State to Main: Week 2

STATE TO MAIN

January 13, 2023

Good Afternoon – This week in the State House was largely dedicated to introductions. Our advocacy team was on hand to meet new and returning legislators between floor sessions and committee meetings, and we had the opportunity to introduce key committees to our work in our first testimony of the session.

To inform our advocacy efforts on housing solutions this session, the Vermont Chamber is collecting stories of businesses that have lost employees or prospective employees because of housing. If you are an employer who has experienced this, please complete this survey.

As always, our advocacy team can be reached at govaffairs@vtchamber.com.

Megan Sullivan, VP of Government Affairs

This Has to Stop

Legislators of all parties, businesses from all industries, and communities across the state, agree that housing is the foundational challenge for Vermont right now. We can no longer allow state and local regulatory processes to be misused to derail housing opportunities. Multiple housing bills that address the legislative suggestions laid out here are under construction with the expectation that the Senate will take this critical topic up first.

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Governor Proposes Greater Infrastructure Investments

One of the first orders of business every session is to adjust the budget based on additional available funding, changes in program costs, and needs. This year’s Budget Adjustment Act recommendations from Governor Scott have emphasized a focus on advancing economic growth statewide, a theme championed by the Vermont Chamber.

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Proposed Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Funded by Payroll Tax

The highly anticipated bill was presented to the Democratic Caucus, kicking off what will be one of the most high-profile policies debated this session. If enacted as introduced, the program would be funded by a payroll insurance premium.

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Vermont’s Congressional Delegation Takes Office

Senator Peter Welch and Representative Becca Balint have officially been sworn in to their official offices. Both congressional delegation members have demonstrated their commitment to the business community at Vermont Chamber events in recent months.

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Vermont Wages Outpace Inflation Pace Amid Economic Uncertainty

ADP, a payroll processing firm, reports an increase of wages in the state 8.1% this year alone. From 2019 to 2022 the Vermont Department of Labor reports an average wage increases of 21.8%. With latest inflation numbers at 6.5%, it is clear that employers are doing their part to invest in Vermonters.

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“Opening Day at the Legislature for the Rest of Us”

Program Updates

Short-Term Forgivable Loan Program: The program administered by the Vermont Economic Development Authority is now open for all business sectors and will provide financial assistance to businesses that continue to experience current and ongoing harm due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
Community Recovery and Revitalization Program: Funding is intended for projects that make capital improvements or capital expansions that spur economic recovery and revitalization in communities across the state. The funding is also available for capital expenditures that support childcare and affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households, and to establish or improve municipal water and wastewater systems to build housing or create jobs through business creation and expansion. Learn more.
COVID Paid Leave Grant Program: The application window for this program is now open. Employers must demonstrate the dates each employee was out due to COVID, the total and hourly sick leave wages paid to each employee out due to COVID, and provide documentation to support that the leave was due to eligible COVID-related reasons. Learn more.
First Generation Homebuyer Program: Vermont Housing Finance Agency launched this program with the goal of helping more Vermonters afford their first home. This program provides a grant to eligible homebuyers whose parents or legal guardians were likely unable to pass on the generational wealth homeownership can provide. Learn more.
Vermont Creative Futures Program: The Vermont Arts Council is now accepting applications for Round 2 of its Creative Futures Grants to help the creative sector recover from economic losses due to the pandemic. Grants of up to $200K will be available to nonprofit and for-profit entities based on 2019 (pre-pandemic) operating revenue. Learn more.

Vermont Chamber News

You’re Invited! Outstanding Business of the Year Award Presentation at the Vermont Economic Conference

Join us at the Vermont Economic Conference to recognize Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group, recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Business of the Year Award.

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Annual Vermont Business Economic Survey

Davis & Hodgdon Associates and the Vermont Chamber have launched our annual Business Economic Survey to understand the economic issues facing your business in 2023.

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Resources

How to Access Legislative Hearings Remotely

While the majority of pandemic restrictions have been lifted at the State House, the legislative session will continue to be accessible online:

All legislative resources, including information on bills and legislators, can be found on the Vermont General Assembly website.
Committee meetings will be live-streamed via YouTube. Links are accessible on each committee’s page.
Senate and House floor sessions will also be live-streamed.
With any questions, the advocacy team can be reached at govaffairs@vtchamber.com.

Climate Workforce Retention Webinar: February 9, 2023

The Energy Action Network’s Climate Workforce Network Action Team will provide an inspiring view of low and no-cost retention techniques for climate workforce employers. The event will feature a presentation by Susan Loynd, M.A., SHRM-SCP, who is an accomplished, certified, senior human resource executive with over 25 years of experience as a business leader.