Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Tuesday, April 18, will be joined by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), chairman of the HELP Subcommittee on Children and Families, Ai-jen Poo, President of National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), and Mary Kay Henry, International President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) for a town hall at the US Capitol on the crisis facing care workers across America.

Leonine Public Affairs After the flurry of crossover activity there is usually a lull in legislative excitement as committees work through the bills they’ve been sent from the opposite chamber. Week 14 began with warm spring weather and a relative calm in the statehouse as lawmakers returned to Montpelier. The quiet start to the week turned out to be the calm before the storm though. As the Senate Appropriations committee discussed big-ticket Democratic priorities on Tuesday afternoon, it became clear the Senate does not seem inclined to support the House’s funding mechanism for the paid family medical leave insurance program. The showdown between the House and Senate over their competing priorities of childcare and paid family and medical leave has likely just begun.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Real estate is in a historic state of flux in Vermont. Housing is the principal focus among elected officials, while developers are trying to find a way through myriad issues just keep pace. Warehouse space is at a premium, while office space is going begging. The future of retail is evolving in the internet era, but does not entirely exclude a local storefront. There are tremendous federal and state monies earmarked for many levels of construction. This includes more than $250 million for housing. This profound amount of money is intended for nearly all levels of housing, from those who have none, to the disabled to lower-income workers, to families with good incomes who simply can’t find a house where they want to live. Along with uncertainty in the type of development, ongoing and much discussed issues persist: workforce, supply chain, inflation, interest rates.

by Joan Goldstein, Commissioner, Department of Economic Development The Department of Economic Development (DED) team continues to travel throughout the state, joining members of Governor Scott’s Administration to discuss American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding opportunities and meeting with communities to learn more about their challenges and successes. We will be in Caledonia County on April 24 and in Franklin County on May 15. Please participate if you can and let us know about projects we can help support. Eligible capital improvement projects may still apply for the Community Recovery and Revitalization Program (CRRP) and we look forward to announcing the second slate of approved applications in the days ahead.

Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding the US Department of Justice’s request for a stay in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, Attorney General Charity Clark issued the following statement Friday evening: “This afternoon, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that access to mifepristone remain status quo nationwide until Wednesday, April 19. This means that, until the Court provides more clarity by then, Vermonters’ access to mifepristone remains unchanged and health care providers may continue treating their patients with mifepristone."

Vermont Business Magazine The Local, a wine and beer shop located in Middlesex, will host Master Sommelier David Keck of Cambridge, VT based Stella14 Wines on Monday, May 1 at 5:30pm. At this ticket-only tasting event, Keck will guide attendees through the story of the wines that inspired the creation of Stella14’s Birches, a dry sparkling red wine. Keck is one of only 273 Master Sommeliers in the world.

Vermont Business Magazine “Brewing up adventure” isn’t just a motto for Whetstone Beer Co, it’s a way of life. Partners David Hiler, and Tim and Amy Brady were brought together by not just a love of beer, but also a love of adventure. Their years of exploring the beauty of Vermont State Parks has led them to launch the Pints for Parks project, a partnership benefitting Vermont State Parks through Vermont Parks Forever. Pints for Parks kicks off on May 6, at Jamaica State Park. Pints for Parks is a collaboration between Whetstone Beer Co. and Vermont State Parks, where twice per year Whetstone will focus on a different State Park to create a unique, limited-edition beer celebrating that specific park. In addition, Whetstone will donate proceeds from all Pints for Parks beer to VT State Parks’ partner charity, Vermont Parks Forever.

Vermont Business Magazine The Champlain Valley Fair has announced NorthCountry Federal Credit Union will be the presenting sponsor of “The Ten Best Days of Summer” beginning this year. With NorthCountry Federal Credit Union becoming the presenting sponsor of the Champlain Valley Fair, they took the opportunity to rework our logo to better intertwine our two brands while also giving tribute to our deep agricultural roots in the community.

Vermont Business Magazine The front side of the Okemo Valley Regional Visitor Center Information Kiosk in Ludlow was recently unveiled with a ribbon cutting ceremony with some of the sponsors. It features a map of Okemo Valley within the state of Vermont, Okemo Valley Magazine, and the new Okemo Valley app. The updated back of the Okemo Valley Regional Visitor Center Kiosk includes regional events, the Vermont Scenic Route 100 Byway, and the Discovery Map for the region.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported April 12, 2023, that COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations decreased significantly from the previous week. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Hospitalizations fell by 6 to 17 last week (the lowest since last fall was 22 at the end of March). Total cases fell to 139 (from 265). There were 5 COVID-related deaths in the last week for a pandemic total of 948 as of April 8 (this is the most recent update). VDH reported 15 COVID-related deaths in March, the fewest since the summer of 2021. Of the total deaths to date, 753 have been of Vermonters 70 or older. There have been 3 deaths of Vermonters under 30 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of two Vermont Superior Court Judges: Robert Katims of Hinesburg and H. Dickson Corbett of East Thetford.

“As I have often said, appointed judges is one of the most important responsibilities for any governor, and it’s critical to identify individuals who are fair, impartial, experienced and committed to the important role they play in our system,” said Governor Scott. “I’m confident Bob and Dickson possess these qualities and more and will serve Vermonters well on the Superior Court bench.”

About Robert Katims

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) today announced that Vermont State University (VTSU) President Parwinder Grewal has tendered his resignation and is stepping down effective immediately for personal reasons. Former Vermont Agency of Human Services Secretary Michael (Mike) Smith will assume the role of interim president beginning next week. The announcement comes after much consideration about how best to lead the upcoming launch of Vermont State University set for July 1. Grewal had faced significant pushback for his proposals to go to essentially a digital-only library system, which would have eliminated nearly all the books and several staff, and reduce some of the athletic programs, as the state college system attempts to overcome financial deficits.