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Vermont Business Magazine Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday released the $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The omnibus includes $772.5 billion for non-defense discretionary programs, including $118.7 billion – a 22 percent increase – for VA medical care, and $858 billion in defense funding. To combat the pain of inflation felt by American families across the country, the bill makes significant investments in our communities, funds critical programs supporting America’s middle-class families, cares for our veterans, and invests in our national security. The bill includes $44.9 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and our NATO allies and $40.6 billion to assist communities across the country recovering from drought, hurricanes, flooding, wildfire, natural disasters and other matters.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., President Pro Tem of the Senate, and chair of the Appropriations Committee) will deliver his farewell address on the Senate Floor TODAY (Tuesday, December 20) at about 11:15 am LIVE on C-SPAN 2.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is joining with Vermont’s Congressional Delegation to call on the FCC to push back its deadline for challenges to its map and release the $100 million state minimum immediately.

by Jill Olson, VNAs of Vermont The holiday season provides us with an important opportunity to reflect, and to give gratitude for the home health and hospice workers who allow us to be with our loved ones in their homes during this special time. Home health and hospice workers around Vermont care for our family members, friends, and neighbors at a time when their need for comfort is at its greatest.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center is partnering with the Center for Health and Learning to provide Vermont businesses and community members with up-to-date information on suicide prevention. Year after year, Vermont has more suicides than the national average. In response, Howard Center continues to work to reach underserved populations, expand prevention programming and enhance intervention efforts. Howard Center is also expanding the availability of tools and best practices employed in the response after a suicide death or other tragedy to support healing and recovery.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) leaders and staff gathered last month to honor employees for their service to the organization’s mission. One award every year is presented for each of the organization’s five core values: quality, empathy, safety, teamwork, and stewardship. The employees who received the awards are noted standard bearers and role models within the organization.

Vermont Business Magazine Age Well has announced that it has been included in the Network Development Track of the Community Care Hub National Learning Community (NLC) in partnership with Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Age Well is one of 58 organizations selected for participation in the Community Care Hub National Learning Community (NLC). The organizations, representing 32 states, will engage in one of two learning tracks to bring together organizations serving as Community Care Hubs that are either in development or interested in expansion.

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine What's it like to make history? “A moment that will stay with me for the rest of my life was waking up the morning after the election, on very little sleep, and hearing my wife say, 'Good morning, Congresswoman,'” our new Democratic Congresswoman-elect, Rebecca A. “Becca” Balint, 54, told me after the election. The enormity of what she's accomplished is still sinking in.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Senate Committee on Committees has made the following appointments to the newly formed Environmental Justice Advisory Committee: Environmental Justice Advisory Council: Mobile Home Park Representative: Gayle Pezzo of Colchester. Environmental Justice Advisory Council: Social Justice Organization Representative: Britaney Watson of North Springfield. Environmental Justice Advisory Council: Municipal Government Representative: Zoraya Hightower. The Senate Committee on Committees appointed Esther Charlestin of Bridgeport to the Vermont Commission on Women. The Senate Committee on Committees also appointed Kellie Campbell of Georgia.

Sunil “Sunny” Eappen, MD, President and CEO, UVMHN I’m excited and humbled to be the UVM Health Network’s new President and CEO. I want to take a moment to introduce myself, and to offer my commitment to you, your family and your community: Our health system exists for you, and to serve you. I’ve spent more than 30 years in health care, both as a physician and as a leader. I’m here because I believe in and care deeply about the work this health system does to provide great care in Vermont and northern New York.

Vermont Business Magazine As the world continues to deal with the realities of climate change, countries are increasingly turning towards renewable energy sources. Here in the U.S., the Biden administration has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030, but progress varies by state. According to a new report by The Motley Fool, which looks at renewable energy stats by state, Vermont ranks #3 in terms of percentage of total electric power generated by renewable energy sources. Iowa generates the most and Kentucky the least.

Vermont Business Magazine Roundup of news from November 2022: Hickok & Boardman Insurance to receive 2022 Outstanding Business of the Year Award; Favorites win big in 2022 General Election; Tax revenues continue on strong pace despite inflation; VSECU members approve merger with NEFCU; Vermont’s unemployment rate increases to 2.3% in October; Vermont Electric Cooperative files 8.19% increase in 2023 rate request; Worker Relocation Incentive Program application now open; CityPlace construction begins in Burlington: and more.