STATE TO MAIN

February 3, 2023

Good Afternoon –

 

Businesses have trusted us with the work of advancing Vermont’s economy and we will continue to work to center economic stewardship at the heart of all policy conversations. As a statewide business advocacy organization, The Vermont Chamber represents businesses of all sizes, in all industries, and in every corner of this state that we all love. It’s vital that as legislation is crafted, stakeholders value the impacts, both positive and negative, on businesses and communities across Vermont.

 

To complement these advocacy efforts, we welcome the opportunity to elevate the first-hand testimony of business leaders. If you are interested in providing testimony on top issues, please reach out to our advocacy team at govaffairs@vtchamber.com.

 

Sincerely,

Megan Sullivan, VP of Government Affairs
Subscribe

Immense Number of Tax Proposals in Discussion 

During a time of great uncertainty, we need to value the economy. Given the economic conditions already facing the Vermont business community, an outpouring of new taxes would threaten the economic sustainability of our communities. A month into the session, several significant taxes are all being discussed by the legislature.


Learn More

Money Alone Cannot Fix Vermont’s Housing Problem

The Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee continued to discuss the Omnibus Housing Bill. The latest version excludes priority housing projects from the definition of development and does not require a permit for these projects. It also invests in a program providing matching funds for the creation of workforce housing. The Vermont Chamber is advocating for creative solutions to encourage workforce housing development without increasing the tax burden on Vermonters. Most of the policy areas outlined by the Vermont Chamber to make progress this year have been addressed by proposals in the Omnibus Housing Bill.


Learn More

Childcare Bill Takes Different Approach from RAND Report 

Senate leaders introduced a long-awaited 107 page childcare bill. However, the bill introduced does not follow the investments listed in the recently released RAND Report. With only six weeks until the crossover deadline, the cost and potential funding sources remain unknown. The Vermont Chamber continues to advocate for solutions to increase childcare availability by focusing on the underlying workforce concerns that exacerbate the issue.


Learn More

Budget Adjustment Act Passes the House

The budget adjustment act was voted out of the House this week with an additional $90 million more of funding allocated than what was proposed by the Governor. The bill requires this additional funding be paid for with FY24 funds. This measure does not immediately offer a suggested revenue source and adds to the legislature’s growing expense list.


Learn More

UI Bills Under Consideration in House Commerce

Two bills on unemployment insurance received testimony in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee this week. H.55 and H.92 address eligibility and participation requirements, with some measures duplicative of preexisting or anticipated programs. 


Learn More

Legislative Intern Spotlight: Aisha Navarrete

There’s a stellar team of interns elevating Vermont Chamber advocacy efforts this session. In the weeks ahead we’ll be introducing each of them! The 2023 Legislative Monitoring Collaborative is made possible by the support of the National Life Group.


Learn More

Bill/Project Updates

  • H.111 Workforce Housing –This bill would expand and invest additional funding in the Missing Middle Homeownership Development Program, exempt housing projects in downtowns and village centers with zoning from Act 250 permits and restrict the ability of residents or property owners to appeal municipal zoning decisions. These steps reflect the advocacy work of the Vermont Chamber over the past several years.


  • H.10 Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) – This bill was introduced in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee this week, with the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development and the Executive Director of the Vermont Economic Progress Council weighing in on the proposed changes. The State Auditor, who has long been critical of VEGI, spoke in support of the changes, which would pause the program during periods of low unemployment. The Vermont Chamber is advocating for policies that grow the Vermont economy and the workforce, not restrict it as this bill would.


  • S.5 Affordable Heat – The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee heard testimony from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) regarding suggested changes to the bill and weighed concerns around the PUC handling confidential information from the Tax Department with the need to collect data for compliance and progress tracking. Only a small handful of fuel dealers had the opportunity to voice their concerns about the bill, but these providers are the best positioned to comment on the impact of the proposed changes, and these perspectives need to be incorporated into emissions reductions measures.


  • Business Portal – The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee heard an update on two information technology modernization projects this week, on the unemployment insurance mainframe as well as the long-awaited business portal. The Secretary of State and Agency of Digital Services report that the business portal is 75% of the way completed but will require two additional RFPs in 2023 to complete.


  • H.165 Universal School Meals – This bill has been referred to the House Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee. According to JFO, the price tag could be anywhere between $26 million and $31 million, with possible revenue sources including a sugar-sweetened beverage tax, a tax on candy, a cloud tax, an increase in the sales tax rate, and an expansion to the sales tax base.
Vermont Chamber News

2023 Vermont Economic Conference Provides Outlook for the Year Ahead

The annual event made its in-person return with over 200 business and policy leaders gathering for an in-depth look at national, global, and state perspectives on the economy. The event featured remarks from Senator Peter Welch and two keynote speakers, Eva McKend of CNN and Gus Faucher of PNC.


Learn More

Save the Date: Tourism Day at the State House

Travel spending by visitors has a $3 billion economic impact annually. Join the tourism and hospitality industry at the State House on Wednesday, March 22 to raise awareness of the importance of the industry in Vermont to legislators.


RSVP

Help Inform Advocacy Efforts – Employer Housing Survey

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 brief survey.


Learn More

Help Inform Advocacy Efforts – Impact of the Proposed Childcare Payroll Tax Survey

The Vermont Chamber is collecting information on how the proposed childcare payroll tax would impact businesses and their employees. If you or your business and employees would be impacted, please complete this survey.


Learn More

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.


Learn More

Sponsored By:
GMP New Logo
By sponsoring a Vermont Chamber newsletter, you can reach a target audience of over 1,800 people. Email Megan Bullard for more information on our affordable pricing opportunities.
Linkedin  Facebook  Twitter