Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark joined forces today to highlight their offices’ respective consumer protection work regarding residential contractors and unveiled a new consumer tool to help Vermonters protect themselves: an interactive map on the SOS’s webpage that will help consumers determine if a home contractor is registered and in good standing with the state. The General Assembly took action during their 2022 legislative session requiring the registration of residential contractors working in Vermont. This requirement applies to any residential contractor who performs construction where the estimated value is $10,000 or more, inclusive of labor and materials. Registered home contractors will also be required to maintain insurance and execute a written contract. The registration program is overseen by the Secretary’s Office of Professional Regulation.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on Thursday introduced legislation to cut the price of prescription drugs under Medicare in half by requiring Medicare to pay no more for prescription drugs than the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If this legislation were signed into law, Medicare would save an estimated $835 billion over the next decade. According to the CBO, on average, a 30-day prescription of a top-selling brand-name drug costs $190 under the VA but $343 under Medicare.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont today are $3.54 per gallon. This is one cent lower than last week, 16 cents/g higher than a month ago, and 74 cents/g lower than a year ago. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.54/g today. The national average is up 4 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 70 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 5.3 cents in the last week and stands at $4.07 per gallon.

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier today, Speaker of the House, Representative Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) addressed reporters and the public in the Lincoln Hall of the State House today. She said that she will begin the process to investigate Sheriff John Grismore and States’ Attorney John Lavoie as a first step that could lead to impeachment. Grismore was sworn in in February despite a simple assault charge and allegations of financial irregularities. Lavoie is being investigate for allegations of mistreatment of employees. Both have declined to resign.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced awards of over $1 million in Downtown Transportation Fund grants to support seven projects in Designated Downtowns and eligible Designated Village Centers. Since 1999, DHCD has supported investment in public infrastructure through the Downtown Transportation Fund. The program has helped update streetscaping, parking, rail, and bus facilities, bicycle and pedestrian safety, park enhancements, utilities, street lighting, and wayfinding signage. The Downtown Transportation Fund is a financing tool that helps municipalities pay for transportation-related capital improvements within or serving a designated downtown or village center. Since its inception in 1999, the program has invested over $14 million to support 158 projects in 35 different communities leveraging over $57 million in additional funding.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group released its 2022 Annual Report, which highlights new sales records set in its 175^th year despite market volatility, as well as the return of Do Good Fest in Vermont after a two-year pandemic hiatus and the inaugural Do Good Fest held in Texas, raising $146,000 for local nonprofits. National Life reported $2,962 million in annual revenues in 2022. National Life is the state's largest Vermont-based business. National Life was the only insurance company included in Inc. Magazine’s prestigious list of the “Best in Business,” reserved for companies who performed well while doing good.

Vermont Business Magazine Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and one of the leading international voices in climate change action, will give the Commencement address to the Middlebury College Class of 2023 on Sunday, May 28. A Brooklyn, NY, native, Johnson earned a BA from Harvard University in environmental science and public policy, and a PhD from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in marine biology. A policy expert and writer, Johnson cofounded and leads Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities. She serves on the board of directors for GreenWave and Patagonia, on the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project, and on the steering committee for the Ocean Justice Forum. Recently she was recognized with the Schneider Award for climate communication, a place on the Time 100 Next List, and with an appointment to the Secretary of State’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board.

Vermont Business Magazine Briefings on energy innovation, cybersecurity, and power reliability will be among the highlights of VEC’s 2023 Annual Meeting taking place May 13 at Jay Peak Resort. Members who attend will enjoy a complimentary breakfast and giveaways. They’ll also have the chance to win great prizes, including a cordless chainsaw courtesy of the Pick & Shovel in Newport, gift cards and certificates to local and national chain stores, and more. Two electric Ford F150 Lightning pickup trucks will be on display at the event, and the owners will be available to informally discuss the vehicles’ features and how they operate in Vermont conditions. The meeting will also include updates from VEC leaders and a Q&A session. Also, at the meeting the results of the Board of Directors election will be announced.

Vermont Business Magazine Farm to table dining is a quintessential Vermont experience – and this May, Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) is celebrating their Gold Barn designated restaurants across the state who go above and beyond to build partnerships with Vermont growers and producers. VFN currently has 56 Gold Barn Members, who collectively spent close to $9 million on Vermont-grown and crafted food and beverage products in the past year. To receive the Gold Barn distinction, members must spend at least 35% of their annual food purchasing budget on local food and products. They also must have at least 10 local producer partners, which may include vegetable farmers, beekeepers, maple sugarmakers, meat producers, dairy farmers, cheesemakers, brewers, cidermakers, tree fruit growers, or other locally produced specialty food and beverage producers.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s “Trophy Trout” stocking program for 2023 includes nine river sections and 37 lakes and ponds receiving the two-year old trout, some over 18 inches long. Trout harvest season opened this year on April 8 and will continue through October 31. There is no length limit and the daily creel limit is two trout for the Trophy Trout stream.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Environmental Advocacy Clinic, on behalf of the Lake Tarleton Coalition and forest protection group Standing Trees, submitted an objection with the US Forest Service on Monday, seeking reconsideration of the flawed Tarleton Integrated Resource Project (Project) in Grafton County, New Hampshire. The Tarleton Project would authorize nearly 700-acres of commercial logging in and around Lake Tarleton in the towns of Piermont and Warren, including in close proximity to the Appalachian Trail. The objection shows how the Forest Service’s approval of the Project disregards both federal laws and the importance of the lands and waters to local business owners, residents and recreationists, and instead treats one of New Hampshire’s largest, cleanest and least-developed lakes as a woodlot. During an earlier comment period, the Forest Service received over 500 comments on the project, with over 90% in opposition. The objection process is the Forest Service’s last chance to modify the project and avert litigation.