Vermont Business Magazine In February, Attorney General Donovan and Chief Stevens together called upon the Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign H.716. Because the benefit would extend to Native Peoples residing outside of Vermont, the new measure would also promote a much-needed influx of new sportspeople to Vermont’s hunting and fishing communities. In addition, the bill would help Vermont partner with Native Peoples to promote environmental, educational, and conservation initiatives.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on Tuesday spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for amendments he introduced to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would fundamentally overhaul the Pentagon budget, which exceeds $740 billion this year. Military spending, now higher than the next 11 nations combined, represents more than half of all federal discretionary spending. The Pentagon budget has exploded under President Trump, increasing by more than $100 billion in annual spending compared to military budgets under President Obama. In his floor remarks, Sanders called for a 10% cut to the Pentagon budget to invest the savings in distressed communities; the production and distribution of free face masks to every American household; and an independent audit of the Defense Department.

Vermont Business Magazine For the first time since June 16, the Vermont Department of Health is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 in Vermont. Also, effective Wednesday, July 1, people from low-risk counties in additional states can travel to Vermont without having to quarantine. The broader allowances are based on detailed modeling and analysis of health and population data. The additional states include Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Both Governor Phil Scott and Speaker of the House Mitzi Jonson held press conferences Monday and both discussed the Coronavirus Relief Fund and money spent, and not spent, toward economic recovery. The governor will again hold press conferences Wednesday and Friday discuss COVID-19 health news and the reopening of the economy. He is also expected to sign legislation recently passed by lawmakers. Bills need to be vetted on both sides before Scott can sign them. He’s not expected to veto any of the recently passed legislation, including the CRF bills.

Vermont Business Magazine The East Central Vermont Economic Development District (ECVEDD) has adopted a new 5-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This plan replaces the District’s 2016-2021 CEDS, and features strategies and actions that promote regional resilience, business innovation, workforce development and retention, robust infrastructure, quality of life and place, and healthy communities.

It also prioritizes economic recovery in the wake of COVID-19. The plan is available at: www.ecvedd.org/ceds