News That Affects You!
Flattening the COVID-19 epidemic curve has taken precedence over every other facet of American life. Federal and state governments have issued lengthy “stay at home’ orders to discourage thousands from falling ill and needing medical attention at once. In Vermont, we have committed to aggressive mitigation with measures such as closing non-essential businesses, dismissing schools Read More…
31 March 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2020 CONTACT: Nate Formalarie, Communications Director Agency of Commerce and Community Development (802) 522-7323; nate.formalarie@vermont.gov Agency Of Commerce And Community Development Directs “big Box” Retailers To Cease In Person Sales Of Non-essential Items Large Retailers Asked to Comply with Stay Home/Stay Safe Order Montpelier, Vt. – The Read More…
On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law to assist business owners with immediate financial needs. The Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as Read More…
Over the past few weeks, we have seen addendum after addendum to Governor Phil Scott’s Emergency Declaration that was issued on March 13. What was allowed yesterday may not be true today. The situation is changing daily. Last week saw the Governor issuing orders to stay home, close non-essential businesses, including lodging and short term Read More…
David Coates merits credit for sounding the alarm for years about the substantial underfunding patterns of the Vermont pensions. Most recently he was prescient in an article titled “State retirement plans need a robust stress test.” But alas, this test is more robust than Mr. Coates suggested was needed. Vermont’s public pension system is grossly Read More…
24 March 2020 Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and directed the closure of in-person operations for all non-essential businesses. Skip to List of Critical Services and Functions These restrictive measures are in place to minimize all unnecessary activities outside the home to slow the spread of Read More…
PROVIDING FINANCIAL RELIEF: President Donald J. Trump is working to provide financial relief for small businesses harmed by the coronavirus outbreak. The President and his Administration are working to provide disaster loans and further support to small business owners affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The President signed legislation to support billions in low-interest disaster loans Read More…
VFDA is focused on the health and safety of the employees and customers of Vermont’s energy providers. The men and women that provide fuel and service for heat and hot water are providing an essential service. We are in contact with Vermont Emergency Management, the Public Service Department, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Read More…
The Agency of Commerce and Community Development is working to identify businesses that meet the Small Business Administration’s threshold for SBA disaster loan assistance. Businesses are asked to complete an assessment form (available on the ACCD website at https://accd.vermont.gov/content/sba-worksheet) and return it to commerce.covid19@vermont.gov as soon as possible to help us advocate for eligibility. Our goal is to gain information Read More…
As a follow up to the Governor’s Executive Order, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and the Department of Labor are assessing and responding to the community impacts of COVID-19 on Vermont businesses. First and foremost, ACCD and the Department of Labor urge all businesses and their employees to follow the latest guidance Read More…
By Guy Page March 9, 2020 – The Vermont House Transportation Committee is shelving – for now – a plan to require Vermont employers to participate in “the statewide reduction in single-occupancy pleasure car trips.” Virtually all cars are defined by state law as “pleasure cars.” The aim of the legislation is to decrease the Read More…
By Rob Roper Vermont now has a $4.5 billion unfunded public pension liability for teachers and municipal workers. The politicians who created this problem are slow (stationary, actually) to take up the task of fixing this because the numbers are huge and telling someone they’re going to have to suck it up and pay does Read More…
* The Global Warming Solutions Act (H.688) recently passed the House on a strong vote of 105-37 and turns Vermont’s goals for carbon emission reductions into requirements. It requires the state to create a plan for meeting these targets and gives individuals a cause-of-action tool for court intervention if Vermont fails to develop or effectively Read More…
