Vermont Chamber pushing for workforce development, tourism promotion

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its 2014 legislative priorities with support for sustained funding for tourism promotion and workforce training. In addition to these important investments in Vermont’s economy, the statewide business organization advocates policies that create a healthy business climate, better integration of regulations, and fewer state mandates.
‘As businesses plan for greater job growth and capital investment, they look for certainty and predictability from government in tax policy, regulation and other areas that impact their costs,’ said Betsy Bishop, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. ‘Our five-person lobbying team will work with policy makers to ensure support for our key business issues to increase opportunities and prosperity for all Vermonters.’
Workforce Training. The Vermont Chamber supports sustained and increased funding for the Vermont Training Program and the Workforce Education and Training Fund, with the goal of helping individuals further develop skills that employers seek. Since its inception, the Vermont Training Program has sought to promote the expansion, creation and retention of jobs in Vermont by providing funding to offset the cost of workforce training for new and existing businesses.
Tourism Funding. The Vermont Chamber advocates for promotional funding for the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, as tourism contributes significantly to the state economy. The Vermont Chamber believes that targeted marketing investments in major out-of-state drive markets will increase the overall revenue to the General Fund and that VDTM’s promotional budget should increase as industry revenues increase.
Fiscal Policy. The Vermont Chamber believes in a consistent and predictable fiscal policy that does not increase taxes on businesses or their customers. With a projected $72 million budget gap for fiscal year 2015, the Vermont Chamber will encourage policymakers to curtail state spending to sustainable revenues.
Health Care. The Vermont Chamber supports the implementation of Vermont Health Connect (VHC) and will continue to work to ensure that the VHC experience improves for employers. If needed, the Vermont Chamber will continue to seek additional contingencies for employers to seek relief for their employees from the frustrations in using the new health care exchange.
Planning & Regulation. The Vermont Chamber supports better integration of regulation and planning to enable more development to achieve positive job growth. The Vermont Chamber will focus on reducing and eliminating redundancies among requirements in local zoning, ANR permitting and Act 250 regulations.
Labor Policy. The Vermont Chamber recognizes that state mandated programs increase costs to employers and thwart job creation and therefore will advocate for employers to maintain the right to determine workplace policies that best suit their business model and workers’ needs without unnecessary government intervention. We will work to achieve lower workers’ compensation rates, maintain affordable unemployment benefits and allow businesses access to independent contractors.
The Vermont Chamber Issues Center includes a comprehensive review of the Vermont Chamber’s legislative agenda.
The Vermont Chamber hosts two annual legislative events that connect Vermont Chamber members to legislators. The Legislative Luncheon (February 4, 12-2 pm) is an opportunity for Vermont Chamber members to learn about the upcoming session from Vermont’s legislative leadership. Taste of Vermont (March 13, 5-7pm) is a networking event for businesses to meet and mingle with legislators. Both events are held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier.
Berlin, VT (January 2, 2014) ‘ Vermont Chamber of Commerce