curriculum creatively integrates running to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident. The organization currently operates 171 local councils across the United States and Canada, serving nearly 200,000 girls annually.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Philip B. Scott has declared May 2023 Physical Fitness and Sports Month in Vermont, encouraging Vermonters to be active this spring. The proclamation was requested by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, a physical activity promotion and advocacy group comprised of volunteers appointed by the Governor and representing a broad spectrum of Vermonters. The proclamation aligns with the national designation of May as Physical Fitness and Sports Month, an effort by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity.

Vermont Business Magazine A new report shows that Champlain College is making an impressive annual impact on the State of Vermont—$446 million worth in 2021. The report, “The Economic Impact of Champlain College on Burlington and Vermont,” assesses economic-related contributions from the College, including spending, knowledge, local government, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. For instance, the college is a net importer of skilled talent to Vermont — almost 20% of Champlain College students come from Vermont, and nearly 40% of graduates stay in Vermont after graduation.

Vermont Business Magazine A groundbreaking data science effort to better understand and harness the power of stories has earned the University of Vermont a $20 million research capacity building award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The five-year Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track-1 award, which promotes world-class research nationwide, will bolster research infrastructure at UVM and across the state. Harnessing the Data Revolution for Vermont: The Science of Online Corpora, Knowledge, and Stories (SOCKS) revolves around stories as an essential part of how people comprehend, explain, predict, and seek to navigate the world. SOCKS supports the Digital Humanities by developing a powerful approach to quantifying both individual stories and ecologies of stories through massive data collection, natural language processing, and large language models—computer-based encodings of the meaningful connections between words and phrases.

Vermont Business Magazine In a statement shared with state lawmakers and Governor Scott, the ACLU and its members are calling on state leaders to extend Vermont’s emergency housing program unless or until alternative programs are in place. ACLU of Vermont Executive Director James Lyall: “The ACLU and our statewide members, supporters, and community partners are deeply concerned by reports that state leaders may allow Vermont’s emergency housing program to lapse before establishing adequate alternatives. This would eliminate housing for thousands of people of all ages in the midst of an historic housing crisis and put them at imminent risk of harm.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington and Chittenden County residents will soon be able to enjoy the Richard Kemp Center’s Revitalization thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program and led by the Richard Kemp Center. If the campaign reaches its $10,300 goal by July 3, 2023 the “Richard Kemp Center Revitalization” will receive a matching grant of $20,600 from DHCD’s Better Places program.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.53/g, according to GasBuddy's Monday report, down 2.5 cents per gallon from last week's $3.56/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.35/g while the highest was $3.69/g, a difference of 34.0 cents per gallon. Vermont gas prices have been falling but not as quickly as the national average, which is now lower than the state average. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 7.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.50/g today. The national average is down 7.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 80.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, May 8, Governor Phil Scott announced action on the following bills, passed by the General Assembly: S.3, An act relating to prohibiting paramilitary training camps; H.41, An act relating to referral of domestic and sexual violence cases to community justice centers; H.76, An act relating to captive insurance; H.146, An act relating to amendments to the charter of the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District.