Leonine Public Affairs The legislature was in high gear this week as committees worked to finalize legislation to meet the Friday crossover deadline for policy bills. The House Appropriations committee continued to refine the FY2022 budget bill and the Senate Appropriations committee spent much of the week discussing H.315, the “fast-track” COVID-19 recovery funding bill. The crossover deadline for money bills is March 19.
by Sena Meilleur “Risk management” is a term that gets used a lot in insurance. Companies face all kinds of risk and they need to insure against it: risk of property loss to a natural disaster or fire; risk of legal action from a customer; risk of a cyber-attack or an employee being injured at work. Ironically, the risk that many did not see coming was that of a pandemic-related shutdown, which in the vast majority of cases was not covered by insurance. This risk has come front and center for many companies who filed a business interruption claim during the past year, only to have it denied.
Vermont Business Magazine Maine Drilling & Blasting, with offices in Vermont, celebrates its 55th Anniversary this year on the heels of a very atypical and challenging 2020.
Vermont Business Magazine Vail Resorts, Inc, the owner of Mount Snow, Okemo and Stowe Mountain resorts in Vermont, has reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 ended January 31, 2021. As expected results were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and related limitations and restrictions. Revenues across the board were down, especially in the retail/rental segment, but overall skier visits and lift revenue were down less than 9 percent and Vail remains profitable. Meanwhile, investment in Okemo will include upgrading the Quantum lift from a four-person to a six-person high speed chairlift and relocating the existing four-person Quantum lift to replace the Green Ridge three-person fixed-grip chairlift.
Vermont Business Magazine Girl Scouts of the USA is excited to announce the Becoming Me program, a special collaboration with Penguin Random House and former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama. The program follows the recent publication of Mrs Obama’s book, Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers, and offers a unique opportunity for Girl Scouts to embark on their journeys to become their best selves. The program, which includes a virtual event with Mrs. Obama, will also walk girls through earning three badges at each Girl Scout level.
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced Friday new gathering guidance for people who are not vaccinated, as well as loosening restrictions on restaurants. Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, reiterated that anyone who gathers with others who is not vaccinated still needs to follow guidance to prevent the spread of the virus — wearing masks and keeping at least a 6-foot distance. As of today, with all of Phase 5 available to get vaccinated, over 21,000 of the approximate 100,000 Vermonters in that phase have registered. VDH is also reporting 121 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death for a statewide total of 212.
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) reminds all Vermonters and those looking to contact VDOL to only do so through verified and approved methods. Recent fraud alerts sent out by the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force (NUIFTF) detail national phishing attempts through social media, where fraudulent pages attempt to communicate directly with unemployment insurance claimants online.
Here are some helpful tips for detecting a potential scam:
Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) was reappointed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to the exclusive and powerful House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on Friday afternoon. Last Congress, the committee, with Rep. Welch’s active participation, conducted the investigation into President Trump’s improper actions that led to the House impeaching the former president for the first time. In addition, the committee serves as an important check on the President’s executive power by monitoring covert actions and intelligence programs within the United States intelligence community.
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced updates to COVID-19 guidance for small multi-household gatherings and table seating at restaurants. Effective today, the changes allow two unvaccinated households to gather at a time, and permitting restaurants to seat multiple households together, but no more than six people can be seated at the same table. Masking, distancing, capacity limits, and other mitigation guidelines remain in place.
Vermont Business Magazine The Crosby-Gannett Fund, a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, has granted $23,000 to fifteen nonprofit organizations in its 2021 competitive grant round. This year, the Crosby-Gannett Fund chose to focus on community needs related to the pandemic. Awards represent a combination of grants to organizations for education, food access, the arts, and business support, all of which exhibit a vast array of creativity, increased collaboration, and the ability to adapt service delivery within the confines of the pandemic.
Vermont Business Magazine One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and as vaccination rates rise in our communities, the University of Vermont Health Network urges everyone to continue practicing the proven simple measures that help to stop the spread of COVID-19 to keep our family, friends and neighbors healthy.Meanwhile, vaccine eligibility is constantly expanding in both Vermont and New York. UVMHN has hospital partners in both states.
Vermont Business Magazine With Orleans Superior Court Judge Mary Miles Teachout presiding, the court today ruled for the state on the final merits of its enforcement action against HNR Desautels LLC, currently doing business as Derby Port Press, and its owner, Andre “Michael” Desautels. Judge Teachout accordingly ordered the defendants to stop violating Governor Scott’s Executive Order and Addenda. “Specifically, Defendants shall not employ any persons or open any premises for business without compliance with EO 01-20 and its addenda and ACCD’s Phased Restart Work Safe Guidance,” ordered Judge Teachout in today’s decision.