News That Affects You!
The unelected Climate Council put forward its Climate Action Plan (CAP) in December 2021 with two major components: 1) The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), which was basically a cap-and-trade-style carbon tax on motor fuels, and 2) a Clean Heat Standard (CHS), which is basically a cap-and-trade-style carbon tax on fossil based home heating fuels (oil, propane, natural Read More…
The Senate Natural Resources Committee will continue to review S.234, the Act 250 reform bill, all week this week. Last week, it reviewed the bill’s impacts on the state’s housing shortage, the Campaign for Vermont reports. The Vermont Natural Resources Council voiced concern about forest fragmentation due to subdivisions of housing. Between 2003 and 2009 found Read More…
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development announced today that the Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP), which will help Vermont homeowners facing pandemic hardships, is now accepting applications. The program, funded by $50 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will provide grants of up to $30,000 Read More…
As the legislature takes up the Climate Action Plan’s recommendation to electrify pretty much everything in Vermont by the year 2050, including home/business heating and transportation, a big question is how are we supposed to create and deliver enough electricity to actually do that. And, of course, how much might it cost. Testimony to this issue Read More…
On January 5 Gov. Phil Scott delivered an upbeat State of the State message. He declared that though Vermont has many unmet needs – his leading example was a “desperate need for more people and workers.” – “anything is possible”. Why is anything possible? “Thanks to the work of our Congressional Delegation – especially Senator Read More…
The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was recently passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. This Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act provides information about the major programs now available from the Small Business Administration 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…
